RE: [Paddlewise] Tarps

Like Dave, I am a great fan of tarps on kayaking trips.  You can find an
article I wrote on tarps at http://www.isk.canoe-kayak.org/howto/tarps.html.
On trips the group I am with will carry two Cook Custom Sewing 10x12
silicone impregnated tarps.  These tarps are compact, lightweight and
incredibly tough.

Dana Dickson


 > -----Original Message-----
 > Date: Tue, 7 Jan 2003 08:25:52 -0800
 > From: "Dave Kruger" <kdruger_at_pacifier.com>
 > Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Backpacking stoves and tarps
 > 
 > The emphasis in this thread so far has been on stoves.  
 > Let's turn to tarps.
 > 
 > I use a tarp at almost every campsite, mainly because I paddle in wet
 > places.  Typically, the tarp is the first thing to go up, 
 > for use in staging
 > and unpacking ... because it is raining when we arrive!  
 > What do I use?
 > Simple stuff.  I've owned and tested fancy ones and in the 
 > end I prefer
 > plain old rectangular, grommetted-on-the-edge coated nylon 
 > tarps.  The ones
 > with aerodynamic shapes do not allow a canopy effect, 
 > permitting rain to
 > swoop under the edges.  And, with the addition of tie points 
 > (to sewn-on
 > loops of webbing) at several places on the top of the tarp, 
 > I can skyhook to
 > limbs, etc., above, and avoid the dreaded center pole.
 > 
 > I have used a 7 x 9 for two, a 10 x 10 for two, a 10 x 12 
 > for four, and a
 > bud has an 18 x 12 that is dandy for half a dozen seated 
 > eaters and cribbage
 > players.  When in doubt, go one size larger than you think 
 > you will need.
 > The "edge effect" of blown moisture makes that extra foot of 
 > dimension into
 > what seems like more than another foot of room when the rain falls.
 > 
 > Coated nylon works better for me than the cheaper woven 
 > polyethylene ("blue
 > tarps") because the nylon is easier to modify or sew to, is 
 > much quieter in
 > the wind, and packs down smaller in the front hatch.
 > 
 > I paid about $35 for my 10 x 10 and a 10 x 12 runs about $40 
 > from Campmor
 > these days.  I'll sell my fancy-Dan tarps (Marmot, Kelty) to 
 > anybody with
 > ready cash.
 > 
 > I do not carry poles, and rarely use stakes.  The former is 
 > too bulky, and
 > the latter almost never work in sand or on rock (where I 
 > seem to camp, most
 > days).  Buried deadmen work well in sand, and on a rocky surface,
 > porta-rocks are the anchor of choice.  If  I do carry 
 > stakes, I take the
 > wimpy backpacker ones, 'cause they're small to pack and work well in
 > consolidated sod.  Otherwise, I saw/chop my own out of 
 > downed wood.  Center
 > poles are not a problem in my part of the Northwest, 
 > although in areas like
 > national parks or other locales demanding minimum impact 
 > camping, I would
 > carry poles, to avoid conflict with wood harvest rules.
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