[pct-l] Home made low cost tarps.

[Ronald Moak <ronm@fallingwater.com>]

I find it interesting that the more things change, the more they loop
back on themselves. With the advent of small tents over the last few
years, tarps ran out of favor. However, complexities of tent design have
added to the weight. Pushing people back to tarps for lightweight
protection.

As has been pointed out there are several problems inherent in tarps
that make tents a better choice in some situations. In the months before
out '97 hike I racked my brains for a solution that would make the tarp
a viable solution to our shelter needs. I was faced with trying to
provide suitable shelter for three full size people, a large dog (we
intended to take our dog at first) and all of our gear. Plus I wanted
something large enough to be able to sit up conformably, and cook in out
of the weather. Most of all it had to be light weight. Our goal was for
a max of 25lbs (gear, 5 days food and water) apiece. 

To me the tent was out of the question. Only one I saw even began to
meet the requirements and it was too expensive. I wanted a tarp, but my
wife was, needless to say, somewhat reluctant. After a disaster one
night in Dean's Ravine on the AT, neither of us was too eager see a wall
of mud come rolling down the hill. Covering everything insight just as
twilight was fading into darkness.

Still I thought I could solve most of the problems and overcome her
objections.. There were several problems I needed to resolve. First the
tarp had to easy to setup and not be too dependent upon vegetation in
the immediate vicinity. Second it needed protection from bugs. Third it
needed to provide some level of privacy. Forth it needed to be setup in
a manner to reduce the effects of side driven rain in heavy rain storms.
Fifth it needed to be lightweight. My original goal was under 4lbs
complete with tarp, ground cloth, cords, stakes and stuff sack.

When I found that most of the tarps being sold were made of a heavier
nylon, I knew this would be a custom design. I selected a size of 8x10
as large enough for everyone. This would take 6 yards of 2.5 oz coated
ripstop nylon for the main tarp. To provide bug protection and privacy,
I added an 8 inch boarder of netting on the two sides. On the two ends
that would allow entry, I made triangular doors with the netting. The
doors sealed with Velcro (lightweight zippers would have been better).
Loops were attached to the netting to allow it to be staked to the
ground. The netting only added a few ounces. It could also be tied back
to stay out of the way.

For support, we decided to use our hiking poles. I made little booties
(yea laugh all you want) that attached to the cord and held the poles in
place. The poles telescoped and could be raised or lowered depending
upon weather conditions. The setup even worked on a tent platform in the
White's. 

The rest of the getup consisted of a cheep blue $3.50 tarp cut down and
used as ground cloth. Eight stakes from  Eston (sp) were used and the
cord was the Kelty cord that weight's less than 1 oz for 50 feet.
Everything together weighed in at 3 lbs 12 oz. Far lighter than a tent.
There are some lighter fabrics available that could reduce the weight by
about a half pound.

Test Results. 

In the 700 miles traveled we used the tarp 17 times. A number of those
nights were in heavy rain storms. We weathered 18 hours in it one
afternoon and night on a ridge just off the summit of Cheoah Bauld.
During which we had violent rains and lighting strikes within 100 feet.

I was most impressed by the netting. It kept the 99% of the side driven
rain out. Instead of coming through it would simply roll down the side
with minimal splash. It was especially good in camp sites where the
platter of rain often splashes grit all over the gear. In addition it
provided a good level of privacy. 

Bugs were not a problem and I expect that the netting would have worked
fine. I would recommend zipper instead of Velcro at the door.

All in all we were very happy and my wife didn't even miss our tent.

For a picture of the tarp www.fallingwater.com/tarp.jpg
<http://www.fallingwater.com/tarp.jpg> 

Ron

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