Tarp Shelter
By Robin Conrads
A small, light-weight tarp, sheet of plastic or rain poncho takes up little space in your pack and, combined with rope or heavy cord, can be used to make a simple lean-to for an unexpected night in the woods. Tie the rope or cord about 4 feet off the ground between two trees. Next, drape the tarp over the rope so half falls on one side and half on the other. Secure the corners and the middle of each side with stakes or rocks. If you want to reflect heat from a fire into your sleeping area, drape the tarp so one-third of it hangs on one side of the rope, two-thirds on the other. Secure the forward edge with twine stretched to stakes and the rear edge with stakes or rocks. Rather than poking holes in your tarp for tying to stakes, rounded stone 1" to 2" in diameter can be placed in the tarp corners and secured with a double half hitch or slip knot to make the tie downs. If you have a second tarp or poncho for a floor, be sure and lift the edges with a few rocks so any water that might come your way will go under the floor.
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