Assorted Shelters using a Plastic Tarp
-by SvenSloped tarp: Hang the tarp with one end higher than the other. This
can be accomplished by tying the corners to trees (you can also use
poles) in such a way that the rain runs down the tarp to the lower end.
If there is wind, make sure the lower end is on the windward said (so
the wind pushes the tarp down, not up). This is a quick way to put the
tarp up, gives you the most protected surface, but is not good in wind,
will not protect you from running water underneath you. It requires
trees in good locations.Umbrella tent: An umbrella tent is actually a tent with a center pole
that opens similarly to a umbrella. I suppose if you lash an umbrella
to the top of a staff and open it under a tarp, that is the closest
simulation to an umbrella tent that I can think of....but if you want a
practical use of this type, you can tie the tarp to trees like you did
with the sloping tarp, but add a pole in the center to lift the center
higher than the edges. This reduces problems from the wind, allows you
to fix a non-functioning sloping rig, but it puts extra strain on an
important part of the tarp...the center. I would recommend covering the
pole with a metal pot to help spread the force of the staff. Watch out
for a falling pole if the wind picks up. I don't use this type much.Baker style: Same as the sloped tarp with a sloped "roof", but a wall
along the low end is formed with part of the tarp. It has the profile
of the greek letter Gamma. Stake the bottom of the wall to the ground.
This is good for a picnic table when it is rainy and breezy. It is also
good for tailgating parties, leaving three sides open for good
accessibility from groups.Lean-to: Think of a profile of an upright right triangle. The top of
the triangle is supported by a cord run through the grommets (and tied
to the corners to prevent slipping). the other end is directly below
the top end....use gear or stakes to hold the shape of a lean-to. This
type gives you good airflow in hot weather, shelter from rain and ground
water, and pretty good shelter from wind or the night-time draft of air
that flows down the mountain....assuming you keep the angle sharp
enough.Peak/A-frame/Ridge: Hang the tarp over a cord with the ends coming down
on either side. Stake the ends to the ground or tie the ends to the
bases of trees. This gives you better wind protection than most of the
above styles, but no protection from ground water. I like this for an
emergency shelter when hiking with groups...It is easy to rig, fold up,
and holds many people in bad weather....I wouldn't sleep under it unless
I was in a hammock or on a table or something.Tube tent: technically, this kind of tent is a cylinder that is fused
together before hand into a circle, but I prefer to keep the tarp usable
for other shelters. You have to decide where to put the seam. I like
to keep the seam at the top of the tent with a flap folded over top.
This protects against the spattering of rain, and the soaking of ground
water. it also works well for wind coming down the mountain.
I posted a hand drawn sketch of what I'm planning to use at:
http://www.chassels.net/atThe boat: lay the tarp flat on the ground, place blankets, clothing,
etc. in a ring around the center, roll the edges up to create the walls
of a boat. If you are very careful, and find the appropriate sticks
that fit and are very lucky, you can build one of these to support your
weight. However, I wouldn't try it unless it was for fun only. I've
never been able to get in the boat without filling it with water. It is
very useful if you want to build one of these for the flooding
campsite. You can throw a tarp over top of this boat and you have an
excellent waterproof structure. It should handle about 1 foot of water
in the campsite with pouring rain before you start to have problems.
The requires time to build. Put up a ridge tarp first to cover the
bottom tarp while you work. I used this design in the Adirondack
mountains one night when the mudslides started to get bad. It helped
keep me and my stuff on the surface of the mud one night. I have used
this many times as a fun activity. It would make a good boat to float
your gear across a river if you needed to forge a river...so long as the
river is not to swift.
Then there is the absolute "sky is falling" "Help me....the mountain is
blowing away!" aka "baton down the hiker" shelter:Take the tarp out of the pack, grab one edge, lay down on the tarp, and
roll until you reach the other end. You will have a tube to breath
through above your head. Once you're secure in the tube, worm your way
to the open end to ensure you get enough air. This is a terrible design
for regular use but could save your life if you are drenched, tired,
entering the first stage of hypothermia and the sky is opening up with
hail. The layers of the plastic will insulate you well from radiating
and convecting heat loss. That is about all this is good for. It is
terrible for long use because it will make you soaking wet from
condensation on the inside of the tarp. If you can add a single blanket
to this "pig in a blanket" roll, you will tremendously increase the
insulative value. This is far more effective in warming a cold person
than building fires, giving warm liqids, etc. Human should be around 98
degrees. Outside temperatures on a nice 60 degree day are about 40
degrees cooler than the human body. That allows for tremendous ability
for the body to cool...especially if the person is in wet clothing.
Warm liquids can rarely be tolerated above 140 degrees. People are also
limited in gaining heat through liquids to the amount of liquid a person
can drink. Gaining heat from a fire is a myth. People will loose more
heat while exposing themselves to the nearby cold air while sitting in
front of a fire.This design is based upon a survival technique using a fire blanket that
forest firefighters carry. When the fire chases the firefighter too
quickly, he can drop to the ground and dig in until the intense part of
the fire passes him. Please note that blue polyurethane tarps will make
an excellent casket if you try this with a forest fire. It will take
some effort to peal the plastic off your body, away from your face, etc.
if you are burned inside a plastic, nylon, or polyester structure.I've tried many other things with these tarps, but I think I listed the
most useful that I've found.