Tarp shelter setup directions

[TacAir]

Several folks have posted different ways of putting up a tarp shelter, and have provided some very good information.

I discovered this site (http://nwwoodsman.com/Articles/TarpSetUp.html) that covers canoe camping - and there was a very well done article on a versatile tarp set up. I've not seen it linked here before, so thought I'd put it up for folks to check out for themselves.

The site has other interesting bits of field craft as well.

[RatDrall]

Friggin awesome, thanks so much for sharing this

I used to think I was cool just using paracord for the "frame" while I got rained on, can't wait to give this a try..

[TacAir]

Friggin awesome, thanks so much for sharing this

I used to think I was cool just using paracord for the "frame" while I got rained on, can't wait to give this a try..

Thanks for the kind words - just to make an extra note - the tarp size used in this example is a 9 x 12. If you don't plan on sewing in the additional tabs, you can make ties offs as shown in this thread (http://www.zombiehunters.org/forum/view ... 14&t=66875).

Good luck.

[northernxposure]

Ah, the old "Miner's Tent" config.

This works with any tarp sheet that's a 3/4 style ratio (eg, a 9x12, 7.5x10, 12x16, etc).

The trick with this setup is to make sure you have enough run on the short dimension to cover yourself and gear, as anything less than a 9x12 will result in an area of less than 6' inside the "tent". Also, the tent gets tall - real tall if you start increasing the tarp size so you need to watch out for panel exposure in high wind areas.

It's fun to play around with, and easy enough to make some scale models if you've got a pair of scissors and a sheet of paper.

NXP

[ninja-elbow]

Remember that one of the keys to most tarp setups is a fire out front of it. "One full step away" is the general teaching for that. You'll survive without one, as I have many times, but a good fire out front of your tarp is a whole new class of awesome and outdoorsman-ship-ness.

[northernxposure]

Remember that one of the keys to most tarp setups is a fire out front of it. "One full step away" is the general teaching for that. You'll survive without one, as I have many times, but a good fire out front of your tarp is a whole new class of awesome and outdoorsman-ship-ness.

And that's one of the reasons why the "Miner's Tent" config just rocks. The door/point is actually the flat side of the configuration, so it's very easy to build the fire out front and still have all that glorious shelter in behind you. You can even angle out the doors to make a wind block.

Just don't run a support cable to the apex of the top over the front of the tent and *then* make the fire. That doesn't work so hot. <-- Experience talking. Angled supports that parallel the two side corners work a lot better and don't erupt in fire.

NXP

[ninja-elbow]

Remember that one of the keys to most tarp setups is a fire out front of it. "One full step away" is the general teaching for that. You'll survive without one, as I have many times, but a good fire out front of your tarp is a whole new class of awesome and outdoorsman-ship-ness.

And that's one of the reasons why the "Miner's Tent" config just rocks. The door/point is actually the flat side of the configuration, so it's very easy to build the fire out front and still have all that glorious shelter in behind you. You can even angle out the doors to make a wind block.

Just don't run a support cable to the apex of the top over the front of the tent and *then* make the fire. That doesn't work so hot. <-- Experience talking. Angled supports that parallel the two side corners work a lot better and don't erupt in fire.

NXP

I did that once too Was all pround of my set up (not a miner's) and then I had to get my fire going and realized the limitations I put upon myself.

[ninja-elbow]

Tac-Air linked one of my favorite (yet simple and not cluttered) sites. Here are more tarp configurations: http://nwwoodsman.com/Articles/MoreTarpSetUps.html
The diamond set up, different for me as my tarps are square 8x8 and 12x12 square while most of these more "exotic" set ups are for rectangular tarps, is my favorite. Guess what I'm fixin to buy?

[TacAir]

Tac-Air linked one of my favorite (yet simple and not cluttered) sites. Here are more tarp configurations: http://nwwoodsman.com/Articles/MoreTarpSetUps.html
The diamond set up, different for me as my tarps are square 8x8 and 12x12 square while most of these more "exotic" set ups are for rectangular tarps, is my favorite. Guess what I'm fixin to buy?

You don't have to be square to be cool.... but -

(Cue the music)