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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Tarp Set-Up & Style?
 
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mirth
06/27/2019 10:48AM
 
I have 3 guide gear tarps. 1 is rigged for a continuous ridgeline & in a CCS stuff sack. The other 2 I have just in their bags and can be pitched as the situation demands.


I recently had the continuous ridgeline tarp out on a father's day campout and as pitched with prusiks on the ridgeline ends made for a very taut tarp. Worked great for keeping the mosquito shelter it was pitched above dry.
 
sedges
06/27/2019 10:07AM
 
I haven't had to set up camp for more than two people in a long time, so my set up is light and low. I just retired a Campmor 10x10 1.9 oz ripstop that we have been using since 1987! It had a few patches, but didn't start deteriorating until 2018. I've replaced it with a CCS tundra tarp, even lighter and packs smaller, a necessity as I age.


My set up is to shelter the entrance to the tent, providing a place to get in/out of rain gear and wet shoes. I'm only sitting under it if it is raining and then it provides good shelter for reading and cooking or a game of cribbage if I my partner is along. I lower the up-wind side to the ground for a wind break if necessary. My chair is an old Crazy Creek, so I'm sitting on the ground.

 
NMJim
04/10/2022 11:16AM
 
Gotcha, Blackdogyak!

 
Shizzle
02/22/2022 10:31PM
 
This bugnet looks pretty cool, any info about it?
 
iCallitMaize
02/22/2022 10:54PM
 
14x10 Amazon special stuffed in a bishop bag. Use a dyneema continuous ridgeline with prusiks.
 
YetiJedi
02/23/2022 01:07AM
 
10x14 ccs is my favorite, especially when camping with my daughters. Ridgeline and stake out when possible.



 
sedges
06/28/2019 08:22AM
 
That is a very old Eureka Alpenlite. Meant to be a two person tent, but was really too narrow for that. It was a great solo tent. 4 pounds. Rock solid in bad weather. The urethane coating on the floor has all flaked off and the fly is stretched pretty bad and the netting is worn and fragile. I think I bought it in the late 1980s. Best tent I have ever had. Sorry to see it go. I just retired it and replaced it with a 28 ounce tent.
 
THEGrandRapids
06/28/2019 09:53AM
 
goaljohnbill: "

"




What brand of screen house is this? I skimmed the thread but couldn't find it.

EDIT: Never mind. I see if over in the DIY gear... Nice job!
 
Scoobs
03/04/2022 07:18AM
 
cyclones30: "We have a CCS and it is so worth the money. I typically set it up with ridgeline between trees and bring the sides down for a sort of A frame. Sometimes I'll keep one side up higher depending on wind direction or forecast. "



This whole set up just looks all kinds of cozy....
 
ppine
03/04/2022 06:14PM
 
The old Moss Parawing has never failed. It comes with two poles. It sheds wind. Good to cook under in bad weather or as shade in the heat.
 
ozarkpaddler
05/28/2019 11:18PM
 
WHendrix: "CCS 10x12 rigged with a ridgeline stuff sack."


Ditto. I also throw in two "Painter's poles." Inexpensive and use them as a walking stick on the portages.

 
jhb8426
05/28/2019 11:36PM
 
Went the blue poly route for a couple of years. As noted there are cheaper light weight tarps available. I ended up with a 12x12 Noah's tarp. works well and doesn't cost a lot.
 
iCallitMaize
02/26/2022 01:52PM
 
mgraber: "WHendrix: "CCS 10x12 rigged with a ridgeline stuff sack."



I use the exact same, best money I ever spent! and it survived a storm with 70+ mph wind with only a slightly stretched seam. Unbelievably strong. Sil nylon is MUCH stronger than coated nylon even though it is MUCH lighter. Hard to believe, but true. Stuff sack and a ridgeline set-up with prusik knots can make set-up an under 5 minute deal 90% of the time."



