Questions re tarps / fly-camping

Righto, so those of you doing the fly sheet / tarp thing, pls answer some questions.

I've always used a tent, my current setup is a MSR Hubba HP, all up it weights around 1.6kg. For fly and footprint only, it comes in at less than 1kg...

What is the preferred size tarp or fly to get ? One or two people.

When you use a tarp / fly, do you use a ground sheet as well ?

What size/spec rope do you use ?

What is the total weight of your shelter (tarp, groundsheet, ropes etc) ?

If I wanted to get something REALLY light weight, which make/model ?

The northridge fly I just got weighs 900grams or close to that. Paracord hasnt turned up yet so cant weigh it yet. I use a heavy duty tarp for a ground sheet. Never weighed it. The fly is 3m long and 2m down each side from the center. So 3x4m

There is some new flash stuff that is lighter/stronger than sill tarp but can't remember the name of it.

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

There is some new flash stuff that is lighter/stronger than sill tarp but can't remember the name of it.

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Tyvec?

Looks like Tyvek for ground sheet,it is basically just house wrap...

Cuben for the fly.

Umm could be? Mental block.

Have a beer, will fix mental block and if not who cares

Cheers

Dino

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Originally Posted by Dino

Have a beer, will fix mental block and if not who cares

Cheers

Dino

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Im working on it.

Seriously tho

Ground sheet is good if expecting rain

I have fly camped on a good forecast without one. I use an exped blow up so real comfy and also very good insulation.

Some folks use bivy bags, not for me, if I need a bivy bag may as we'll take the tent and be comfy.

There are some good you tube vids, use tarp shelter or tarp tent and will get a few good vids.

Cheers

Dino

I use same as Toby and buy a Wharewhare blue cheap small tarp that is disposable for a groundsheet under my sleepmat - Tyvek would do the same job

Dunno what it weighs but I reckon your Hubba fly and footprint at less than 1kg would be lighter than the Northridge fly with a tarp or close as makes no difference

If you wanna go ultralightweight wouldn't that mean going down the hammock route?

Tx guys, 308 complete Hubba hp is same kinda weight as hennesy, fly and footprint is actually lighter.

Just curious, never done the fly thing before. Can see the benefits for summer having a more open airflow setup. Hammock has obvious benefits for marshy/soggy ground, but freestanding tent gives you flexibility for above/below bush line, and better protection against insects ?

In my situation it would probably make sense to look at hennesy for below bushline. It it possible to pitch just the fly part of the hennesy to provide temporary shelter for cooking etc ?

I have a hennesy. 2 things I dont like is you meed to get a bigger fly because the one it has is just enough to cover the hammock if that. The other is it gets cold on the bottom as the sleeping bas insulation is sqaused down. Next time I use it I will put a mat inside it and use the northridge fly.

I have never really had a problem with insects except the odd spider but that could come down to the area I hunt.

Tx Toby, interesting comments

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Originally Posted by Toby

I have never really had a problem with insects except the odd spider but that could come down to the area I hunt.

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We can talk again after you've been to Fiordland :P

I use a cocoon type tent that i bought from torpedo7 last year. Weighs 1.2kg and is good for 2 people if your keen (supposedly a 2 man tent) but perfect for one, most of my hunts are two night max so its all i need. Last time in the Kaimanawas my mate had the hennesy/fly/roll matt set up and ended up waking freezing and had to get in my tent.

I got me a nice 9.5x10ft ultralight silnylon tarp off ebay last year for US$95 + $10 postage, US based company Bearpaw Wilderness Designs is the brand (they have a website you can order from) I see prices gone up a bit, now $99 + $26 postage for the 9.5x10. This thing is huge (would sleep 3 easy) and it's very well made, weights less than 500g and that's including some additional bungee shock cord I put on the tabs for a bit of 'give' and 6 pegs and a bit of light cord. You don't need poles if you're around a few trees which you can set the tarp up off. The standard 8x10 comes in at less than 400g.

Looking at the specs for the 5x10 version it only weighs 150g, and would take up next to no room in your daypack or bumbag, it'd be ideal as an emerency shelter for one. If I had a money tree I'd love to try out one of their cuben fibre tarps.

For a ground sheet I use a piece of that house wrap stuff builders use which also weights very little and if theres 2 of ya one can carry the ground sheet and one the tarp.

Check out the website www.tenpoundbackpack.com and have a squizz at the gearlists if you want to look at weights of various gear.

Cuben fiber!
decent size is only a couple hundy grams.

ZPacks.com Ultralight Backpacking Gear - Cuben Fiber Tarps

The insect thing - I just put a bit of roll-on repellent around my neck and face before going to sleep

Haven't done Fiordland, mind.

the only benefit I can find over a closed tent is my hunting mate gets condensation in his tent and my fly doesn't - those Cuben fibre ones look nice but I've got short arms and deep pockets

Sikahunter is right that some stretchies are good to stop it flapping too much at night.

I've got one of the Huntech 2-man ones but I find that the small Northridge one is lighter cos it has no pole.

Have a look at some lightweight tramping forums maybe

We had a guy at our deerstalkers night that did a presentation on lightweight gear, his tent is 362 grms , a Gossamer Gear Spinnshelter

Gossamer Gear - Ultralight backpacking, hiking and camping gear

Nothing in the way of shelters at the moment though, something about being the off season

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Originally Posted by Tussock

Without the ground insulation you need a serious thermorest for a henessy hamock in cold conditions.

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Not sure how cold I could go with this way but madjon put me onto a video and I have just tried it this morning and it makes a massive difference instantly. I had the foam mat and stole a jimbean window cover haha.

Attachment 16393

Heres the video: Winterizing the Hammock for the Common Man - YouTube

The Cheap Bastard's Guide to DIY Silnylon - YouTube

Twin needle chch. Make any size for you. Got 2 for rafting and hunting. Well made.

Good video GM - I like that guy's attitude - when he says odourless spirits is that the same as turps? Also if you've done this process what base fabric material has given you best results?(I'm figuring Warewhare tarps would be too heavy)
Cheers

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Originally Posted by 308

Good video GM - I like that guy's attitude - when he says odourless spirits is that the same as turps? Also if you've done this process what base fabric material has given you best results?(I'm figuring Warewhare tarps would be too heavy)
Cheers

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I haven't done any yet but I'd say white spirits/shellite and just use nylon parka from the local fabric shop. Let it air out for a couple of days in the Wellington breeze or our nice moderate Easterly. Would be a good way to revive something that has given good service, still structurally sound but not quite as water tight as it used to be.

Thanks GM - I'll put some pics up if I do this

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Originally Posted by gadgetman

I haven't done any yet but I'd say white spirits/shellite and just use nylon parka from the local fabric shop. Let it air out for a couple of days in the Wellington breeze or our nice moderate Easterly. Would be a good way to revive something that has given good service, still structurally sound but not quite as water tight as it used to be.

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