kayaker’s
journal
T O P TA R P S
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Cozy Cave
Chlorophylle’s La Caverne (shown above), a
4.- by 4.-metre (18.-square-metre) shelter,
lives up to its name in both size and bulletproof
construction. As versatile as it is large, it’s
become essential equipment for outfitters. Hefty
Photo: Dave Quinn
but reliable, with ample reinforced tie-downs
and a tough centre patch.
$370.00 Cdn //
chlorophylle.net
SKIllS BY DAVE QUinn
Space Age
The modern, lightweight
Rain or Shine
MSr Zing would be equally
at home on the set of
Battlestar galactica as the
HErE’S A TArp SETUp THAT’S gOT YOU COVErED
wildest, wettest corners of
Earth. Sold with poles, the
YOU’rE A pADDLing JEDi who can keep it hull-down in any sea conditions, roll a
Zing’s funky design maximizes footprint (over
loaded double and cook a mean backcountry soufflé. But can you set up a tarp?
18 square metres) while weighing only 2.6
Whether you’re stuck in a 10-straight-day reminder of why it’s called the
“rainforest” or blessed with blistering sun in patagonia or Baja, solid tarp skills
kilos. perfect for expeditions where weight is as
are the sine qua non of campcraft lore that separate the backcountry pros
important as comfort.
from the schmoes.
$349 Cdn //
cascadedesigns.com/MSR
To salvage an otherwise drowning or overcooked experience, try this
advanced tarp setup, known as the Big Top. With a little practice, you can
Nice and light
create a spacious shelter for any situation.
Covering 11. square metres and weighing
1. attach tarp corner lines to either paddles or cut driftwood poles just above
only 1.14 kilos, the MEC guides Tarp is a simple
head height, using a clove hitch.
emergency shelter for smaller groups. it has a
2. tautly secure all four corners at a 45-degree angle from the tarp edge and a
full complement of tie-downs and a unique
45-degree angle to the ground.
tarp-tensioning system for easy adjustments. The
3. elevate the centre with either a driftwood pole or two paddles duct-taped
tarp stuffsack doubles as a reinforcement
together (experiment with lengths, depending on tarp size). tie the top of the
and attachment point for the
pole to the tarp centre to keep it from falling in wind gusts. centre pole.
Extreme conditions may require extra anchor ropes along the tarp sides. Anchors
$52 Cdn reg //
mec.ca
can be driftwood, boulders, boats, trees or simply a deadman anchor—a stick or
log buried in the beach perpendicular to the rope, with the rope tied to the centre.
adventurekayakmag.com 2
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