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I always thought a cheap tarp was fine until a surprise storm in the Smokies
I used a basic 8x10 foot poly tarp for years, thinking the fancy ones were a waste. Last month, a heavy rain rolled in fast during a trip near Gatlinburg, and the thing ripped right at a grommet after about 20 minutes of wind. I swapped to a friend's silnylon tarp, which is way lighter and packs smaller, and it held up perfectly. The real trick was learning to pitch it with a 'storm' or 'plow point' setup, using a trekking pole to create a steep angle that sheds water and wind way better. It's been three trips since, and that setup has kept me bone dry through some nasty weather. Anyone have a favorite knot or pitching method for really windy spots?
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the_viola5mo ago
Better gear just makes the learning curve less painful.
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wren3016mo ago
Yeah, the "basic poly tarp for years" thing hits home. I was totally in that camp, convinced it was all marketing. Then a gusty night on a ridge turned my shelter into a bunch of flapping plastic strips. Switched to a silpoly tarp and learned that pitch method you mentioned, the plow point. It's a total game changer for wind, way more stable than just a basic A-frame. I've gotten really into using a slipped trucker's hitch for the main guy lines in bad weather, lets me cinch it down super tight and adjust it fast without fumbling.
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hugo1536mo ago
Honestly, that whole upgrade path feels like giving in to gear hype. A basic tarp ripped because it wasn't pitched right for the conditions, not because it was basic. Learning a good storm pitch like a plow point with any tarp is the real game changer. Plenty of folks use hardware store tarps for years without issue by just picking better sites and tying good knots. Spending a lot on fancy fabric just fixes a problem that better skills could have solved for free.
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