 
The primary advantage of backpacking
tarps, when compared to tents, is weight. My own ultra light
tarp weighs 16 ounces - with the strings. There are backpacking
tarps that weigh as little as 7 ounces, and a few that are even
lighter than that (although they are probably too small for my
tastes). Almost any backpacking tarp you can buy will be lighter
than the lightest tents out there.
Other advantages? They are cheaper. They give you room to move.
You can easily look around. You can quickly take down a tarp
when you're ready to go. When it's wet, you can shake it off and
stuff it in an outside pocket of your backpack. I prefer using a
tarp over a tent - most of the time.
Using Backpacking Tarps
Backpacking tarps work well if used correctly. Use the following
guidelines:
- Pitch the low side towards the wind.
- Keep all the sides low if a storm is coming.
- Try to evenly tighten the guy lines.
- Use trees, trekking poles, rocks, and anything else that
helps.
- Pull the tarp tight on all sides.
This last tip keeps the tarp from flapping around in the wind
too much. A flapping tarp can loosen the strings or even cause
tears in the fabric. If you haven't used backpacking tarps
before, experiment and practice until you know how to quickly
set up in several different environments.
Of course you can bring lightweight stakes for setting up the
tarp, but I prefer to use sticks and trees and rocks. That way
there is less to carry. I've always found enough things to use,
even up high on the alpine tundra.
You might have to treat the seams with a sealant when you first
buy your tarp, or at some point later. Seam-sealer is available
anyplace that sells tarps and tents.
You'll also need string or cord of some sort, for tie-downs. Put
varying lengths on the tarp. That way you can untie them and use
the long ones where your need them. Occasionally that one tree
will be a little too far away for a short string.
If you have a very breathable rain jacket, you can also use it
as your only wind shell. Leaving your other jacket home will
save weight. Finding dual-purpose items is always a great way to
save weight when backpacking.
Lost in the woods with no food? The inner bark (the soft white part) of
pine trees is edible. Palatability is another matter, and varies
from species to species. I have found white pine to be
tolerable. Strip some bark off the tree, scrape the inner bark
from the rougher outer layer, and boil it for best digestion.
In cold weather, coat your feet with antiperspirant for several
days before a backpacking trip. This will stop them from
sweating too much. This means drier, and therefore warmer feet.
Mosquitoes may be the biggest reason many ultra light
backpackers refuse to use a tarp. Using insect repellent is only
a partial solution. Another solution is to use the tarp only in
areas that aren't too buggy, and bring a tent otherwise. A head
net weighs just an ounce, but you still need to keep the rest of
your body covered - not pleasant when it's warm. Pitching camp
where the bugs are blown away (up high, for example) has worked
well for me.
There is one other solution. There are mesh "tents" you can pitch under
your tarp. I have seen one with a floor built in that weighs 1
pound 7 ounces. In combination with a 7-ounce tarp, you're still
under 2 pounds for a shelter, and you don't have to bring a head
net or groundsheet. This way you also have the option to just
bring the tarp when there are no bugs.
Ultra light backpacking tarps, by the way, weigh less than 20
ounces. This is my own standard, but it seems reasonable.
There are rain ponchos that are designed to be used as a
backpacking tarp as well. Some of these are relatively light
(under a pound). It is always worth looking into any
dual-purpose items to save weight when backpacking.
Tarps can also be made from plastic painter's drop cloths, if
you are just going out for an "overnighter" in an area without
much wind.
Use silicone spray to keep tents dry and use it on equipment to
help keep them dry.
Key Points
1. Tarps are lighter and sometimes simpler to use than tents.
2. You need to use an appropriate-sized groundsheet with a tarp.
3. You should practice setting up your tarp before going too far
into the wilderness.
4. A good lightweight backpacking tarp weighs less than 20
ounces.
5. The problem of mosquitoes has some solutions, but a tent is
sometimes the best answer.
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