Yesterday I was outside messing around with my Altaplex tarp and tent (I have both) and seeing how much I could modify their shape for different purposes. One thing that stands out as very obvious, is that the flat foot and head ends of the shelter are not optimal for longer sleepers. Another thing that is obvious, is that a cat-cut shelter does not like having its core shape messed with, at all. LOL
Here is what I am thinking. Why not add another tension line going to the apex, thus creating additional sleeping room with minimal added weight. It makes the foot and head ends triangular instead of square. I did this with my Altaplex tarp using my added guyline points used for winter camping and the added foot and head room for sleeping was pretty massive. I could lay flat out with the shelter pitched lower to the ground. Although I would never do this in real use, as it would ruin the DCF by not being made to do that.
So, what is the main issue with doing a shelter like this? The solution for making it better for taller hikers is painfully obvious, so there must be some reasoning for not doing it this way? It wouldn’t even add much weight if the far corners were brought in a little. And might also take away the need for mid-panel guy lines on the foot and head ends.
