Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: CCS Tarp Usage
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Bearman |
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UncleMoose |
For the center, we haven't had any trouble finding an adequate pole around camp and just cutting it for our purposes. If you have an overhang branch, you can also just throw a line around it and tie it to the top center loop. A pole is maybe preferable, though, since it won't blow in the wind. Get 1/8" polyester tent cord. 80 feet come with each tarp which is enough for most setups. Another 80' per tarp is good for extreme situations. Like Troutbreath, I'm now spoiled by the reflective rope that Dan sells. Dan supplies the quality rope with the braided core, so you would do well to get that from him as well. I cut each 80 foot rope into ten 8' sections. Then if I need a length longer than 8', I use Kanoes' method to slice two or more sections together with interlocking loops. This all worked great on our trip last week between Kawishiwi Lake and Fishdance. A week ago we had those flood rains on Lake Polly, yet stayed nice and dry under the tarps. |
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suko |
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kennk |
-What size tarp do you prefer for a group of 4 people? How big is too big for reasonable use? -How do you lift the center of the tarp? Do you bring a pole? - if so, what kind? Is there a way to attach the center to a branch and lift it up that way? -Pics I've seen make it look like folks are using some pretty long line for erecting the tarp. What lines do you use? -Are the tarps sold on piragis.com CCS tarps? I think they are. Any other better sources? Thanks, Ken K. |
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troutbreath |
Here are my answers to your questions: -What size tarp do you prefer for a group of 4 people? How big is too big for reasonable use? I would take one 10x12 per two people. I think it is better to have two 10x12's than one larger tarp. With two you can set them up together or separate. Two are just more versatile. -How do you lift the center of the tarp? Do you bring a pole? - if so, what kind? Is there a way to attach the center to a branch and lift it up that way? Don't bring a pole. Part of the fun is finding just the right pole. In a lot of campsites you may find a piece of dead cedar that is conveniently available to use - as if it might have been used for that very purpose before. CCS has a loop system in the middle of the tarp that allows you to tie in the center poll. I have yet to have one slip out. I am pretty sure Dan still puts instructions in with them. -Pics I've seen make it look like folks are using some pretty long line for erecting the tarp. What lines do you use? Bad question. Last year I got some of the reflective cord that Dan sells. I am now spoiled. -Are the tarps sold on piragis.com CCS tarps? I think they are. Any other better sources? The best place to get them is from Dan's website: http://www.cookecustomsewing.com You can get the tarps other places but if you can go to the source, why not? TB |
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kanoes |
cut a pole (dead of course) if you want to use that option. id opt for a rope, if possible. branch throwing technique. bring twice as much cordage as you think youll need. 1/8" is plenty...and not clothesline either. lol atleast double the 80' you get from Dan. for a 4 person group...atleast a 12x12. ccs |
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Corsair |
I sealed the seams today. Thats onething I hate to do, but oh well. |
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motdur |
-Overhead Branch if possible...if not use a rod case or stick -I also recommend small aluminum carabineers to attach the 1/8 cordage to the webbing tie outs. The 1/8 cordage has cut through my webbing. |
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kennk |
Wow! Has anyone else had that problem with the 1/8" cord cutting the webbing? I finally bought a 10'x12' CCS Tundra Tarp and am excited about using it. It seems that an alternative to the carabiners would be to use paracord rather than the 1/8" cord. |
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motdur |
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greeneyedgirl |
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kanoes |
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Merganser |
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Merganser |
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kennk |
I'll have to order myself one after the bills from this last trip get paid (my wife & 2 kids stayed in some cabins - VERY nice trip). I know I'm supposed to get the more subtle green tarp to blend in, but I LOOOOVE the bright red one. It might also make it easier to spot the camp when out on those late evening paddles (pre-dark, pre-skeeter-time). Thanks! Ken |
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buz |
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Bannock |
The first two pictures below are from our October 2007 trip and the third was less than a week ago. Larry's tarp is the blue one and Jim's the red. I think both are 12 x 12. Four guys on the first trip and two and the second. No poles, just lines. I believe all the lines used to string up the tarps were from CCS. Pic 1 - Stuart Lake Pic 2 - Agnes Pic 3 - Canoe |
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HowardSprague |
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___22047 |
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Merganser |
I'd also recommend a pair of 10x12 tarps. Larger tarps can be hard to rig on many campsites. -How do you lift the center of the tarp? Do you bring a pole? - if so, what kind? Is there a way to attach the center to a branch and lift it up that way? I do bring poles, just so I don't have to search for just the right stick in the rain. Kelty makes a 4 section light weight pole (REI $30) that works well for a center pole. It's a shock corded model, I cut the cord so I could use just part of if that's all I needed. If you are using a pole on the corner of a tarp in high winds you need something stronger than this (I just had on break on me on Polly Thursday, replaced it with a stick) I prefer to tie a cord to the top of the tarp an pull it out when possible, one less thing to run into under the tarp. -Pics I've seen make it look like folks are using some pretty long line for erecting the tarp. What lines do you use? I have both nylon and polyester parachute cord (buy the poly from Dan, it doesn't stretch like the nylon. I cut it in 20ft lengths and I have a dozen of them for each tarp. If I need longer, I tie them to together with a "slippery" sheet bend -Are the tarps sold on Piragis.com CCS tarps? I think they are. Any other better sources? Piragis tarps could be Kondos. Not sure. I have two 10x12 CCS 1.1oz SilNylon tarps and highly recommend CCS. CCS has a PDF with tarp rigging suggestions. Cliff Jacobson's "Forgotten Skills" video has an execlent section on tarp rigging. |
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UncleMoose |
I picked the color for the green tarp and my wife chose the other. I think it could be said that choice in tarp color may say something about one's personality. |