I am a lazy tarper
I paddle mainly in the BWCA so I don’t mind an extra pound or two. I do hate to string a ridge line or look for a ridge pole so last year I quit all that and bought this:
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39167035&memberId=12500226&storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1
Sets up in a couple of minutes and sits anywhere. Haven’t had it in a heavy wind but it has lots of stake and guy points. The pole are large diameter 16mm.
Campmor had some slightly soiled ones for 30% off.
That would be my 12 ft. Noahs Tarp
that you saw at Raystown.
Comments:
Easy for one person to put up.
Stands up to strong wind.
Easy to take down.
Very compact and light weight.
The downward sloping sides help to keep you dry.
I had upgraded last year from a square canopy stype tarp that would frequently get blown out of position by wind. The Noah’s tarp needed very little adjustment, even with the wind at Raystown.
Bruce
Ditto on the SportsmansGuide tarps.
We have two and they can be set up as parawing or straight. The shape is only slightly off square, so is more versatile. They’ve stood up to some heavy, Midwest storms and didn’t cost much.
OK, thanks
Thanks, Bruce…wasn’t sure what size it was when I saw it, but suspected that it was a 12 footer. I meant to walk over to take a better look at it (should have been pretty easy since you were the site next to mine), but never got the chance.
-rs
I have Kelty Noah’s Tarp Shelter https://bestoutdooritems.com/backpacking-tarps/ Total pack weight of just under three pounds, with a lot of comfort, warmth and versatility. I backpack the Colorado Rockies once a year for 5 days on the trail, and a couple of weekend trips in Indiana per year. It works for me.
Hadn’t seen a post from Riverstrider for years, then I realized that this one goes back to 2007. Funny how these show up again after years. Few folks are still around from back then, but not many.
For the record, I have a 10’ Campmor Versa-Tarp and 12’ Kelty Noah’s Tarp. The Campmor goes over my tent and the Kelty goes over the picnic table if I need it (or have one).
For canoe tripping there are two common situations where a tarp changes everything. One is hot sun and the other is rain. I have used a blue tarp with paddles as poles for a sun shade. A Moss Parawing has never let me down. Cooke Sewing makes some great products. By all means get a tarp.