Choosing the right size tarp

Rains a lot in Sweden, go big.

Go larger. You can do a lot with an 8×10 tarp.

When exactly are you going? Sweden in summer means a lot of bugs; you might take that in account when choosing a shelter.

8×10 for sure with 2 people and taller folk. You can do all sorts of alternative pitches with a rectangular tarp even though a square one seems better. You don’t get much space in a small square tarp, so a 10×10 would be my choice for a square one.

I would get a pyramid for northern climates. You could use that year round and it would be more weatherly than a flat tarp.

Dale, each will have their own tarp.

good advice on using tarps in mountain environments …

The really arduous situation where it becomes awkward with such a small tarp is under a heavy rain shower or thunderstorm. Rain splash will inevitably jump under the tarp wetting everything as will be the case with hail stones. Moreover, thunderstorms in the mountains are often companied with severe wind gusts which can blow from any direction, making it even more difficult to stay dry under the tarp and augmenting the risk of pulling out the stakes blowing the tarp away. Until now, I’ve only experienced one thunderstorm with hail while on a trip with the Grace solo tarp. That was in the Vanoise area in the Frensh Alps. So for a longer summer trip in the mountains at mid latitudes where you cannot rule out the risk of a heavy shower, I wouldn’t trust on such a small tarp anymore unless you want to use a waterproof breathable bivy bag completely made from eVent or similar fabrics or if you have additional beaks to change the tarp into a fully enclosed shelter, this might work too. A shelter like the trailstar or a mid seems better to me than an open tarp in this case. Heavy rain showers rarely occur in the regions around the polar circle on the other hand. So it’s still possible to use a small solo tarp in those areas if you can deal with the afore mentioned minor drawbacks should you experience stormy weather.

http://dzjow.com/2011/06/08/tarping-with-the-grace-solo-spinntex-97/

the 8×10 has a bigger footprint than a smaller tarp, which might matter in dense forests or small ledges … but if yr getting it custom, if you have extra tie outs so you can use it folded in half as an 8×5 then it will be very flexible indeed ….

;)

Thank you so much for all your answers!

I’ll try to answer some of the questions.
– We’re leaving in late late july / beginning of august.
– On our last hike we used a pyramid shelter. It was great, but we’d like to go the tarp way for this trip! My experience is that MOST days and nights the weather is actually pretty good, and at these times a tarp nothing can beat a tarp. I’m sure there will be times where we wished we had a fully enclosed shelter, but oh well – you can’t have it all :)
– We are aware of the bug problems (had a couple of nights last year that was awful). We’ll be using a mosquito net (Sea to Summit nano mosquito pyramid shelter) when we need it. At times it might be a pain not being able to step into a shelter and close the door, but we’re willing to take a chance with it.

So far it looks like what you folks are saying is go big! So yea, I’m starting to think that’s the route to take!

Is it better or worse to have a rectangular shaped tarp when it comes to setting up the tarp as a pyramid?

Thanks again for all the answers!

“Is it better or worse to have a rectangular shaped tarp when it comes to setting up the tarp as a pyramid?”

If you have something like a cat cut tarp, it pitches one way only, in an a-frame. It will have improved wind performance over a flat trap. Many shaped tarps also incorporate beaks and are smaller at the foot end to save weight. You do have the option of higher or lower pitches and you can usually drop the foot end for more protection (you want to point the dropped foot into the weather). If you want the “full tarp experience” I would get a flat tarp and experiment with pitching options.

With two people and two tarps you can have all kinds of fun. Use one for a cook/social shelter and sleep two in the other.

I recommend the 10 foot length, in my experience that’s necessary to stay dry in bad weather. Anything less than 9 feet is more of an emergency shelter.

If you’re going to have a small tarp like 5×8, you might as well go the poncho route. That begs for a bivy too.

For the half-pyramid pitch, I’d go with the 8×10 since you are 6’1″ tall. Otherwise, you’ll either have the end wall close to your face when sleeping, or have to sleep at an angle.

Also look for a tarp wih 1-2 tie outs along the ridge line.  Guying out the rear wall adds a lot of interior space.

I’ve used a 5×8 quite a bit in the past but that was with a bivy.  I see no reason to not go with an 8×10 for the weight increase as the coverage during inclement weather is significant.

Today we each ordered a HMG Flat tarp 8′ x 10′!
Can’t wait to get it. First time I’ll own anything in cuben!
Also this tarp will be great for my hammock, so I consider this a win win. =)

Thank you all so much for your input!

Enjoy the trip (and your new gear). It’s a magnificent place!

Let us know how you fared. Curious to see how a tarp works out in Sweden.