Bushwalk Australia

hi all

I'm doing the Larapinta trail in another two weeks and am unable to decided weather i should tarp it or fork out some cash to buy a tent? from the information i have racked up over the past few months it can get quite cold during the nights so most people use tents, however people are know to use tarps on the trail as well. i want to pack light so if your think a tent is suitable i would like your recommendations.

Cheers Dan

I have two mates due home in 6 days from there. I'll let you know what they thought. They took a tent.

I was taking a tarp (Well my Hexamid so kinda tarp/tent hybrid), Couldn't go with them. Baby due...... bugger, Next year.

yes it gets cold -5°C this time of year and I'm not sure abot winds ??

Dan I'll be there week of 15th July so may see you on the trail !

I'm taking a Tarptent Notch - double wall tent for the trip. My reasoning was around extra warmth and protection from wind and sand. Looking at the weather reports from Alice Springs, the temps have been hitting -3 and lower for apparent temperature. It has been windy the last few days as well.

Hope you have a great trip whatever you decide to take.

im leaving on the 13th so not too long now . I have been keeping an eye on the temp and its making me think a tent would be more suitable for this trip. the trap i have does not have side walls so its limited to what i can actually do with it. might have a shop around for a tent tomorrow and see if i can get a reasonably light weight one for a good price.

danny wrote:im leaving on the 13th so not too long now . I have been keeping an eye on the temp and its making me think a tent would be more suitable for this trip. the trap i have does not have side walls so its limited to what i can actually do with it. might have a shop around for a tent tomorrow and see if i can get a reasonably light weight one for a good price.

What about the Terra Nova tent for sale in this thread ?

I walked the larapinta in May this year. I'd say tent as it was cold at night in May and it'll be colder in July/August.
A tarp will work well, but a tent will be warmer and more comfortable (in my opinion).
How heavy is your tarp compared to a tent? I suppose that will determine if the weight difference is worth the loss of comfort
Enjoy the walk, its fanstastic!

my tarp is 1/2 kilo very light but id be very exposed

You could buy a bivi bag ?? and use the tarp if required. Other than cold and a bit of wind it's been pretty dry out there.

i would get a bivi however i need it to fit two people.

i settled for an msr hubba hubba two anyone used this tent before?

I'd definitely take the trap. Although it may be illegal if you catch native animals.

I used a tarp tents for 7 nights while walking the trail and there was no issue, its tarp country, the only night it was a bit windy was on top of Brinkley Bluff, keep a look out for a sheltered spot that is hidden by shrubery directly north of the monument on top of the bluff about 20m away. Only found it in the morning. there was one other sheltered spot on the western end as well. Save the weight and take the tarp as long as your bag is good.

I did it with tent.
This allowed me to stop any where any time.

I Camped at windy saddle after Birthday waterhole and the lookout between Serpentine chalet and Ormiston Gorge.
Well I would not do that with a tarp.