Survival Tarp Shelters: Why A Tarp is one of the Best Things you Can Carry

Robert Richardson

Why a Tarp is a Better Shelter Choice.

1. While hiking and camping in the backcountry, Tarp Tents allow you to feel even closest to nature. “There’s nothing like sleeping under a trap out in the wilderness; that is because we go out there,” said I.
2. In most cases, a tarp goes to be lighter than any tent on the market. change to the canvass allowed me to chop down on my pack weight.
3. It’s a dual purpose system. Unlike a tent, I can get more than one use out of the tarp. Besides the apparent shelter related uses, I can use the tarp as a raincoat; as part of a rain catchment system; as an improvised first-aid sling or bandage wrap; to make repairs on my clothing, backpacks, and other equipment that may become damaged; or a hundred other uses that a tent just wasn’t able to handle.

But the main reasons I went with the tarp were they can be easily set up and broken down, and how many different configurations I could get out of one.

Building various Types of Tarp Shelter

With little more than a bit of paracord and a tarp, you can quickly set up an improvised shelter to keep you warm and dry.

Full text:
Survival Tarp Shelters: Why A Tarp is one of the Best Things you Can Carry

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Укрытия из тента для выживания: почему тент — одно из лучшего, что можно взять с собой

Examples of poncho shelters

Hasty shelter-canopy fashion
A hasty shelter is made by suspending the poncho from low underbrush. Due to its simplicity, it can be easily erected at night, especially if heavy strings have already been tied to the corners of the poncho.

Hasty shelter-canopy fashion
This is another hasty shelter pitched canору fashion.

Poncho and spreader bars
This is a hasty shelter using a poncho and two branches for spreader bars.

Low silhouette shelter
This low silhouette shelter can be used while improving fighting positions. It can be lowered by removing the front upright supports.

Poncho shelter
Two ponchos fastened together will shelter four soldiers from the rain. Extra ponchos can be used as ground sheets.

Sleeping-platform and footrest
The following type of shelter may be used for a longer stay in more secure areas. A sleeping platform and footrest protect from dampness and insects.

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Примеры укрытий из пончо (плаща-накидки)

10 Different Tarp Setups

#1
The most popular and usual and easiest setup that allows to make a hammock or tent within.
Step 1. Find a desirable spot and make sure the trees and bushes for the setup are distanced in an perfect way for accommodating the tent/hammock and tarp.
Step 2. First fix up the tent/hammock and make sure a) Guylines and carabiners are properly fastened b) Hammock is placing at the perfect height.
Step 3. Set up the tarp 4" (10cm) above the tent/hammock and make sure at least all four corners of the tarp are staked to the ground, to hold its shape and provide good wind and rain protection.

#2
Similar to setup #1, however a simple shelter with or without a tent, that works in not only forests but bush-camping and on plains as well.
Setup A. Find two trees and setup up the tarp with guylines and staked corners, either with appropriate tent pegs or wooden stakes, for good rain and wind protection.
Setup B. Not appropriate for rainy and/or windy weather conditions. Use two alpenstocks or wooden stakes 3.9-4.9ft (1.2-1.5m) as an alternative of trees. Same setup as above.

#3
A temporary refuge that is close to same to #2 however gives more light.

#4
This setup and #5 and #6 are similar and appropriate for forest environments and autumn/winter seasons when there are fewer insects on the ground. This setup is ideal for sitting on the tarp floor with a campfire in the front of you for warmth.
Step 1. Divide your tarp into three portions and use guylines to fix up the "roof". Make certain the "wall" is leeward, contrary the wind.
Step 2. Peg or spread out the bottom section on the ground, so that the tarp forms a C-shaped shelter.

#5
This setup and #6 are the same however the former is fixed to the ground with stakes and the the latter is with tent pegs. It is a very simple temporary refuge for the wind or sun and is NOT recommended for when you camp overnight.
Step 1. Spread out your tarp and fix the top two corners with guylines to two trees.
Step 2. Tilt the tarp at a 45° and fix the last two corners on the ground with wooden stakes.

