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.

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".

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


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.

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.

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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