bivy/tarp

[vandeman17]

My old man and I will be in the Eagle Caps for archery elk first 10 days of September. We are packing in about 14 miles by horseback and be camping there. I am trying to decide if its worth spending the money for a bivy or tarp in the case that we get into elk a little ways from base camp and want to sleep on them. Part of me is saying that at that time of year, I should be fine just crashing out under a tree for the night but another part says I would be more comfortable with some kind of shelter. Thoughts?

[Karl Blanchard]

Tarp never leaves my pack ever

[vandeman17]

Tarp never leaves my pack ever

Looking at a sheep tarp potentially

[fowl smacker]

Aqua quest makes some nice tarps

[Bill W]

mice and bugs are something to consider for September camping.

[Stein]

I made a sil nylon tarp for a few bucks and it is always in my pack.  It is mainly for a rain tarp to sit out storms, but also works for a clean spot to process animals and an emergency shelter if needed.

They are simple to make and you can buy sil nylon up to 6' wide in whatever length you want.  You only need to sew a hem around the edge and then any cord loops you want for tie out points.

[Pegasus]

My old man and I will be in the Eagle Caps for archery elk first 10 days of September. We are packing in about 14 miles by horseback and be camping there. I am trying to decide if its worth spending the money for a bivy or tarp in the case that we get into elk a little ways from base camp and want to sleep on them. Part of me is saying that at that time of year, I should be fine just crashing out under a tree for the night but another part says I would be more comfortable with some kind of shelter. Thoughts?

Here you go, something nice and lite. Only 4 X 6 for $22. These guys also make great game bags that are nice and lite for packing: https://www.viamoutdoors.com/product-page/multi-cloth-2-0

[Karl Blanchard]

Tarp never leaves my pack ever

Looking at a sheep tarp potentially

sheep tarp needs to be about a foot longer and a foot wider in my opinion.

[Karl Blanchard]

mice and bugs are something to consider for September camping.

this always cracks me up. Guys will take endless naps in the woods, glass for hours on end. Leave stuff outside when at a truck camp but wont dare sleep without a floored tent

[Matth]

Get the tarp, i know that country well.

[Matth]

mice and bugs are something to consider for September camping.

this always cracks me up. Guys will take endless naps in the woods, glass for hours on end. Leave stuff outside when at a truck camp but wont dare sleep without a floored tent

Nothing in those hills that that floor is going to save you from any how. i think i probably spend as much time sleeping on logs as i do in a bag that time of year.

[vandeman17]

Tarp never leaves my pack ever

Looking at a sheep tarp potentially

sheep tarp needs to be about a foot longer and a foot wider in my opinion.

10-4

[Karl Blanchard]

mice and bugs are something to consider for September camping.

this always cracks me up. Guys will take endless naps in the woods, glass for hours on end. Leave stuff outside when at a truck camp but wont dare sleep without a floored tent

Nothing in those hills that that floor is going to save you from any how. i think i probably spend as much time sleeping on logs as i do in a bag that time of year.

I'd actually argue that a mouse playing slip and slide on my tent is more annoying than one sneaking around my bag. Only time I run a tent is rattlesnake country or when the bugs can actually harm you aka black widows, scorpions, Etc

[baker5150]

mice and bugs are something to consider for September camping.

this always cracks me up. Guys will take endless naps in the woods, glass for hours on end. Leave stuff outside when at a truck camp but wont dare sleep without a floored tent

 

Mosquitos can be a PIA sometimes, but they can be avoided as well.

[baker5150]

I carry a Jimmy Tarp Granite Mountain.

I picked it up used off of a "dirt bag" buddy of mine, traded him for a tent.

I've spent 9 or 10 nights under it so far, all in Aug/Sept, and it's worked really well for me.  Super light weight.

[vandeman17]

mice and bugs are something to consider for September camping.

this always cracks me up. Guys will take endless naps in the woods, glass for hours on end. Leave stuff outside when at a truck camp but wont dare sleep without a floored tent

 

Mosquitos can be a PIA sometimes, but they can be avoided as well.

I swear its the ants that drive me nuts when sleeping on the ground. That and I have had numerous chipmunks try to swipe stuff from my bag and that is why they are now always called Red Devils.

[Karl Blanchard]

I did have a mouse run IN my bag one night Turkey hunting with @Jonathan_S . That was exciting and crazy enough I didn't die. Only other time I had a real mouse issue was in my camp trailer. He tried climbing up my face. It was quite the wakeup lol

[Jonathan_S]

I did have a mouse run IN my bag one night Turkey hunting with @Jonathan_S . That was exciting and crazy enough I didn't die. Only other time I had a real mouse issue was in my camp trailer. He tried climbing up my face. It was quite the wakeup lol

M-m-m-MOUSE!   

