Post by: 7mmfan on February 06, 2023, 03:41:29 PM
I do have a MSR Thru-Hiker 2, mesh house, and it's fine, but some of my spots would literally just be flat spots above a tree on a slope, don't really want to mess with pitching a tent on it.
Post by: GOcougsHunter on February 06, 2023, 03:47:28 PM
Post by: Stein on February 06, 2023, 05:21:08 PM
Bivy is an option as mentioned, but with the newest fabrics a small tent is really a trivial weight penalty. You could always get a double wall and leave the rainfly home, probably about a pound or so for one guy.
Head net is another option.
Post by: 92xj on February 06, 2023, 05:31:37 PM
total just at 1lb 11oz for tarp, bivy and stakes.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4633/39454007471_4a35c18fb5_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4592/38745490604_779ef6c089_b.jpg)
Post by: The scout on February 06, 2023, 05:46:56 PM
Post by: Tim in Wa. on February 09, 2023, 05:36:11 AM
Post by: boneaddict on February 09, 2023, 08:07:20 AM
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/v47/boneaddict/bonesbucks/.highres/firstcamp_zps0529afda.jpg)
Post by: boneaddict on February 09, 2023, 08:08:56 AM
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/v47/boneaddict/bonesbucks/.highres/bearsnack_zps83d0a414.jpg)
Post by: 7mmfan on February 09, 2023, 08:25:56 AM
Post by: Mtnwalker on February 09, 2023, 08:50:58 AM
Post by: GWP on February 09, 2023, 09:54:04 AM
That fun feeling minimal camping when you are jerked out of a sound sleep as the cold body of a big spider crawls over your face in the middle of the night is priceless.
:IBCOOL: :yike:
Post by: PacificNWhunter on February 09, 2023, 10:07:35 AM
Post by: Rob on February 09, 2023, 10:31:32 AM
My buddy was pretty please with himself.
I worry more about the flying insects being an issue over the crawling ones.
Post by: 7mmfan on February 09, 2023, 11:04:58 AM
Post by: Rob on February 09, 2023, 12:56:10 PM
Post by: Stein on February 09, 2023, 01:13:18 PM
There will be bugs.
That fun feeling minimal camping when you are jerked out of a sound sleep as the cold body of a big spider crawls over your face in the middle of the night is priceless.
:IBCOOL: :yike:
I woke up to a mouse crawling over my face once. Call me a weenie for bringing a tent, doesn't bother me a bit. :chuckle:
Post by: 7mmfan on February 09, 2023, 02:21:16 PM
Post by: 92xj on February 09, 2023, 02:45:42 PM
Thanks for the input guys. I wasn't even planning on a tarp if the weather was right, just sleeping under the stars. My MSR Mesh House weighs about exactly 1# with it and 6 stakes if I don't bring a footprint of some form. Maybe I'll just plan on bringing it as insurance.
You'll regret that when you wake up covered in dew. The tarp/lightweight bivy, in my opinion, is superior than a heavier weather proof bivy by itself. The weight compared to each is close enough, but having a dry area in the morning to sit, drink coffee, put on boots, glass from is super nice. Lightweight bivy keeps you and the bugs separated, keeps you and your sleep system wrapped up like a burrito, doesn't get super hot like heavier weather proof bivys and the tarp keeps you dry and also out of the sun later in the day if needed. Just some more thoughts to think about.
Post by: Oldguy on February 09, 2023, 02:55:45 PM
Post by: pickardjw on February 09, 2023, 02:59:27 PM
Post by: 92xj on February 09, 2023, 03:02:59 PM
Any Recommendations for decent light weight tarp? Want something that will last, not a plastic sheet.
Depends on your budget.
I know, most think "Tarp, nothing special", but the world of tarps is rather large and prices can be $25-$400+
seek outside
Bearpaw wilderness design
Hyperlight
Mountain Laurel Design
ZPack
Amazon
Post by: Oldguy on February 09, 2023, 04:18:05 PM
I found just what I need on Bearpaw Wilderness Designs.
Post by: 92xj on February 09, 2023, 04:19:45 PM
Thank you 92xj
I found just what I need on Bearpaw Wilserness Designs.
Roger that.
I am sure you will hear negatives and positives about bear paw. I have had multi dealings with him and have had zero issues. I don't think much can go wrong with a plain ol flat tarp. I enjoy mine from him.
Post by: Stein on February 09, 2023, 05:09:58 PM
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on February 09, 2023, 05:28:52 PM
Any Recommendations for decent light weight tarp? Want something that will last, not a plastic sheet.
Depends on your budget.
I know, most think "Tarp, nothing special", but the world of tarps is rather large and prices can be $25-$400+
seek outside
Bearpaw wilderness design
Hyperlight
Mountain Laurel Design
ZPack
Amazon
Take a look at VIAM Outdoors and Lite Outdoors also.
Post by: 92xj on February 09, 2023, 05:34:48 PM
For flat tarps you can also make your own. I bought the material and just sewed the sides over and added tie outs and reinforcements on the corner. It cost about 1/4 of having someone do it for you and you can get the exact size, material, color, guy lines, etc you want.
Any chance you bought your sewing machine off Amazon?
Thinking about taking the plunge and getting a machine for some home made stuff. Wanted to modify a pack, build some shelters, etc .
