Finally got a tarp

+1 CCS

Way to buy local Mike ;) I have a 10 x 10 and a 10 x 14 1.1 Love em. I find the weight specs pretty dead on, but then it changes a little after you seam seal, of course.

Oh yeah, a nice spacious living space. Be aware that closing off all sides may be somewhat better in very rare circumstances. You could always re-pitch closer to the ground in those cases.

Another +1 on Dan Cooke’s gear. His portage packs will never find an audience here but his tarps are superb and I see he’s now selling the pack I’ve seen bragged up by one of his protoype testers (1000 miles on the PCT in 2009).

But I’m curious … did ya bring any bug protection along with that tarp? SHT in June often becomes an extended blood donation experience.

I like to support MN companies. The two packs I have are Granite Gear (Virga and Stratus Latitude.) I also prefer to get my gear at Midwest Mountaineering when I can.

In regards to bug protection I tried just using bug repellent but it was hard trying to tune out the high pitched noise of the MN state bird. I want to get the bug canopy from Gossamer Gear but it looks like I might have to wait a little bit.

I have been practicing setting up the tarp in different ways. If I have to go through any decent storms I plan on doing a low a frame style. I'm starting to really like the versatility of a tarp over a tent. If I find myself going on any group trips I can see myself getting a bigger CCS tarp over a bigger tent.

Currently I am using my tent footprint for a ground sheet. I want to get a polycryo ground sheet from GG but I'm waiting til I can order the bug canopy due to shipping costs.

Nice tarp!

For polycro, just get a patio door insulation kit with heat-shrink window film.

This is my CCS 10 x 14 setup from this May's Border Route Trail trip. I like a substantial porch on my northwoods spring trips ;)

I sometimes get crazy ideas and run with them. I don't watch a lot of tv but I record shows that I like and watch them when I have time. One of these shows is Mantracker. On one episode there were two aussies. One of them was a guide that spent most of his time in the bush in Australia before moving to Canada. He said that the Aborigines believed using chemical bug repellents was bad because the bugs have a purpose so you should let them do their thing. I thought that made a lot of sense so I tried it out but still brought my DEET with.

When I was hiking the bugs were not too bad but when I made camp it was really difficult. I made a little fire and sat down wind of it. The bugs left me alone when I sat in the smoke but my eyes were burning pretty good. So I broke down and put on the bug spray.

I learned some very good lessons during that trip. In society what the majority does is not always good. But among people that love to spend time in the woods what they do is usually the best thing to do. Back when I was a bada$$ Marine I could go without bug spray in the jungles of Okinawa and be fine but in Northern MN in June the bugs can make you go insane.

+1 on the BearPawTent bug bivy. Bug net and bathtub floor.

I use an SMD Meteor Bivy and sometimes SMD Serenity, depending on what tarp I'm using.

The BearPaw is a better price.

A bug bivy has an added benefit of helping to deflect wind blown rain and snow away from you bag/quilt.

I looked at that bug bivy from bearpaw tents and it looks very nice. If I was to get one could I then ditch the ground sheet? One thing I like about it is I could just lay on my bag if it is warm and still keep my blood and sanity.

Mike wrote: "One thing I like about it is I could just lay on my bag if it is warm and still keep my blood and sanity."
But you're in Minnesota. Wouldn't Minnesota mosquitoes pick up the netting and fly away with it?

Yes, you could ditch the ground sheet. I carry my bug bivy even when it isn't bug season. You can use the bivy as a groundcloth and if there is strong weather, you can pull the netting up to help reduce breeze and deflect spray/spindrift/sand.

It basically turns a tarp into a double wall shelter, but is more flexible than most double wall tents.

Ben they would probably just land by me and ask "What is the point of this??" Then they would pull out a switchblade and just cut the mesh. We have gangster mosquitoes in MN.