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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 Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland




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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 04:10.
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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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