[dilleytech]

Tarp never leaves my pack ever

Looking at a sheep tarp potentially

sheep tarp needs to be about a foot longer and a foot wider in my opinion.

What’s the general opinion for size of a tarp for a single person to sleep under? I was thinking like 7x10?

[92xj]

I enjoy the space and multiple configurations I pitch under my 9x10.

[Bill W]

mice and bugs are something to consider for September camping.

this always cracks me up. Guys will take endless naps in the woods, glass for hours on end. Leave stuff outside when at a truck camp but wont dare sleep without a floored tent

I'm glad it cracks you up.  I would guess you haven't been on the high hunt when the mouse population is high and they are running across you.  It cracks me up what the wilderness experts come up with.

[Karl Blanchard]

mice and bugs are something to consider for September camping.

this always cracks me up. Guys will take endless naps in the woods, glass for hours on end. Leave stuff outside when at a truck camp but wont dare sleep without a floored tent

I'm glad it cracks you up.  I would guess you haven't been on the high hunt when the mouse population is high and they are running across you.  It cracks me up what the wilderness experts come up with.

yeah one of these days I'll step away from the keyboard and actually go spend a night in the woods

[Jonathan_S]

Karl doesnt need to go into the wilderness to have mice moving into his sleeping bag. He gets that in the lowland.

I think he has spent a night or two in wilderness though

[7mmfan]

Tarp never leaves my pack ever

Looking at a sheep tarp potentially

sheep tarp needs to be about a foot longer and a foot wider in my opinion.

What’s the general opinion for size of a tarp for a single person to sleep under? I was thinking like 7x10?

I slept under a 9x10 this weekend and it was spacious. I agree its nice to have that size to allow for other pitch options.

[Stein]

Mice suck, mosquitoes suck, I'm a pansy and want a floor and mesh around me.  Even my bivy sack had a mesh hood.

[Karl Blanchard]

Tarp never leaves my pack ever

Looking at a sheep tarp potentially

sheep tarp needs to be about a foot longer and a foot wider in my opinion.

What’s the general opinion for size of a tarp for a single person to sleep under? I was thinking like 7x10?

I slept under a 9x10 this weekend and it was spacious. I agree its nice to have that size to allow for other pitch options.

that few extra feet really does open up additional options and it costs you just a minute amount of added weight. Jon made my tarp and I honestly can't remember the dimensions.

[Karl Blanchard]

Karl doesnt need to go into the wilderness to have mice moving into his sleeping bag. He gets that in the lowland.

I think he has spent a night or two in wilderness though

they love me and yeah about 22.........years. first trip I was 14 and it's been 80+ days a year sleeping on the ground ever since

[7mmfan]

Tarp never leaves my pack ever

Looking at a sheep tarp potentially

sheep tarp needs to be about a foot longer and a foot wider in my opinion.

What’s the general opinion for size of a tarp for a single person to sleep under? I was thinking like 7x10?

I slept under a 9x10 this weekend and it was spacious. I agree its nice to have that size to allow for other pitch options.

that few extra feet really does open up additional options and it costs you just a minute amount of added weight. Jon made my tarp and I honestly can't remember the dimensions.

The Jon made mine as well. Pleased as punch.

[7mmfan]

Mice suck, mosquitoes suck, I'm a pansy and want a floor and mesh around me.  Even my bivy sack had a mesh hood.

So I picked up one of the MSR Thru Hiker mesh houses. Weighs about 10 oz or something ridiculous. Fits right under my tarp. Bug free and still super lightweight with zero condensation

Thru-Hiker Mesh House 2 Trekking Pole Shelter | MSR
https://www.msrgear.com/thru-hiker-mesh-house-2

[BULLBLASTER]

I don’t have as much experience backpacking as other guys but this worked for me in high country in August with no big or mice invasions.

[brocka]

Tarp never leaves my pack ever

Wise piece of advice. Samsies

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[dilleytech]

I don’t have as much experience backpacking as other guys but this worked for me in high country in August with no big or mice invasions.

What size is that?

[Jonathan_S]

I don’t have as much experience backpacking as other guys but this worked for me in high country in August with no big or mice invasions.

What size is that?

