Tarptent Questions

imported
#1

I used my Tarptent Virga for the first time in a rainstorm near Boiling Springs, PA on Thursday. Everything including yours truely got soaked and when the wind came, the tent walls caved in with the wind. Granted, this was the worst storm I’ve ever experienced, and everybody had problems. Some tarptent questions:

  1. Other than creating guidlines and pegging down the sides, what can be done to protect vs. harsh wind?

  2. What are ways to prevent splashback?

  3. What is the best way to clean your tarptent in the middle of a thruhike?

  4. I was set on starting in February for my 05 thruhike. Now I’m not so sure. How do tarptents hold out in that month with the cold and the snow?

Jeff T

#2

Er, 1. Stake it out, that’s what the side loopies are for. 2. Try and pick a leafy spot to absorbe the water. Hard dirt will get some splat back as they have no bath tub floor. 3. Bath tub with a little detergent and swish it round, rinse, line dry. 4. Feb is great, Feb is cold, Feb you’ll die. They’ll give no warmth, marginal snow protection and you’ll need a 0* or warmer. Just stay in shelters or bring a small light full cover tent to keep the wind off. Pick up the tarp in the spring.

Bushwhack

#3

If the wind is coming out of the north, then get down off the top of the mountain a hundred feet or so on the south side of the mountain and pitch it there. Get in a pine, spruce, hemlock or laurel, etc thicket and pitch it there—i.e. they block the wind. Pitch it leeward side (Navy term means side opposite the oncoming wind) of a big log.

Hang a long ribbon up for a minute or two and see which way the breeze causes it to go----this is the wind direction. Pitch it so it is protected from wind.

Wind generally comes from the North or Northwest in storms, but can come from the east in a Noreaster, also can come from the south in a tropical flow/moisture jet.

Most important get down off the top of the mountain on the leaward side of the mountain and pitch in sheltered area.

In winter with deep snow, dig a snow cave.

Hope this helps. See you out there. :cheers

Maintain

#4

Thanks for the advice, BW, Maintain. Washing my Tarptent right now. Henry Shires also e-mailed me to see if they could be of any help.

Jeff T