Anyone ever used a trail fly instead of a tent on a Colorado elk backpack trip. Trying to shed pack pounds and not spend a fortune. Just no sure how far to go to accomplish this feat.
I've only been a couple times, but on each trip I went on, there was too much rain to not have a full tent. I bought a backpacking tent that is very lightweight, and does not take up much space at all.
Bisch
I have a Kifaru paratarp for spike camps. Main camp is a larger tent though. If the weather gets bad for a few days or more, it's a real pain trying to live under a small tarp.
When I'm just using a tarp my minimum size is 10 X 10 and I have a poncho with me also. On a wilderness grouse hunt in northern MN I needed that poncho one night to keep the sleet and snow off my head on one end of my A frame set up. Bring zip ties too.....
Other wise a 10X10 offers a lot of set up options and coverage.....I like a tarp if bugs/insects are not an issue.....
I have a 10x10 lightweight tarp that's handy for some stuff. A lightweight pyramid type tipi would cost more, probably give you more options, better weather/ bug protection if conditions aren't ideal.
Bare bones, few lbs heavier, but not bad.
Go ala carte, probably 1/2 to 2/3 again the price of a tarp, the tent body being the most expensive buy in. Round up the extra bits and pieces as necessity or budget dictates.
Strictly tarp, some of the outdoor gear, hammock camping outfits might have what you're looking for. The 10x10 I have weighs right around a lb..
Look into a camping hammock /w the rain fly .
Too much rain where we hunted elk in Colorado. I have hunted elk there four times and I would want a tent. Just my experience.
QuoteOriginally posted by huronhunter:
Look into a camping hammock /w the rain fly .
I agree and I'd check out the Warbonnet Blackbird first, all perfect reviews..
I've used a Kelty Noah's Tarp 12 on my last 2 or 3 elk hunts along with a generously cut Tyvek sheet for moisture and puncture protection for sleeping bag.
Pros: more than a pound lighter than my tent, has a lot more headroom, has a lot more room period, can be set up in a variety of configurations, big enough to keep me dry (proper set up) even in hard rains, big enough for two if you really want to shave weight (buddy and I took an additional small tarp to add covered area - still way lighter than 2 tents), can easily cook under a roof if it is raining - much more difficult to do that in a tent, can use combination of trees and rocks as tie-outs or anchors in case you forget stakes (yes I did), mid-day naps are more comfortable than tents due to air circulation, bears don't have to destroy an expensive tent to get to you
Cons: need to practice different set ups at home, takes longer to set up than backpacking tent, generally need more space to set up, will most likely share space with spiders, bears can pull you out more easily
Tips: paracord or similar is your friend - but I always take extra cord into backcountry for a multitude of uses, I also pre-rig some of my mid-tarp tie-outs to save time in the mtns, use pine boughs to make a bed - way more comfortable and keeps your ground cover off of ground, don't worry about bears unless you're in the habit of keeping food in your sleeping area
I use an 8 x 10 siltarp. Very versatile, can be pitched any number of ways to accommodate the weather. Personally, I like to be able to see whats outside so I typically set it up with a view:)
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l249/MF_2006/Misc/WyoTarp2.jpg) (http://s98.photobucket.com/user/MF_2006/media/Misc/WyoTarp2.jpg.html)
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l249/MF_2006/Misc/WyoTarp3.jpg) (http://s98.photobucket.com/user/MF_2006/media/Misc/WyoTarp3.jpg.html)
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l249/MF_2006/Misc/WyoTarp1.jpg) (http://s98.photobucket.com/user/MF_2006/media/Misc/WyoTarp1.jpg.html)
I like floorless shelters as a good compromise between a tarp and a tent. Tarps large enough to give good protection from blowing rain take a huge footprint to setup properly -- that big a footprint is hard to find where I hunt in CO. I have used a GoLite SL2 and SL3 in the past, but this year will probably be carrying a Gatewood Cape; a single-man floorless shelter (shaped, not just a flat tarp) that is also wearable as a poncho to serve as rain gear and pack cover. Weighs 12 oz.
My brother has a hammock.
Got so cold he come knocking at my tent.
There is heat loss and ways around it but that can lead to packing more than you want to do.
2 man backpack tent with full fly is my shelter of choice. Fits all my gear too.
Tarptent Notch for me. Weighs about as much as a tarp but has the benefits of a full tent.
If you're looking for barebones Like me. I carry a military poncho. Got mine courtesy of uncle sam.
Light weight, you can sleep under it, wear it, sit on it or use to lay your game on.
Great multi use item.
Not bad for a day or too, but if it's damp it's hard to beat a full enclosure, which if you know how to do it, a full enclosure can be made with a poncho too.
Good luck
QuoteOriginally posted by Matt Fowler:
I use an 8 x 10 siltarp. Very versatile, can be pitched any number of ways to accommodate the weather. Personally, I like to be able to see whats outside so I typically set it up with a view:)
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l249/MF_2006/Misc/WyoTarp2.jpg) (http://s98.photobucket.com/user/MF_2006/media/Misc/WyoTarp2.jpg.html)
Oh geez, it's Matt Fowler from Team Buglin' Bulls. I recognized the tarp
homebru
Thanks guys, I have used a fly for years here in Kansas when camping. But a lot of difference between here and Colorado. Last year my bag got heavy so I wanted to get some different views on the subject.
This is what I am using this year
http://blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/tents-and-bivys/mega-light-tent-BD8005070000ALL1.html#cgid=shelter&start=1
Last season my son and I used a two man tent. It worked great because it poured rain when we got to our spike camp. But it seems my son didn't like spooning with his dad, and when it was pouring we couldn't cook in the tent. So I will take the tarp tent and he will have the two man this year. I am going to add a tyvek ground cover and give this a try. It is under 3 pounds and I got a pretty good deal off the web.
I got a partial roll of Tyvex as they finished construction on nearby houses from the superintendent. I am sewing the edges with a couple of loops on each side and reinforced corners. That will be in my emergency kit. I have a couple of tents for various situations
check out jimmytarps and Bear Paw Wilderness designs
Thanks all a lot of info. I appreciate it.
for all of you who just a hang a tarp over a bed roll,,, whats your experience with bugs that bite, snakes, dew, frost or just misty rain..
wondering if the bed roll option is for good weather only maybe a nice breeze to keep the mosquito's & gnats at bay.
Quotefor all of you who just a hang a tarp over a bed roll,,, whats your experience with bugs that bite, snakes, dew, frost or just misty rain..
The quick and short answer is that you are pretty much exposed. What you are exposed to varies by location. I suppose it's bugs and snakes, etc. In some areas.
In the Rockies during hunting season bugs and "things" are not much concern. There is some real danger from weather. The further in and the higher the elevation, the greater the risk. High winds driving snow and freezing rain will not be fun in a hammock or under a tarp :eek:
I don't do that kind of back country hunting any more, but it's my own personal view that a genuine tent will be safer and more comfortable than any shelter that has any openings in it. If you include a very light weight tarp in your kit you will also have a shelter in which to prepare meals.
This is just my thought, but I'd rather carry an extra ten pounds than have weather force me to end or interrupt the Hunt.
Thanks guys I'm going with a bear Paw 10X12 silnylon tarp. 24 Oz sounds sweet.
you should consider asking him to put a pole pocket dead center on the bottom side with a tie off loop directly opposite on the top.It makes a huge differance to keep rain and heavy snow from makking it sag.For referance look at cook custom sewing tundra tarps(unfortunatly they are only on colors best suited to canoing)