Soaking Wet Tarp – What to do?

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11-27-2012, 23:41
GnomeBuddy

Soaking Wet Tarp – What to do?

After Black Friday had it's way with my credit card, and thanks to that "can't resist" Hammock Gear sale it was short but sweet.

My buddy garyg763 and I went on an overnight'er at a near by campground to test out our new gear. this would be the very first night in a hammock! His: WB Traveler, Mamajamba, HG Phoenix 20. Mine: WBBB dbl 1.1, Superfly, Wally pads. We had a lot of fun adjusting angles and hopping in and out to get things right. And had a great night very comfortable with temp of 32.

But when I went to pack up my superfly tarp was soaking wet on both sides! And I had it high and in porch mode with lots of air. So my question is, how do others deal with a wet tarp on multi-day trips? If I had to hike and set it up the next night it would be a mess!

What do you do?
11-27-2012, 23:47
JaxHiker

I carry a quick drying towel. Works great. Gets it dry enough to pack at least.
11-27-2012, 23:49
Shotgunred

I just shake/wipe the tarp down, put in Snakeskins stow in outside pocket of pack. On to the next destination!
11-27-2012, 23:51
FLRider

Use number 3,267 for a bandanna: wiping down a wet tarp.

Once I've wiped it down, roll it up and secure it on the outside of my pack (well, due to my pack design, everything is on the "outside", but I assume you have a pack that is more traditional in design). Let the sun dry it if possible, and--if not--wipe it down again when I set up in the evening. Tarps get wet. That's okay; actually, it's good.

When I get home, if the tarp still hasn't dried the whole way, I set it up somewhere out of the weather (my shed is always a perennial favorite) to dry so that it doesn't build up mildew. (Mildew buildup takes weeks, not days, so don't worry about a couple of days with a wet tarp.)

Hope it helps!
11-27-2012, 23:53
Miguel

You'd be surprised how well a good shaking works. If it's rained during the night but is not raining when I break camp, usually wipe my tarp down with a shamwow. If it's still raining about all you can do is give it good shaking. Either way I place it in it's own stuff sack and carry it on the outside of my pack. It really won't make much difference if it's damp when you put it up the next night. It will either dry out when hung or get wetter again if it's still raining. Either way you should remain dry under it. It's not much fun when it rains for several days. :)

Miguel
11-27-2012, 23:54
Shotgunred

Definitely must hang to dry thoroughly when storing long term.
11-27-2012, 23:59
Dos

ditto to what Miguel said.
11-28-2012, 00:04
GnomeBuddy

So I guess it is normal to have the inside of the tarp get wet also. I always thought it would stay dry. Great idea to use a towel or bandana. I just pulled my Snakeskins on and let it drip.

BTW, how do I post a photo on a message?
11-28-2012, 00:16
Mr.Tattoo

2 Attachment(s)

I just give it a good shake pull my mesh snake skins fold it up and wrap the lines around it and stuff it in the mesh pocket on the outside of my pack..Tarps are made to get wet:D
11-28-2012, 00:20
GnomeBuddy

So... Shake... Pull and Roll!
how did you attached your photos? The Insert Image button asks for a URL. Do you have to have them on a separate site?
11-28-2012, 00:27
Mr.Tattoo

I click post reply instead of writing in the box at the end of the post then in that box has the option to attach pictures...If that makes any sense lol
11-28-2012, 00:37
GnomeBuddy

2 Attachment(s)

OK so I use the advanced feature. Let see if it works!
11-28-2012, 01:14
spaceweaseal

Quote:

Originally Posted by GnomeBuddy

So... Shake... Pull and Roll!
how did you attached your photos? The Insert Image button asks for a URL. Do you have to have them on a separate site?

I use photobucket and just copy the image and paste it in the body of the post.
11-28-2012, 02:02
GnomeBuddy

Thanks for all the help! Hammock Forums Rules!!!!
11-28-2012, 02:50
G.L.P.

i take a sham-wow ...but i never use it i just shake it off and pack it in the mesh pocket of my pack it will dry out as the day goes on
but if it's really bad i wipe it down with the Sham-wow before packing it
a Bandana works well too ... or dirty socks :rolleyes:
... yes i have used my dirty socks :lol:
11-28-2012, 03:53
webhanger

Ditto to all of the above plus first patch of sunshine you can get it in do it. The sun will dry it surprisingly fast if its a dark color. I will toss mine over a bush or rock. If its pouring and won't stop I suppose drying isn't a factor. Weight weenies typically don't like packing unusable h2o however.
11-28-2012, 04:43
gargoyle

Quote:

Originally Posted by GnomeBuddy

So I guess it is normal to have the inside of the tarp get wet also. I always thought it would stay dry. Great idea to use a towel or bandana. I just pulled my Snakeskins on and let it drip.

