Know how e x p e rt t i p | t eC h N i q u e | fo o D | C A m p C rA f t | g e A r |
There’s no excuse for an appallin’ tarpaulin.
photo: dave Quinn
[ CampCraFt ]
G
ranting protection from the rain or shade stuff sack of stones or a water bottle.
from the sun, no other piece of equipment
is as useful and versatile yet easy to pack along
Think outside the box
Shelter
as a tarp.
Bungalow-style roof set-ups are great where
The most secure and comfortable set-ups
they work, but campsite geography or
have a stable ridge forming the highest part of
weather conditions might demand creativity.
the tarp.
» on oddly shaped sites, run the ridgeline
from the
The best way to support the ridge is to string
from one corner of the tarp to the oppo-
an independent line between two trees or
site corner. This creates a longer ridgeline
poles. This is called a ridgeline and once this
and triangular sloping panels that fit more
sturdy line is established at the right height
Storm
easily between trees.
you can drape the tarp over it.
» For a simple lean-to, you can tie only the
If there is no natural anchor point exactly
tarp’s highest edge to the ridgeline, instead
where you need it, then run a line at an oblique
of draping half the tarp over to create a
angle between two adjacent trees. Tie a loop
second roof aspect. This protects from a
a few anchor points of
in this line where you would have your anchor
driving rain while still providing maximum
good tarp design
and secure your ridgeline to the loop.
overhead coverage.
Next, run anchor lines from the corners at
about 45 degrees from the ridgeline axis, with
» If the weather is terrible and you don’t
additional lines from grommets or tabs on the
need much space under the tarp, set it up
sides as wind conditions warrant. Be creative
with one high corner and three low cor-
about what you anchor to: tent pegs, trees,
ners to create a cave-like set-up that opens
roots, bow or stern grab handles and thwarts.
downwind to provide maximum shelter.
The heavier the rain, the steeper the tarp’s side
slopes should be so it sheds water better in case
Tips
the tarp is worn and not entirely waterproof.
» Carry at least 20 metres of stout cord that
Remember that most tarp fabrics stretch
ties and unties easily. More line means
when wet. This means the water pools just in-
more options.
side the hemmed edges, which don’t stretch
» Learn to tie the trucker’s hitch for a
as much. Create a drainage valley by using a
tensioned ridgeline and the taut-line
line to pull down one of the attachment points
hitch for anchor lines that you can adjust
near the centre of the tarp’s lowest edge. Tie
without retying. » PHILIP ToRRENS
this line to an anchor, or simply weight it with a
22 Early SummEr 2009
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