Bushwalk Australia

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

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

Hi abceight,

I have used a tarp a few times, while I love sleeping under a tarp, they do not offer much protection against mosquitoes, which are a problem in summer where I mostly walk, so the window of opportunity to be able to use a tarp is quite small, these days I have the next best thing a Zpack Hexamid tent, which is a tarp but with insect screen sown around the bottom and at 228g it is lighter than my tarp.



Tony

Yeh i use a golite poncho tarp picked up on sale for $40 bucks

combined with a tyvek sheet i got from Tasadam and the light klymit inertia pad, its advantage is
- obviously that its very light.
- Before i tried tarps, i imagined them to be very fiddly to setup but i actually found that I was wrong and that I set up my tarp before most people got their tents up!
- i can have different configurations and adjust how much ventilation or protection i want.
- much less condensation, if any at all. that night in the photo, i had none while all my mates had alot of condensation.


however
- as you can see in my photo, dirt does get dragged in more easily and will dirty your gear more. I dont mind but some people might.
- bugs. bugs we had no bugs in this winter photo.
- the hexamid with its mesh is actually (believe it or not) LIGHTER than my whole golite tarp setup.

I love tarps. Using them is what inspired me to get involved more in the outdoors and also to start making them.

I love the 3x3 meter for most ground use. Although ive do use a 1.5 meter in the summer alot. The hex ones are ok on the ground but best for the hammock.

Ill sometimes string a rope up and then toss the tarp over that (structural ridgeline) and then can clip a bug net off that. Using boots and pack to hold it out and give me the internal sapce.

Heaps of fun.

Yes, fist four summers (about say 250 nights) just a cheap nylon tarp on black agri plastic, on the ground. Last four years (ten yrs after the first) (say another 140 nights) on platforms with bug headed bivys.
The odd leach, though surprisingly rare and probably as likely carried under. Mossies are a problem, we used to deal with them with copious amounts of rid around the face, probably not the best healthwize..
Some sort of bug head net (if not a bivy) is a good idea. Careful management of food and cleanliness to keep critters away.. i'm not so sure in the tropics or desert. I once had a large python sidle up along side me in WA (i doubt they would come in..) and squashed a bluetounge underneath

The last few years we have used hilleberg tarps, they have worn well, no repairs and good tie out placement. Getting a taught pitch and leaning what works best in wind (perhaps snow?) is worthwhile. Personally i prefer some sort of shaped tarp/tipi like Tony mentions, not as versatile (with a group) but much better wind protection. From there though you can quickly be convinced that sewn in floors, mesh and then double walls are worth carrying Nevertheless, a simple flat tarp and piece of plastic works, can be made to handle four seasons, was used for generations before my time here in tassie..

I am a tent person myself, having used a tarp and had it rip in strong winds. Tarps have thier limitations IMHO but I'd say quality is also a factor. I guess it's a case of wieght v security.

O, and i thought we could talk you into it.. lol

I walk in the Blue Mountains of NSW and use flys all year round.
Never had any problems.
Recently made a light weight one person fly.
Whole set up (fly, ground sheet, pegs and bag) weights 360 grams.


Certainly a 'fair weather' friend!
But a larger fly suits for all weather.
Here is a photo of my dad using a 'tarp like' japara tent in the 1940's.


What can I say, for this particular area, flys are a proven product!

melinda wrote:Here is a photo of my dad using one in the 1940's.

Ah, with all due respect, I don't think that is a tarp. I think it is a Paddy Pallin japara A tent with one side pulled right out to make an awning. Called 'abdulling'.
Been there, done that, still have the tent.

Cheers

Hi Roger,
Ok, I'll change it.
Is a 'tarp like' japara tent OK???
By the way Roger, it was all your info on making your own gear that inspired me to have a go!
Thank you.

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

I have 3 tarps

Wilderness Equipment 3 x 4.5m - mainly for 4wd camping with a group
Wilderness Equipment 3 x 3m - mainly for 4wd camping solo, wish I had gotten the ultra-sil model for bushwalking
StS ultra-sil poncho/tarp - for bushwalking, used with a bivy

Unless you use them with mossie netting they are really only best in winter, and they can be a bit awkward to set up and get stable in windy conditions.
Oh and if anyone buys a Wilderness Equipment tarp do yourself a favour and get a larger StS stuff sack to keep it in. Its almost impossible to get it back into its own stuff sack even if folded and rolled tightly. I ended up getting a StS stuff sack that was large enough to just be able to stuff the tarp into it, forget trying to fold and roll a wet tarp on muddy ground!

