How to put up a camp tarp
The virtues of having a camping tarp are obvious when it rains, but you may not realize that it's really nice to have one even when the sun is shinning as the tarp will provide guaranteed shade as well. At night, being under a tarp will result in a temperature increase especially if you have a lantern going. You can also situate a tarp as a lean-to if you need a wind break just by staking one side all the way to the ground. The real trick to a tarp is getting your rope high enough so the tarp doesn't sag too low.
1- Locate a couple of trees the right distance apart with basically level ground in between them. Coil 20 feet or so of rope and simply throw it up over a limb 12 to 15 feet high.
3- Tie the rope to itself or a lower branch or even another tree.
5- Throw the rope up over a good limb on the other tree but don't tighten it yet.
7- Secure the tarp through the center eyelid to the rope at both ends with a small piece of twine or a wire tie.
9- Attach twine or small rope to each eyelid and stake about six to eight feet away or tie to another tree or bush if available. (Use whatever you have.)
Over many years of tent camping, I've collected poles, ironically from awning type devices purchased at various stores. (These things are never big enough and plus they just don't hold up to the outdoor conditions I use them under.) Still, I keep the poles for use as shown to the right. EMT (electrical conduit), cut about 6 feet long or so, works good for poles too.
You may have to retighten some corners or shake wrinkles out as the tarp goes up. If you expect a lot of wind, double stake and tie the corners at right angles. Don't be terrible concerned about what it looks like - functionality is what we are after here.
2- Walk the rope around the tree tightly, two to three times.
4- Check it by giving it a good tug.
6- Walk the tarp over the rope so it is pretty much centered
8- Lift the tarp tight, then wrap the tree and tie as in steps two and three.
A simple tensioning device can be made by drilling a couple holes in a piece of wood. (Obviously this needs to be done at home.) The tension is adjusted by sliding it up or down the rope.
Go Camping!
Copyright 2005 Market Gap