| There are many different ways you can use | | | | reasonably priced; depending on where you |
| lightweight tarps. If you are an avid camper or like | | | | purchase them, they can be as cheap as twenty |
| to backpack in the mountains, a tarp can be as | | | | dollars or less. |
| valuable as a sleeping bag or tent. In fact, you can | | | | There are some things you need to keep in mind |
| actually use a tarp in place of a tent in many | | | | when purchasing a backpacking tarp. If you want |
| cases or at least for an extra ground covering. | | | | to blend in with your surroundings, then a good |
| Some backpacking tents don't have floors, so a | | | | camouflage tarp is your best bet. You want a |
| good tarp can keep you and your sleeping bag | | | | tarp that has reinforced nylon mesh, with double |
| from getting wet. | | | | stitching around the edges and grommets. You |
| Having a tarp with you when backpacking can also | | | | also want the grommets made from steel or |
| be a good idea if you like to sleep under the stars. | | | | aluminum, which are rust resistant, and provide |
| A tarp can be a good moisture barrier, no one | | | | extra strength. Be sure that the inside of the |
| likes getting up in the morning wet, or finding their | | | | holes are smooth, so they won't snag on your |
| sleeping bag wet from dew and having to spend | | | | rope. A good poly tarp is waterproof, weather |
| an extra hour or so waiting for it to dry. If you | | | | because of the materials, or coating. |
| keep some rope in your backpack, then you can | | | | When you are done with your tarp, make sure |
| make a quick tent as well. It can be as simple as | | | | that it is dry before you fold or roll it up. While |
| securing one end to a tree, running the rope | | | | there isn't any worries about mold or mildew on |
| through the grommets on your tarp and securing | | | | the tarp itself, it can get your other camping gear |
| the other end to another tree. If you have a | | | | wet if not dried out completely. Usually just |
| large enough tarp, you can make a roof as well | | | | leaving it up for an extra twenty or thirty minutes |
| as a wall to protect you from the elements. | | | | is plenty of time, and by the time you are finished |
| A poly tarp is very lightweight, so you can get | | | | with your morning coffee it should be ready to |
| one that is actually larger than you expect. There | | | | pack up. |
| are many different sizes, up to 20'x30,' but you | | | | You can find poly tarps at local mass marketing |
| will probably want something smaller. There are | | | | retailers, but for the best selection and value, you |
| sizes from 4'x6' and up, and a good backpacking | | | | really have to go online. There are some really |
| tarp is usually about 10'x12.' This size is large | | | | good websites available, and all of these have |
| enough to make a good temporary shelter, | | | | really good prices. The one thing you do have to |
| without being too bulky and can roll up to a nice | | | | check on is shipping charges, as well as any kind |
| compact size. Any of these smaller sizes are quite | | | | of return policies. |