Kifaru paratarps

troutremble · April 15, 2012, 03:36:00 PM

I am planning a 9 day solo wilderness area hunt for elk this year. I am thinking of buying one of their ultralightweight shelters to save on weight as I will be camping in a new place everyday and carring my camp on my back as I hunt. Has anyone used these and what has been your experiance.

Biathlonman · April 15, 2012, 03:46:00 PM

A lot of ways to skin that cat. I have the sawtooth which i think is the crown jewel of the Kifaru line. I'd also look at the backcountry shelter and breakaway tarps from www.seekoutside.com. I also really like the contrail as well some of the others from tarptent. Hopefully DanAdair will be along shortly he's probably spent more time in one then anybody. I personally like something i can stand up in but don't move everyday like you mention.

Lost Arra · April 15, 2012, 04:33:00 PM

I've used both with and without an annex.
The Supertarp is quite a big larger and only a few more ounces (and more $).
Lots of setup possibilities with either depending on your surroundings. I don't use the tarp poles. Just cut some tree limbs or use trekking poles. Very stable.

Relative size (that was my first setup with the annex and it wasn't a good one.)

Dan Adair · April 15, 2012, 04:41:00 PM

What Brad said :D

I've spent many a day in a Supertarp with Annex and with a Kifaru Parastove. The whole shelter with the stove and pipe is right around 5 1/2Lbs. I borrowed it from my buddy Ed for bow season last September.

Now if I was going to spend the money, I'd be more inclined to go with a tent from Seekoutside. Kevin is for real and a great guy to do business with. If you're dead set on a Supertarp then look at the "Breakaway Tarp" in Kevin's lineup. If you can pack about a pound more, then the BCS at 80 square feet is worth it. Pair it with a titanium stove from EdT and the whole tent goes the same weight as the Supertarp, but with true 2 man capabilities (its going to be tighter than a Sawtooth)

Then there is Kevin's new tent that is still in prototype phase, known as the Little Bug. It will be sized between a Supertarp and BCS.

Here's a thread on the BCS and Sawtooth. http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/6120051/1

Breakaway Tarp http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/6378944/Re_Seek_Outside_Breakaway_Tarp#Post6378944

Then there's EdT's website. Always makes me want to spend money http://www.edtsbackcountry.com/#! His classes I can't recommend enough. I'm no newbie, but I learned a lot from him. While I'm at it, I might as well shamelessly plug his E-zine as well. The first edition came out last week. Lots of good info in there.

Dan Adair · April 15, 2012, 04:53:00 PM

There's the only pic I have of the Supertarp. We weren't sure if we'd find a spot big enough to pitch one big tent, so we took two little ones.

Plans changed, and we ended up hiking farther in and made camp on a gated FS road.

I didn't have any interwebs, or a camera last fall :(

Steve O · April 15, 2012, 05:35:00 PM

Of the two, I opted for the hugeness of the Supertarp for just a few oz. more. I rigged up a bug "nest" inside for warm weather. Works great!

wigeon · April 15, 2012, 05:53:00 PM

Will let you know what I think tommorrow my para tarp annex and parastove will be at my house .

Tim in Wa. · April 17, 2012, 09:57:00 PM

Steve O
What kind of a nest did you get for your Super Tarp ?
Tim

Steve O · April 17, 2012, 10:09:00 PM

It is for a Go Lite Shangrila. 1 person nest. I hate mosquitos.

Tim in Wa. · April 17, 2012, 10:43:00 PM

Steve
Would you happen to have any pictures of your tarp with the nest inside.
I know all about the bugs in your area,I grew up in Northern Indiana
Tim

Steve O · April 17, 2012, 10:58:00 PM

Sorry Tim, no. But, I should be able to explain it well enough for you.

I just ran a piece of paracord from each upper front and rear end loop of the nest to the top of each of the poles holding up the tarp.

Biathlonman · April 18, 2012, 07:37:00 AM

If bugs are an issue it's really hard to beat a tarptent, i run a contrail and couldn't be happier with it. I'm sure I would be happy with any of their offerings though.

Lost Arra · April 18, 2012, 09:10:00 AM

Another Tarptent model, the Scarp keeps bugs out. (crossing poles aren't necessary unless you want freestanding or risk of snow).

lone hunter · April 18, 2012, 12:45:00 PM

I spend quite a bit of time staying out in the bush during hunting season and always have my paratarp with me. Have been using it for about 7 years now. I have paracord tied in several spots and generally tie it between trees rather than using poles or sticks to hold it up. It doesen't help with the bugs but keeps the weather off me.

Biathlonman · April 19, 2012, 07:30:00 PM

GoLite is having a big sale, Sl5 would be a good way to fly...

Gehrke145 · April 25, 2012, 02:02:00 AM

Tim in Wa. · April 25, 2012, 10:05:00 AM

gehrke
I'd be more concerned about bugs than rain in your areaI'm looking for a nest for those situations
Tim

Gehrke145 · April 25, 2012, 10:12:00 AM

Not sure where my post went. I've never had problems with bugs I put my sleeping bag in a big dry sack when I'm away. I don't use it out east, just to many rattlers. In the mountains its the best bang for the buck (golite shang 3) and I just run a rope across trees to pitch it lots of room and not much over a pound in weight

Gehrke145 · April 25, 2012, 10:13:00 AM

Double post, computer is freaking out................