Best choice for cheap, quick tarp

**booone0** · 09-21-2008, 22:39

Here's the story: Next Friday me, bry961 and our friend are doing a 3 day hike around manistee river/north country trail. I've been pretty broke lately and I don't have a ton of time to make gear (My hammock took enough time and I need to make one more this week). I need a tarp for myself and my friend just in case it rains. We're using ~130" HH-clone hammocks.

Requirements:

Cheap
Easy to find
Good enough for 2 nights.

Doesn't have to be especially small, we just need to have SOMETHING in case it rains so we're not miserable/hypothermic.

Also, for anyone who knows the area (northern michigan) is it cool enough yet to go without bugnets? What if we drown ourselves in DEET?

(As of now the weather forecast is clear and mild except for 20% chance on saturday, but there is an omnipotent force that follows all of us around with the singular goal of slapping happiness out of our hands.)

Thanks!

**Coffee** · 09-21-2008, 23:01

If you are on a really tight budged and don't mind the weight the cheap blue tarps would be hard to beat. Maybe buy one and slit the cost.

Another option is a thick plastic drop cloth. Add some ghost tie-outs of the corners and ridgeline.

Whatever your choice I would set this up before you leave. Nothing worse than seeing the rain coming and trying to figureout how to rig something to keep you dry as it starts falling. Speaking from experience on this of course.

**booone0** · 09-22-2008, 15:59

Originally Posted by Coffee

If you are on a really tight budged and don't mind the weight the cheap blue tarps would be hard to beat. Maybe buy one and slit the cost.

Another option is a thick plastic drop cloth. Add some ghost tie-outs of the corners and ridgeline.

Whatever your choice I would set this up before you leave. Nothing worse than seeing the rain coming and trying to figureout how to rig something to keep you dry as it starts falling. Speaking from experience on this of course.

Good call on the big blue tarp. I have one in the garage that I didn't even think of. I'll have to see how that works. I could just lash it to my pack if it's too bulky to fit. It's not like I'm striving for UL or anything here.

**Splinter** · 09-24-2008, 15:52

Originally Posted by Coffee

Another option is a thick plastic drop cloth. Add some ghost tie-outs of the corners and ridgeline.

.

I have some 6 (or 8) mil plastic sheeting. I was going to try and make a tarp out of this. You have me curious...what are ghost tie-outs? I was going try and sew some tie outs, but I saw this and it make me curious.

**Baerman** · 09-25-2008, 07:54

I think it means putting pebbles or small rocks in the tarp and tying them off like a kleenex ghost?????

**Outer Island** · 10-02-2008, 14:10

outdooroutlet.com has some tent ground cloths for 9.99 or less
they only weigh 1 lb

**cavscout** · 09-22-2008, 00:25

I've been pretty happy with this one

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___22220

**thecrumb** · 09-22-2008, 07:14

Been very happy with the inexpensive one I got from Big Rock Outfitters:

http://www.bigrockoutfitters.com/ind...oducts_id=8747

**sbmcghee** · 09-22-2008, 18:06

I've been happy with my HH 70d Hex for $50 total. Go to the Hammock Company (www.hammock-company.com). They have it for cheaper than you can get it from HH and if you use the Google Checkout you can get another $5 off the total price.

**booone0** · 09-22-2008, 19:26

$50 looks a little expensive (for now because i'd need two, but next season is a different story). I think I'll end up going with the standard blue tarp. Should work out well.

BTW, how many of the walmart/target CCF pads are necessary to get reasonable comfort down to 45*f? Will one do it, provided it's big enough, or should I plan on stacking two around the torso?