4 Season Tarp, how high off the ground? Why is there always a gap?

[paustin]

Ok, I've looked around and cannot find any real answer to my question

When I see pictures of 4 season tarps (with doors), they always show the bottom of the tarp 8-12 inches above the ground. Why? I would think that heat retention is paramount. Why would you not reduce the gap just as much as possible? The lower the tarp, the less air movement and consequent heat loss. It cannot be to ensure fresh air since that would prohibit hammock pods, etc. It cannot be for moisture release as there are other methods for managing this.

Thanks,
Pete

[murphyw]

It's not the tarp's job to keep you warm, so actually heat loss isn't a concern. It is the tarp's job to keep you dry, and part of staying dry is venting. If the air under my tarp is very still, I get more condensation/frost on my tarp than when there is a slight breeze.

[gospidey]

It helps to keep some of the breeze from you as well, maximizing your quilt(s) ability to keep you warm.

[The Tree Frog]

A little higher makes it more comfortable to walk under. I am 6' 2" and don't like my head and shoulder rubbing against the tarp when moving around under it.

If it is windy, I may lower the tarp or snowy may build up a snow bank around the bottom. Agreed though on reducing condensation as stated above.

[Ironlungs]

I'm relatively new to hammock hanging, within 2 plus years. I just bought the Kelty Noah 12 tarp, and recently used that in two different poses. 1 with doors, and the other with a porch. I love the versatility of this tarp. Thanks for your insight.

[SilvrSurfr]

If I tried to reduce or eliminate the gap between the ground and my 11 x 10 4-season tarp, I would think my hammock would be on the ground. The lower you pitch the tarp, the lower your anchor points on the trees will have to be, and the more shallow the angle will be from the optimum 30 degree hangle.

There's also the issue of hammock length. The longer the hammock, the higher the distance will be from the hammock ridgeline to the ground. Since I've standardized on 11 ft. hammocks, I accept that I won't be able to pitch my tarp as low as I could with a 9 or 10 ft. hammock. It's a worthy tradeoff, in my opinion, because, as others have said, insulation is what keeps you warm. The tarp is primarily for weather protection.

[OutandBack]

You could use snow to close up the gap.



Typically for me I will drop one side to the ground to block the prevailing wind and keep the other in some type of porch mod so I can see out.
I spec my other gear to deal with any addition cold porch mod might causes.



Porch mod is as important to me as hanging off the ground. YMMV.



hth

[Dead Man]

A little higher makes it more comfortable to walk under. I am 6' 2" and don't like my head and shoulder rubbing against the tarp when moving around under it.

If it is windy, I may lower the tarp or snowy may build up a snow bank around the bottom. Agreed though on reducing condensation as stated above.

I'm in the same boat..err..hammock except for the snow part. I just want to be able to not have to bend over as much when walking under the tarp. Nothing scientific or death defying. Kinda wish I was more sophisticated than that.

[Rat]

I'm lazy and that's just where it kinda ends up. As long as it keeps the wind and rain off of me I'm good.

[dbass]

I agree with the other comments about the condensation and purpose of the fly, but in addition, if you have a cat-cut tarp then by design the edges of the tarp that are tied down are supposed to be lower than the middle of the tarp. If it weren't so then the middle of the tarp would flop in the wind (yes, I know there are ways to pitch a non cat-cut tarp to make it not flop in the wind...but that wreaks of effort -- cat cuts are just easier IMHO).