I make little evo loops out of zing-it/lash-it and larkshead to tarp connections. They stay on the tarp. Set-up ridgeline and just loop your prusiks over the button knot. Best mod I have done with my set-up.
 
Frenchy
05/28/2019 07:56PM
 
There are some very reasonable lighter tarps out there. Kondo’s Outdoors and LLbean are two that I have used over the years. I have always used a center rope and trees but just purchased two adjustable poles on amazon for trip in June. There are many sites where there aren’t usable trees in the area we would like a rain tarp. Actually I think as age becomes a factor in my tripping, making anything a little easier seems like a good thing. We’ll see if the poles make it to their second trip.
 
x2jmorris
05/28/2019 11:44AM
 
I'm right with you. I use a heavy duty tarp cause I cannot justify that much on something I will probably ruin in a few trips.


I cook exclusively over the fire so I need a little overhang over the fire. So wherever the fire pit is, is where my tarp is going. I run a center line rope as well so I also don't have any poles.
 
moosedoggie
06/26/2019 05:34PM
 
I use a CCS ridgeline setup over my hammock but have stolen BUTTHEAD's idea for the main group tarp.


He can explain it much better, I'm sure, but it involves tying an over-branch rope to the center of the tarp, raising it to the desired height and then addressing the corners.
 
cyclones30
06/26/2019 06:00PM
 
We have a CCS and it is so worth the money. I typically set it up with ridgeline between trees and bring the sides down for a sort of A frame. Sometimes I'll keep one side up higher depending on wind direction or forecast.
 
gonorth1
04/23/2022 10:11AM
 
How does your crew set up the campsite "dry" area? Where do you ideally like to set it up?


Creativity, problem solving skills, knowledge of knots, lay of the land in the campsite, and factoring in weather and wind all go into setting up a tarp. An expensive tarp or an inexpensive one will serve you well in the BWCA if you practice and are willing to experiment with different scenarios and set ups. Some folks will set up an inexpensive tarp over the fire pit. Some will set up two such tarps to create a draft or chimney effect. Most with a higher end tarp wouldn't think of doing this. One of the joys of wilderness paddling is dealing with what is given to you rather than imposing your will on a given situation.
 
plander
02/27/2022 10:42AM
 
iCallitMaize: "mgraber: "WHendrix: "CCS 10x12 rigged with a ridgeline stuff sack."




I use the exact same, best money I ever spent! and it survived a storm with 70+ mph wind with only a slightly stretched seam. Unbelievably strong. Sil nylon is MUCH stronger than coated nylon even though it is MUCH lighter. Hard to believe, but true. Stuff sack and a ridgeline set-up with prusik knots can make set-up an under 5 minute deal 90% of the time."




I make little evo loops out of zing-it/lash-it and larkshead to tarp connections. They stay on the tarp. Set-up ridgeline and just loop your prusiks over the button knot. Best mod I have done with my set-up."



This has been posted on other threads... CCS Ridgeline stuff sack in use video
 
Hammertime
04/01/2022 09:53PM
 
NMJim: "I wonder if anyone might share with me the make and vendor of that mosquito net shelter beneath the tarp? Looks ideal!



Thanks in advance for any guidance."



I can’t say enough good things about the Nemo bugout 12x12. An absolute day/night saver when the storms roll in. I will never go out there without it anymore.
 
pastorjsackett
04/02/2022 05:41AM
 
This was fun to read. I am terrible at setting up tarps and I've never got the hang of my Nemo Bugout either. I rarely take it anymore.



 
Blackdogyak
04/10/2022 11:04AM
 
NMJim: ""I need at least 11 or 12 ft at the ridge to cover the ends of the hammock."



If you pitch your 11' hammock under the 10x13' tarp, you should have almost 17' of tarp protecting you, ¿que no?"



Nope. I run the 13 foot perpendicular to the ridge so that I can get enough area inside and also get the bottom edges of the tarp around 12 from the ground.


Running the 13 foot direction parallel to ridge would help my coverage of the hammock ends...but five feet of "roof" on either side of the ridge is not enough.
 
