Lean-to Tarp setup BEFORE rain hits

Pitch so that the windward side is to the ground.

Wait for the system to have almost blown in, so that the prevailing wind is the actual direction the storm will throw the wind at you.

In heavy storms, the lean to is a poor choice for a small tarp setup. I would suggest an a frame, a modified a frame, a half pyramid, a flying wing, or an a frame with only one a(the other side being pitched to the ground.

Hey , thanks for the suggestions, I've been curious as well. Is there any good online resource to show a beginner tarper how to pitch these configs?

The first article is what you asked for; the others supplement it.

Tarp-shelters; same article – 2 formats
http://www.equipped.org/tarp-shelters.pdf
http://www.equipped.org/tarp-shelters.htm

#1 04-14-2007, 03:32 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Oregon
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Tarps & Weather Strategies
http://www.practicalbackpacking.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2477

Advanced Tarp Camping Techniques for Inclement Conditions
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/00150.html

The 5 x 8' Poncho as Shelter and Rain Gear
http://www.thru-hiker.com/articles.asp?subcat=3&cid=80

Tarp Shelter Set-up
http://www.nessmuking.com/tarp.htm

Wandering Bob

Tarp tips from lessons learned the hard way:

Practice as much as you can at home before you take it out for real.

Take some extra long guylines so you can use trees, rocks, etc to tie to

Make sure you put your stakes in at an angle. 30 – 45 deg.

If you use those nano stakes and ones pulls out (launches up and away), then don't waste your time looking for it. I guess they are so light that they keeping going up into space. For tarps, I switched to the larger (hi viz) stakes.

"In heavy storms, the lean to is a poor choice for a small tarp setup"

This is my opinion aswell, I use the A-frame for bad weather – however, I once posted a similar statement in a thread and another gentlemen said that for heavy rainstorms, the lean to was his choice of protection. I tried to search for the thread but couldn't find it. It would be great to hear from him and his technique.

Are you out there?

The A-frame is good as long as you have a good sized tarp. In an 8×5 for instance I find it lessens coverage too much. the half pyrmid or lean-to ( and variations therof) provides better coverage. You must be mindfull if there is a good wind though and set it up accordanly. Use natural wind breaks!

Im wondering if we all have the same idea about what a lean-to is? For instance an A frame with one side pitched to the ground could be considered a lean-to or a variation of one -it is to me.

How bout you guys set up your favorite tarp configs and post a pic here for us beginner tarpers!!! :)

Steve: "Are you out there?"

Nah he died, but yes he was out there.