Tarp Camping and bugs

[7mmfan]

I've been considering going tentless this summer/early fall for my alpine bear trips, weather permitting of course. I've got some good camp spots in the timber so dew isn't really a problem. I'm trying to cut down my pack weight as much as I can for a 1-2 day trip and was considering ditching the tent altogether and just sleeping on my pad under the trees. My worry is bugs. How do those of you that have tarp camped before deal with bugs? just put lots of bug spray on your face before bed?

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.

[GOcougsHunter]

For super light backpacking, I use a bivy sack.  They are tiny, are totally bug proof and also waterproof.  They are worth the extra pound

[Stein]

I've been tempted but then remember bailing into my tent to escape the mosquitoes more times than I can count.

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.

[92xj]

I love my tarp and bivy set up for 3 seasons.
total just at 1lb 11oz for tarp, bivy and stakes.

[The scout]

I use a big Agnes copper spur for going light, it’s maybe 1 lb heavier than a tarp at very most. I would take it way over a tarp setup. But I hate all floor less shelters so take that for what it’s worth.

[Tim in Wa.]

if bugs are an issue I pitch my tarp low like the lower picture 92xj posted and burn a few inches of mosquito coil on a small piece of foil on the low end of the tarp

[boneaddict]

They work

[boneaddict]

Even with bugs, or at least until a bear raids your camp.   Ironically the first thing he sampled.

[7mmfan]

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.

[Mtnwalker]

you could try something like the borah ultralight with the chest zip. sleep on top of the mesh part then if bugs get bad just pull it over your head and zip it...

[GWP]

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.
 

[PacificNWhunter]

Usually I’ll try and kick out the area I plan on setting the tent up in…and then give it a few min to see if I disturbed any ants or other bugs that may be around. Especially if your setting up on grass, dirt is a little easier to tell if something else is living there.I’ve found they get out it as easily as they get in. Never had bugs ruin a trip or keep me from getting decent sleep.

[Rob]

I woke up to my buddy luring chipmunks under my tarp.  He was sitting on a log tossing fruit loops towards my setup.  As the chipmunk got braver he tossed a couple under my tarp.  Woke up staring at one of the little buggers. 

My buddy was pretty please with himself.

I worry more about the flying insects being an issue over the crawling ones.

[7mmfan]

Yeah it's mosquitos that I'm really considering. I sleep in a floorless shelter frequently, that doesn't bother me at all. I'm just envisioning snuggling into my sleeping bag for a goods night sleep under the stars and spending the whole night swatting mosquitos away.

[Rob]

Yeah, my older Fly creek tent is 2.5 pounds with footprint, tent, fly and stakes.  That has always seemed weight worth packing during mosquito season.  Nice to have extra room over a bivy, and to be able to escape the bloodsuckers and flies.