abceight wrote:After a recent weekend trip to the Blue Mountains where everyone in my party shared tarps and camped in scrub on uneven ground (not for tents) I'm wondering how many people use this system.
Basicly a tarp, and groundsheet. Setup either using poles or slung on trees.
I want to know what you guys use, and where you use it. Pros and cons. Plus any stories you might have about using this system.
Cheers ABCEIGHT
melinda wrote:Here is a photo of my dad using one in the 1940's.
garyp wrote:Hello there,
I've used a tarp over many years. Introduced to this system while a soldier, quite some time ago, as not doubt a few members of this forum were. Used a hoochy a few years back at Wilson's Prom. Mozzies are a problem, but I take a net and set the whole thing up nicely. Tarps are light weight, easy to use. Check out the tarp post on Our Hiking Blog http://ourhikingblog.com.au/2007/07/wow-always-wondered-how-to-make-my-tarp.html for some insights. The only problem I have with tarps are some of the more interesting visitors one can receive. One time I was entering my hoochy and met a snake on the way out. We exchanged pleasentries (what else can you do) and he continued on his merry way and I on mine. Just thought I would share that little interlude.
Overall, tarps are great, regardless what silly old farts might say about them and their experiences.
Cheers
Gary
tele-whippet wrote:Fair point of order, it's all in the definition, BC skiers and mountaineers tend to call these units tarps. A piece of nylon with no floor, held up by a ski pole or hung from a tree.
corvus wrote:Gary,
As an old and experienced "silly fart" whatever I say would be irrelevant to a jumped up wet behind the ears beardless youth like you however if you are still reading this your Hoochies were not designed for Winter use nor are open ended Tarps however feel free to wax lyrical on your Tarp use and please post photographs of your Winter experience in one.
That is is if you ever have camped on or in Snow![]()
corvus
garyp wrote:Overall, tarps are great, regardless what silly old farts might say about them and their experiences.
corvus wrote:As an old and experienced "silly fart" whatever I say would be irrelevant to a jumped up wet behind the ears beardless youth like you
Son of a Beach wrote:garyp wrote:Overall, tarps are great, regardless what silly old farts might say about them and their experiences.
This is not an appropriate way to refer to other members of the forum, whether you intended it to refer to old people in general or otherwise.corvus wrote:As an old and experienced "silly fart" whatever I say would be irrelevant to a jumped up wet behind the ears beardless youth like you
This is also out of line with forum rules.
I would suggest that you both review the forum rules, and then aim to treat all other members of the forum with some respect (or otherwise, take Thumper's advice).
Orion wrote:I'm not a tarp user as I don't normally carry two trekking poles and frequently camp where there aren't any trees. I also have not developed the skill necessary to pitch a tarp in order to keep me dry in a blowing rainstorm.
But I do sometimes take a bivy sack and have to deal with bugs. Standard mosquito netting weighs in at about 1 oz/yd^2 (33 g/m^2), not all that much lighter than the silnylon fabric of a typical tarp. You can get mosquito netting that is about 30% lighter. But what I use in such circumstances is plain bridal veil, purchased from a fabric store. It is less than 1/3 the weight, under 10 g/m^2. It isn't as durable as proper mosquito netting but it's plenty durable enough, especially considering the cost. I've sewn headnets out of it and even incorporated some of it into a tent I recently made. For one really buggy trip I made a screen for just the vestibule of a tent, attached with paper clips. For bivying I just bring a sheet and drape it over me in some fashion or another.
With a tarp and poles it should be pretty easy to create a lightweight bug shelter using this fabric.
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