Backpacking tarp...

[Olympics777]

I am considering using a tarp instead of a tent for overnight hunting trips in an effort to get my packs base weight under 15 pounds( it is 18 right now ). Does anyone have suggestions on cheap tarps to buy, or ways to use them?

[THunt]

I just make a lean to with one of the cheap blue tarps.  It kept me dry in a downpour last year.

[Skyvalhunter]

Cheap or long lasting?

[MikeWalking]

I bought some of the cammo tarps at Freddies, got a few summers out of them before they started leaking where folded. I've got one of the  brown/green numbers that has lasted pretty well. They're all about the same price.

One lesson learned was to A-Frame it over a good rope or heavy cord. The grommets tend to pull out pretty easily when stressed. I started duct taping the grommets and poking holes through the tape to avoid that.

[Tim in Wa.]

The grommets last allot longer if you pull the looped core through it and put a stick through the loop

[Johnb317]

Depending on the tarp I'd say a tent might be the same or lighter especially after carrying all the extra line etc to tie it up.    Some of the one man tents are extremely light. 
Tarps are made of heavier material for abuse...

[ICEMAN]

Go with a nylon tarp, not a polyethylene one!

Nylon will last you your lifetime, are tough and light.

I used to buy mine from REI, but did not locate any for you to check out.

Here is a link to one at Campmor. (Reputable online store)

 http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___22220

[romaknows]

Check out the mountain shelter made by mountainsmith .

[snowpack]

You can also get a sheet from a bed and spray it a few times with camp dry.  Just give it plenty of drying time (airing time) before trying to sleep near it.

[Fl0und3rz]

Not cheap, but Interal Designs SilTarps are pretty light, durable, and water resistant. Pitch with poles, a ridgeline, or otherwise.

[Olympics777]

Thanks for the advice. I was thinking of cheap more than long lasting, next year I think I'll by perhaps a Kifaru tarp for something long lasting. I just need an inexpensive one for this early fall. I know that some of the nice Backpacking tents are extremely lightweight, but I don't have 400 dollars to spend on a nice one. Using a fly off of a tent is a good idea... 

[MLHSN]

I made one of these with about $75 worth of materials.

Here's the plans:

http://www.tarptent.com/projects/tt2photos.html

Mine fits 2 people and weighs 1.5 lbs (including tyvek sheet to put pad on).  It has bug netting which is a big plus for me.

[Olympics777]

That is a great looking tarp tent, could you possibly list the needed materials? I only saw pictures, but no actual plans. The nice thing about making my own is that I could modify it if I want to. How can you make grommets in tyvekk without it ripping out? 

[MLHSN]

That is a great looking tarp tent, could you possibly list the needed materials? I only saw pictures, but no actual plans. The nice thing about making my own is that I could modify it if I want to. How can you make grommets in tyvekk without it ripping out?

The tent is actually made out of Silnylon.  I sewed in reinforcement on the corners with webbing and then bunch the grommets into the crisscrossed webbing.

Here is the link with the actual design.
http://www.tarptent.com/projects/tarpdesign.html

Here is it pitched up Wolf Creek.


tent by mlhsn1, on Flickr

[MLHSN]

As far as the Tyvek, I just cut a piece a little bigger then my sleeping bag for a groundcloth.  The tent is basically floorless.  The bug netting on the sides is long and I just put rocks and some of my gear around the perimeter of the bug netting to keeping the critters and bugs out.