How much snow load will your tarp handle?

**SmokeHouse** · 02-09-2010, 12:46

While snowing yesterday I thought I would try out my Winter Shelter to see how much of a snowload it would handle... it was 32f and very wet and heavy snow. After about a 1" to 1.5" max that was it,,, I had to knock it off.

How much can your tarp handle before clearing... I'm really interested to see how the SpinnUL Tarps do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnMPmpnk5LI

**Kukri** · 02-09-2010, 14:56

We will find out tonight!!! MWUAHAHAHAHAHAHA

**Heber** · 02-09-2010, 15:20

I have an equinox 8x10 tarp (the one they sell at campmor called the ultralight backpacking tarp) that I was trying the other day in the snow. After just 1 inch it failed. Now this was a wet snow I'll grant you but still I was disappointed. That tarp is just not designed for strength. It has grommets instead of grosgrain tie outs and the grommets create a weakness. My ridgeline grommet ripped right out.

Hmm. I guess that means I can buy more gear right? Oh! and make some DIY projects out of the remains of this tarp.

**Cannibal** · 02-09-2010, 15:50

Never measured it, but my SuperFly has held some pretty heavy snowloads; never failed. The sidewall tie-outs I suspect have something to do with that.

**Hawk-eye** · 02-09-2010, 15:55

Originally Posted by Heber

I have an equinox 8x10 tarp (the one they sell at campmor called the ultralight backpacking tarp) that I was trying the other day in the snow. After just 1 inch it failed. Now this was a wet snow I'll grant you but still I was disappointed. That tarp is just not designed for strength. It has grommets instead of grosgrain tie outs and the grommets create a weakness. My ridgeline grommet ripped right out.

Hmm. I guess that means I can buy more gear right? Oh! and make some DIY projects out of the remains of this tarp.

Have the same tarp ... yeah don't use the grommets ... I mod'd mine with loops and it works great. You install side tie outs and you can increase the ability of the tarp to shed build up ... to a point.

Read the Mt. Rogers hang trip reports for some of their experience and the importance of leaving some gap at the ground level.

You can see it on this string ... post #23

**SmokeHouse** · 02-09-2010, 16:43

SilNylon does a great job, its was my Angle on one side of the shelter that holds that wet snow. If it was colder and a dry snow, I think it would do great, at leaset blow off.

**Hawk-eye** · 02-09-2010, 16:52

Yeah just the nature of that "shed dormer" roof line is going to give you a problem ... even on canvas with a wet snow load.

**Doctari** · 02-09-2010, 17:28

My first snow experience was the weekend of Jan 29th - 31st, so 8" - 10". BUT, I had sort of hung wrong & while there was no tears (I assume that is what we are talking about) my ridgeline was only 4' high after starting at nearly 5' & my "Floor space" went from 5' to 2'. My take away lesson from that is: If you are expecting snow (I was) DO NOT stake your tarp all the way to the ground, allow some space between you & the ground, I think (No way of knowing for sure yet) match about 1/2 inch per inch the expected snow fall. So, I should have allowed about 10 inches of gap below the bottom edge of my tarp (we were told to expect 12 - 24") because those that did about that high, fared very well. Those of us that went to ground or nearly so, had serious squeeze issues, , , , the 2 shovels there got quite a workout.

And as all tarp users know, tight is right.

**Shug** · 02-09-2010, 18:02

Smokehouse .... I do my pull outs like you did on the side of your tarp that your stack was not on .... stake down to the ground and use no pole or stick. It sheds better for me and does not hang in the gable.
As Doctari said as well I leave a gap and build a snow wall out a bit from the tarp. Any snow sliding down sorts fills the space and comes in a bit and then I just pack it with my shovel ...... It does not collapse my tarp that way.
Sweet rig you have there.
Shug of Snow

**Doctari** · 02-09-2010, 19:55

Originally Posted by Shug

I leave a gap and build a snow wall out a bit from the tarp. Any snow sliding down sorts fills the space and comes in a bit and then I just pack it with my shovel ...... It does not collapse my tarp that way.
Shug of Snow

OH! OK! I saw that in a few of your backyard videos (smacks self in head!) totally forgot.
Granted, there was no snow when I started, but now the lesson is at least a little more brought home.

Thanks Shug!

A note on myself: I should have re rigged when I figured all the above stuff out (it was still snowing off & on) but got lazy. Yet another lesson learned.