My foray into tarp camping

[Solohike74]

I have pictured my first practice run with the Bearpaw Wilderness Designs silnylon tarp in a friends yard. Next trip is to Acacia Flat via Rodriguez Pass for an overnighter.

[Onestepmore]

Have fun, last time we went there about 6 months ago we missed the turnoff as there was trackwork everywhere. Hopefully they've finished now and the mess is all gone.
Take a warm sleeping bag?
Enjoy

[Solohike74]

Have fun, last time we went there about 6 months ago we missed the turnoff as there was trackwork everywhere. Hopefully they've finished now and the mess is all gone.
Take a warm sleeping bag?
Enjoy

Weathers excellent from tomorrow onwards. Sleeping bag is either a 10F or the 25F when wearing down vest/jacket.

[Mervyn]

My advice on tarp camping is to have the side edges at ground level. So if it rains or is windy or both it will not easily get to you. Dig a small trench to divert water if it might rain. We join two tarps together with an overlap, then we head to toe if it is flat. Then place your back pack next to your head as a wind break. The other person has their back pack at the other end. You can use rocks or logs if it gets very windy. You can be invaded by possums and wombats after your food and insects after you! You will need insect spray. A tent provides protection against the weather, animals and insects. Sleeping under a tarp is similar to sleeping in a cave or rock overhang or a BBQ area. You are more exposed to the environment. The big saving is NOT having to carry a tent. I think it is enjoyable and hopefully you have an enjoyable experience.

[michael_p]

Tarp camped in the Budawangs one time and woke up to a fresh Wombat poo on top of one of my corner stakes. Wombat was no more than 50cm from my head and I didn't hear a thing.

Agree with Mervyn. Definitely pitch your tarp low and take some sort of bug net (read this thread on mozzies at Acacia Flat).

I have a Bearpaw Wilderness Designs Minimalist 1 Bivy, which is ideal for use under a tarp. Keeps the bugs well away from you.

Cheers,
Michael.

[Solohike74]

Wouldn't some bushman lotion on the face and ears before bed keep bugs away...now its almost winter the sleeping hag will be closed up snug. Food goes into the trangia which is strapped out so animals don't take it.

[michael_p]

You could try just using bug repellent. I don't know how many hours Bushman's is good for, it may require reapplication during the night. Considering the reports of how bad the mozzies are at Acacia Flat I'd be inclined to take some sort of bug net anyway.

[michael_p]

I read your post in the "Mosquito Infestation at Acacia Flat Blackheath" thread. No mozzie problem that's good to hear.

How did the tarp camping go?

[Solohike74]

I read your post in the "Mosquito Infestation at Acacia Flat Blackheath" thread. No mozzie problem that's good to hear.

How did the tarp camping go?

Actually hearing all the reports of mozzies I took the 24oz SMD Lunar Solo instead. After being there feel like I could've taken the 9oz tarp in my photo. Someone else had some huge dome tent like an Anaconda special wonder how they got it in.

[michael_p]

Actually hearing all the reports of mozzies I took the 24oz SMD Lunar Solo instead.

That's understandable. Oh well the tarp will just have to wait for another day.

Someone else had some huge dome tent like an Anaconda special wonder how they got it in.

The hard way.

Cheers,
Michael.

[Tortoise]

My advice on tarp camping is to have the side edges at ground level. So if it rains or is windy or both it will not easily get to you. Dig a small trench to divert water if it might rain. We join two tarps together with an overlap, then we head to toe if it is flat. Then place your back pack next to your head as a wind break. The other person has their back pack at the other end. You can use rocks or logs if it gets very windy. You can be invaded by possums and wombats after your food and insects after you! You will need insect spray. A tent provides protection against the weather, animals and insects. Sleeping under a tarp is similar to sleeping in a cave or rock overhang or a BBQ area. You are more exposed to the environment. The big saving is NOT having to carry a tent.

Call me a wuss - I must confess, I reckon 1.7kg or less for a cosy, rain-free, wind-free, possum-free, insect-free, repellent-free sleep is a big saving

Having said that, I did have an excellent night's sleep in a luxury cave in the Budawangs once.

