Tarps-why? - Pacific Crest Trail

imported
#1

Will be nobo on april 5, havent got a tarp yet. I need some suggestions, on quality tarps…So, what did you use on your hikes? Negeives and Positives?

Luke

bigluke

#2

You’ll probably see a lot of Henry Shires’ stuff out there. I got a new Contrail 1 with floor last year and really liked it, the best I’ve ever used. Never a single drop inside in heavy rains and wind, good ventilation, excellent customer service (had problems with an old Virga, fixed immediately). My negatives on the Contrail–not so good in snow and heavy hail (flat roof section at the feet) and it takes a few pitches to get it right.

Have a great hike!

garlic

#3

The Contrail can easily be configured so that the foot section roof is not flat. Go to http://www.backpacking.net/bbs.html, and do a search for “Contrail” on “Light Gear Talk”–be sure to change the search parameters from the default newer than 1 week to newer than 2 years, and to older than 1 year. The post you’re looking for (probably several pages in) is titled “New Tarptent Contrail Setup” and was posted 11/08/06 by “Franco.” Click the “flat” button to get to the original post. There are lots of pictures there on different ways to configure the Contrail for bad weather. With a center back guyline and another pole (trekking pole or stick) you can make a modified A-frame out of the foot section with a higher middle. You can make a complete A-frame with the same center back guyline and pole by removing the side struts and staking the back corners to the ground. The pictures are much clearer than my description!

The Lightweight Backpacker (www.backpacking.net) is an excellent information source for lightweight gear.

That being said, I ended up with a Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo(e) (same weight but more $) instead because it has more room for my 80-lb. dog. What we go through for our pets!

grannyhiker

#4

The new Backpacker Gear Guide had an interesting article basically saying that some tents are now so light that the trade off to change to a tarp has mostly been eliminated. Tents provide a little greater comfort as far as bug protection and wind protection then a tarp. I live in the northeast and when I go out for just a few nights and the weather report looks good I still prefer to bring my tarp as I feel closer to the environment. I’ve seen people who are experienced tarp campers and they are able to set up in places that You just can’t fit a tent.

Big B

#5

I’ve been using an 8’ X 10’ sylnylon tarp for several years–used the tarp on the AT in '04 and on the PCT in '05, and really like it. Last week I learned a “new” method for setting up a tarp without using any guylines! If I’d have known this a year ago, I’d have probably used the tarp on the CDT. Go to www.etowahoutfitters.com and click on “How To” to see a video clip demonstrating this method. Pretty cool!

WILDCAT

#6

I think the best tarps are made by MacCat taprs:
http://www.outdoorequipmentsupplier.com/index.htm
But, a basic, cheap, silnylon 8 X 10 from just about anyone will work. The MacCats are a tiny bit heavier than most other taprs, but only by an oz or two, and I think they will withstand a lot more abuse than most other light weight tarps.

I checked out the above mentioned video. I usually use a hammock, but next time I need to go really light, I’ll have to try it.

Bear Bag Hanger

#7

There is a fellow on www.BackpackingLight.com that has been selling some very nice looking custom tarps, with things like beaks, dual ridgelines etc. If you zip him a PM he might cook something up for you, his prices are good along with the feedback from other users

John

#8

I received an email response to my Contrail post above and would like to comment publicly. While configuring the Contrail as I described will allow it to shed some snow, we’re talking inches of snow here, not feet. I would not attempt to use the Contrail (or any other tarptent, except a pyramid tarp designed for winter camping) as a 4-season tent. They are not designed for winter.

I did a lot of research on tarps vs. tarptents (of whatever brand). It appeared to me that by the time you add bug netting and a ground cloth to the tarp, you come out with the same weight as a tarptent. (Of course I need more bug netting so as to have a bug-free space for my dog as well!) The tarptent is a lot simpler to put up and take down. The nice thing about Henry Shires’ Tarptents (notice the capital T) is that when lying down you have a 360 degree view just as you have with a tarp, and you have all that bug-free space inside. The 360* view is what I miss in my SMD Lunar Solo.

grannyhiker

#9

Tarps rock! I love 'em. I’ve been using a tarp I got in '05 on the PCT. It’s just a silicon lined nylon tarp with gromets at the corners, 6x8, cost about $20. It’s fun to learn all the ways you can set them up. I sleep under that (sometimes) and use a poncho as a ground cloth. One thing that is nice though is a bug net. I have a head net that is big enough to fit the opening of my mummy bag (not all nets are big enough). That works but it can get too hot on summer nights, so unzip the sleeping bag with the top still velcrowed or snapped, don’t sleep on your pad and position yourself so your back is on the ground with the sleeping bag covering your body. Your bare back on the cool ground will cool you off while still being shielded from the bugzzz. I’ve also been wondering how well a full size bug net would work with tarps. of course that would be more to carry.

banjo boy (hiker miker)

#10

I used a homemade Virga style tarptent that is on Henry Shires website. It lasted me the whole PCT and more. I guess it weighs just over a pound. I have a beak sewn-on and a sewn-on floor with full mosquito mesh. It was a pain to sew but well worth it. I think it is much more rewarding using homemade gear and it’s better for the environment if you really think about it. I added kelty triptease reflective guylines, which are pricy

If you plan on using the same plans that are online, I would suggest a few things: Offset the peremeter mesh a few more inches so you don’t get capillary action of dripping rain water finding its way down to your groundsheet. You’ll problaby have to seam seal the stitch if you offset it. Grab a breathable windbreaker from the thrift store to use as reinforcement scraps. Use the zipper from the windbreaker to use as a door zipper. I had two zippers, one on the bottom of the door, and one on the side of the door. You problaby could make a tarptent for just over $20. if you wanted, you would have to use 2nds material, no gromets, no triptease guyline, and recycled material (like a old windbreaker or swim trunks). Oh yea, I purchased my materials from OWFinc.com.

Spigot

#11

If you can afford it, spend and get one that weights next to nothing. I use a Moutnain Laurel Designs’ Grace Solo Tarp made from Cuben Fiber. It’s a cat. cut tarp that weights 4.4oz (not including tit. stakes). It was used by several doing thru hikes last year including a yo-yo of the CDT. Also check out their Bug Bivy.

Miner