Ultralight Tarp Camping
Surprise Creek, AK
June 17, 2006
Roman and Jason are sharing a 14-ounce pyramid tarp (background), and Ryan is using a 10-ounce "half-pyramid" tarp (foreground).
The pyramid tarp is pitched with a center pole, formed by lashing together two trekking poles (we are using 3-oz per pole custom carbon poles with low-density foam grips and carbide tips) with removable webbing straps from the packs. Ryan is using a carbon fiber pole extender for the small tarp, similar to the "GoLite Pole Extender", but only 0.2 oz.
Most of the time, tarps are tied to willow bushes to stake them out. Rocks are used as well. We have a few titanium skewer stakes, but their effectiveness is limited to soft tundra benches above the creeks.
The tarps are holding up well in the wind and provide roomy refuge in the rain. They are made with an ultralight racing sailcloth by the Cuben Fiber sailmaking company. This fabric will not hold up in high winds, so we choose our campsites pretty carefully.
For sleep gear, we all have Polarguard-insulated (Pertex Quantum shelled) pants (7 oz) and hooded pullovers (10 oz). Ryan combines this with a 20-ounce Polarguard Delta/Pertex Quantum hoodless quilt, and Roman and Jason are sharing a 23-ounce (less insulation) hoodless top bag. In the field, Roman and Jason sewed a center hole in their bag, to accomodate the tarp's center pole, to offer more comfort to their sleeping arrangements!
Ryan was using a Gossamer Gear Nightlight Torso Pad (3 oz) for his sleeping pad, while Roman and Jason were each using a POE Uberlite Micro (3 oz) torso foam pad. All of us used our backpacks, which have foam back padding, under our feet. Raingear, wind shirts, and dry bags are used for ground cloths in the perpetually wet ground conditions here. Small dry bags, partially inflated, are used for pillows!
Overall, we are finding these shelter and sleep systems to be more than adequate. Your body adapts to the chilly conditions at night and we hike late, so the number of hours we need real protection from the cold are limited. The only change the group might make if doing this trek again: Ryan might bring a lighter quilt, or eliminate the 7 oz insulating pants.
