Thanks for all the great discussion! If you found the video useful consider giving it a thumbs up or check out my latest trip video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hM6Xd9WG0N_Xn58.html

I started out with tarps decades ago, then went to tents, then a hammock, now I'm back to tarps. I like my 10x10 heavy duty. Almost exclusively use ridgeline set ups. Only because I carry a rifle or bow, so no hiking sticks for me. Thanks for sharing. Mike.

For years I used a US army surplus poncho It was an excellent tarp and dirt cheap and fairly lightweight Used a groundsheet and ensolite pad Used an army surplus blanket instead of a sleeping bad Worked just fine This was before they invented the concept of ultralight

A bigger tarp allowes for more stable structures, eliminating wind concerns, temp concerns, and overall is a more versatile tool for ur bag even when considering weight, Papa Hiker has some awesome designs for almost any situation

Good solid honest pro tips right there. Great job .

Just stumbled on your channel with this video. I’ve been camping out in my backyard for a solid year now with just tarp tents. I started with utility tarps last Feb. End of summer I picked up a 10x12 Red Camp lightweight tarp. But I’m still fairly partial to a standard 1000D utility tarp.. they are STRONG and impervious to all weather conditions! I use tarp clips for improved stake down strength. My go to pitches are a quick setup Holden open front with a walking pole, but my favorite is the hexamid A-frame based on Papahiker’s design. I always put a 5x7 standard 1000D dropcloth down. As far as heavy wind, heavy rains, and considerable snow.. I have modified Papahikers design by wrapping guylines around the top of each walking pole at the end of the tent, and tying them off to the same stakes for the door/end flaps. Then I add an inner ridgeline between the two walking poles using a bowlne to a truckers hitch nice and firm… With this set up tension from each pole is going down directly to a stake in the ground, but then tension is also being pulled in the opposite direction with the ridge line. Those poles aren’t going anywhere. I’ve been in super heavy winds, super heavy rains, and I can tell you they go nowhere. PlusI gain the added advantage of place to hang a light, etc. The interiorheight of the tent is the typical 54 inches of a full open Walking-pole. As for bugs, my 5 x 7 ground tarp is pre-treated with permethrin during the warm months. This year, I’m planning to either make my own, or purchase an enclosed bug net that’ll fit inside the tent. I really didn’t have problems with the flying insects last summer, but once I get out into the woods, I know that’s gonna be an issue. I’ve been practicing for a year out in my backyard to get down all the nuances, learning batoning and fire starting, etc. all the good stuff. I have my cooking systems down with alcohol/gas/open fire options. Next on my list is learning to use a compass and reading topographical maps. I can’t wait to get out there this year and do some real camping with my tarp. I love the ease, simplicity, and flexibility gained with tarp pitches, but I feel I want that little extra security against snakes and things by adding a closed-in net. Plus, I think it will help with the condensation as now it will be a form of a double wall system! Going to sub your channel! Edit: And oh yeah.. sleep system dialed in too. In fact, I sleep on it in the house on a reg basis so I’m real used to it even more! Lol

Best tarp I have found is the DD Tarp 3mx3m. It works great in all weather. My favorite setup is the plow point, but you can set this thing up all kinds of ways. As for bugs, I just throw a mosquito net over it. You still get some bugs, but it's not to bad. You didn't mention bigger animals. Raccoons, possums, porcupines, mice, snakes, I've even had coyote up under my tarp with me. Winter tarp camping is the best!! I love camping in the winter, it is so peaceful!!

I just ordered a floorless bug net. Also got one of those cheapo arctersomething rather reflecto tarp. Cardboard is great. It absorbs moisture instead of collecting up on it.

takes time to learn...looking back if I had to choose again my tarp would be 8' × 8' canvas ( cloth with wax) and maybe 2nd one ( 6' × 6' ) as extra for ground I really like the modified 'A' frame type which looks like 'leen to' with slight overhang on top

Thanks for your time putting up this video. I did know about using a tarp. It is nice to hear from someone with experience!!!

You can put a smaller tarp on the ground under the hanging tarp to protect your gear, you can hang the bag in a tree. To prevent the wind from catching the tarp you can look on youtube to "build" a tent.

