Tarp Question

**dontknowyet** · 10-07-2010, 09:55

I have a question that I have not found an answer to anywhere yet so here it is. Almost every tarp that I see here is off the ground from a foot to several feet. People put doors on them to help keep out the wind and rain. If that is the case then why don't they all go all the way down to the ground to keep it all from coming under and up. I have seen Shug pile snow around the bottom to keep it out. I realize that the tarps would have to be larger and then a little heavier, but a lot of us car camp so it wouldn't make much difference. I am just puzzled and sure you can shed some light on this for me. Thanks, Dale

**Shug** · 10-07-2010, 10:04

For me it is just the nature of tarp camping ..... I want to see out and enjoy the woods.
They can be pitched down all the way if you have the proper rectangle vs cat cut.
Here is the JBR 10'x11'......
jbr.jpg

Shug

**E.A.Y.** · 10-07-2010, 10:15

I have and have used a great big JRB 10 x 11.
Here a murky picture from a trip report I posed back in March. I have Grizz Beaks on one end and the other end the tarp makes the "doors"

I had less headroom than I would have liked, but I stayed toasty warm and draft free.

and here is a pic from an overnight hang in Nov 2009

on a hill again.

I have considered making some kind of tent with a floor and bug nets and zippers and so on but I'm too lazy.

**dontknowyet** · 10-07-2010, 10:23

Hey there Shug, Well from that point of view it would make sense. When I started hammock camping I remember that the strangest thing at first is the loss of the false security you get with being inside a tent. Yeah it's just paper thin nylon, but it was a feeling of safety. Over the years I have realized a person can adapt to almost anything after they quit fighting it. Thanks

**canoebie** · 10-07-2010, 10:28

I actually feel more secure with my tarp up high and visibility because I can see what is out there. In a tent, I could only hear and speculate. My dad told me a story of when he was young and in scouts, they floated the Pere Marquette river in Michigan, camped late and awoke the next morning to the sound of snorts outside their tent and a large animal. Convinced they were all gonna be eaten by a bear, one brave soul stuck his hand outside the tent and touched a very large cold nose. Turned out they had camped on the boundary of a pasture and there were cows around their tent.

Imagination can run wild with only sounds. I like the visual as well. I love being able to see if the marauding sounds I hear in camp are just from a porcupine or a black bear. Makes a big difference.

**Cannibal** · 10-07-2010, 11:15

It depends. Sometimes I take the tarp edge to the ground, other times I hang it high and let it fly. On really nasty nights I'll pile leaves, snow, or whatever around the bottom edges, but for the most part it isn't necessary.

This is the same tarp; about 2 weeks apart. This is what I love about the Winter Tarps; versatility!

Storm Mode:

Clear Night Mode:

**SmokeHouse** · 10-07-2010, 11:33

I made this one for Winter camping when I want to carry a wood stove to cook on and heat... weighs 1lbs 14oz w/o cord and stakes. I also set it up for A/C when boat/car camping and its (HOT) 100f.

**Stavros** · 10-07-2010, 11:35

It´s also a matter of condense I think. If you pitch your tarp to the ground and close the doors it will get sealed and you will probably end up with a lot of condense. If you keep a gap between the ground and the tarp the risk of condense reduces. Of course ther can be weathersituations that forces you to pitch it to the ground but the some condense is probably a small issue compared to being blown away

In the winter you can of cours stack up snow to eliminate draft but then you have to make sure to leave an opening at the top of the darp at the doors so that the heated air easily can get out.

Most of the time I like to pitch the tarp high and open so I can see as much as possible. If the weather is clear I often just pitch the tarp at one side so I get open sight straight up, especially in wintertime if it´s cold and clear so I can lie and watch the stars before I go to sleep.

**Stavros** · 10-07-2010, 11:37

Originally Posted by SmokeHouse

I made this one for Winter camping when I want to carry a wood stove to cook on and heat... weighs 1lbs 14oz w/o cord and stakes. I also set it up for A/C when boat/car camping and its (HOT) 100f.

Me like

**Lonely Raven** · 10-07-2010, 11:48

Originally Posted by SmokeHouse

I made this one for Winter camping when I want to carry a wood stove to cook on and heat... weighs 1lbs 14oz w/o cord and stakes. I also set it up for A/C when boat/car camping and its (HOT) 100f.

That's all sorts of bad-***. Tim Allen would be proud!