NMJim
04/10/2022 10:13AM
 
"I need at least 11 or 12 ft at the ridge to cover the ends of the hammock."


If you pitch your 11' hammock under the 10x13' tarp, you should have almost 17' of tarp protecting you, ¿que no?
 
Blackdogyak
04/10/2022 09:22AM
 
LilyPond: "I really like this cheaper tarp by Unigear. 3000mm coating and $30 for 10x10 ft. Available in two larger sizes.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076C716QL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1



I also really like these cheaper aluminum poles, though I only use them for car camping. $40 a pair, 2.11 lbs/pair.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P7GH32D/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1"



My Unigear 300x400. (10x13) has done really well for me past9 months. betwet trips and backyard setup , it's been rigged almost the whole 9 months. Although they don't show it in the photos, the tarp has mid panel tie outs on either side so you can pull up excess using a guy line to a tree and get more room inside the tarp. It seems well built although certainly it's not the lightest.


The 10x13 is a little small for my 11 ft hammock setup. I need at least 11 or 12 ft at the ridge to cover the ends of the hammock, so I'm planning on buying one of their largest sizes.


I like to be able to pitch the tarp as an A-frame but don't use the very corners to tie it out.
Go one tie out in from the corners and use that . Now with the corners not staked out you can pull them in towards the ridgeline and make doors out of the flaps at both ends. This works really well.


Seems like a lot of people like to hang the tarp from the Ridgeline with the Ridgeline outside and above the tarp. I like throwing my tarp over the Ridgeline because it's pretty easy to pitch that way but it also gives me the Ridgeline on the inside which I used to hang all sorts of stuff from. Also since the tarpley is completely on top of the ridgeline, it distributes the load pretty well and doesn't concentrate it at the tie out points.


After years of using taut line hitch to stake out tarps and tents, I have started using the Nite Ize figure 9 with the carabiner and it makes going out the lines extremely easy and fast to readjust.
 
schweady
04/10/2022 12:07PM
 
This might be a nice place to plug Dan Cooke's CCS Tarp Demo at Midwest Mountaineeering's Spring Expo. Saturday April 23rd 1:30-2:30. (When I first looked, I thought I saw two times scheduled for his demo, but no longer...)
Expo Newsletter

 
goaljohnbill
02/23/2022 10:40AM
 
Shizzle: "This bugnet looks pretty cool, any info about it?" If you are talking about the one in the pic from TheGrandRapids post it is a DIY project of mine. Here is the link to the discussions I got the plans from including discussions of mods people made. DIY Pitched Roof Bugnet
 
NMJim
04/01/2022 10:34AM
 
I wonder if anyone might share with me the make and vendor of that mosquito net shelter beneath the tarp? Looks ideal!


Thanks in advance for any guidance.
 
NMJim
04/01/2022 10:34AM
 
I wonder if anyone might share with me the make and vendor of that mosquito net shelter beneath the tarp? Looks ideal!


Thanks in advance for any guidance.
 
doorbluff84
04/01/2022 02:36PM
 
I love my mountain smith mountain shade. No need for ridge line or poles and light and small enough to fit in top pouch of my CCS bear barrel pack. Oh, and it’s like 65 bucks only.
 
Saberboys
04/01/2022 10:38AM
 
NMJim: "I wonder if anyone might share with me the make and vendor of that mosquito net shelter beneath the tarp? Looks ideal!



Thanks in advance for any guidance."



There are a few to choose from, the one in the photo appears to be a Eureka! No Bug Zone. Sometimes hard to find, but my local Fleet Farm had them this winter.


Eureka!


Cooke Custom Sewing (CCS) has a great Screen Shelter in 1.1 or 1.9 oz



CCS


There is also the Nemo Bug Out Shelter


Nemo
 
Gaidin53
04/08/2022 09:43AM
 
CCS 1.1 oz 10 by 14 with a ridgeline stuff sack. Makes putting it up so much easier when it’s prepped this way. I find my challenge is tying off the ridgeline with the truckers hitch. It’s more the getting it super tight and then tying off in a way I can easily untie later without losing the tension.