#6
This setup and #5 are the same but the former is fixed to the ground with tent pegs and the the latter is with stakes. It is a very simple temporary refuge for the sun or wind and is NOT recommended for when you camp overnight.
Step 1. Spread out your tarp and fix the top two corners with guylines to two trees.
Step 2. Tilt the tarp at a 45° and fix the last two corners on the ground with tent pegs.

#7
This setup and #8 and #9 are comparable in technique however serve different purposes. The easiest of the three using tent pegs or stakes for pinning the tarp to the ground. It's a temporarily refuge for one night time max; take care to construct the walls on the lee side for good wind and rain shelter.

#8
This setup and #7 and #9 are comparable in technique however takes the longest to complete. It is appropriate for winter and colder weather conditions, such as snowy environments, and is best for lengthier stays.

#9
An advanced version of #8, the use of your own tent poles or sturdy branches onsite. This setup gives the best wind protection.

#10
The pyramid setup that is pretty popular amongst outdoorsmen and women. Setup methods vary however the most common is through using a long hiking cane to form the tip of the structure whilst pinning the corners to the ground. Opt for a slanted doorway pulling the flapped entrance to the contrary direction (see picture) with guylines.

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10 разных вариантов установки тента

How to Set Up an Ultralight Tarp Shelter for Backpacking

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Tarp shelters have the following features:

• Grommets for pole tips at the middle of each side of the tarp
• Sturdy reinforced loops at the corners and along the edges to allow you to stake them down or attach and stake down guylines (or attach those guylines to objects like trees)
• Some tarps might also have extra loops to add guylines in strong winds
• Some tarps might also have loops along the centerline at the top of the tarp to let you set up a ridgeline

Tarp Shelter Setup Supplies

Tarp shelters vary a little in what comes with them, but your basic supply needs are few:

The tarp: Many are square, which works for the setups in this article; sizes and shapes vary—backpacking tarps are in the 9’ x 9’ range and weigh one pound (or a bit more).

Guylines: Typically included; some are pre-attached and/or might have tensioners or cleats built in for setup ease. All you really need is some cord and knot knowledge, though.

Additional cord: Typically not included, this lets you create a ridgeline, add extra guylines or extend guylines.

Stakes: Most, but not all shelters, include them; you might also want to bring along an extra stake or two to give you more setup options and in case you lose or break one.

Poles: Most shelters are designed to work with trekking poles (not included), though a few might come with their own shelter poles.

Three Knots to Know

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The bowline: For securing a guyline to a guyout loop or a tree trunk. (See our video tutorial)

The trucker’s hitch: For securing—and tensioning—a guyline to a stake or a tree trunk. (See our video tutorial)

The prusik: Allows you to adjust tautness by sliding the hitch freely until it is held in place by tension; used for securing the front and rear edges of a tarp along a ridgeline. (See our video tutorial)

A-Frame Setup

This classic tarp setup with the corners attached to the ground should give you enough space for two people to sleep under it.

Here’s how to set up a ridgeline for your tarp shelter:

1. Run a cord through the top loops along the centerline of the tarp (or underneath along the length of the tarp if it has no top loops).
2. Tie a bowline knot around one tree.
3. Tie a trucker's hitch to the tree on the other side (to tighten the ridgeline).
4. Tie a prusik knot so that it goes through the front pole grommet and around the ridgeline; do the same at the rear pole grommet.
5. Slide each prusik knot along the ridgeline until the tarp is taut along that line.
6. Stake and tension the corners and sides of your tarp shelter.

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Closed-End A-Frame Setup

This alternative to the classic A-frame gives you a little more protection from wind and rain. The back end is essentially closed, so wind and wind-driven rain can’t blow in from that side.

Here’s how to set up a ridgeline for your tarp shelter:

1. Run a cord through the top loops along the centerline of the tarp (or underneath along the length of the tarp if it has no top loops).
2. Tie a bowline knot around one tree.
3. Tie a trucker's hitch to the tree on the other side (to tighten the ridgeline).
4. Tie a prusik knot so that it goes through the front pole grommet and around the ridgeline; do the same at the rear pole grommet.
5. Slide each prusik knot along the ridgeline until the tarp is taut along that line.
6. Stake and tension the corners and sides of your tarp shelter.

