View Full Version : On the subject of tarps.
Just doing my kit list for the north meet and it seems like i am taking my whole bushcraft world and then some! :D . I know that knowledge is the best thing to take but i AM learning and on a steep curve but loving every minute of it. Basically i want to be prepared as i may try and get there Wednesday so i can enjoy a bit longer camping. I have to leave Saturday Middat you see....... Ramble .....point, oh yes.
I was wondering if anyone has a link to erecting a tarp in loads of diferent ways. Iv'e searched and found odd pictures but i want to try out several ways. I will have a tonker 3mx3m with an O ring on the underside as well as the usual eyelets etc. But it occured to me that apart from being able to suspend a torch or mosquito net from the ring, one might also be able to turn the tarp over and suspend it from the ring ala parachute style. Ofcourse this depends on the material and breaking point etc etc but i may also be able to make a tipi affair ( without the fire ) and without the pole but suspended and guyed like a hankercheif held aloft from it's center.
Of course my mind is working overtime at the miriad of possibilities.
Anyway, for those wondering why my kitlist is so large, i figured if i start with everything then i can only get lighter from there on in. :D I put the point of the thread in bold to distinguish from the accute case of verbal diahrear i seem to be suffering from this evening. :beerchug:
I will have one of the 3x3 tatonka tarps with me too a cotton one providing it gets to outdoorcode in time.
The way I intend to use it is set up diagonally which gives a 4.2m ridge line, long enough to give plenty of coverage for my hammock.
Used this way it provides even more coverage than the hennesy hex fly and only needs two side guys instead of the four needed for a hex.
This is great for a hammock but if you are ground based you can still use the square tarp in traditional set-ups too.
If my memory serves me, isn't there a web loop on the upper side of the centre as well? This can be used to hang the centre from a ridge line.
When you put tension on the side guys there is a tendency for the centre to drop slightly, it's all down to geometry, some tarps have a catenery cut to compensate for this, others are best slightly supported in the centre.
One thing to consider is that I'm not sure there is going to be enought room at Fishergate for everyone that has said they would like to hammock. I for one will take some alternative set up poles and back up tentage just in case.
101 ways to rig a tarp (http://www.equipped.com/tarp-shelters.pdf) (though some of the suggestions seem to have more to do with origami than practicality) :D
Thanks Wayland
Your suggestion about taking poles/sticks is a good one and iv'e even thought about turning it into a mini baker with thatched sides but i probably won't as i don't think the owner wants makeshift shelters everywhere. We'll see. Seeing as it's my first time under a tarp, warm and dry with enough privacy to get me kecks on will suffice. I'll keep the thatching for a backup snore deflector! ;)
Tatonker!!!! :lmao: and there was me calling it a Tonker :o :D ( i thought that's what they were called.
I can't afford a tent as well after all my cc bashing so a tarp will have to do. Can you make a fire ( small ) near the cotton ones?. In fact i suppose you must be able to about a metre away as that's what you do with a baker.
innocent bystander
20-10-2005, 22:55
this was just posted in the other thread :
http://www.alpharubicon.com/prepinfo/ponchotent.htm
Looks an interesting variation, done with a poncho, but could be adapted...
this was just posted in the other thread :
http://www.alpharubicon.com/prepinfo/ponchotent.htm
Looks an interesting variation, done with a poncho, but could be adapted...
yeah i saw that earlier. It looks good but i don't have the poles and i think my tarp maybe too heavy for it to.
Cool invention though.
Thanks Wayland
I can't afford a tent as well after all my cc bashing so a tarp will have to do. Can you make a fire ( small ) near the cotton ones?. In fact i suppose you must be able to about a metre away as that's what you do with a baker.
I'll bring a spare tent just in case.... ;)
I've spent so much time with re-enactment tents of heavy canvas that nylon just scares me silly close to a fire.
I've yet to see the cotton that Tatonka use for the tarps but I'm guessing it's got to be better than synthetics and the same price...
Ok, it's a few hundred grams heavier but most of my camping is within striking distance of my van so what the hey.
running bare
22-10-2005, 21:18
hi bilko
im a novice too, but my 2p worth would be to try the different ideas out that you have,and see what works best for you or the location, to my mind you may prefer to stick with one layout or you may decide that a tipi style,baker style,or even the kind of style where half the tarp is the groundsheet and the other half the roof bit like this> ( apologises if greater than confuses you its the closest i can get to a diagram using a keyboard) any hope to see you at the moot its my first and it should be cool.
Tom
p.s. you could use a couple of broom handles for poles. I know its not bushcrafty as such but it is improvisation :D
fishaben
01-11-2005, 20:17
Hey,
I am looking for a cheap tarp that isn't too heavy so that I can carry it around in a rucksack. My dad (wanderinstar) has got a 'Tatonka, nylon' which cost to much for me to save up and anyway it will be my first tarp and I
don't want to wreck it, I need to get used to putting them up properly and stuff like that. It can't be too hard but I'm just going to play it safe at first. So if anyone knows somewhere where I could get one from or a make of tarp that might do me then please tell me.
Cheers,
fishaben.
Hi fishaben, hope you enjoyed the meet (and thanks for the candle!). Have you thought about a poncho (like Scruff had as part of his setup). Something like this (http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/ishop/877/shopscr714.html) is cheaper than the tatonka, but would give you a 6' x 5' tarp to work with.
Hi mate, I've seen similar on Evilbay quite cheap, you can also pick up cheap tarps as well if thats what your after, but as said on other threads just check who your buying from.
Good luck in your search mate.
Brian
fishaben
01-11-2005, 22:01
HI,
I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and we will be coming to the next meet if it is not too far away for us. I will let you know if we are going to the next one. But what I would like to know is how do you turn a poncho into a tarpolin. :confused:
fishaben
01-11-2005, 22:13
Hi Brian,
thanks for the info, I will have a look on the internet for the tarps you are on about and I will see if they will do. If I can't find them on the net I will let you know and I will try and find out some other way, unless you could send me a link to them.
Fishaben.
I'd agree a army surplus poncho, is a good choice for a tarp and you could wear it as well :)
To turn into a tarp, just tie some cord around the neck of the hood, most should come with this.
fishaben
02-11-2005, 09:25
Hi,
thanks you three ( led, brian and phil ) for the advice, I will have to see what my dad thinks to these ponchos ( for size and everything) but I have been looking on their website and I have seen some tarps that have caught my eye so even still, thanks for the link to the website (led). There are quite a few other things on the website that I need and are really cheap.
Fishaben :beerchug: