Cat cut tarp storm pitch: flat or sharp ridge line?

Steeper walls shed snow better and give you more headroom at the expense of floor area.

Less steep walls shed wind better and gives you more floor area but at the expense of headroom.

I use a GG Spinnshelter and in its true "storm pitch" the aspect ratio is set by the door width. This makes the shelter 40" tall and 55" wide which I think is a pretty good compromise of headroom vs. space. So a little less steep than 45 degrees works well.

Andrew

Thanks much, Andrew. So with the less steep walls, do you find it breezier than a taller a-frame with walls closer to the ground? I know, I know, it's a tarp so it it'll always be breezy. But any internal breeze difference?

Travis,

Think of your tarp as an oversize umbrella. You want it angled towards the rain with the largest part of it over your head. Point the foot end into the prevailing wind direction.

A taut pitch is always desired to keep noise from the fabric down to a “hum”. A steeper pitch will help shed snow.

Check out the how to videos on the Gossamer Gear website. Glen shows normal and storm pitches for all their shelters. The SpinnShelter video may be the one that most closely resembles your Echo I shelter.

Hope this helps.

Party On,

Newton

You should pitch the foot end low and wide, with the sides staked to the ground to block the most wind. I try to pitch the foot end into the wind and close the end of my Spinnshelter if I know it's going to be a windy night. For a regular cat tarp without a closed end, try to find a natural wind-break to pitch your foot towards, or pitch the foot at a 45 degree angle to the wind so that the wind doesn't go screaming right through your tarp. This balances wind protection with keeping your stakes from ripping out of the ground.

Andrew

Travis,

+1 for what Andrew said. ;-)

It will work for your Echo I also.

Party On,

Newton

John and Andrew,
Thanks for your suggestions. I'll be sure to try them out next time I get into the wild.