Its cabin fever time in Texas as it is still unpleasantly hot outside.
I camp with 2 65 lb busy dogs, mostly in the gulf coast. Hiking is on trails, easy walking except for logs and ditches. Because of the dogs it works best to keep moving; I set up just before dark and pack up as soon as there is light.
I’m thinking of trying a 5×9 tarp and trying to imagine how that is going to work.
A half pyramid pitch looks most appealing to me.
I plan to use a water resistant bivy to keep bugs and stuff from dirty wet dogs out of my sleeping space. I can’t imagine doing without the bivy, because of the bugs and because of the dogs. The first thing a dog does when it comes in out of the rain is shake off.
I imagine that for setup and takedown in the rain I’m probably going to want a sit pad or piece of plastic to kneel or sit on as I transition between my (hopefully) clean/dry sleeping space and wet/dirty environment-at-large.
Would be helpful or overkill to use a poncho tarp for rain gear, in addition to the shelter tarp? On that first night I’m out in heavy rain with a bit of wind am I likely to want the extra space and protection?
