Hammocking and Rain

**Kerflop** · 03-17-2010, 15:02

Okay, this may just be a total n00b question but I need to ask it cuz I having an issue.

This past weekend I went on a hike with some friends with two overnights in the backcountry. First night it rained all night, which was great. I was dry, mostly warm and happy. The issue comes on day two. It is still raining / misting the next morning and even after I shake my tarp to get as much water off of it it is still wet. So I have to pack it wet... After a day of hiking I go and unpack my tarp and of course it is still wet, but now it is wet all the way through. Now it still misting so everything is still wet and the tarp isn't going to dry. That night water dripped on me from my tarp all night, which as you would expect is a big pain on a cold rainy night.

So, how do I prevent this? Or is it just the life of being out in the rain?

Thanks
Bob

**angrysparrow** · 03-17-2010, 15:04

Was that a silnylon tarp? Those usually don't hold enough moisture to drip for long. Is the ridgeline sealed?

At any rate, you can take along a pack towel or other absorbent cloth to wipe the tarp down with. You might have to squeeze it out a time or two when wiping, but that will soak up most of the tarp moisture.

**SGT Rock** · 03-17-2010, 15:05

A little drip can be normal. I pack my tarp outside in a mesh pocket so it can drain during the day and maybe even dry out some.

**Ekul** · 03-17-2010, 15:05

Hmmm. snake skins on a tarp would prevent water from getting on the dry side of the tarp while packing. I shove my tarp in an outside pocket and even on the cont. rainy days ive need had water drip on me all night. You sure the RL is sealed?

**Kerflop** · 03-17-2010, 15:06

It is not silnylon I think it is just regular. It is one of the Gear Guide tarps, which is soon to be replaced with a silnylon.

I did wipe it down, but I could have probely down a better job.

**Kerflop** · 03-17-2010, 15:11

Ekul, I am not sure the ridge line is sealed... But the first night I was dry as a bone. And the inside of the tarp was dry the next morning. It wasn't until I packed it that it got soaked. And I have a Golite Jam, which doesn't have a big enough outside pocket to store my tarp in... so there is that...

**cavscout** · 03-17-2010, 15:20

There was a time when I strung up my tarp and went through a rainy night with no problem. The following day I monkeyed with the tarp to try a higher pitch and inadvertently created a spot on the ridge line that created a cup. When the rain started that afternoon, the water pooled in that cup and worked it's way through the ridge tie out and began dripping. Luckily nothing got really wet and I had a chance to rehang the tarp correctly. All that to say, could there have been something about the way it was hung and staked on the second night?

**sclittlefield** · 03-17-2010, 15:31

The GG tarp has had a couple reports of water coming through them. They're so mass produced and cheap that it's inevitable that a few will squeak by quality control and won't have the proper waterproofing - is it possible that yours leaked a tiny bit?

Other than drying the underside off with a camp towel, I really don't know what else to advise. Getting wet under your tarp shouldn't be part of camping in the rain... that's the whole reason you have a tarp!

**Kerflop** · 03-17-2010, 15:36

I have a good solution... But your selling your house, so I cant spend my money just yet...

Anyways, thanks for the suggestions. I will just suck it up for now and go out and enjoy the trail, even if it means I get a little wet.

Bob

**JosephCurwen** · 03-17-2010, 15:39

Sorry about that, but english is not my mother tongue...
So i need to ask: what do you mean with "is the ridge line sealed?"
a kind of waterproof RL?