Tarpology

We’re seeing more and more members enjoying tarps and camping – so its time to add a little tarpology information courtesy of Jed.

Below we have : Tarp Designs, Top Tips for Tarps, and a small gallery of our favourite tarp moments … (little tarp and big tarp refer to the two sizes offered by Jed).

Designs for ‘Little Tarp’

Top Tarp Tips : Tarp Ancillaries

To rig a tarp quickly and effectively you will need:

• Long lines minimum length 15 m, at least 1.  Your canoe tracking lines are ideal. Do not use your throwline as it is a piece of safety kit, that’s my advice.  You don’t need anything too pricey; builders blue 6mm polypropylene line is perfect.

• Guy lines 4 m long, at least 6, paracord is perfect! Bright colours avoids tripping or garrotting yourself. For years in the military, I used green and black cordage and yes, I frequently garrotted myself

• Short ties 60cm long then doubled and “larks headed” on to the loops, at least 4 – again paracord. These are for attaching a loop to a tautline , or a loop to brushwood anchors in snow or sand

• Pegs, alloy, 20 cm long, at least 10. On sand and loose shingle rather than carry an extra set of alternative 40cm pegs, I tie on to, and bury, logs/ sticks/ boulders etc. In snow I tie to a big sprig of spruce and stamp it into the snow.

• Paddle or pole locating bags negate the need for knots when your hands are cold, wet, and not very dextrous.

• Paddles or walking poles if trees are not available

Top Tarp Tips : Where to Pitch

In the Scottish Highlands or Scandinavia flat ground is at a premium and finding any may well dictate the location.  But here are some points to consider and places to avoid AKA “The 5 Ws”:

• Wind. A breeze of 3 mph will keep the midges grounded – excellent! A gale will turn your tarp into a hang glider – not so good. Pick a naturally sheltered spot

• Water. If you can be choosy, avoid frost-hollows, cold air current gullies, moss, bogs, river shingle banks close to the river’s edge!!! smooth bare earth that was once mud and which, when it rains, will be mud again!

• Wildlife. In the wilds avoid rigging it over a game trail! Enough said.

• Wigglies. Insects and snakes, check for scorpions and remember having swept aside an ant trail it takes the ants precisely the time to re-establish the trail as it does for you to completely unpack and lay out your sleeping bag

• Widowmakers. Look up and check for dead branches, avoid beech trees (summer branch break is a very real hazard), crumbling walls, cliff faces etc where the heat from your fire may melt a rock flake off.  These things may do more than just flatten your kettle!

Pitch away from the tents so folks can get some shuteye while the whisky fuelled, world-righting debate in the tarp continues.  Actually, pitch the tarp first and on the prime location – that’s my motto! Now consider access to water, nice view etc.

The location of the tarp is the first consideration when it comes to pitching shelters and it must have pride of place, as a group shelter as everyone will be using it.  So, the leader will decree “That is where the tarp is going” and dump the Wanigan (the expedition cook’s box) on that spot.   

And finally, some Tarps in the wild…