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.