I have always tent camped . I'm trying tarp , been doing daycamps with hammock and tarp . Useing a 10x10 , I think is a perfect size , Haveing fun .

good stuff, thanks

Beautiful countryside

Tarp and hammock is a great combination- nice high tarp for entry, bug net on the hammock…hang well off the ground in the shelter of tarp. It’s my favourite.

Informative and beneficial video

I have a "storm" tarp (10X16 CLEAR/see-through) that I love to use when the weather is bad OVER my regular tarp (5X7 camo/mylar) that I use to sleep under. I set it up high so that I can walk under it and have my table and chair protected from the rain while I am awake during a storm.

I’m old. I like a 10x10 tarp pitched as high as weather permits and being able to get out of bed at 2:00 and relieve myself. I like to set up off the beaten path leaving no trace except for perhaps a cat hole, under my tarp!

You can never go wrong with a tarp man

I feel I found tarps to keep our water far better than a tent. Even the $300+ ones would leak. Think if you're tent camping expect wet and colder conditions. As you mentioned, raising and lowering the tarp may be your best bet. Or build a shelter and wrap the tarp around it.

3m*3m tarp and a bugnet for the South Texas creepy crawlers. UL80 with 2 sleep bag liners for my summer setup. You can catch me with my tarp or tipi tent.

I have used tarps extensively in the Pacific Northwest where it rains occasionally. The arrangement I now use is 9' x 9' Rei cantilevered sil nyon tarp that weighs just 1.5 pounds. Mosquitoes are sometimes a problem when I camp but I am blessed somehow. Mosquitos don't bite me very often. They do buzz in my ears at night, just to irritate me. It is roomy, even when lowered down, and my friends all want to join me for dinner when it rains. There is easily room for 4 people sitting.

like the vids!!! i'm new to tarps. removed all the line locks and attached directly to the loops. i felt like this would give me more flexibility with the guy lines. I would like to see your guy line setup, knots used, additional cordage and lengths of cordage you take with you to alternate pitches etc... again thanks for the vids I really enjoy them.

Hey mate, great vid. I love to tarp camp, summer, winter all good. I always sleep better than in a tent and feel closer to my surroundings. I use a citronella candle to keep bugs at bay, with additional bug spray on my skin. If it’s real bag I use a head net also. ATB mate. Subbed 👍🏕

Ray Jardine and his wife Jenny address each of these challenges in their book Trail Life and prior books.

We go mountain biking and I'd love to take my son on am over night trip.

SoCal desert and tarantula migration, last time I used a tarp.

Hi man! I want to start sleeping under a tarp but am wondering how to protect my down sleeping bag from condensation, or if it is better to have a synthetic sleeping bag... or a sleeping bag cover. Thank you 😊

You also have to consider your own hight. A 10 x 10 feet or 3 x 3 m gives you very few set up possibilies when you like me is 2 m unless you prefer to get wet in rain and wind. I need at least 12 x 12 feet or 3.5 x 3.5 m but better is 13 x 13 feet or 4 x4 m or 10 x 13 feet or 3 x 4 m if I don't want to do a lean to or A frame. I think focusing on weight is to lose sight of useability.

Ima hammock camper,so essentially ima tarp camper as well,i just stay off the ground and i just wanted ta tell u injoyed yer vid.good job.but ill stay suspended above the ground under my tarp.....😊

I wish I knew this now because I actually got stranded in the dix mountain wilderness right in the Adirondacks for a whole night and day and simply survived the night by napping on rocks and logs. I couldn't nap longer than a half hour or you could tell the very early stages of hypothermia were starting to begin so I just kept hiking the whole night down elevation to stay warm until I think it was like 4 AM I just said fuck it and started a big bonfire to rest comfortably and dry off. I bring a tarp in my bag now.

I had a couple questions for ya, do you use a bivy or ground sheet? I am concerned about splash back getting my bag wet. What do you prefer?

I'd be interested in family tarp camping videos

🙏🏻 🙏🏻 🙏🏻

Malgré que je possède une demi douzaine de tarp je ne les ai jamais utilisées à ce jour pour dormir mais plutôt comme protection contre la pluie. J'aimerais bien m'essayer à l'automne et tes conseils sont très intéressants . Tu n'apportes pas un bivy pour ton sac de couchage ? Ça garde trop l'humidité probablement. Merci pour la vidéo

Hey there great video thanks. 😊 Looking to get my first tarp for camping and am split on size. I'm thinking 10x10 for solo adventuring. Square seems to be best for configuration variability. Reasonable to you?

