MLD Rectangular Monk Tarp

Casey,
I use this tarp for summer trips and like it a lot.

From the MLD site:
• Can be pitched in a variety of ways: A Frame, Half Pyramid and Lean-To

• Ten Tieouts: Eight perimeter and two center panel tieouts.

• NEW: Speed pitching LineLocs on all perimeter tieouts. LineLoc weight is included in the listed weight. Pull the line and they lock in place under tension just like your backpack shoulder straps. These eight LineLocs per tarp add .5oz to the tarp and can be cut off if desired with wire snips leaving a 3/4� tieouts loops to use with smaller line.

How do you set it up? Just like in the picture? Just a stake through a grommet and a trekking pole to raise it up? Or do you use guyline with the line locks? I am such a rookie when it comes to tarps…

I got their carbon fiber pole set and the bug shelter than hangs underneath. stake out and enjoy. It's a nice light combination.

http://www.zpacks.com/shelter/tarps.shtml

Wow thanks for the link, now that is a lot of tarps to choose from. I will have to ponder a bit on these. Thanks again

I'm in the same boat too, looking at the rabbit hole of tarp choice. Please keep us up to date with what you figure out!

It will probably be a wait. I just got a tarptent rainbow so it may be a while before I actually get the tarp. I'm just brainstorming at the moment trying to help my buddy pick a tarp out.

I think the Monk tarp for the price, is unbeatable. High HH head silnylon, linelocs, and excellent MLD quality. Everyone should have one. ;)

So would you recommend the silnylon tarp for 80 bucks or the Spectralite.60 /Cuben Fiber for 130 bucks? I'm poor too and have a lot of other gear I need ^_^

pm sent

I would go with the Silnylon – the linelocs would mean easy tensioning.

Go Carbon Fiber if you intend on doing anything near fine sand/dirt. Sil-nylon is a magnet for that stuff. Sil-nylon in the Utah desert just plain sucks.

^
I'm assuming you mean Cuben not carbon.

hah.. good catch, yes, cuben

I used a Spinnaker Monk Tarp for this past weekend's trip.

It can pitch many ways. I usually just pitch it in a high a-frame when hot and if the wind starts blowing rain under it, I get up and drop the pitch to the ground and stake one end down so that only one side is open.

I use mine with an SMD Meteor bivy for bug protection, some spray protection and ground cloth. The combination can keep me dry in bad conditions.
If I didn't use the Meteor, I'd opt for something larger like 9X9 or 8×10.

Make sure you are comfortable and confident working with a small tarp before you buy it.

"Make sure you are comfortable and confident working with a small tarp before you buy it."

Or buy it and get comfortable and confident working with it. :)