I’ve got a Flat!

[John Donewar]

I've gone from this

to this

which can also be pitched in this manner.

My new tarp is 8' x 10' and flat in configuration. I wanted the flexibility of being able to pitch in different styles. After my recent trip on the AT I found that I wasn't fond of slithering under the beaks of my silnylon tarp to gain entry. :-)

The lack of a catenary curve doesn't make the A frame pitch the tightest of pitches but I gave that up for the flat configuration and multiple pitch options. One more consideration was the height of the entrance. The lack of beaks and the placement of my tieouts lets me raise my entrance to @ 53" if I so desire which is the length of my trekking pole fully extended.

I plan to explore more pitching options and quite possibly add a few more tieouts to aid in pitching it differently. It weighs 2.2 ounces more than my silnylon tarp but covers a good deal more area. It tips the scales at 13 ounces in its stuff sack.

I'm using shockcord tensioners and a "Triptease like" reflective polyester line from Cabelas for the guylines.

Show me your pitches.

Party On,

Newton

[Vick Hines]

Nothing beats a flat tarp for versatility. There are probably a dozen useful configurations.

[Lawson Kline]

Nice job. I think I have seen that spinnaker before but the last time I saw it, it was on a roll. hahaha.

Cheers,
Lawson

[John Donewar]

Lawson,

>>it was on a roll. hahaha<<

Yep!

It rolled from FLA to WA to LA. :-)

Thanks to you and Aaron, Mr. Singer and Gutermann I now have a new piece of gear.

Party On,

Newton

[. .]

It looks very nice John. Thanks for sharing the photos and thanks for the stuff sack.

/aaron

[John Donewar]

Aaron,

Thanks.

A small reward for your generosity and patience. :-)

You are very welcome. I enjoyed making it.

Party On,

Newton

[Kier Selinsky]

flat tarps apparently make your yard nicer too :P

no but really, i think i'll be getting a flat one too for the same reason.

[John Donewar]

Kieran,

To everything there is a season.

The gray tarp pic was in February of this year. :-0
It was one our coldest winters on record, hence the beautiful straw color of my back yard. :-)

So you're getting a flat tarp to make your yard a prettier shade of green? ;-)

Party On,

Newton

[Jamie Shortt]

John, Funny …my latest MYOG project was a a simple flat 5'x8' tarp. It weighs in at exactly 7.0 oz. Here are a few pics.

There is just something pure about such a simple shelter.

Jamie

[John Donewar]

Jamie,

Pure, simple and light! You hit all the high points. It looks great.

Your MYOG Goes to the Mountains article got my sewing machine all revved up again.

It's not quite finished as of yet. In the pic it is stuffed full of pillows. :-)

There are more details and pictures on this thread.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=35833&skip_to_post=306274#306274

Thanks for posting the pictures that show the different pitches that are possible with a flat tarp.

Party On,

Newton

[Roger B]

I think Newton actually intended this thread

Nice pack BTW well done

[John Donewar]

Roger,

Thank you for the compliment and for fixing my broken compass. :-)

I made the neccessary repairs to my compass and edited the link in my post. ;-)

Party On,

Newton

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