Re: [Paddlewise] What to use for sun shade?

<snip>
Rich Mitchell wrote:
<<But what about  hot climates  where neither trees nor pole material of
any sort are to be found?  What do Paddlewisers use and how do you rig
it to provide maximum shade, strength in the wind (and we had wind
aplenty in Baja) with due consideration for weight and size to carry?  >>

Functional, reliable shelter is a must.   Rain, sun, more rain,  gusting
wind, sustained wind...all need to be considered before just pitching
your cover.   I really like my current method of pitching a tarp.  It
includes several adapted ideas from others ....none of this is new or my
idea !
  
   Poles:  I have a number of home-made poles made from 2 pieces of
electrical conduit of different diameter so that one pole nests in the
other.  Both poles are  drilled through with a small diameter bit,  at
intervals of 6"  on the inside pole to make the assembly  adjustable. 
Use a hitch pin to connect nested poles.  Some poles are  larger diameter
and will handle a range of 6'-10'.  (pretty heavy here and super strong
!)  Some are smaller diameter and range from 4'-7' (pretty light here,
but still very strong).  Use wood dowel and silicone to plug an end with
a round-head wood screw protruding as a nib for tarp grommet.

   Lines and bungees:  I ALWAYS  use a bungee on ALL support lines.  They
flex and give just a little to keep the wind from building up too much
stress.  UV will finally get to the rubber truck straps.  The fabric
covered bungees last a lot longer.  Put guy-lines away properly and
re-use them.  Don't always be cutting new lengths.  Learn some neat slip
knots and hitches that WILL hold and that WILL untie for quick
adjustments.

   Side wings:  Smaller pieces of tarp that can be attached (clipped,
alligator snaps, grommet ties or lacing, etc)  and provide side wall or
wing coverage to block driving wind-rain.  Won't be water tight here, but
it sure cuts down the blast.

   Tarp material:  A couple of my friends had used swimming pool covers
that I confiscated.  I have cut every known shape tarp, wing, or cover
possible and still have a working supply.  A small brass grommet kit can
be obtained from any hardware store and includes dies and spare sets.

   Pegs:  Use a good heavy duty spike.  Sand-hogs are invaluable when
needed.  Double check tarp layout so last peg doesn't need to go right
where the fire is !! 

I once "rented space"  (for cold beer and salsa) under a 24' x 36'
monster of mine up in the Ozarks when the weather turned sour and
everybody's tarp and even a few tents blew away in the cold, gray morning
storm ....ahhhh !!   It was a decent weekend after all !  

One time In Wyoming a daily evening wind would come up for about 2 hours
and get to at least  +40 mph.  Several unoccupied dome tents would fly
...literally fly ... a couple hundred feet into the air and disappear
down range. Our tents and tarp would just s-t-r-e-t-c-h and flex back
...some would almost lay flat down and then ease back into shape as the
wind would die off.

Along the Tex-La-Miss coastal area a good sun-shade is a necessity year
'round.  My minimum size set-up is probably 12 x 12.  If we are just out
playing around an abandoned back-yard beach umbrella goes along.  It can
be stabbed to the ground quickly and gives a big 9' diameter sun-shade. 
Leaned against the wind it does fairly well but is heavy and bulky to
carry. 

A properly set tarp should not come down until it is your decision to
break camp and go somewhere else.

Hope this helps ......Peyton (Louisiana)



   

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