Post by: boneaddict on February 09, 2023, 06:21:48 PM
Post by: Shawn Ryan on February 10, 2023, 01:32:15 PM
Post by: Stein on February 10, 2023, 01:50:56 PM
For flat tarps you can also make your own. I bought the material and just sewed the sides over and added tie outs and reinforcements on the corner. It cost about 1/4 of having someone do it for you and you can get the exact size, material, color, guy lines, etc you want.
Any chance you bought your sewing machine off Amazon?
Thinking about taking the plunge and getting a machine for some home made stuff. Wanted to modify a pack, build some shelters, etc .
No, I have a Sailrite for thick stuff but for a tarp I used a home machine. It's super easy to sew through.
Post by: boneaddict on February 12, 2023, 07:31:26 AM
Post by: GWP on February 12, 2023, 08:20:28 AM
Ants bother me more than skeeters.
Yes! I forgot about them! Great fun to be all camo'd up hiding in a bush with one foot on a red ant when it is warmish. Been there, done that!
Post by: Okanagan on February 12, 2023, 09:16:45 AM
A cut down/homemade mosquito net wads tiny and lightweight and worth its weight in gold. My mosquito net makes a bug free space only around my head and upper body. It simply drapes onto the ground sheet around me and onto my sleeping bag about my waist point, with only the part over my head tied/rigged up. I want mosquito buzz away from my ears, even if they can’t get in to bite.
Most of my backpacking has been well away from places other people camp, so haven’t had a mouse bother me for years. A spot where backpackers regularly camp means critters from mice to deer get used to raiding backpackers and their gear/food. By deer seasons in the mountains, there are so few mosquitoes that I don’t us a net.
For more than one person, I carry a full size bed mosquito net from REI. Rig it sideways to the sleepers and tie up one side, (which is over the heads when rigged sideways). Let the rest drape to the ground and close/flatten any open spots. Three reasonably friendly men can sleep side by side with head and upper bodies in the bug free space.
Post by: hoppsxc140 on February 14, 2023, 11:30:28 AM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230214/d03aeaf26fe1300e8dbe0365f2076f31.jpg)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Gettin Birdie on February 14, 2023, 11:58:14 AM
Post by: Stein on February 14, 2023, 02:41:41 PM
Make sure you wash it before you cut it to get the shrink out as well as the crinkly noise.
Post by: Shawn Ryan on February 16, 2023, 03:48:50 PM
Anyone use Tyvek for a groundsheet, I've carried around some in my rig for years, but never actually used it as I always had a groundsheet, but super lightweight, that I'd throw it in the pack if necessary.
I've used house-wrap for years in a floorless tent. Works well.
Post by: Gettin Birdie on February 18, 2023, 05:58:41 AM
Make sure you wash it before you cut it to get the shrink out as well as the crinkly noise.
Thanks, didn't realize you could wash it, but makes sense on the sound aspect.
Post by: ridgefire on February 28, 2023, 07:08:56 PM
Post by: spin05 on May 19, 2023, 02:11:03 AM
Thanks for the input guys. I wasn't even planning on a tarp if the weather was right, just sleeping under the stars. My MSR Mesh House weighs about exactly 1# with it and 6 stakes if I don't bring a footprint of some form. Maybe I'll just plan on bringing it as insurance.
We did this once up in Baker. Woke up pretty wet from the dew. You go to bed thinking theres no way theres going to be dew and wake up wet. Maybe just our bad luck
Post by: 7mmfan on May 19, 2023, 07:45:04 AM
Thanks for the input guys. I wasn't even planning on a tarp if the weather was right, just sleeping under the stars. My MSR Mesh House weighs about exactly 1# with it and 6 stakes if I don't bring a footprint of some form. Maybe I'll just plan on bringing it as insurance.
We did this once up in Baker. Woke up pretty wet from the dew. You go to bed thinking theres no way theres going to be dew and wake up wet. Maybe just our bad luck
I should add, that the area I plan on sleeping is in the timber. It's dry in there. I've done the sleep under the stars in the open and wake up soaked in dew before, I learned that lesson!
Post by: CasterlyRock on May 19, 2023, 08:55:59 AM
Post by: 444Marlin on May 20, 2023, 10:23:47 PM
Everything is a trade off and there's no free lunch. If you want to go ultralight with a tarp, then do it and be prepared that stuff might get a little wet, and bugs might get on you. You need to be mindful of where you camp more than anything (if you're with a tarp, tend or camper)...and if it's a bog or a grassy field, it's going to have more bugs than not. Or if it's a breezy, semi exposed dry area...it might be a little more pleasant.
Permethrin treat your clothing. And a bandana.
My tarp is a 20-ish year old Sil-nylon tarp from Integral Designs. I don't think they are in business any more. If I needed a new tarp I'd go with some of the new sil-fabric designs, probably leaning towards Seek Outside.
Post by: Stein on May 21, 2023, 09:52:19 AM
Make sure you wash it before you cut it to get the shrink out as well as the crinkly noise.
Thanks, didn't realize you could wash it, but makes sense on the sound aspect.
If you go that route, wash then cut if you care about the final dimensions. It will shrink some.
The newer Tyvek is soft from the factory and lighter.
Post by: robescc on June 07, 2023, 02:07:26 PM