Large Tarp Setup?

[Drew Davis]

I just finished sewing an 8'x10' tarp and was wondering which setup was everyone's favorite.

I will probably use the A-Frame most of the time for the space and will use some sort of long cord as a ridgeline. What kind of cord do you recommend for this? Nylon paracord? A bunch of triptease?

I've used a smaller tarp in the past but never one this large. Any other basic tips?

[R Yee]

But I still tend to basically use an A-frame with the 8×10. In this pic I had to quickly set it up in horizontal rain, so fast weather protection was the main priority. The end shape was more of a flattened A-frame, with bivy underneath. It provided a great shelter under which to unpack, setup the sleeping bag etc.

[Drew Davis]

Cool pic. What kind of guyline do you use?

[David Olsen]

[Nat Lim]

For a 8 x 10, generally use 3mm cord. A frame works just fine!

[Phil Barton]

Drew, an 8×10 tarp is so versatile. I enjoy using mine whenever camping with a group. I use the same guy lines for the 8×10 as I use for my poncho tarp. I have 2 long guy lines for the ends on a A-frame pitch. They are about 8' of Tripease. The side and corner guy lines are about 3' long parachute cord. These guy lines are attached to the tarps with mini-carabiners. I can girth hitch lines together if I want something longer. I could move to lighter cord but I haven't gotten around to doing so.

I've also tried a bomber pitch like Dave shows above for OB instructors. That's very handy in rough weather.

Same guy lines, different tarp.

[Jim Colten]

David,

That's a pretty nice setup, looks like it might handle three? Was it a flat tarp?

[Drew Davis]

Phil, your setup looks awesome. Have you tried the same setup with a ridgeline between two trees (raised a little higher)? I'm just curious as to how you did that if you have tried and about what sort of line you used for a ridgeline (anyone else that has done so, feel free to chime in!).

I use Triptease for my poncho tarp but am curious if I need something different for a ridgeline.

[Phil Barton]

Drew, yes, I've tied the tarp to trees. Usually, just one. It's so easy and fast to use trekking poles that I don't really search for trees. For tying to trees, I've used the same ridgeline (8' Triptease). I usually have a longer cord with me just to provide flexibility. The possibilities for pitching a tarp are only limited by your imagination and patience.

Great tarp camping references can be found on BPL.
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/poncho_tarp_techniques_gear_inclement_conditions.html
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/00150.html

[R Yee]

Have since changed to Aircore Dyneema

[Lance M]

Here is a pic from a few years ago. Pitched above timberline in the best cover we could find. A small weather front passed through during the night bringing some unanticipated winds. The 10×10 tarp set up the way pictured, caught a lot of wind. We reached out and tied additional guylines as indicated by the red lines. That worked pretty well to quiet down the flapping. I should have pitched the tarp flatter in the first place. Guylines were a mix of triptease and paracord.

[Tom Clark]

Here is a setup during a unseasonal August storm in Yosemite. I think it provides the benefit of cutting the wind, but still providin plenty of ventilation.

[Adam Kilpatrick]

Has anyone ever tried pitching a large tarp with storm guys, ala Scout Patrol Tent style? (http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/pdfs/fs315085.pdf).
We did it a few times in Scouts, although it wasnt in windy conditions-just for practise/experience. I never really understood why they crossed over like that, however I guess they may stop alot of flapping and wind getting underneath and ripping pegs out.

Note that Patrol tents normally have a ridgepole, and no guy-lines for the ends of the ridges-you would need these to balance out the tension caused by the guy-lines.

This could prove a potential solution for reducing flap on larger tarps in strong winds.

[John G]

I suspect the "storm guys" (which run from the poles across the sides of the tarp to form a diagonal "X" pattern) on Scout patrol tents are to compensate for the relatively short main guyline holding up the pole in front of the doorway.

The main pole guylines on the Scout patrol tent don't come out that far in front of the door. The hit the ground at a relatively steep 45-60 degree angle (to reduce the footprint of the tent in permanent scout camp settings). The steep angle doesn't hold pegs in the ground well in the wind – especially when attached to a 5-6 foot tall Scout patrol tent.

[Benjamin Smith]

Lance,

Where was those pictures, especially the first, taken?

[Lance M]

Ben, Both pictures above were on the NE ridge of Mount Hood near the Cooper Spur shelter.

[David Olsen]

This one was a 10×10 flat tarp. Sleep 2 adults, baby and
dog.

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