Advice about tarp camping…

The first observation is that site selection is more important with tarps than with bivy or free standing tents. In most cases I would have searched for an site where I could more easily pitched my tarp. Places where there were enough gaps in the rocks under the soil where I could pound in some nail stakes, places where I could easily tie my guylines out (sturdy vegetation or rocks in place), or where there were crevices that I could wedge something into to hold my guylines.

That said… there are some locations that using a tarp is pretty extremely difficult to impossible. I haven't run into any in the last five years, but when I was doing a lot of climbing this was somewhat common. In these locations I would pay the extra weight and go with someone that would be significantly easier to pitch.

Ryan, I know exactly how you feel.

I found myself in a similar situation the other day. I wanted/needed to park it on a small site consisting of deeep, soooft, dryyyy sand!

FYI, I didn't have anything to tie off to. I suppose I could have used a couple of bushes and looong guy-lines for two tie outs? Possible, but???

Long story short: I used one of my LuxuryLite Big Stiks to hold up the Gatewood Cape. I removed the unnecessary Needle Knife/trowel from it and used that for one stake. Took apart the other Big Stik (a four piece) and now I had four additional stakes; including my version of LuxuryLite's basket tip (tip top kit).

I use an extension for my LuxuryLite umbrella …. voila, a sixth stake.

Result: A freaking rock solid set-up which easily withstood 20 mph winds and rain …. I stayed warm and dry!

Not even the best sand/snow stakes I have used in the past would have served given the conditions.

Mark; proper site selection is an oft heard comment. And you are absolutely correct in mentioning it. BUT proper site selection is not even an issue inside a steep river canyon. Especially that particular day. So I had to make do. Strange, before this day I hadn't thought of using the LL pole sections for stakes.

BTW, no crevices, not rocks, no nail stakes and no way to pound them into volcanic rock. Just a few bushes, poorly located and covered w/blackberry vines (ouch).

Peace,

Richard.

Ryan,

Before I converted to hammocks I seldom set my tarp the same way twice.

My tensioning adjustment was on the tarp end of the guy rather than the anchor end.

Natural anchors were generally better than stakes. My hammock fly has 4 guys and over the Memorial Day weekend I used 2 stakes one night and 1 stake the other night. I use a mooring hitch to attach to vegetation to prevent the sawing effect that can damage the vegetation.

The way I generally make a rock anchor is attach the guy to a stick with a clove hitch then set a rock on top of the stick.

I did a 5 night trip into the Grand Canyon in early May and never set my tarp. One evening I got a few rain drops and just put the tarp over my sleep gear secured with rocks on the corners.

It is very easy to stay dry while hiking or sleeping. It is cooking and camp chores that are difficult in the rain.