66 Ways to Put Up a Tarpaulin Shelter
From the archive: originally posted on ProCamping in December 2012. The original infographic this post referenced (shared via Pinterest) is no longer available, but the guidance on what to look for in a tarp still holds.
A tarpaulin shelter can be a useful thing to have when you're camping. If you're practising true bushcraft it might be all you have for shelter and cover, or even if you have a tent you might want a tarp as a dining cover, or just something dry to sit under.
We found an infographic via Pinterest which detailed 66 different ways to put up a tarp. How you put up a tarp will depend on the use. Tarpaulins can be used for:
- As a tent / a spare tent
- A place to sit and chat of an evening in the dry rather than being stuck in the tent
- A kitchen / covered preparation area
- An organisation area, to lay out kit, put things out for drying etc.
And we're sure you have many more uses as well!
What to look for in a tarp
- Weight — something lightweight for easy transport, or something heavier?
- Waterproofing — a waterproofed tarp will be very handy; be aware that canvas will get quite heavy when wet.
- Size — depending on the number of people and the use, pick the size most suitable.
- Accessories — poles, rope / guy lines, pegs.
So there are 66 ideas for using your tarp — which do you use, the classic A-frame or something else? Leave a comment and let us know!