Chinook Tarp

[oldgringo]

Je ne comprends pas. Quel problème ? Je vous comprends parfaitement mon ami.

[bodhran4me]

I did find the 9 1/2 x 12 and the 12 x 14 here http://www.bizrate.com/camping-hikin.../chinook-tarp/

For all you poor folks who have the misfortune of not being born in The Great White North, here are some helpful tutorials in case you have to phone for technical assistance on your new Chinook, eh.

[AaronAlso]

Got mine at hunting playground. Looks like they only got 3 of the sand colored ones left. Shipping wasn't cheap either, but worth it, if you need a cheap, very low stretch, zero permeability tarp.

[Pipsissewa]

CHINOOK 12 x 9.5 TARPS IN STOCK: http://www.manventureoutpost.com/pro...252d-Sand.html

Good luck!

[Pipsissewa]

Here too in stock: http://survival-tarp.reviewsaleprice...t-6-inch-tent/

[Dunedain]

Hey guys, I know this a couple months old, but was hoping to get a question answered here as opposed to opening a new thread.

I'm just getting into hammock camping, and as a full time student, I'm stereotypically broke.

I've been looking at both the Guide Gear and the Chinook tarps.

Seem to be good tarps for the money.

So far, I've only seen the Chinook tarps in stock anywhere. I guess these things come and go seasonally.
Do you guys recommend one over the other?

My other question has to do with size. There's a smaller Chinook (which is still a large tarp) and a bigger (massive) Chinook, and the Guide Gear is in between.

For backpacking, which size to you recommend? I'm not all that concerned about weight (yet) but I imagine that could be my inexperience talking.

Is the idea to carry the biggest tarp you're willing to carry because it offers the most shelter? Or is the 12 x 14 (or any of them for that matter) simply too much tarp for a single person--or at least a backpacker who isn't hauling all his gear in his jeep?

Thanks so much for the help!

[Dunedain]

I'm seeing several views and no replies.

Am I asking the wrong questions?
Or as lower end tarps, do fewer people have experience with them?

Thanks again for your help.

[oldgringo]

Sorry.

The Chinook tarp comes in three sizes...the smallest being 9-6x9-6. It you plan to carry it, this is probably your best choice.

[AaronAlso]

How long are your backpacking trips? 1,2,3+days? How many total miles? The 12x9 is a whole big hunka tarp. Easily big enough for any size hammock. Some my find it too big & too heavy (28oz I think) I have one that I've used a few times. I keep going back to the DIY DWR tarp I bought second hand here on the forum. It's about 10oz lighter and provides plenty of coverage.

The Chinook is a great tarp though, despite some oddities. It has a combination of gromets for the ridgline and mid-side tie-outs, the corner tie-outs are loops. The side gromets are not centered, but instead seem to be placed so that "on ground" pitching can result in a tent like structure. (would have been nice if instructions were included.) Since I've proccured cuben fiber my girlfriend wants to keep the Chinook, it is great for car camping, hanging over a picnic table, or a place for the kids to play.

For purely backpacking I would recommend something lighter, sub 20oz, your back will thank you and you'll be happier with your purchase longer. The Jacks (jackrbetter.com) have some great deals on Spinnaker tarps. Yes, twice the cost of the Chinook, but less than half the weight. Alternatively, you can look around and find a nice Silny tarp for $100 range, or spend about $60 on the fabric and DIY a Silny tarp yourself. ( see sticky in DIY forum ).

[Dunedain]

Thanks for the input guys!