New Ultralight shelter

“Alright I have been crawling around in the woods in my backyard and after setting it up umpteen times I have figured out my tarp. I think a simple a-frame is going to work best for me, with two treking poles one high and one low. If it rains I can drop it down to the ground and it rests on the bug bivy hoop.
My "New" shelter is a siltarp combined with an OR Bug bivy. Everything including stakes weigh less than 2lbs.
I can't wait to try it out this weekend. It is going to cut 4lbs from my pack. I am hoping to have my pack weight down to 22lbs with food and water for the Pa-Palooza trip this weekend. I might finally start living up to my name.”

“Cool Deal! <G>”

“Anybody have any other metheds other than the A-frame and what are the benefits?”

“Geee, there was a guy who had a site just like that, but now the link I had is busted... He had a tarp strung out 20+ different ways with photos, diagrams and step-by-step instructions, too. <GRRRRRRRRRRR>”

“Yeah I was searching for that site. Can't wait to try out the setup. Supposed to rain this weekend, I hope i don't chicken out and bring my tent.”

“don't forget your snorkel... <G>”

“doesn't srgt. rocks site have a bunch of different tatp set ups on it?”

“http://hikinghq.net/gear/tarp.html -sorry don't know how to post a link. But that's Sgt Rock's tarp page which is the best place i've found thus far which shows tarp setups. Also if you poke around on oware's website it shows some good ones too http://owareusa.com/”

“Lt - if it's not raining, we can play around with your tarp. I have 2 set-ups other than the basic A frame in mind. I'll have tarp, Bat Ray, and tent in the car and probably won't decide until I get there.

That's great that you are getting lighter... well, your pack weight at least. There's another weight that might be an issue. ba da bing!”

“If the weather isn't too wild you can pitch the tarp like a lean to for better views. I worry more about finding a suitable spot to pitch my tarp than about if I can stay dry under it. Staying dry from the rain above is pretty easy as long as the tarp is big enough. The trick is to find a good spot to pitch it if it really starts to rain and the ground can't take much moisture. I'm still debating on taking mine this weekend or my tent only because of finding a good enough spot to pitch my tarp.”

“Hell at 13 oz, I'm takeing both...I like pennsy, I won't decide until I get there.

Another reason for a tent is when I was at Hickory run state park last month, the bugs were bad. I hate bugs, so the tents netting will be helpfull there.”

“Hey Pennsy, both my pack and me are getting lighter! I've lost 10lbs since the Devils path! It is going to make my 20lb pack feel like nothing.

If I was feeling cruel I might mention that I am getting a hair cut tommorow. ba da bing!

Tea bugs are what I have the bug bivy for. It even has a hydroseal floor. I think that I am still going to bring a ground cloth though.”

“LtHiker, I use a lean-to style mainly but in really high inds or rain I do a low profile setup...

Tie a piece of cord around a tree about 3' off the ground leaving a working end of 10'. Walk into the direction of the wind and stake out the 10' end. Take the tarp (I have an 8x10 but you can use any size) and lay it over the cord long ways. Stake out the bottom 2 corners tight to the ground. Go to the front/high side of the tarp (by the tree) and stake out the front to corners tight to the ground. This leaves only the leeward side open and wnd free for cooking etc... If its really windy I will stake out the remaining grommets along the sides and bottom. Or in winter I will cover the edges with a small snow bank.”

“Hey, that's awesome that you lost 10lbs. Good show!

After I got eaten alive by the black flies on the Devil's Path, I bought a bug jacket that also can cover the head. I'm curious how that would work as a bug bivy under the tarp.

What do ya mean if you were feeling cruel? Hey man, you're the one who has to make an appointment, sit in a chair for who knows how long, and then PAY for it. Pfffft!”

“LOL! What happened to that bug bivy that you had? I hope that we do not have to deal with black flies this weekend.”

“I have the Adventure 16 bug bivy and I'll be bringing it. Using the jacket as a bivy was just a passing thought. Well, if it rains we shouldn't have to worry about the vampires. See, rain can be our friend.”

“I want to see your tarp and bug bivy setup, I’m thinking this may be a way to go to lighten the load. LtHiker 10lbs that’s great. I’ll be carrying at least 12 pounds less this trip and it has nothing to do with gear. I’m going to Campmor today, so much to buy. Hey do the kids really need food and clothing.”

“talk with Stalker..he is always messin with his tarp...he is neurotic or something...we'll be sitting around the fire, sucking down beers, when he'll suddenly jump up and tear down the tarp and reset it up in a new configuration...the dude is addle brained, fer sure..must be a tarp thing.”

“Great going Must Hike! That should help out with the old knees. I am stopping by Campmor on the way to the hike this weekend, don't really need anything but you never know.
I think that the tarp and bug bivy is definately going to be my summer shelter of choice. Can't beat the weight. Just hope I stay dry.

Stikmon, I think it definately is a "tarp thing". I am pretty happy with the coverage that I am going to get with my A-frame, I use my treking poles as support and it is great the way that i can adjust it for changing condtions, just lower the poles and tighten the lines and I can drop it to the ground on three sides if it gets nasty.”

“Mt Hardware Tri light...3.5 lbs and tight as a drum...but them bug huts are pretty cool...

Last year when I went white water rafting...the guide had a cot and a full covered bug hut thingy...and he just slept that way...perty cool...and comfy fer sure. I just might have to think about that sort of rig for canoing in the summer months.”

“If you never have to portage weight becomes sort of a non-issue in a canoe.”

“LTH...you've obviously not heard about some of my canoe trips...water is sometimes an option and not an absolute.”

“Oh your the one!”

“LMAO!

Oh the many foils of stikmon. ;-)”