Re: [Paddlewise] Tents and camping equipment

Beverly M wrote:
> 
> --- Jeff Rowland <jrowland_at_sprynet.com> wrote:
> > Am presently looking to purchase a good quality tent
> > and sleeping bag

> I use a Kelty Noah's Tarp 12 for living space outside
> the tent. It has some extra ties in handy places for
> those campsites with awkwardly placed trees. It's
> thinner and lighter than most and the light grey color
> lets some light in on those dark rainy days.

Thanks to Bev for reminding me of Noah's Tarp.  I've got the size-10 version of
the same tarp, and after half a season of use, I think I really like it.  Aside
from the light color, it's principal virtue is that it can be strung between
two high points **on the diagonal that has the seam** to form a high
ridgeline.  The diagonal with the seam is catenary cut, such that tensioning
it, and anchoring the other corners out gives uniform tarp tension throughout.

Yeah, yeah, "uniform tarp tension"  I hear you say:  "So who cares?"  I do,
because that means only four guy points are needed to pitch it so there are no
"tarp puddles" when it rains, to spill down your neck as you exit the tarp for
a break.  Try to achieve that with a conventional rectangular tarp without a
catenary cut seam.

On trips, I get nailed with the appellation "Tarp Man" because I'm always
fiddling with the tarp, trying to achieve nirvana-in-the-rain:  no leaks and no
tarp puddles.  With Noah's tarp, my obsession is easily achieved ...

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
Tarp Man!
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