Closed-End A-Frame Setup

This alternative to the classic A-frame gives you a little more protection from wind and rain. The back end is essentially closed, so wind and wind-driven rain can’t blow in from that side.

Here’s how to set up your tarp shelter as a closed-end A-frame:

1. Stake down the middle point at what will become the back of the shelter.
2. Put your trekking pole at the front (angled slightly), then stake down and lightly tension its guyline to hold the pole in place.
3. Stake down the front two corners.
4. Stake down the back two corners.

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Wind-Shed Setup

As the name implies, this is really good for protection when the prevailing wind is coming from a particular direction. It’s also good if you're backpacking somewhere warm and you want to maximize your view of a nearby lake or mountain.

Here’s how to set up your tarp shelter as a wind shed:

1. Stake down one side of the tarp.
2. Put a trekking pole (angled slightly) in the middle of an adjacent side of the tarp; then stake down and tension the pole’s guyline (at about a 90° angle from that side of the tarp).
3. Put the other trekking pole (angled slightly toward the front of the shed) in the middle of the side of the tarp that’s opposite the staked-down side; then stake down and lightly tension the pole’s guyline (at about a 90° angle from the guyline holding the other pole).
4. Stake down the corner near that pole and stake down that side of the tarp.
5. Add a short guyline to the remaining corner on the tarp (at about a 90° angle from the guyline in Step 3), then stake that guyline down and tension the line.

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C-Fly Setup

Much like the wind shed, this offers open views, as well as protection when the prevailing wind is coming from a particular direction. It also offers the added benefit of providing a ground sheet to protect your sleeping setup from soggy soil.

Here’s how to set your tarp shelter up as a C-fly:
Note that this setup requires a minimum of eight stakes.

1. Stake down what will be the corners on your rectangular ground sheet section (as shown in the illustration above).
2. Place a trekking pole to support one side of what will become the ridgeline; add a guyline to that front corner of the tarp (at a 90° angle from the ridgeline); then stake down and tension that guyline.
3. Place the other trekking pole to support the other side of the ridgeline and repeat Step 2.
4. Tension (retension) guylines until your shelter is taut; for added stability, you can also add an additional guyline on each side coming out from the top of the pole (at a 90° angle from that side of the C-fly).

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Full text:
How to Set Up an Ultralight Tarp Shelter for Backpacking

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Как сделать укрытие из сверхлегкого тента в пеших походах

Tarp Technique Montage

Конструкции (использование) тента

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Способы монтажа тента

Six Emergency Tarp Shelters

The Tarp The simplest shelter of all, the tarp is incredibly versatile when pitched appropriately for the conditions.

1. Tarp Tepee
2. Forester Tent
3. Lean-To
4. A-Frame Tent
5. Reflected Campfire
6. Whelen Lean-To

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Шесть укрытий из тента в чрезвычайных обстоятельствах

Mil-tec Woodland Camouflage Tarpaulin

Mil-tec Woodland Camouflage Abdeckplane
• Material: High-Density-Polyethylen-Gewebe, Polyethylen-Beschichtung
• Gewicht: 120 g/m^²
• Maße: 3x4 m
• Farben: Camouflage, Tarnfarbe
• Rostfreie Metallösen im Abstand von 50 cm entlang der Kanten
• Eingearbeitetes, umsäumendes und verstärkendes Band an den Kanten
• Beidseitige Polyethylen-Beschichtung, dazwischen Polyethylen-Gewebeschicht
• Wasserdicht, reißfest
• Vielseitig einsetzbar

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Mil-tec Woodland Tarpaulin Camouflage test in Puszcza Nalibocka

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Водонепроницаемый ПВХ-брезент с металлическими люверсами (проушинами) по краям.
Куплено в Арсенале, в Минске, Беларусь