Warin wrote:Pitch.
For wind driven rain, pitch the tarp so that the windward side of the tarp;
touches the ground, Or
the trap folds back over itself, the lower part forming a ground sheet while the upper part forms the fly.
You don't pitch your tent in a hollow where the water will flow towards the inside of the tent, why would you do it when you pitch a tarp?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6y8ojas_Os
Climate & bugs
Winter = very few bugs.
FNM wrote:I guess I was also thinking in terms of an unexpected downpour during the night - ie, don’t know which way the rain would be blowing in.
Warin wrote:FNM wrote:I guess I was also thinking in terms of an unexpected downpour during the night - ie, don’t know which way the rain would be blowing in.
Direction of wind = direction of rain.
It is fairly well known where 'most' weather changes come from in most areas...
In Tassie the roaring 40s are dominate, so anywhere from North west to South West.
You'll have to study climate data for the area your interested in - look at the BOM climate maps wind roses.
The BOM do a 7 day forecast for most areas of Oz. Use it?
FNM wrote:Cheers. Do you use always use your tarp? Or is it weather/seasonal/location dependent?
wildwanderer wrote:Tarping is great, small pack size and very light weight! but is condition dependent.
If you have a good tarp set up heavy rain shouldn't be a concern as long as the site is prepared so you don't have water running under the tarp.
If wind is forecast along with rain then a fly (or 360 degree tarp) is a better choice.
What can catch you out (and it caught me) is tarping in river valleys subject to heavy due especially in conditions around zero celcius. Because you cant create a warm microclimate (like in a tent), the temperature falls and the interaction of warm air generated by your body heat hitting cold surfaces like your sleeping bag outer and the underside of the tarp causes water vapor to condense directly on your sleeping bag and tarp inner surface. Ive woken up to a wet sleeping bag with frost and icicles on the inner side of the tarp!
In addition as your moving about in the morning concerned about the wetness on the surface of your sleeping bag you inevitably forget about what's above you.. brushing against the tarp..covering your shoulders and beanie in rapidly melting frost. Not great!
ChrisJHC wrote:Bugs: get a hammock with a bug net.
Or, if a ground-dweller, a bivvy bag with a bug net.
Rain: if you sling your tarp properly, I would suggest that it is easier to stay dry with a tarp/hammock combo than a tent.
If you’re expecting heavy rain, you set up so there is no part of your gear on the ground and you avoid all surface water.
I once set up my hammock / tarp across a small stream so I could reach down in the morning to get fresh water for my brew without getting out of my quilts.
This approach also keeps you away from most snakes, bugs, etc. I had one memorable trip in a leech-infested area where I sat in my hammock with my legs dangling over the side picking the leeches off. Once de-leeched I simply swung around, did up the bug net and was safe and sound.
Seasons: year-round. I’ve had my gear down to -3 with no issues. There are videos around of hammock / tarp combos down to -40. Need pretty specialised gear but do-able.
Not my idea of a good time!
One trick with a tarp is to sling it inside “snake skins”.
These are thin sleeves that keep the tarp under control.
If you don’t think it is going to rain, keep the tarp in the snake skins and, if an unexpected shower comes, it only takes 30 seconds to pull the snake skins back and peg out the tarp.
When I did the Larapinta, I didn’t sling my tarp at all except for the last night. That was because there was a 20% chance of rain and I didn’t want to take the chance of wet gear when heading back to Alice.
There’s nothing better than spending a night being able to look up at the stars. Usually, however, I’m fast asleep before I have a chance to do much star-gazing.
The best way to educate yourself is to either:
1. Go to hammockforums.net or
2. Search for “Shug Emery” on YouTube. Note that he is a professional clown so his presentation can be different, however he is a wealth of knowledge on all things hammock and tarp-related.
Petew wrote:I mainly use a tarp in winter so bugs less of an issue.
I also use a polychro groundsheet and tyvek sleeping bag cover. Works very well.
The tyvek sleeping bag covers can be bought from Terra Rosa gear. They are excellent for keeping off light spray and wind. I had mine made extra large so the sleeping mat fits in there as well.
There are versions available with nylon floors and bug netting too.
https://terrarosagear.com/collections/s ... ing-covers
https://terrarosagear.com/products/hood ... 044f&_ss=r
Neo wrote:Have been woken up by a wombat and also eaten alive by mozzies.
Tarp camping is great. Site selection and a ground sheet, rain drips off the edges and soaks into the ground most times.
I always park and/or pitch to compensate for the wind direction, be it vehicle, tent or tarp.
I wouldn't choose sleeping under a tarp beside a coastal lake, wetland or if expecting ticks and leeches.
The more tie-out points the better.
FNM wrote:Petew wrote:I mainly use a tarp in winter so bugs less of an issue.
I also use a polychro groundsheet and tyvek sleeping bag cover. Works very well.
The tyvek sleeping bag covers can be bought from Terra Rosa gear. They are excellent for keeping off light spray and wind. I had mine made extra large so the sleeping mat fits in there as well.
There are versions available with nylon floors and bug netting too.
https://terrarosagear.com/collections/s ... ing-covers
https://terrarosagear.com/products/hood ... 044f&_ss=r
Sounds like the time to try inner-less would be now, if not for the restrictions! Ah well... I noticed a photo of your setup in one of the other threads and had been wondering what was wrapped around your sleep setup. Is the use of the groundsheet and tyvek to protect the pad from puncture? Or are there other reasons? Like is it also to play a role in keeping your gear a little cleaner generally by not having sleeping bags hanging off the side onto dirt etc? .. I was thinking of cutting my own sheet to size of my pad and then using elastic to hold in place under my pad - like a reverse mattress protector, instead of carrying an entire groundsheet with my tent and then thought it could also double as protection if sleeping without inner.. or have a lighter one for tent and heavier one for direct to ground.
FNM wrote:
Thanks WW. By the sounds of it, as long as not on rock-hard surfaces, the ground should absorb any rain that runs off the tarp as opposed to it spreading either by soaking or trickle into the sleeping/gear area. That's probably the main thing that I made an incorrect assumption about.
I need to learn a bit more about dew and when to expect it and also how outside moisture interacts with human heat and the impact on tents etc. At the Grampians last week, tent was saturated by the time we went to bed. I don't know what dictates that - temperature, cloud cover/clear skies, elevation (we were at about 500m), there were streams 5-10 mins walk away but only small streams, latitude ... all things to discover.
Baeng72 wrote:Aliexpress Tivek bivy, bit cheaper than Terrarosa but no mesh.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3303104 ... web201603_
Petew wrote:Baeng72 wrote:Aliexpress Tivek bivy, bit cheaper than Terrarosa but no mesh.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3303104 ... web201603_
Almost 50g heavier than the Terra Rosa one (without hood). Perhaps a different grade of tyvek? The Terra Rosa ones are soft touch tyvek, feels soft like fabric.
It does have a hood and zip which probably explains the extra weight.
Baeng72 wrote:Petew wrote:Baeng72 wrote:Aliexpress Tivek bivy, bit cheaper than Terrarosa but no mesh.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3303104 ... web201603_
Almost 50g heavier than the Terra Rosa one (without hood). Perhaps a different grade of tyvek? The Terra Rosa ones are soft touch tyvek, feels soft like fabric.
It does have a hood and zip which probably explains the extra weight.
It's soft. At least my one is. I've never come near the Terra Rosa one, so can't compare.
Users browsing this forum: marron and 53 guests