[Mervyn]

Tortoise
I would not call you a wuss, I too regularly enjoy the security of a tent. As you mentioned the budawangs has many fantastic caves or overhangs. I have been in these caves on stormy and rainy nights. It is fantastic, Much better than a tent you can have a fire, cook dinner in dry spacious comfort. Under a tarp you can cook dinner, I do not like cooking in a tent. You can easily enjoy the moon, stars and lightning with an uninterrupted view. In addition to a tarp and caves I have also slept under the roof of bbq areas which have been built in some NPs. Earlier this year I considered sleeping in Ben Boyd tower, but chose a $40 pub room in Eden, yes I was a wuss, then did the light to light walk, we carried a tent but slept in the bbq areas where possums tried to steal our food. I enjoy my walks how ever I sleep. It is all an adventure.

[tom_brennan]

Interesting different people's views on tarp pitching. I generally pitch it fairly high to keep some airflow and reduce condensation on the inside of the tarp.

But obviously you do need to take the weather into consideration. If you know it's not going to rain, then you're only using it for dew protection. If you're under heavy canopy, or it's going to be breezy, you might not even bother setting it up, as there won't be any dew.

I also think the issue of bugs and marauding native animals is a bit overstated. I've spent at least 12 nights out (tarp or cave camping) since Xmas, and only had mozzies bothering me during the night once. They do tend to come out a bit more around dawn, but either put on a bit of Bushmans Plus, or pull your sleeping back over your head (or treat it as an alarm and just get up and watch the sun rise!!).

Mostly we camp in fairly remote places, and don't have problems with possums there. However, I have had run-ins with them at popular campsites in years gone by, so am happy to acknowledge that they could be pests at those places.

Great thing about camping outside the tent is when you need to go to the loo in the middle of the night! You're already out!

[Onestepmore]

For a minimalistic bug-free experience perhaps try this?
http://gossamergear.com/shelters/shelte ... anopy.html
It's just a canopy over your head and shoulder area.
Solohiker you're welcome to try one of these small bug canopies if you wish - PM me
We have a couple, but have not needed to use them as we've found for summer the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Echo II tarp/bug inner has been fantastic
http://www.hyperlitemountaingear.com/hi ... ystem.html (This was my less than half price e-bay 'used but never used' impusle bargain buy)

[roodeny]

Aways have a ground sheet tyvec or even one of thoughs yard garbage bags . The moisture just wicks up from the ground and one of the reflective windscreen shades , for the car reflects your heat back to you as well as insulates you from the ground . Not much weight in that lot .

[Onestepmore]

Aways have a ground sheet tyvec or even one of thoughs yard garbage bags . The moisture just wicks up from the ground and one of the reflective windscreen shades , for the car reflects your heat back to you as well as insulates you from the ground . Not much weight in that lot .

Those insulated silver bubble wrap sheets are great - we use them under our NeoAir pads for extra insulation and pad protection
And folded up makes sitting on a rock a bit more comfy (yes I'm a wuss)

[slparker]

Groundsheet..... Mozzy net..... Tarp.... Sounds like a tent to me.

[Jason68]

Gate wood cape and serenity net... Simples... Best of both worlds

[Solohike74]

All went well, last night on Starlights Trail, Nattai NP.

[Ellobuddha]

Nice one Solo.

Im heading up Main Range today and looking at the forecast the tent will definitely be coming.

Im going to have my first tarp camp early next week on the light to light. Just got my gear sorted with a tyvek bivy from Terra Rosa - thanks Evan and a MLD inner net - thanks Mic - just in case.

Lookin forward to it.

[Solohike74]

If its cold no bug mesh needed just put some DEET or Rid around your ears. My other ultralight shelters are Six Moon Designs Wild Oasis and Lunar Solo. I use tyvek groundsheet. My lunar solos been many places but concerned about lifetime of its floor, so looking to garland or the wild oasis as they're floor-less and separate groundsheet is best cos if it goes rest of shelter is all good.