Debating on getting a Cam Jam Aluminum cord tightener. I could just clip that onto the trucker’s hitch and super tighten it up easy as it gets. I’d only get that one and use it only on the Ridgeline side.


I’m going to the Midwest Mountaineering Expo in a couple of weeks and Dan Cooke is doing a tarp set up demonstration class twice on Saturday. Definitely planning on attending that.


Ryan
 
Scout64
04/08/2022 10:05AM
 
Every now and then the Sportsman's Guide has tarps at a very reasonable price. I bought 2 12x12' tarps several years ago for about $30 each. I bought 2 because I figured they would not last. I still have one in the original packaging because the first one has lasted so long.


12x12 Tarp
 
Argo
04/08/2022 10:45AM
 
pastorjsackett: "This was fun to read. I am terrible at setting up tarps and I've never got the hang of my Nemo Bugout either. I rarely take it anymore.



"



Don't lose faith! I have a similar tarp from Eureka. It's a Godsend and easy to set up. The only trick is to establish the right height so that the mesh sides hang appropriately. Just use a continuous ridgeling using a couple of prussik knots to anchor the endpoints (the ridgeline can stay attached to your tarp in storage as well for a quicker assembly). I usually get two sticks to prop up my two side tie-out points. Then stake down or use rocks to stabilize the mesh sides.



 
LilyPond
04/08/2022 12:23PM
 
I really like this cheaper tarp by Unigear. 3000mm coating and $30 for 10x10 ft. Available in two larger sizes.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076C716QL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1


I also really like these cheaper aluminum poles, though I only use them for car camping. $40 a pair, 2.11 lbs/pair.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P7GH32D/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
 
SweetBerryWine
05/28/2019 10:13AM
 
I typically bring a heavy duty tarp with eyelitted rope holes and reinforced corners. I don't bring tarp poles or structural support as I usually run a centerline rope between two trees, then tie down the rest of the corners and edges with paracord. It's bulky in my portage pack, yet it works really well in a variety of locations.

I have seen some smaller, lighter tarps at local outdoor shops, but can't justify spending $150.00 on that style of tarp.

How does your crew set up the campsite "dry" area? Where do you ideally like to set it up?
 
WHendrix
05/28/2019 06:21PM
 
CCS 10x12 rigged with a ridgeline stuff sack.
 
Jaywalker
05/29/2019 07:20AM
 
I do a ridgeline too, and have been thinking of bringing a single pole to assist in those areas where trees are far apart. My old MSR Parawing tarp required two poles; it was heavier but nice that it could be set up anywhere. Based on last year's campsites, I'm thinking of bringing one pole figuring at least one tree will make itself useful. A pole would really help to stabilize the tarp in winds.
 
goaljohnbill
06/26/2019 04:34PM
 
ozarkpaddler: "WHendrix: "CCS 10x12 rigged with a ridgeline stuff sack."



Ditto. I also throw in two "Painter's poles." Inexpensive and use them as a walking stick on the portages.
"



+2 this winter I swapped the 550 for dyneema. ~3/8" for the ridge line and zingit for the tie outs. The lost weight is pleasant, the lost bulk is fantastic, and the reduced strech is also great.



Everyone else still in bed in St Criox state park



Took a pole on the multi day st croix trip and had to use it. One of our campsites only had 1 functional tree on it
 
Wintersguy80
06/26/2019 05:19PM
 
I second the kelty Noah 12x12. Got mine for 50 bucks during a spring rei sale.
 
cyclones30
06/26/2019 06:06PM
 
Also, I don't set it up over the fire. If its raining at meal time we cook under the tarp sitting in our chairs and it works great. I don't need sparks or embers melting holes in it nor do I want the fire grate taking up real estate under the tarp for dry gear storage or trying to sneak by it while staying dry under the tarp.
 
