How Big of a Tarp?

[Yaqui Hiker]

8x10 silnylon tarp. Dry after 2 inches of rain.

[fin]

Nice picture.

[fin]

8x10 silnylon tarp. Dry after 2 inches of rain.

Wow, that site looks familiar - almost exactly like the site I was on at Seagull lake near Miles Island last fall. Where was that pic taken? Of course, a lot of the canoe country looks exactly like that.

[6 feet over]

I guess I’m a chicken; I went and got two 12 X 12 ‘neo’ tarps soon after buying my Clark (happy I did, as SG no longer offers them). I’m not really a ‘hiker’, so weight (for me) is generally much less of an issue than quality coverage and protection.

I’d say save the weight elsewhere and carry a tarp you can count on. If your tarp is sil-nylon, how much weight penalty can we be talking about for a larger tarp?

[fin]

I guess I’m a chicken; I went and got two 12 X 12 ‘neo’ tarps soon after buying my Clark (happy I did, as SG no longer offers them). I’m not really a ‘hiker’, so weight (for me) is generally much less of an issue than quality coverage and protection.

I’d say save the weight elsewhere and carry a tarp you can count on. If your tarp is sil-nylon, how much weight penalty can we be talking about for a larger tarp?

I'm with you - weight isn't really an issue. I'm just happy it weighs less than my normal portaging gear. I have a 11 x 14 CCS tarp that rocks, and I'm building a "better" Clark tarp. Carry the biggest tarp you can, carry one that you are confident in, and don't worry about the extra 5 or 6 ounces - you eliminate more than that the first time you relieve yourself.

[6 feet over]

I'm with you - weight isn't really an issue. I'm just happy it weighs less than my normal portaging gear. I have a 11 x 14 CCS tarp that rocks, and I'm building a "better" Clark tarp. Carry the biggest tarp you can, carry one that you are confident in, and don't worry about the extra 5 or 6 ounces - you eliminate more than that the first time you relieve yourself.

I never thought of it quite that way, but you're right.

I guess we all have different goals due to different activities and expectations. The one thing we ALL have in common is demanding a good night's sleep while out doors (and in doors for some of you).

I understand true long distance hikers think in terms of reducing grams rather than pounds, but I really don't feel skimping on the minimal difference of a larger sil tarp matters THAT much. I'd guess that at some point in a long hike, you'd be happy with the additional cover. My larger tarps are a bit overkill, but I'll stick with them until I get more experience.

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