I tend to set up my tarps fairly low to the ground. When sitting under it, I have about a foot of headspace. It seems to me that a lower pitching height keeps some wind-driven rain out. My tripping partner likes the tarp high enough to walk comfortably underneath. I know there's no right or wrong on this, but I'm curious. What's your preferred height and why?

I prefer to pitch it high enough that I can stand under it, but if it looks like rain is coming, I want one side much lower to reduce wind-blown rain.

I prefer to set a tarp as adjustable as possible to accommodate such changes.

One long line to suspend the center, 4 corners to trees (or other anchors). The whole setup can be raised and lowered very easily.

butthead

quote butthead: "I prefer to set a tarp as adjustable as possible to accommodate such changes.
butthead"

Same here. Set up so that I can stand under it but with ability to adjust as needed to accommodate changes in wind/weather.

I am like the OP where I have about a foot of head room. I always drop a side or both when it starts to rain and blow to keep the rain out.

I almost always rig my tarps with a ridge line under and over the center (the over line prevents the tarp from flapping in the wind) with the corners tied out. I usually try and arrange the tarp with one "side" towards the lake since that is normally the direction the wind and wind driven rain will come from ( I.e. 90 degrees from my ridge line(s)). I really prefer the tarp high enough I can walk in without ducking much as that is just annoying. If a big wind and or rain come up just drop the upwind corner(s) and your good. I can always lower the ridge line if I have to but rarely do. I only use zing it or ccs cord both will stay rock solid and tight rain, wind, hail or snow, etc....

I most often want it high enough to stand comfortably under it, but usually the windy side is lower. I have kept it very low in extreme weather so it sort of depends.

T

I just bought mine last year so have only taken it out once. We had it lower, I think too low, but the idea was to maximize the dry area underneath. With winds, the higher you go, the more dry ground you lose. We had issues with heat more than rain though and I wish we had a little more height to get away from the hot air that gathers under the tarp. Keeping that mid day sun off our skin in June was a good choice though.

I'm a newbie, so I don't get it. butthead certainly didn't climb a tree to get his top line like that. So how'd you do it (or what don't I see off-camera)?

I don't know that there is one "right" way to set a tarp. I usually set one tarp, that is no more than probably 4' off the ground. High enough to keep our gear and firewood dry, and provide a place to sit and eat/talk if the weather turns crappy. If I am basecamping, I often take a second tarp and set up with a much higher height, providing a place where you can get out of the rain, sun, and move around freely.

I don't know that there is one "right" way to set a tarp. I usually set one tarp, that is no more than probably 4' off the ground. High enough to keep our gear and firewood dry, and provide a place to sit and eat/talk if the weather turns crappy. If I am basecamping, I often take a second tarp and set up with a much higher height, providing a place where you can get out of the rain, sun, and move around freely.

quote newguy: "I'm a newbie, so I don't get it. butthead certainly didn't climb a tree to get his top line like that. So how'd you do it (or what don't I see off-camera)?"

I have several Granite Gear zippered mesh bags that their stuff sacks and bags are packed in, 2x3 inches or so. I use one for repair stuff, has enough weight to make a toss bag tied to 1/8 inch cordage I use. Couple of tosses targeting a limb, often use 2 20 foot pieces tied together for the suspended line.


butthead

My tarps are pitched low to block wind and rain. I don't think I've ever had it high enough to stand under. On more than one occasion I've found myself crouched under my tarp with the sides pulled within a couple feet of the ground and still barely being kept dry from the blowing/splashing rain.

I might raise the downwind side high enough that I can stand under that edge and have a protected fire but usually I have to crouch if I want under the tarp.

I trip solo and not during the summer with high temps so unless it's raining I'm not likely to be under the tarp anyway.

Alan

What makes a tarp such a valuable tripping partner is it's versatility. Thanks mostly to Dan Cooke, I have learned a variety of ways to set up my tarp. The decision on how to set it up depends upon the season and the weather and the campsite.

That being said, my tarp is pulled out of the stuff sack with a center ridge line and ropes tied to each corner. The photo shows my most common set up, which is easily modified to match the circumstances. I generally like to pitch it high enough so I can stand up under the ridge line.

I usually lower one side as a wind and rain block.

quote Ausable: "I prefer to pitch it high enough that I can stand under it, but if it looks like rain is coming, I want one side much lower to reduce wind-blown rain."

Me too. Here is a pic of a day when the rain was off and on. We tied off low in the back to break the wind and keep rain off.

quote jcavenagh: "

quote Ausable: "I prefer to pitch it high enough that I can stand under it, but if it looks like rain is coming, I want one side much lower to reduce wind-blown rain."

Me too. Here is a pic of a day when the rain was off and on. We tied off low in the back to break the wind and keep rain off.

"

This is also what I try to achieve. Some pitches are better than others depending on the trees.

Wind and rain---more tarps!

butthead

Butthead's umbrella setup is the only one I have used since I saw it. Best ever!

Long Island Tarp Setup

Tomster

Great thread. The sky's the limit.
I get more great ideas from bwca.com, then Carter has pills.. what...whens the last time ya heard that one...??

i do not like bending over much and always stay dry, so my tarp is higher.

I like high enough to walk under, but will lower to deal with weather.

quote newguy: "I'm a newbie, so I don't get it. butthead certainly didn't climb a tree to get his top line like that. So how'd you do it (or what don't I see off-camera)?"

