Newbie question,TARP what is the minimum size recommended?.
Newbie question,TARP what is the minimum size recommended?.
Wow, asking that question here you're likely to get quite the variety of responses. Weather is the biggest factor to impact tarp size. If you're camping in mild weather and not really expecting rain you can get away with something not much bigger than a poncho (or not at all).
For late season trips where you might get a downpour you'll want a bigger diamond or perhaps a hex fly of some kind for more coverage. This gives you the ability to have a dry spot to cook or sit around when the weather gets nasty for a prolonged period of time.
Lastly, for our harsh weather and winter campers. These folks end up with a large rectangular tarp with doors or "beaks" that fold in to seal up the ends. This keeps a lot of the wind and rain/snow out and creates almost a tent over your hammock.
I personally have 2 tarps. One is an OES MacCat Deluxe for my summer tarp. It's not huge but provides plenty of coverage for a hard rain (I've stayed dry in a couple of nasty storms). It's a refuge for you and a buddy or two if the weather sets in and dumps on you. I've also got an OES 4-season tarp. The corners fold in to seal out the wind. For a paddle trip I can set it up as a big sunshade, pull it straight down to keep out the rain, or fold in the corners to shed the wind. It's pretty versatile but adds about a pound to my pack/boat with the extra material, stakes, and guyouts.
So, long story short...My minimum and your minimum will likely be very different and unfortunately the answer "it depends" really does apply.
Good luck
At this time had not get rainstorms but I'm also happy OES tarp user, MacCat Ultra one. At this time I do not have plans on winter camping but who knows. For one size fits all MacCat Ultra could be great bet.
Of course each hanger will have different needs.
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I prefer an 11' ridgeline. 10' would be my minimum.
Based on my reading of this forum, 9x9 or 8x10 are pretty much the minimum. Some have gone smaller, using ponchos, but they are true minimalists. A key is the length of the hammock coverage you need. Some hammocks need more than 10 feet, which means you would need to use the above tarps in a diamond or asym set up. This is common, but not considered as good in severe rainy conditions when an A set up is preferred.
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Also the length if your hammock will affect your decision.
Hammocks range from 9' to 11' long.
Mike
"Life is a Project!"
We are now ready to start our way down the Great Unknown.We are three quarters of a mile in the depth of the earth.We have an unknown distance yet to run, an unknow river yet to explore.What falls there are, we know not; what rocks beset the channel, we know not; what walls rise over the river, we know not. Ah, well! We may conjecture many things. The men talk as cheerfully as ever; jests are bandied about freely this morning; but to me the cheer is somber and the jests are ghastly. Powell 1869
i have seen it before but could someone repost the tarp angle calculator? i think this might help our fellow poster out.
Is this what you are looking for?
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-...hread_id=52485 ----> http://www.visualtrig.com/angles.aspx
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