What's the best tarp configuration for solo setup? 10 x 12, over a tent or table. Assume no trees in the right place. I have two adjustable poles. I tried this by myself and found it too laborious to be worth the trouble. Any strategy that would be less time consuming?

LilyPond: "What's the best tarp configuration for solo setup? 10 x 12, over a tent or table. Assume no trees in the right place. I have two adjustable poles. I tried this by myself and found it too laborious to be worth the trouble. Any strategy that would be less time consuming?"

Solo set-up? Tie one end high to a tree, stake the opposite to the ground, tie to a rock, anything. For soloing any lean-to setup would offer some benefit.

Good Luck

If to cover gear from rain or have a place to fix dinner in a rain, paddles or hiking poles work fine with minimal guy lines and stakes

I use a homemade ridgeline with 3 prussik knots on it. Two of them attach to the tarp to tighten it. The 3rd loops around a tree or other object and attaches back to the ridgeline. It is some and very adjustable.

These little guys from Dutchware, with some stakes, do a great job of managing the other tie-outs.

LilyPond: "What's the best tarp configuration for solo setup? 10 x 12, over a tent or table. Assume no trees in the right place. I have two adjustable poles. I tried this by myself and found it too laborious to be worth the trouble. Any strategy that would be less time consuming?"

Open field set up I would call it. How did you (LilyPond) try to set it up and what about it was too laborious?
Using only 2 poles and 8 Stakes and decent ability for the site to hold stakes well. Set your first pole with two lines about 90° apart from one another with the pole tilted slightly away from the stakes so it is support ed by the two Stakes, From the pole either continue a cord from one of the stake lines or use another line to go over your tent/ picnic table and then secure to the second pole and then anchor to the ground. the at staked point will be temporary as it as a straight line continuation of the ridgeline over the tent/ picnic table. Attach another line 45° to the second pole and then secure to a stake with a truckers hitch, Then pull the first stake to the second pole and move it out so the pole will have 2 lines 90° apart. Tighten up the pole lines/ pole length adjustments so you have a secure "A" frame of cord. Your poles can be adjusted to be near vertical at this point.

Hang your tarp securing it to the cord"A" frame and stake out the corners. Using trucker hitches on all stake lines allow you to tension the cord/ pole framework before hanging the tarp. Prussics on the tarp/ ridgeline will allow you to position and secure the tarp tightly. It is all about creating the framework. Practice in the back yard, so you will not be frustrated in the field.

8 stakes may not be able to handle the wind load if the ground is soft so the stake will not hold.
If there are trees but not in line with the ridgeline, use them like a stake line to the pole and set the second stake line to tension the pole where you want the ridgeline to originate from.

Long cordage, tent stakes, and patience. Set it up. If you're frustrated then walk away for a while. Return. Tweak. Personally, I like reconfiguring a tarp as the wind direction changes.
Edit: Check out this older thread for visuals.
Show us your tarp!

No specific tips other than slow down and enjoy the time spent getting your tarp setup just right. You'll be rewarded in comfort when there's too much sun, wind or rain. Channel your inner Butthead!