Side-entry tarp

[Diane “Piper” Soini]

I made this tarp. Because of the size and shape of the two pieces, this was what I was able to make. It’s sort of a side-entry tarp, the apex is cross-wise instead of length-wise.

I got a chance to use it in the Grand Canyon but there just was not enough rain to really give it a good test. It seems like it would fail looking at it, but it actually seemed like it would succeed sitting inside it. The lower you set it the more coverage you would get.

It measures 5.75′ x 8.75′. It’s a good size for one person but it also fits two. As I lay inside it I thought about maybe adding beaks or something to the sides or maybe just to one side. I think as long as you choose a sheltered location it is fine the way it is.

What do you think?

[Dustin V]

This looks like nice work and a nice pitch! Did you build catenary curves into it, or is it just the angle of the photo?

Also, it looks like you picked a good site. That clothing bush looks like it’s flowering.

[Chris R]

Pitch one edge to the ground and use your two poles to hold up the open side, maybe add some tie outs mid panel to maintain interior volume. Should work really well.  Check “Papa Hiker” videos on Youtube for tarp pitches!

[Chris R]

found a picture. This is a 6 x 9 but it works fine with a slightly larger tarp as well

[dirtbag]

Nice pitch. I was just messing with my Borah Gear 7×9 tarp in my yard. I really have been enjoying using the Gatewood Cape because of the simple pitch and side entry!! Thats one huge draw back for me using traditional tarps. So I was just playing with the 7×9 and I had it pitched for side entry. It would totally work, just a much bigger footprint then the Cape. So I am heading out tomorrow morning for a 3 day trip, end to end of the Escarpment trail in the Catskills. Leaning towards my bivy and Cape…

[Diane “Piper” Soini]

Thank you. There are no catenary curves.

It’s barely big enough for two. The orange tie that you see, there’s another on the other side, if I put my poles there, it sets up kind of like a lean-to with a little overhang. I haven’t tried the two poles in front and all of it against the ground in back. I’ll have to check that out! I don’t think two people would fit inside if I did that.

The whole idea of this little tarp was that it would provide emergency coverage for us if there’s unexpected rain and allow me to carry the shelter and my partner who just had heart surgery to not have to carry a shelter at all. We could just plan to sleep under the stars. Weirdly he decided he didn’t want to sleep under the stars. In the Grand Canyon! What? No stars? Well, it didn’t matter anyway since as soon as I laid down I fell asleep and never saw any stars anyway.

[Chris R]

You could pitch the back edge up off the ground to give more room, would still help to give some protection at the ends without putting the tarp right in your face, or pitch A frame at the foot end, put a tie point 18″ in at the middle, and pitch the head end as a flat canopy

[Diane “Piper” Soini]

I probably posted about this before, but here’s a picture sort of similar to what you suggest:

I was thinking that maybe I could add doors to the sides for greater protection. But the trekking pole tips would be in the way slightly. I would make overlapping, zipperless doors similar to the Pocket Tarp.

Here’s the center tie-out grommet.

I’m trying to imagine the shape I would need to cut out that would leave a little pocket for the trekking pole tips. And then when I think about it, I think how it would no longer be a flat tarp with all the advantages of a flat tarp anymore. I couldn’t set it up in any other shapes than the basic side-entry shape. So maybe I should just leave it as is.

[Jerry Adams]

“I was thinking that maybe I could add doors to the sides for greater protection.”

I have gone through that evolution.  A few trips with rain blowing in the sides.

End state of that evolution is a pyramid tarp/tent

[Kevin Babione]

@Diane – Instead of cutting out material for the trekking pole tips, think about picking up some trekking pole cups from ZPacks.  They’re only $7 and are designed to go over the handle of your trekking pole instead of the tip.  It also keeps your handle out of the dirt while eliminating that concern we all have with our tip near our cuben tarp.

[Chris R]

Poles either side and connect with cord or even run a ridge line between poles and guy out to the sides to tension. Again adding  pullout patches to the face of tarp helps to stop the space under the tarp being compressed by the wind.

Tarp doors- https://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com/product/tarp-door-kit/

I went with the “cloudburst” version. You get four doors so you could share a set with a friend!

[Diane “Piper” Soini]

I’m worried that tarp doors like those warbonnet ones would allow rain dripping at the top. That’s why I was imagining needing a way to overlap at the peak.

As for the trekking pole cups, the pole itself would get in the way of the doors.

I suppose I should just leave well enough alone.

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