Light Hiking – Tarp Shelters
Filed under
Hiking & Backpacking
Light backpackers and hikers often run into a problem when trying to decide what to do about shelter. In some cases building shelters from natural materials can negate the need and the added weight of a tent. However, if you can’t find the appropriate building materials to construct a shelter, not having a tent can turn into a real problem.
Enter the tarp! A good tarp is both lighter and cheaper than the even the lightest of tents and has a number of advantages that make it much more attractive to a light backpacker.
Why Tarps make a good shelter for light hikers and backpackers.
- Tarps are great in the rain….. No one wants the hassle of setting up a tent in a rainstorm, and building a shelter out of natural materials can take hours. A good tarp can be put up in less than 60 seconds and can help you stay dry until the rain stops.
- A tarp is far lighter than any other type of backpacking shelter.
- Tarps are cheaper that tents.
- When combined with a hammock they make a great outdoor shelter.
- Tarps are a great backup plan, in case you can’t find natural materials to build a shelter with.
theotherryan on Wed, 7th Jan 2009 3:13 pm
When hiking in the past we would often use cheap clear plastic to make our shelter. The same piece could be used many times and if it started to get worn we would just cut another from one of those big rolls. At well under 20 bucks a roll (if I recall correctly) that is a lot of shelter.
In the Army I have been using a poncho in the same capacity.
A tarp with grommet holes could be used many times until it eventually wore out. I’ve got one in the closet at home and keep a spare in the car.
Kevin on Wed, 7th Jan 2009 7:58 pm
I alternate between a hammock/tarp setup in the summer and a ultralight tarp in the winter.
I’ve got a snazzy 5oz. Cuben fiber tarp that’s been fantastic!
Mike on Fri, 16th Jan 2009 10:18 am
I use a canvas tarp, its not as lightweight as the high tech ones but it is really tough and sturdy. One thing I’ve found is that it is better to keep it low to the ground. Pitching them up high like in the pictures is nice for a dining fly type of thing, but it gets mighty wet and cold when the wind and rain are blowing in on you underneath the tarp.
Robert on Fri, 16th Jan 2009 10:32 am
I agree with keeping it lower to the ground, it defiantly keeps you warmer, I probably should have found a better picture!
axel g on Sun, 8th Feb 2009 12:13 am
I love traveling really light, so I normally settle for shelters like caves or while hitchhiking, a bridge.
A hammock-tarp combination sounds great though.
Thanks for the suggestions Robert +_+