Tested and found to be really fit - for purpose

I've used tarps on and off for years. Trouble is I've never been in a storm in a tarp set up.

The weather forecast was none to good for early this week. Perfect!

Thought I'd pop up to Edale on Tuesday. Had my MLD Ark with the tarps. Mat was a cut down Ridgerest and Asda bubblewrap. Groundsheet was a piece of spintex. Stove was a Antigravitygear pepsi- meths thing. No change of clothes. Just my Cioch Glamaig and PHD windshirt with Paclite over-trousers. Merino ss top and old ME lightweight trousers. Inov8 390 GTX boots.

So light!

Got off the train at Hathersage. Up to the edges - on to Ladybower pub (pint) - Win Hill - Lose Hill and on down to Edale. Coopers campsite £5. Tuesday night was foul. High winds and heavy rain. Perfect!!

I wanted to put the tarps through the mill. Well, I slept dry and comfy after a couple of pints.

Wednesday I packed and went back to Win Hill -via the Cheshire cheese for a pub lunch - and over to Kinder before getting back to the campsite. A much better weather day. really comfy again and the gear was working perfectly.

Came back Thursday morning thinking - what if the middle tab where the pole is positioned failed? So, out in the garden I tried more configurations and quickly realised that in the event of a tab failure (not likely, given the punishment it took on Tuesday night) there were umpteen other ways to ensure dry comfort.

I'm off to Knoydart later this month - making my way, eventually, to Corrour.

Tarps will be used!

Gordon.

My next TGO Shelter - Pt 2 (Improved version)

I've been very interested in MLD's Monk tarp and Duomid. I also like the idea of the Shangri- la/Hex 3.

But, I think I've hit upon a configuration that uses the same one pole set up and gives considerable weather protection. And, it saves me spending more, chasing the weight down.

This weighs in at 600 grms including lines and stakes. Heavier than MLD's cuben fibre/spinnaker gear, but still much lighter than an Akto.

It is so simple and so robust!

It uses a BPL UK Solo tarp and Micro tarp.

Just peg down one long side of the Solo tarp to the ground with 3 stakes (ends and centre).

Put pole (at 140 cms) in centre of other long side and attach line to stake out as a lean to (with two flappy ends).

Attach lines to both flappy ends and stake out.

Takes no time to form half a pyramid-like set up.

The Micro tarp fits under the outer edges of the Solo tarp to create superb weather resistance: creating less exposure than conventional two pole/longways set-ups.

A gap at the top of the pole can be left open or stuffed/covered to stop rain getting in.

Takes 2/3 minutes to set up.

There is plenty of length to lay out and more than enough height to sit up. And plenty of space for gear.

If the weather is good there's no need to use the Micro tarp.

It works!

Gordon.

If you are too busy to look at all my TGO photos

For fun I thought I'd add this to save folk from having to look through all my 2009 TGO photos

And, if you go to Doodlecat you can see my photos one by one.

You will soon be able to see my 2009 TGO Challenge write-up on Doodlecat.

Gordon.

Testing, testing, one, two.

Well, I don't like the fact that I'm here and the mountains are there. But, I don't like mountains when it is hot. So, instead I'm here trying to refine my Blog skills - pathetically, so far - instead of being in North Wales. Hey ho......... maybe next week?

Oh poo! The (grand) kids are off school next week. One is, the other has a week to go. And mum is off to Tie Land. A bit like Ice Land. But, hot and wet.

Testing, testing, one, two.

Gordon.