Tomcat
06/26/2019 07:35PM
 


 
awbrown
06/26/2019 08:18PM
 
The more I learn about tarps the more I realize that a good tarp is the most important item in my pack. CCS tarps are the cream of the crop and extremely versatile. The situation I find myself addressing, determines the setup of my tarp. I would not go camping without my tarp.









 
butthead
06/26/2019 10:59PM
 
Tepee or umbrella style is one I like whenever it fits. Simple flat 4 corner rig with the center pulled up with a single drop line from overhead, or a line strung diagonally overhead as shown here, I consider the adjustablity in height and angle an advantage along with no center pole to obstruct. Easily folded when rigged to uncover the fire pit as here,
I use other styles as well, all depends on the camp area to setup over.
Thanks for the reference moosedoggie, cowdoc!


butthead
 
cowdoc
06/26/2019 09:23PM
 
moosedoggie: "I use a CCS ridgeline setup over my hammock but have stolen BUTTHEAD's idea for the main group tarp.



He can explain it much better, I'm sure, but it involves tying an over-branch rope to the center of the tarp, raising it to the desired height and then addressing the corners."



I do the butthead tee-pee style when I can. I do center ridge lines but also diagonal ridgelines. Depends on how I want to "squeeze" it in.


 
HowardSprague
06/27/2019 02:44PM
 
cowdoc: "moosedoggie: "I use a CCS ridgeline setup over my hammock but have stolen BUTTHEAD's idea for the main group tarp.




He can explain it much better, I'm sure, but it involves tying an over-branch rope to the center of the tarp, raising it to the desired height and then addressing the corners."




I do the butthead tee-pee style when I can. I do center ridge lines but also diagonal ridgelines. Depends on how I want to "squeeze" it in.
"



Is that a carabiner attached to a prusik, to keep the middle end of the tarp stretched out?
 
cowdoc
06/27/2019 03:33PM
 
HowardSprague: "cowdoc: "moosedoggie: "I use a CCS ridgeline setup over my hammock but have stolen BUTTHEAD's idea for the main group tarp.





He can explain it much better, I'm sure, but it involves tying an over-branch rope to the center of the tarp, raising it to the desired height and then addressing the corners."





I do the butthead tee-pee style when I can. I do center ridge lines but also diagonal ridgelines. Depends on how I want to "squeeze" it in.
"




Is that a carabiner attached to a prusik, to keep the middle end of the tarp stretched out?"



1st pic has a beener on the center hub (umbrella style), next 2 pics.....yes...prussik on the ridge line with a beener hooked through it and hooked to loop tie out. When I can, I like the beener on the tie out loop for the ridge line.....less wear and tear on the loop than a cord through it.
 
jhb8426
06/28/2019 12:59AM
 
sedges: "My set up is to shelter the entrance to the tent"


What is the tent in the pic? Looks to be a Eureka of some form.
 
Argo
02/23/2022 10:53AM
 
Eureka NoBugZone 13. Tarp and bug protection for buggy season. There's also a smaller 11 version. Mesh sides can be rolled up if not needed. Can also be used as a hammock tarp. Otherwise I go with straight tarps when not traveling in bug season. Dyneema cord (learned from this site) and continuous ridgeline with prusiks. Ridgeline has a spliced loop (also inspired by this site) at one end which is secured with a toggled. Truckers hitch at the other end.



 
mgraber
02/26/2022 11:38AM
 
WHendrix: "CCS 10x12 rigged with a ridgeline stuff sack."


I use the exact same, best money I ever spent! and it survived a storm with 70+ mph wind with only a slightly stretched seam. Unbelievably strong. Sil nylon is MUCH stronger than coated nylon even though it is MUCH lighter. Hard to believe, but true. Stuff sack and a ridgeline set-up with prusik knots can make set-up an under 5 minute deal 90% of the time.