I like tarps! Still not having a hang of setting it up quickly and efficiently so it doesn't fly away in a heavy weather situation like rain and stormy wind. Also i dont like it when mist comes around.. it makes for a wet cold expertas everything both inside and outside gets wet in a tarp with mist! The mist just goes everywhere even if I'd close off the ends of the tarp. Another thing is.. sagging of the ridge line. Oh well i guess i need to practice in some stable sunny conditions!

Want to do this but we moved and there's so many snakes and ants everywhere.

Oh wow I've spent my whole life in the adirondacks! From Saratoga myself

The biggest tarp I use is my old DD Hammocks 3x3m tarp and usually I pitch it in tent configuration. Haven't used it much in the last couple years but still love it. Definitely wouldn't go larger!

You have bear spray, good. However, animals have exceptional adrenalin. A bear could be on you in a matter of seconds. You need to access it far swifter than where you presently store it. I keep mine on my belt horizontally positioned in a mesh sack with cord lock lightly held in place for swift removal. You might want to reconsider the location and speed of access of your bear spray as well.

These are great vids, just watched your tarp vids and the Solo hike vid. All are excellent! Thank you! I've started backpacking and bikepacking recently. I'm 50, but used to climb for years and always used a tent. But the weight alone seemed to be too good an advantage for tarp camping. So I got a DD 10 x 10 which is definitely the size (and price point) I'd recommend to anyone starting out. Really versatile and has given me heaps of different pitching styles which I've tried. Ironically I've come full circle and mostly use an A Frame / Plough wherever I can. But in AU the trees are not always the best for it, so I use trekking poles too. I've also started making my own gear, and just finished my first groundsheet project, which is only 80g including the stuff sack. Making things is incredibly satisfying, like you said. What are some of the dimensions of the tarps you have made? Did you try any with wings? I am thinking of a 7 x 9 UL for bikepacking. On the bike it's ironically less about the weight to me than the small packed size as the storage on the bike is less than my pack.

One benefit is that other hikers will give you props for having such a small and lightweight pack haha

For wind protection under a tarp, why not use an ultralight bivy bag?

What are the wildlife dangers of tarping?

I'm thinking about a 7'x7' Tent Smith's oilcloth tarp. It's 3.2lbs. Does this sound good for backpacking/tarp camping? I'm not sure 5x8 is big enough. And as you said, it limits options.

take one large trash bag to protect your gear. Its a good call and low weight

Worried about snakes and spiders. A little worried about the tarp leaving me in a storm too

Mice are always in season and will come eat your stuff when your trying to sleep

To address the gear on the ground issue from my experience. Minimise your "on ground gear" and put it in...a waterproof bag or a dry sack. Get a length of long cordage and find yourself a nice big chunky stick. Then tie it on and throw it over a nearby tree branch. Try and get it a couple of feet away from the tree trunk and pull it up into the air and stake it down. *also* a great way to store food/drink, valuables, tech ect our of sight. Of animals bugs ect.

Did many long-distance walking projects months in a row and always use tarps. Sometimes combined with bivy or hammock or Aframe Mesh tent depends on the environment. Did desert as well arctic, so often harsh weather conditions. Problem with hammock in winter is windchill or get a bigger tarp that goes to the ground...so winter is more poor man's bed for me, meaning on the floor. Good thing you never know how camp will look that night with a tarp!! Use DDHAMMOCKS gear for many years, cheap and bombproof.

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ON NO ACCOUNT ATTEMPT TARP CAMPING IN SCOTLAND .... in mid-summer. When they find your bloated body they will know you have committed suicide by means of midge bites. Our midges are twin engine jobs. A horrible way to go !!!!!

What?

Buy a ultralightweight tent ... I just don't get it. I use a tarptent ... weighs 2lbs. But, who cares? And extra 1lb ... for comfort, security, insect protection ...

Just use a tent

Great content but it would be more helpful to illustrate what you’re talking about rather than just showing video of you walking. It’s like somebody called you up for a video chat, while disturbing your hike, and you’re explaining tarps reluctantly without even stopping. But otherwise informative.

He's out of breath from just walking

Some ground sheets pack up tiny, and i always have at least one soare dry bag with me to keep items dry, also my pack is lined by 2 large dry bags...