This may interest some solo guys. As I have mentioned I have gone through every article of gear and looked where I could improve with an eye towards lightening the load.

I called Cooke Custom sewing and had them make me an 8x8 tarp instead of a standard 10x10. Weight and bulk reduction is definitely noticeable and while if the rain comes sideways I might be bested I still feel the protection is certainly adequate.

I think they make the best tarps by far and like the little "pocket" they incorporate into the middle underside which enables me to place a collapsible pole quite securely. That pocket also enables me to run a line from the middle underside to a rock or a stake directly underneath.
As per the collapsible pole I wouldn't want to be without it. No hassles is the MT way.

Agree that CCS tarps are excellent but prefer the 10 x 10 and save weight and bulk by ditching the pole. My tarp sets tend to be a lean to keep the wind blown rain from my gear- never understood the appeal of the "wedding tarp" set up; even a slight wind reduces the area sheltered from the rain, plus you have to carry that aluminum spear everywhere you go......

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I own both 10x10 and 8x8 and take the bigger tarp when I'm with a partner. I was pleased at how much smaller the 8x8 set up is.

I don't think I much care for your tarp set up Solus. First off it seems like it would catch wind rather easily and besides it looks noisy, am I wrong? My tarp set ups are very seldom noisy (a distraction which I find almost intolerable)

The other thing I like about my set ups is the ability to look around easily without a big green wall. Doesn't that feel a bit claustrophobic?

Perhaps if I paddled more in the shoulder seasons I would change my opinion where a windbreak and a nearby fire might make things "cozy" instead of claustrophobic.

I would concede in a very nasty blow that dropping a side would be a must but in all my years that has only happened a few times.

The CCS tarp erected as per Cliff Jacobsons suggested method beats anything else I have seen hands down IMHO. The collapsible pole doubles nicely as a grouse spear capable of taking birds at distances of over 3 ft.....surf and turf, "it's what's for dinner".

Grouse spear sounds like a good thing- even better than walleye- my luck with rocks has been limited.

Solus wrote on Oct 6^th, 2014 at 1:20pm:

Grouse spear sounds like a good thing- even better than walleye- my luck with rocks has been limited.

Ha! Anything better than grouse? When I worked at Mt Rainier I used to hike past plenty of ptarmigans and often entertained the idea of having a slingshot with some ball bearings handy......those look like they might be really good as well........all fat and round (and dumber than a box of rocks). But I knew I would feel a twinge of regret, they are so very beautiful.

Solus wrote on Oct 6^th, 2014 at 1:20pm:

Grouse spear sounds like a good thing- even better than walleye- my luck with rocks has been limited.

The Native people used to snare them with a long pole and a bit of leather/wire.

I've had them literaly walk a few yards in front of me on a portage (spruce grouse), and I wasn't even trying.

I bet with some stealth once you saw one, you could sneak right up and snatch one. Something to keep in mind IF your ever in a survival situation.

Stand on wings with each foot, grab legs and pull.
You wind up with the two breast pieces ready to clean.

You can save a lot of weight and have a bigger tarp if you choose very light weight ripstop nylon fabric.  It doesn't seem like it would be durable enough, but they are.

Silnylon is really the way to go.  It is essentially impregnated ripstop instead of coated ripstop.  As such it has better waterproof properties and is much more durable and stronger per weight than ordinary ripstop.  But if you what to go whole hog, high tech and have the lightest possible tarp with maximum strength to weight ratio then look into Cuben fibre.  The stuff is amazing (developed for sails for high performance yacht racing) but also the most expensive option.

Still kicking around an ambitious hike out west and had looked at the cuben fibre tents........a little to pricey for my blood, 2K for a 2 man tent.......ouch!

My understanding is the material actually repels water from 10ft away. An invisible high tech molecular barrier is formed (think force field) emanating out from the surface of the material. How nice to be able to step outside your tent in a driving rainstorm and get dressed oblivious to any and all environmental discomforts.

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Kerry/IC the CCS tarps are silnylon and as strong and light and well crafted as anything I've seen for the money.

MT - You can find a 2 man Copper Spur from Big Agnes at it weighs less and about and 1/8 of the price.

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Yup CCS is the best. The multiple tie offs are crucial for how I like to set up. String a tight rope with a truckers hitch and then one side of the tarp is secured at each evenly spaced tie off its entire length. The tie offs are easily accomplished via 10" lengths of line which is looped through each of the tie off points on the tarp resulting in 2 equal strands of line coming off each tie off point on the tarp. These short lines stay on the tarp permanently and are ready to use. Starting at the ends of the tarp these strands are coiled around the Ridgeline line rope and then a bow tie is made (quick release). This process is repeated at each tie off point the entire length of the tarp> probably 6 or 8 places. Each strand is coiled around the rope 2 or 3 times before using the bow tie > this keeps the tie off from sliding on the ridge line rope.

This "ridge line" forms a rock solid start. Then using long lengths of line and a truckers hitch and a quick release half nelson  ;) the other 2 corners are secured with other lines added where needed. Last but certainly not least I add a collapsible pole (stick can be used) into the specially formed pocket on the CCS tarp which is designed specifically for that purpose. A line is run through the loops in this "pocket" and wrapped around the pole on its way to the ground where it is staked off adding more stability. To insure the pole stays in the pocket during a big blow I wrap a plastic coated wire tie (home depot or Bass Pro) and wrap tightly. The plastic coated wire ties also double nicely to make the ever handy "hooks" where you can hang all sorts of stuff.

I have had this set up in some very mean blows and it stayed up no problem. Just make sure you have plenty of lines available. The set up is also quiet as it it usually drum tight. All credit goes to Cliff Jacobson and I do suggest his vid "lost skills". I despise hassles when I am off tripping and just his methods of tying and handling/storing lengthy guy line ropes was worth the price of the vid IMO.

Solus the Cuben fibre tent I shown was a bit over the top (single wall mountaineering tent). Thanks for posting the alternative. Allow me to pick your brain even though it is off the subject as you seem knowledgable in this realm. I am considering the tarp tent products for my backpacking trip.....what do you think?

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One last question........I'm considering using carbon fibre trekking poles to hold the tent up. Think they're to fragile for such usage?

 

Looks like a neat set up MT. I don't have experience with setting up tents with trekking poles. I did buy ski poles from ZRE last year (carbon fiber like their paddles) and they are amazingly stiff and strong and can't imagine them being harmed by tent duty. There only weakness is point source pressure while under stress (eg a blade like rock against the shaft while the pole is under heavy load).

When I solo I generally single portage- so I have bit of the backpacker's ethos in selecting gear. The last couple of years I've been sheltered by a Copper Spur UL 1- a bit heavier and certainly bulkier than the tarp tent, but I don't have to think to get it set.