Makeshift Doors on a Hex tarp?

**cdog12** · 11-04-2016, 09:34

That's ingenious MattK! Digging your pole-mod too.

**OneClick** · 11-04-2016, 10:02

I like that little triangular "wall"! Simple and lightweight. That may be within my DIY abilities (not joking, I suck at it)

**olddog** · 11-04-2016, 10:41

Back when I was playing with a Swag & Dilly pack system I also played around with closing off the end of the tarp with the 5' x 7' Swag. Here are some photos showing the results. Very handy when we get those mid 20° temps at the Florida Hang. Could also be done with the 5'x7' tarp from Walmart.

**Dingletrut** · 11-10-2016, 09:27

I carry a rain poncho that I've used as a makeshift windblock on the end of my hex tarp. I was surprised at how well it worked. Aesthetically (sp?) it left a little to be desired, though

**MattK** · 11-10-2016, 10:15

That's ingenious MattK! Digging your pole-mod too.

Ha, thanks. I am not sure where I first saw the idea for using the kilt as a door, but I think it was ZPacks or some such. After a couple less than ideal nights in storm under a flat tarp (on the ground) I decided I needed some sort of system to up the weather protection of my shelter.

The pole mod is just about as simple as I could dream up: Shock cord with a loop on end, connected to the pull outs with prussiks to adjust. Not the best in the wind (staking them out separately works much better) but it does help the volume in rainy conditions.

I like that little triangular "wall"! Simple and lightweight. That may be within my DIY abilities (not joking, I suck at it)

I have been meaning to make a dedicated door like that for a while now, but haven't gotten around to it. I just made a cuben hammock tarp with doors (ala the HG standard) so I may not ever now. Loop on the top for clipping to the tarp, linelocs on the bottom corners with mitten hooks and you got yourself a very effective door!

Yeah, the truly makeshift doors/windblocks tend to be a little ugly. But hey, if it works!

**WalksIn2Trees** · 11-10-2016, 10:20

I think the trick there is to make a matching tarp&poncho set

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**weaver2469** · 11-10-2016, 10:46

Originally Posted by cdog12

The GrizzBeak is a nice solution. Thanks for pointing me in that direction. Might give that a try.

For those that have used that, in your opinion would you rather you had just switched out tarps to one with doors or is it pretty solid?

I have a set for just one end. I like them. If I am expecting blowing rain, I set them up so the windward side is completely closed. I realize wind can shift around sometimes, but having an end shut is still pretty good coverage. Since the head end is now closed, you can slide your hammock farther up towards that end of the tarp, right up until you almost touch the Grizzbeak end. This gives you way better coverage on the foot end and makes an 11 foot tarp cover like a 12 foot tarp. That should be plenty of coverage. That being said, I am going to buy my second tarp soon, and it will have built in doors. It is for my wife when she goes with me and for me during the deep winter, when I am looking for maximum protection. These two tarps should now take care of most of my needs. Hex for dry or warm rain trips, hex with a grizzbeak for shoulder season rain and full coverage for the rest.