Condensation, dew and fog have a tendency to collect "wherever" they want to. When conditions are right (dew point, zero wind, temps, etc.), there is no way around it. Closing down the tarp at night can help with exterior moisture getting in, but it can also trap inside moisture, mostly from your exhausted breath.

Shake, wipe and stuff the tarp if you gotta hit the trail right away. Make sure it gets a good "dry" time at home. Never leave a wet tarp stuffed for more than a day or two. Hang it up outside, in the garage, or basement for few hours, sometimes a full day, a fan can help speed the procees indoors. This holds true with your other gear, dry your quilts, too.
11-28-2012, 05:14
Moondoggy

I use a Shamwow they sell them at the dollar store! You will never leave home without one once you have used one!
11-28-2012, 09:04
gmcttr

Quote:

Originally Posted by GnomeBuddy

...how did you attached your photos? The Insert Image button asks for a URL....

Use the "Go Advanced" option/attachments(paperclip above or attach files below)/browse to your file/upload.

Photos usually need to be resized to meet the file size requirements.

If you just "upload", the photo thumbnail will appear at the end of your post. You can use the attachment button (paperclip) to insert the thumbnail anywhere in your post.

Edit: once again I responded before reading page 2.
11-28-2012, 09:15
WV

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miguel

You'd be surprised how well a good shaking works. If it's rained during the night but is not raining when I break camp, usually wipe my tarp down with a shamwow. If it's still raining about all you can do is give it good shaking. Either way I place it in it's own stuff sack and carry it on the outside of my pack. It really won't make much difference if it's damp when you put it up the next night. It will either dry out when hung or get wetter again if it's still raining. Either way you should remain dry under it. It's not much fun when it rains for several days. :)

Miguel

Miguel,
I was surprised when I weighed my tarp first when it was wet, then after shaking, and then again after wiping it down with an absorbent cloth. Step three is worth doing too. I use two pieces of cloth, one in each hand, and let the tarp hang vertically from the ridgeline. That way I can dry both sides at once and apply pressure with the tarp between my hands. (Before I release the side tieouts to let the tarp hang loose I can dry condensation on the underside - there's enough tension on the tarp to do just that side.) I think the drying step helps even with a light rain falling (work fast!). YMMV.
11-28-2012, 09:26
Mak

I'm glad someone asked this question...I've been wondering the same thing! Lots of good suggestions.
11-28-2012, 11:56
American dream

A good shake and wipe down does wonders.
11-28-2012, 15:37
HangingOut

Sil holds water and changes shape. Cuben will not.
11-28-2012, 20:44
Stormstaff

Yup, what Gargoyle said. The first thing I thought of when I read your post was condensation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gargoyle

Condensation, dew and fog have a tendency to collect "wherever" they want to. When conditions are right (dew point, zero wind, temps, etc.), there is no way around it. Closing down the tarp at night can help with exterior moisture getting in, but it can also trap inside moisture, mostly from your exhausted breath.

Shake, wipe and stuff the tarp if you gotta hit the trail right away. Make sure it gets a good "dry" time at home. Never leave a wet tarp stuffed for more than a day or two. Hang it up outside, in the garage, or basement for few hours, sometimes a full day, a fan can help speed the procees indoors. This holds true with your other gear, dry your quilts, too.
11-29-2012, 09:49
kk4df

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaxHiker

I carry a quick drying towel. Works great. Gets it dry enough to pack at least.

Good plan.
11-29-2012, 22:20
Theosus

I have a seperate dry sack for my tarp for this reason. No use to soak the hammock too! If it's wet it goes in the sack and gets clipped to the daisy chain on the outside of the pack.
11-30-2012, 16:10
JaxHiker

Good grief. This hasn't ever happened to me. I was hanging in the backyard last night and it felt like it was raining on me...under my tarp!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/IMAG1483.jpg
11-30-2012, 16:20
MAD777

The majority of the time, I my tarp is wetter on the bottom than the top. In my old tent days, there was usually more water inside the tent than outside. Of course, Jaxhiker and I live in the swamp called Florida!