Newguy.........once you learn a tarp method you will likely stick with it for the rest of your tripping life. Do yourself a humongous favor and get Cliff Jacobsons video "forgotten skills". Of course everyone believes their method is best........but Cliffs method actually is ;-)

Yup I know thems fighting words but if you want to rig a tarp quickly that is drum tight and will hold up in a serious blow without keeping you up all night by being noisy AND you want to forsake throwing ropes over limbs (can you say "hassle") then it is $25 well spent. You will also learn how to handle ropes and lines including simple useful knots as well as correct hassle free storage of said ropes and lines. No tangles! And you will learn how to take a tarp down in minutes via quick release knots.

The only conceivable disadvantage is a center pole must be employed. While an appropriate stick may be cut and used I prefer a shock corded collapsible center pole available at REI meant specifically for that purpose. CCS (Cookes Custom Sewing) is the type of tarp you will want to invest in and just by coincidence they have a "pocket" meant to accommodate a center pole. I make a few modifications to Cliffs method and use a cable tie to insure that the center pole is exceedingly snug and tight while inside its designed pocket.

I also like to use those plastic covered wire (Home depot) thing-a-ma-jigs to create hooks on my center pole by which I can hang various articles if I so desire. Very handy.......

Bada-bing my tarp is up.........bada-bing my tarp is down. And I can do it while in a bad blow to start with.

There are some other very strong tips as well including how to safely process wood etc. etc.

quote butthead: "

quote newguy: "I'm a newbie, so I don't get it. butthead certainly didn't climb a tree to get his top line like that. So how'd you do it (or what don't I see off-camera)?"

I have several Granite Gear zippered mesh bags that their stuff sacks and bags are packed in, 2x3 inches or so. I use one for repair stuff, has enough weight to make a toss bag tied to 1/8 inch cordage I use. Couple of tosses targeting a limb, often use 2 20 foot pieces tied together for the suspended line.


butthead"

Ken would love to bring you along so you can see first hand. But his real motive is for you to carry that picnic table.

On the subject of tarps, if you ever get a chance to observe a Dan Cooke tarp presentation, I would highly recommend it.

quote Ausable: "I prefer to pitch it high enough that I can stand under it, but if it looks like rain is coming, I want one side much lower to reduce wind-blown rain."

That's how we do it. If it's really windy and rainy we may lower it like this where you have to stoop and sit:

I always try to set up my solo 8 x 10 tarp as high as I can but it always seem to end up at about 5 feet or so after I tie everything down. It keeps out the rain at that height so I never really bother to adjust it.

I have a Kelty tarp that is 12 x 10 and that one I usually can get at about 6 feet or better on the "entrance side" of the tarp.

I can just reach 8', so on my tip toes, I can tie my tarp lines around a tree just a shade under that. I've never adjusted ridgeline height. I just adjust the sides to open it up or batten it down.

quote awbrown: "On the subject of tarps, if you ever get a chance to observe a Dan Cooke tarp presentation, I would highly recommend it.



"

+1

Great pics!

Here's my "tarp pitch":

I have a 12x12 tarp and try to hang it at 6'3" - I am 6'2". I will bring the sides down if bad weather comes in. I have a bad back and walking around hunched over under a tarp does not help it.

quote mastertangler:


Yup I know thems fighting words but if you want to rig a tarp quickly that is drum tight and will hold up in a serious blow without keeping you up all night by being noisy AND you want to forsake throwing ropes over limbs (can you say "hassle") then it is $25 well spent. "

Thanks for the tip MT,

I took your advise (it isn't often when that happens :-) and ordered two of the center poles from REI.

Hey linden glad your catching on.......do you guys miss me at the politics forum? Keep listening to Mark Levin and we can agree a bit more often ;-)

quote mastertangler: "Hey linden glad your catching on.......do you guys miss me at the politics forum? Keep listening to Mark Levin and we can agree a bit more often ;-)"

MT,

I tried to E-Mail you a couple times privately to answer your question but it will not go through.
E-Mail me if you wish more clarification.
PS, It was a positive message.
klindy1@hotmail.com

I hate it when my head hits the tarp in the morning when there's cold condensation all over it. There's probably nothing in human history that matters less than that, but it still pisses me off.

quote LindenTree3: "

quote mastertangler: "Hey linden glad your catching on.......do you guys miss me at the politics forum? Keep listening to Mark Levin and we can agree a bit more often ;-)"

MT,


I tried to E-Mail you a couple times privately to answer your question but it will not go through.

e.
klindy1@hotmail.com"

Thats odd.......the address is correct. Must have something to do with an old in box that carried over to the replacement Mac that gives me fits and I no longer use and now just go directly to comcast. Thanks for the heads up.

I set the ridge line sightly higher than head height. Nearly all of the tarp I am not able to stand completely upright, but why do I need to?

viewing all these great set-ups.......chomping at the bit.

quote Bannock: "I set the ridge line sightly higher than head height. Nearly all of the tarp I am not able to stand completely upright, but why do I need to?"

Dancing a jig in the rain??? Something I have been known to do.

butthead

I'm 6'4" and I don't like hunch over..
Cool looking at all the set ups....

Where is the best place to pick up tarps at

quote yogi59weedr: "Where is the best place to pick up tarps at"

Cooke Custom Sewing online at:

Cooke

quote SevenofNine: "

quote yogi59weedr: "Where is the best place to pick up tarps at"

Cooke Custom Sewing online at:


Cooke "

Yup!

butthead