Calling all tarp campers

[Snowbd2u]

Anyone tarp camping without using poles? Using bike instead? Have used tarps to camp a long time usually with my hammock but for some trips I can't take the hammock, just seeing how people set their tarps up while bike packing........

[sherpaxc]

I do. Did the Colorado Teail with a bivy and tarp combo a well as many other trips with the same set up. I either tie to trees or flip the bike over. When the weather is getting nasty you'd be amazed at the creativity you have!  I use a cat cut 8x10 tarp. I am also a hanger but enjoy the simple ness of a bivy too.

[bartspedden]

Same here. No poll needed. There's almost always a decent tree and if not (and you brought enough cord and stakes) you can do this:



I choose not to go the route of flipping my bike over because of the way I have my cockpit setup. I would have to take off my gps and light and cyclocomputer.

[Racingguy04]

I use an Integral designs sil-tarp and usually use either trees or sticks that I can find.I like to pitch my tarp as an A frame. Ray Jardine has alot of info about tarps and tarp pitching on his website www.rayjardine.com I've never incorporated the bike in my set up, but the idea has merit. I've seen setups that use the front wheel on one end of the tarp and the rest of the bike on the other side.

[12wheels]

I usually just flip the bike over and use it instead of poles.  A 5x8.5 ft tarp provides plenty of coverage.

[AZTtripper]

Tarpoligist: A person who practices Tarpoligy, the art of pitching a tarp rain fly.


 
Two 5x7 silver lined tarps, with some cocooning effect from raising the sides of the lower one.

[bnayal]

12wheels - very nice setup! what is this bivy under the tarp? I'm now looking for some bug-bivy to put under my tarp.

I usually just flip the bike over and use it instead of poles.  A 5x8.5 ft tarp provides plenty of coverage.

[12wheels]

The bivy is a homemade version of Six Moons Designs Meteor Bivy.  

http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/support/make-your-own-gear/60-meteor-bivy.html

I believe that they have "officially" discontinued making them but try contacting them to confirm that.  It's an easy design to make if you have access to a sewing machine or someone who can do it for you.  All the supplies can be purchased from DIYGearSuppy for around $50. http://diygearsupply.com/shop/.  

[Snowbd2u]

Sweet setups. Lots of good ideas. Think ill forget about a pole and just use the bike!

[wahday]

I'm a tarp camper. Typical setup is attaching one corner to a tree, stake the opposite corner to ground. Stake other two corners and it creates a triangulated bivy. You can use the bike instead of tree in a variety of ways. I have pics and will post some examples of a few different setups (server not allowing image attachments). Dimension of the tarp impacts setup as well. I use one that is 11' on the diagonal and square now but have also used a 9x12 utility tarp that creates a ground cloth and shelter in one.

There are some great tutorials online showing many ways to pitch a tarp. No Mosquitos where I live so tarp is perfect for me. And affordable.

[james-o]

Works well for a small tarp, in a sheltered spot if windy. I've used a single light pole or stick in place of the wheel for a bit more headroom. The line across the bars stabilises the bike really well even with the wheel in place. Before I figured out a few standard pitches and marked my tarp corners to suit I used to faff around looking for the right trees or posts, making it up as I went and not doing a great job of it!

[jhl99]

Another version of using site found sticks:

reply #2:
http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,2699.0.html

Sometimes a bike needs a little maintenance at the end of the day... or is needed for quick jaunt to the nearest spring....some advantages of not using the bike for tent structure.

It all depends.

[wahday]

A few different configurations I have used with tarps. The green one is what I use now which is much lighter and packs smaller than the large utility tarp.

[donmeredith74]

I ended up cannibalizing some poles from an old TNF tent. You need a couple sections in the back and about three in the front for my setup. Works GREAT! I'd imagine your local outdoor outfitter has some around. If you're really friendly I might be able to help out a little too.

[Bndst]

I use a tarp, still pretty new to it (<15 nights out) but I haven't been able to find a setup I'm happy with utilizing the bike as a means of support. Every setup I end up with has too much slack and flaps in the wind...no bueno.

I carry a single alu pole from my SMD Scout tent and it works great.