Beaked Tarps

[David Ure]

Why don't we see more beaked tarps for sale similar to the Jardine model or previous Golite Cave design? Seems like they would be ideal in inclement weather.

Alternatively, who still sells such creations?

[Chad Miller]

Try the Patrol Shelter from Mountain Laurel Designs

[David Ure]

Thanks – I am aware of this one….but again, only one?

[John Devitt]

David,
I use the Golite hut 1, which is a Lair 1 with a full beak added. I really like the flexibility of pitching configurations.
Regards,
John

[Greg Mihalik]

David,
Gossamer Gear's SpinnShelter is a beaked tarp with many configurations in addition to the 'batten all hatches' mode.

[Turley]

David,

Oware makes a beaked tarp; it's called the catbird tarp if I remember correctly….

[two pints]

nobody should be making beaked tarps because Ray says that was his idea

(sorry)

[Misfit Mystic]

Interesting question. I've thought about making one a few times, but it is interesting that one is not available from any of the UL makers. AFAIK, Ray doesn't have a patent, and I don't think he could get one. I know I really like the design in Jay Hamm's article "five yards to SUL"; kinda reminds me of the MLD Patrol Shelter except for the foot-end design. I would prefer an open beak to the closed foot; I'm sure Ron could modify for you, for a price of course.

[Jamie Shortt]

I believe Ray claims to have coined the term "beaks". This seams reasonable to me. I'd say since he openly publishes how to make such tarps in his book he is not only cool with folks doing so he fully supports it.

I too am surprised to not see more "beaks" in the tarp market. The design looks to greatly improve the front and rear of the tarp to prevent rain from coming in with little added weight.

I do wonder if beaks add a negative element to condensation. I have to think that an angled tarp (low rear, high front) without beaks creates a perfect channel for rising air to continue out the tarp. Do beaks break the flow of air creating a place for condensation to form?

[Jay Wilkerson]

I really miss my old school Golite Tarp–It was a 8×10 forest green with beaks…I sold it on gear swap and then purchased a GG SpinnTwinn which is much lighter and has the catenary shape…The Jolly Green Giant knows some one who will add beaks to your tarp for a price..I do not think that Beaks add to condensation–Tarps just have too much air flow. What ever happened to Golite? Some one said it is Go-average!

[David Walls]

I have one on order. It designed to work especially well with their bugtent 1.5. Looks awesome to me . . . There are no pics on the site last I looked, but you can inquire with Gen from Alpinlite.

[David Ure]

That looks great! When I inquired with Ron @ MLD about a velcroed / zippered beak he indicated that might affect set up in a negative way. I likely did not explain myself correctly, however.

What is the cost on Gen's model? What is the weight?

Re: Golite – it is only going to get worse for 2010.

[Frank Deland]

Granite gear makes what they call a "dodger" the closes off the end of the tarp.
Tarps can become wind tunnels if not broadside to the winds. I have added a similar, but slightly smaller solution for a SpinnTwin and other beaks to hommeade tarps, such as the one in the MYOG forum. Jardin's book has dimensions.
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/make_your_own_gear_5_yards_to_sul_part_3.html

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/570850898upjTCe

Here is a Jardin design pitched low for windblock and extra warmth.
http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/1198228962045831896KXVCDT

I really like the MLD TrailStar as a spacious two person tarp shelter. It can be pitched low to block wind. The entrance spot can be moved when the tarp is pitched without having to re-pitch, ie. the entrance can be along any side.

[David Walls]

It does look awesome!

Again, I wanted to state this is a new product and he said he will post the finalized info on his site as soon as he has it all ready to go. That being said– You can prob. go ahead and order from him as I did.

From his responses to muy questions:

"The silnylon I have right now has extra silicone on it (1.45 oz per sq yard after impregnation vs. the more traditional 1.3). That will help boost the waterproofness, strength and lifespan"

"Expect somewhere around 14 oz and $160 (wt includes 8 LineLocs & zipper on beak"

[Matt Lutz]

On the dodgers – Justin Licher aka Trauma used dodgers with his GG tarp on his 10K miles trip in 2006. It effectively created a four-season tarp setup. Justin once stayed snowbound three days in the tarp with this setup.

http://www.justinlichter.com/pasttrips/tenthousand.html

[David Ure]

Thanks David for the additional pics.

Re: the Dodgers. The biggest issues with the Dodgers, as I see it, are the requirement for a LOT of pegs and the lack of ventilation using two. On the other hand, using one would be just fine ;)

[David Walls]

The alpinlite 1.5 bug tent that I have inbound (from the gear swap here) is not one of the models that has the silnylon on the door/entry end and the foot end. I have never used this setup before (this is all new to me)but I'm thinking that if it would be cool to have some sort of silnylon "curtain/drape/etc" that simply hangs down from the top of the bugtent and is triangle shaped. Maybe each base point has an elastic piece that loops over the two front corner stakes of the bug tent. Seems like this would eliminate blowing rain issues (if there are any– after lowering/zipping the beak. Seems it would be a relly lightweight solution that still allows airflow under the tarp. Thoughts?

[Thomas Gauperaa]

Wow, that new Alpinlite tarp looks beautiful. I think I will have to order one :)

[josh wagner]

you can also try warbonnet. i'm pretty sure they make a big tarp w/ "doors" called the mambojambo or somethign to that extent.

brian at OES also does custom tarps from time-to-time. his spinntex tarps are top notch

[t.darrah]

A small beaked tarp that is available is the Oware CatBird Tarp 1, 6.5 oz and $100.00.

Great quality in both workmanship and materials, made in the USA, and multiple color options. This is basicly a Cat Tarp 1.1 with beaks at each end.

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