Great post on tarp shelters up at the main page! (If it was included in the site before, I'm sorry I missed it.)

But all that outdoors origami is for a square sheet - and many of us use the trusty old - retangular - Army poncho for our tarp/sheltering needs. Seeing a great opportunity to soothe my inner Gropius, this weekend (wife depending, of course) I'm going to get out a couple of ponchos, some poles, rope, stakes, a digital camera and...... we'll see what happens. A couple of Bloody Mary's may be included to get the creative juices really flowing.

I'll post the results soon.

If any of my fellow forum members have any creative tarp/tent designs or ideas for the humble poncho, send them on. Bloody Mary recipes appreciated, too.

.....CLIFF

"Doctors can bury their mistakes. Architects can only suggest their clients plant a few vines."
- Frank Lloyd Wright

www.tentsmiths.com is a maker of many historical and classic tent designs. A first time shelter builder is apt to buy a cheap plastic or canvas painter's drop cloth. Canvas has a very real caveat aside from wieght. Cheaper canvas will show many specks and discolouration in the weave. This is dirt and will produce severe breathing discomfort from a combination of contaminants ranging from feces to pollens. Again we have the same pros and cons over synthetic vs natural fibers. Canvas is heavier but also more flame retardent. Another key to canvas use is never touch it directly in rain. You will create a passage in the fibers for water to drip through.Once sealed, properly pitched and maintained, canvas can be remarkably waterproof.

Oh, and if anybody has any designs (or websites) for 'non-square/rectangle' tarp shelters, please let us know. I'm trying to make a shelter as strong as a single-walled tent, but as light and convenient as a tarp (OK, I know it's impossible, but just let me dream <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />)

what do you mean with a 'non-square/rectangle' tarp shelter ?

http://www.thru-hiker.com/workshop.asp?subcat=3&cid=4 - Instructions on how to build a tarp tent

http://members.tripod.com/halbertri/tarps.htm - general info on tarps

http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/products/Europa2.asp - another tent idea

http://www.ray-way.com/tarp%20book/index.shtml - I havn't checked this book out but his other book Beyond Backpacking has a section on homemade gear.

http://www.integraldesigns.com/tarps-frame.htm - you could just buy the sil shelter and call a day <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I think that it could also be called a 'tarp-tent'.

Bassically, I'm thinking of a tarp that is cut in a specific pattern so that it can be set up in a more sucure/weatherproof manner. I don't know if I am explaining myself correctly. If you look at some of the links in Adams post, you might get an idea of my thoughts.

now i got a question, do you need a bivy under your tarp wenn using it ? i assume not, but just to be safe.... i just got a 2.5 x 1.75 meter tarp / basha, so....

Johnny, Take a look at my link in earlier reply. They have several patterns on display. With canvas the folds are actually defined by the sewn panels.

I would say that size tarp is a little tight. I've used that size before (it happens to be the size of my poncho) it's OK but tight. I've used a bag cover in the past in conjunction w/ this size tarp. A bag cover is not a full-blown bivy but will keep wind blown rain off of your sleeping bag. They are also lighter than a bivy and I think more breathable. I like my 8'x10' (appox. 2.5mX3m) tarp the best. I would not bring a bivy for this size tarp. Remember tarping is fun but site selection and orientation is critical.

Cliff,



You may have heard of the Alpha Tent. It uses the Poncho. To see pictures and instructions on how to make one click on link.
Alpha Tent

Hope this helps.

Neal