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

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

It all depends on your definition of a tarp, these chaps work very well in the snow.

With respect that looks like a single skin Tent not a Tarp as displayed on this and many Forums
corvus

Looking at your photographs that shelter reminded me of the A frame floor less tent I used in yesteryear's

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.
Its all in the sewing and panels where the definition blurs.

Again with respect a Tarp in most definition is a square or rectangular "sheet of cloth" not a sewn structure IMHO
corvus

http://www.bentgate.com/bivsacandsin.html
I agree to disagree

They (flat tarps) arent much fun in blown snow and ice without a bivy. Still... yes used them on several snowy winter trips and wintery summer trips.. slung between various trees. Helps to pitch low in the wind and you can be left with just the ridgeline as the snow builds up. Sewing the end islets together with the rope ends once theyre pitched works too.

Theyre a good design telewhippet. We had the Shangrila 6 (or 8 perhaps?) better than a flat tarp, still wasnt a big enough area though.

That's all I used to use in the US for 3 season hiking, especially where huts were available as a last-ditch measure. But there's too many buggies here for them, unfortunately!

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.

Um ... well ... They are actually quite well-known A-frame tents. This would be the first time I have ever heard them called a tarp.
It is kinda amusing that some Yankee companies have recently come up with A-frame tents for the mountains. They advertise them as something new. Yeah, right! (Actually they are quite cheap to make, which is why they are promoting them.)
No matter - nice photos.

Cheers

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

Hi Corvus,

How about these as some examples of tarp use on snow???

http://www.hikinginfinland.com/2010/06/ ... video.html

http://www.hikinginfinland.com/2010/01/ ... -snow.html

Of course a Tassie winter would be far harsher than a Finnish winter but just goes to show ... sometimes the difference between impossible and possible is all in the mind

Cheers,

JB

That is all I used to use when I started camping and hiking, a single piece of tarp for my shelter. Than all these great tents started popping up everywhere in our local camping stores, most where way to heavy. But I took the plunge and purchased these tents. I don't know how I ever managed to cart all that weight with me, I guess I was a lot younger than.

Recently, gone back to using a tarp for my hammock. Best move I've done. I don't know why I did not go back to the tarp years ago. I think I forgot just how brilliant it is sleeping under a tarp.

I have a light MSR e-wing tarp, the old one that came packed the size of a softdrink can, but you could never repackage so small. I still love a tent, but the tarp often comes along and is the cover over the cooking area, or a porch for the tent.

This page has some interesting configurations and ideas...http://www.buaaclimber.com/bbs/viewthread.php?tid=2974

I tarp it all the year round. I use sticks and or trees, no walking poles as I don't own them (yet). It's much lighter. For me they also double as rain/sun shelter for the whole group during the day/evening when eating etc. The tarp I use is owned by work, so it's a W.E. model. As far as tarps go, they seem to be the best made. Without a doubt they are the best on the Australian market, but there isn't much choice in Australia for tarps. DMH sell a cheap 3*3m that looks alright.

I have to use a propper tent when with my partner as she gets terrible insect bites. So I am hoping to upgrade to something such as Six Moons Designs lunar duo or a pyramid tent style from Bear Paw Wilderness Designs next year as they have perimeter bug netting. Ideally I'd only want the netting to velcro in so I could remove it when not with her.

A downside is that it can be colder due to wind chill. I've wondered if a bathtub floor with sides that came up 30 cm off the ground would fix this as the wind wouldn't blow directly over.

Rain has never been a problem for me as the dry ground absorbs water and it then runs under ground sheet. Note that the ground sheet needs to be smaller than the tarp. If this was a concern for me then I'd just buy a batch tub floor such as those made by Bear Paw etc.

cheers

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).

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).

Further to the above.

The "old fart" in question is me. I really don't take kindly to assumptions about myself being made. Nor do I appreciate my experience and knowledge having scorn poured upon them. I have communicated with the appropriate authority and now consider the matter closed.

Regards

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.

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.

A bit of glamour in the backcountry! Are you able to get darker shades of bridal veil? And wondering about the no-see-ums? Do we have those in Australia? Would the bridal veil mesh be small enough?