[pct-l] tarps and short trips - in Michigan

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

All I know about it is that to sew one yourself you will need a LOT  
of pins and a walking foot on your sewing machine. You may find  
useful information on the backpacking light forums in the DIY  
section. You may even find someone there from Michigan if their  
profile has that info. Lots of people start their sewing off with  
making a tarp or bivy sack with silnylon. It's a challenge to sew.  
I've never tried it.
On Oct 9, 2011, at 10:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

> I'm looking to convert to a tarp, but have no experience with them
> whatsoever. I ordered some silnylon to try making my own Brawny- 
> style flat
> tarp.
>
> Is there anyone on this list from Southeast Michigan with a tarp or  
> tarp
> experience? I'd love to get some first-hand advice setting it up  
> properly.
> (Or, for that matter, in Southwestern Michigan, as I have family in  
> Grand
> Rapids I could visit.)
>
> Also, is there anyone in Southeast Michigan (or actually anywhere  
> in the
> lower peninsula) who might like to do some 3-4 day moderate- to  
> long-mileage
> extended weekend trips before it gets too cold? I want to try out  
> different
> rain and sleep gear and get some miles in. I haven't done much  
> backpacking
> in Michigan, so don't even know what's "close" by. I'm available the
> weekends of 10/21, 11/4, and 11/11.
>
> I realize this may be the wrong list for this. Maybe hikers in  
> Michigan tend
> towards the AT....
>
> Nina