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Tarp made of Tarp.... Tarp made of Tarp....
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Camping Equipment and all Clothing Tents, sleeping bags, stoves etc. Riding clothing, boots, helmets, what to wear when not riding, etc.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca




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  #16  
Old 30 May 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Warthog View Post
I have two great tents already: I don't need another. Where they fail is that they are are about 50-60 cm long when packed and weigh about 4.5kgs.
Well....there are many tents out there which weigh less than 2 kilos and pack tiny. The cheap ones are not very strong, the expensive ones (I use Hillebergs, which are indeed expensive) are both light and very strong. I will not own a 4.5 kilo tent unless it sleeps at least five or six!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Warthog View Post
In pleasant weather, naturally... It's really no more complicated than that.
Absolutely. John Muir reportedly took off on foot to spend weeks at a time in the mountains with whatever he could stuff into the pockets of his overcoat. In good weather, this is fine. In bad weather: uncomfortable at best, dangerous at worst.

enjoy,

Mark
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  #17  
Old 30 May 2009
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I don't want to spend yet more money on tents when the two very good ones that have cumulatively cost me a about £450.

If a tent is well made and of good quality materials I think you will be paying astronomical fgiures to get a two man geodesic at 2kg, that is stable enough to stayupright in Patagonian winds...

I can see the appeal if one is cycling or walking, competively, but on a motorbike I think 4.5kg is perfectly acceptible.

Regardless how light they may be the problem remains: They won't fit in my topbox with the rest.

It may not be the Hilton or even the Holiday Inn, but if it worked for Mundo Enduro for a year, I can survive for a view weekends at a time...
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  #18  
Old 31 May 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Warthog View Post
...my questions are these:
  1. Instead of expensive MSR or Robens tarps at ££££ a hit, could old-fashioned tarp provide adequate shelter?
  2. Although it should cope with rain, will tarp stop water seeping through from the ground if I lie on it?
  3. 4m x 4m is a bit big and bulky. If I cut it down to size so that I can use it as either a shelter over me, or a surface to sleep on as well as shelter about me (folder to form a ground sheet and canopy above), or an awning for my tunnel tent, what size would you recomment? 3m x 3m? 2m x 4m?
Thanks
I think 3m x 3m seems to be the standard for a larger tarp (normally associated with a hammock) but may be a bit much for some as a bivi shelter. The smaller 2.4m x 2m seems to be a rough standard for one-man shelters (army) though I haven't personally tried them - I will if I can get one cheap enough.

At the risk of stating the obvious, maybe you should try things out and see what is best for you - in the garden maybe? It'll probably answer all your questions in one hit. I've dropped a couple of links for ideas. Hope it helps.

backpackinglight
DD Hammocks
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Last edited by teflon; 31 May 2009 at 03:10.
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  #19  
Old 31 May 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by teflon View Post
I think 3m x 3m seems to be the standard for a larger tarp (normally associated with a hammock) but may be a bit much for some as a bivi shelter. The smaller 2.4m x 2m seems to be a rough standard for one-man shelters (army) though I haven't personally tried them - I will if I can get one cheap enough.

At the risk of stating the obvious, maybe you should try things out and see what is best for you - in the garden maybe? It'll probably answer all your questions in one hit. I've dropped a couple of links for ideas. Hope it helps.

backpackinglight
DD Hammocks
Thanks Teflon, You've answered the other question I had.

Regrettable no garden, only a balcony, but I shall try it all out in the near future: Once I have K60s for the XR.

I think once used to it, tarp should be fine. I will, however, use my own tarp for now: no sense in spending another £50 if I realise that I can't live without a tent...

As for the Tarp size, well, I opted for 2 x 4m. That way we can use it as a tent awning or as a simply shelter for me, or even an improvised tent is the ground is damp...

Great links too...
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