Confession of a non-tarper

Maybe you should take a look at the BPL UK DVD that can be found here BPL UK Tarp DVD

If you haven't been able to successfully (i.e., conveniently) use a tarp, don't obsess over forcing yourself to. One of the neat things about the UL "rev- or ev-olution" (as Colin Fletcher called it) is that you don't need to use a tarp to go light anymore.

When you consider the overall weight of a shelter system using a tarp (the tarp, stakes, bug netting, and groundcloth or bivy) you're very often in the 2-3 pound weight range (unless you're in the bleeding-edge SUL group.) In that 2-3 pound range, there are several good solo tents that blend the good points of tarp systems with the good points of tents. Two quick examples are the Seedhouse SL1 and Hubba. (A similar comparison can be made for 2-man tents versus 2 people sharing a tarp.)

And then, there's even the near-perfect compromise of the TarpTent, and the Rainbow in particular.

I regularly switch between tents and tarp/bivy combos. Both work, but I'm choosing the tent option more and more often simply because there's no substantial weight difference and the tents are getting easier to set up.

If tarps aren't working for you, go with a good, light tent and enjoy yourself.

in sandy or soggy ground, try to use heavy rocks.

With a stake it's easier, just plop a big rock right on top of the stake , making sure you dont have the sharp edge rubbing on the guys.

Or you can tie directly to the rocks.

Rock edges can be dulled by rubbing on other rocks.

Good solid stakeout points are vital as Paul advised. I've never actually been able to use or needed trees as anchors. Also consider:
– broader stakes in soft ground, angles will be better than skewers if they're what you've been using.
– ensure the stakes are 75-90° to the guys to avoid pulling out.
– pitch the tarp with its lowest end into the wind.
– use all the tarp's guy points to ensure a good taut pitch. Siltarps can take a lot of tension without tearing. All guys should be able to give a bit of 'twang' when properly tensioned.
– if using hiking poles as supports, tune their length & all guy lengths after initial setup to give a taut pitch with minimum creases.

That's pretty much it for basic tarp setups. If you address all those points, you should end up with a good pitch that will resist most weather. Good tarping!

wasn't there some fabrics that loosen up when they get wet?, thought it was silny by not sure.

So for instance some tents have guyline tension adjusters that you can easily reach: on the tent end of the guy rather than at the stake.

Or you can use a knot or etc.

Yes, nylons will stretch a fair amount when wet (or even under high humidity). Silnylon is no exception. Polyesters don't do this appreciably but are more susceptible to UV degradation. I believe there are both nylon and polyester "spinnaker" cloths out there. I can't imagine the mylar film of cuben fabric exhibits "wet stretch" either.

So . . . with silnylon, some retensioning is usually necessary, even without rain (as the temperature drops and relative humidity goes up). Guyline tensioners, tautline hitches (although not with pure spectra lines) or just moving the stakes all work.

Unless you use a totally free-standing tent, then most tents (not just tarps) will need good strong anchor points. Even free-standing tents will need good anchors to keep from blowing away in strong winds, so I'm not sure why tarps in particular are causing problems. Some really nice stakes for softer ground can be found at Titanium Goat and surprise surprise they are not made of titanium!
http://titaniumgoat.com/stakes.html