Pretty sure that's a 10x10

[92xj]

18oz tarp
7oz bivy
hard to beat for 3 seasons

[cougforester]

18oz tarp
7oz bivy
hard to beat for 3 seasons

What’s that brand of bivy? 7 oz is nuts. Going tarp, pad and quilt this year and really don’t want to wake up with a face full of mosquitoes

[92xj]

18oz tarp
7oz bivy
hard to beat for 3 seasons

What’s that brand of bivy? 7 oz is nuts. Going tarp, pad and quilt this year and really don’t want to wake up with a face full of mosquitoes

Bearpaw wilderness design.
I sent him a sketch with dimensions of what I wanted, as his stock options are a little different than what I wanted.
I'm running the .74 Dyneema floor with the breathable upper and mesh overhead.
I run a xlite pad at 16oz and a EE quilt at 26oz.

tarp - 18
bivy - 7
pad - 16
quilt - 26
12 stakes - 6
ultralite pullouts and 1.8mm guy line - 7
total = 80oz = 5.0lbs

check me as my quick simple math could be wrong.
I am not an ounce counter (though my last two sentences below contradict that, haha), I just like really nice equipment that works with what I will be doing.  For 3 seasons, this is my setup which just happens to be fairly light which is a nice benefit.

I might be going to a dyneema tarp this summer which would shave 10oz
I also run a dyneema ground sheet that is 3oz when I am not worried about bugs and excessive moisture

[7mmfan]

Only issue is not being able to pitch to the ground on one end for wind protection. Can be closed off pretty tight though.

[dilleytech]

Only issue is not being able to pitch to the ground on one end for wind protection. Can be closed off pretty tight though.

That’s a sweet set up.

[Fl0und3rz]

[HikerHunter]

I did have a mouse run IN my bag one night Turkey hunting with @Jonathan_S . That was exciting and crazy enough I didn't die. Only other time I had a real mouse issue was in my camp trailer. He tried climbing up my face. It was quite the wakeup lol

I think my father-in-law has you beat, he woke up with a mouse IN his mouth (he is a big time snorer). He was scarred. You will never see him in anything floorless!

[Shawn Ryan]

Adam, I've had freezing and snow to 80 degrees in late August and September in that area.  My answer is "yes" to the tarp and bivy. Bivy out with a tarp, bivy, and quilt is a great option.  You using the same outfitter again?

[vandeman17]

Adam, I've had freezing and snow to 80 degrees in late August and September in that area.  My answer is "yes" to the tarp and bivy. Bivy out with a tarp, bivy, and quilt is a great option.  You using the same outfitter again?

Nope, different guy so slightly different area. I just want to be ready for all conditions just in case

[spin05]

Adam, I've had freezing and snow to 80 degrees in late August and September in that area.  My answer is "yes" to the tarp and bivy. Bivy out with a tarp, bivy, and quilt is a great option.  You using the same outfitter again?

Nope, different guy so slightly different area. I just want to be ready for all conditions just in case

Check Jimmys tarps. Also can i ask what outfitters taking you in??? We went about 15 years ago. If you find a green bugle up on the mountain can i have it back ? hahaha.  Also we almost had a skunk crawl in our sleeping bag way up on top. We were just sleeing on the ground thou

[BB90]

They make some ponchos that double as a tarp.  I always pack one with me and cover my hammock with it at night. I usually don't pack rain gear unless its raining so its nice to have the poncho in case a surprise rain storm comes up or I wind up walking through dewy brush.

[Okanagan]

A flat tarp has infinite options, adapts to almost any footprint, and can be pitched closed on three or more sides.  It is not limited to one shape, especially not limited to a symmetrical A that is open on both ends.    Find a partial shelter in nature and use the tarp to augment what is there rather than pitch it on ground as open as a golf course.

I like to pitch the tarp with one end or one side against a big log when I am below timberline.  Find a log and either lower one end of the tarp to the top of the log or use the log as a side wall, which allows us to use the tarp to cover a larger dry area.  A log with attached root wad already has two sides enclosed.  Just make sure that the tarp extends over the log enough to send runoff over the outside of the log rather than drain inside.

 There are infinite options in nature.   Pitch it under a spreading tree and let the tree form most of the roof.  Totally above timberline it helps to pitch a tarp against a boulder, a ledge or a tight thick clump of alpine heather or brush.  There are slots in the heavy alpine brush that you only need to roof over.  Don't sleep in a bathtub low spot however!

Below is a random pic of my homemade ripstop spinnaker cloth tarp on a solo backpack hunt.  It has two ridge lines made of parachute cord, that spread to about two feet apart at the high/head end but converge at the low end.  The low end reaches to the ground.  The spread makes for a hip-roof larger area under the tarp, yet still drains well without sagging into a bowl to hold water.  The open high end of the tarp is pitched tight against a wall of thick brush that stopped most wind and all but a few misty splinks of rain when it starting raining and blowing that night.  I could have merely covered my head and ignored it but I pulled out a plastic leaf bag and without leaving my bag rigged a “front wall“ to the tarp to keep out the annoying tiny spatters of water.



For way above timberline, take a tent.

Other options for a flat tarp that I have used include covering a slightly cutbank trail, covering the open side of a rock overhang, covering a picnic table and sleeping under it, roof between logs, and many variations of log, stump, brush or rock sidewalls.