Setting Up My Tarp

This morning I spent a frustrating - although at times, amusing - hour trying to set up my tarp as a free-standing tent. Last year my dad bought me a Chinook Guide Tarp - a 9 1/2 x 9 1/2 foot tarp - a really good, lightweight and strong tarpaulin. I figured that on my upcoming trip to New Hampshire that instead of lugging my 2 man dome tent about (as alas it is not the Hilleberg Akto that I so desire, and is rather heavy), I would use my tarp. If using a tarp is successful, I might just use that on my next Algonquin trip - as it would greatly lighten my load. Of course, so would a Hilleberg Akto, but I don't have $400 to spend on one.

The web site Equipped to Survive has a great online document, describing a multitude of arrangements and configurations for setting up a tarp as a shelter. I spent some time the last month assembling miniature versions from typing paper on my desk, and this morning figured I would try out a couple of designs:


The Low Tetra


The Forrester

After an hour of muted cursing, gritted teeth and gently encouraging Monty to stop sitting exactly in the middle of the tarp and chewing his sticks, I managed only to set up The Forrester design. It was roomy enough. I have guy lines attached to several points around the tarp, but what I am lacking is a tent pole exactly 5 1/2 feet high. I have an old set of break-down fiberglass rods, and I am tempted to saw one of them to the correct height. To ensure the sharp tip doesn't poke through the fabric, I'll either put in a metal grommet to support the rod, or simply attach some padding to the tip of the rod. Of course, I could just support it from a tree branch above. I have a couple of weeks left to decide and to figure out alternatives.

I guyed the tarp to various angles and having to continuously adjust it all, I stopped and stared at a paper model of the version I was trying to build. I realized that the dimensions of the paper could easily be extrapolated to the tarp itself. I used a piece of nylon cord, and tied off various lengths to make a ruler. I quickly measured off the footprint, staked it off, attached the tarp, and set up the rod with a guy line and a leather gardening glove as a cushion for the top of the rod. Bingo! Monty ran inside with his stick and I crawled in. Sitting up, I realized I had about a 5' ceiling, and could easily setup my legless camping chair within and have room for my sleeping bag and mattress, with some space left over for my kit. A hiking stick might make a better support rod. We'll see.

I had three things on my list to finalize before I had my whole kit list ready for my trip: new Mora knife, wool socks and a wool blanket. Well, I've asked my dad to use some of his model-ship building tools to cut a slot in the ferrule for my knife project - so I am waiting for him to return this piece before I continue on this project. Today, however, I picked up some nice wool socks - they'll keep me good and warm camping during the cold months. They dry fairly quickly and keep the warmth in, even when damp. Last piece is tracking down a good wool blanket - I might hunt around Value Village or the Salvation Army shops for a cheapy...

Decado and I have been chatting a little, he's offered to lend me a hammock for the trip. We might meet somewhere east of Toronto on the trip down - and perhaps swing through Adirondack Park, if not on the way there, on the way back. This is where Lake Placid is located. The drive is between 10 and 12 hours, depending on the route, so I think I will leave at 4:00 AM to make good time.

Well, that's it for now, more on my preparations and kit list in the coming days.

Cheers,

Mungo

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The Backyard Shed and Monty the Beagle

I haven't posted in a while - I'll get to it, but am rather bogged down with stuff and more stuff.

The evenings are getting colder here in Toronto, but I don't really mind. This is excellent camping weather.



I sat out in the afternoon with Monty and watched the world go by from the backyard.

The shed is getting close to completion.



Without tar paper and shingles, the light and the rain comes through the roof.



The window shutters are done, and close up nice and tight. Better this than a window, I think.



The door is on, with nice black iron hinges.



The top lining of the back of the shed has spacers placed between the purlins, allowing for the tongue-and-groove to more easily fit.



Above the door, a caulked, pressure treated section of wood has a small, narrow rain groove in it. Look closely. The rain will dribble on down, but not work its way back towards the door, to settle on the top of the door and rot the wood.



The shutters looks really good, I think. They're on sliding rails.



A couple of vertical pieces of wood at the apex of the roof are a nice detail.



Against both inside sides of the shed sit strong shelves.



The door's Z-frame takes the stresses and prevents the door from sagging over time, as the stress migrates to the bottom inside of the door, by the hinge.



The shutter groove mechanism can be seen well above.



What remains is for the galvanized steel sheets on both sides of the roof bottoms (partial section above) to be nailed on.



Insect netting is staple-gunned to the inside of the roof, at the gaps at the top of the walls. This should stop the bigger and smaller creepy-crawlies.





Then tar-paper and shingling of the roof. Finally, a ramp, and finishing off the various gaps in the foundation skirting (as I shall call it).





Until the latch mechanism is created for the door, this very sophisticated piece of wood affixed by a nail will remain. Fancy.

This weekend I carved a handle for a ferrocerium rod and glued it on the weekend - will finish the material with a sanding job and then with some coating, a finish of some sort, and then make some cordage for a lanyard.

I am currently making a handle for a Frosts Mora laminated carbon steel blade blank out of locust tree wood. It has a creamy yellow/white two-toned pattern on it, and I am using a Turkish silver coin as the bolster (blade guard) at the front.

I might decide to cut the wood in half, and insert leather spacers for a nice design in the middle, and have even considered buying some cow bone from the butchers and using some of that as a spacer too, in lieu of having any antler supply handy.

In early November I will be going to New Hampshire for a course in the mountains instructed by Mors Kochanski, and I will bring my new knife into the woods.

     

Monty won't be able to come to New Hampshire.



But I am sure he will have tons of fun staying home with his mum. He likes to sit in or very close to the potato patch. He will likely do that for a while.

 

This time of the year, the setting sun casts a glorious golden glow on things.



While they look the same, all of these are slightly different images of Monty. Spot the differences and win a prize.



This seagull is not Monty.



Hope you are enjoying your day.

Cheers,

Mungo