My custom winter tarp

[OutandBack]

Last year I designed this tarp and had Brian from OES build it.
After a few changes and a couple mailings back and forth winter was over and I never got a chance to test it out in real snow.

With all the posts on backyard testing and messing with tarps I got motivated to get my winter tarp out and play around.

The tarp specs: 11.5' ridgeline, with 7' sides to allow the tarp to be pegged directly to the ground and still be able to stand up straight.

My plans for this tarp is a multi day basecamp with day hikes. Note the Colorado Winter Stealth color, haha

Uses 6 stakes. 4 corners and 2 for pull outs. It has the option to use 3 stakes per side if wind is an issue.


1/8" amsteel CRL with tarp attached using prussics. Ends use metal figure 9's for glove on ease of tightening.


The sides can be staked closer together if you want the doors to close all the way. I like a little ventilation
to reduce condensation from my breath. The door strings are 1/8" shockcord attached at the corner stakes.


Door open mode, shockcords attaches to a plastic S biner at one of the pull outs.


Sides are kept very steep to prevent snow buildup over nite, I hope it works.


This is my Christmas present to myself this year.
I new Wilderness Logic Snipe hammock and down full length UQ over stuffed with 2oz.


Needless to say this is not a light weigh tarp at 11.5x14 however it does offer a lot of comfort and protection.

[rip waverly]

thats awesome.
and your intended use is well founded. perfect.

i've been meaning to hit brian up for some custom work - glad to hear you got what you wanted from a great tarp builder.

[stevebo]

Very nice! How much does it weigh?

[wolf track]

That is a sweet new setup.

Does the shockcord on the doors allow you to walk in and out without removing the guyline from the stake?

[ringtail-THFKAfood]

WOW!!!!

That tarp eliminates my biggest pet peeve - excessive stakes. Setting stakes in the winter is pretty easy, but setting them so that they can be removed is difficult.

The shockcorded doors is creative engineering.

Getting the geometry right so that the panel pulls and doors do not leave the tarp vulnerable to flapping is enough to challenge a rocket scientist.

[OutandBack]

thats awesome.
and your intended use is well founded. perfect.

i've been meaning to hit brian up for some custom work - glad to hear you got what you wanted from a great tarp builder.

Thanks rip, Brian really does do good work. I really wanted a tarp that would standup to a blizzard. I hope it works out.

Very nice! How much does it weigh?

Hi Stevebo,
To be honest. I have not weighed it yet. I am still working out the tie outs,etc but I will get the complete weight soon and will post it.

Ever since Shug taught me how to build and use a pulk for snow hiking it's the only way I want to go in the winter.

Shug's project Pulk:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffquS...zDrkM174kK18IE


Weight is not much of an issue when it's not on your back.

WOW!!!!

That tarp eliminates my biggest pet peeve - excessive stakes. Setting stakes in the winter is pretty easy, but setting them so that they can be removed is difficult.

The shockcorded doors is creative engineering.

Getting the geometry right so that the panel pulls and doors do not leave the tarp vulnerable to flapping is enough to challenge a rocket scientist.

I think you would like this winter tarp food.
With 7 foot sides you can stand up without bending over and no claustrophobic effects when laying in the hammock.
If you'd like to try it sometime you are welcome to borrow it.

I have some design ideas for snow stakes that attach with dutch biners.
I need to contact Dutch and pick his brain on some snow stakes.

-O&B

[waddy]

What is that white stuff on the ground??

We had a completely brown Christmas, nothing at all on the ground here for quite awhile and really nothing in the outlook. Sure a far cry from last year, and more than a little worrisome. The Great Meeker Desert?

Thanks for the pictures and report. That sure is a nice looking set-up. Obviously a LOT of thought went into it.

[Shug]

Battened down righteously I say........
Pulk on.
Shug

[ringtail-THFKAfood]

I went home to rerig my superfly last night the way OutandBack had his doors rigged. This is the kind of stuff that makes it worthwhile to read this forum.

[OutandBack]

That is a sweet new setup.

Does the shockcord on the doors allow you to walk in and out without removing the guyline from the stake?

Hi Wolf Track,
Hope you had a great Christmas.

Yes, you can go in and out the doors without bending over to unhook
the shockcord. I tensioned them at about 50% of the total stretch.
Still catching my big clunky winter boots on the edge from time to time.

Tell Nate I said Hi the next time you see him. Maybe the three of us could do a little hiking and fishing this summer.
You guys think about it.

What is that white stuff on the ground??

We had a completely brown Christmas, nothing at all on the ground here for quite awhile and really nothing in the outlook.
Sure a far cry from last year, and more than a little worrisome. The Great Meeker Desert?

Thanks for the pictures and report. That sure is a nice looking set-up. Obviously a LOT of thought went into it.

Hi waddy,
Wow, what a difference 60 miles makes.
It snowed about 10" at my house a week before Christmas and it is just now melting.

Battened down righteously I say........
Pulk on.
Shug

Hi Shug,
Your video's pack so much info in them. I can't thank you enough.
Before I start any project I spend a few hours reviewing your uTube channel with notebook in hand.
The steep wall idea on this tarp is credited to one of your videos where your backyard has about
two feet of snow and your tarp has about 8" of the heavy white stuff on it.