Having a good quality tarp in your kit is essential, that is why it is one of the 10 C’s, Cover. Learning how to use it to create adequate shelter will serve you well in an emergency as well as everyday applications. A shelter is critical to keeping you dry, preserving heat, safety, and some comfort.
Tarp shelters and fast and easy to create with a single tarp. There are many ways to accomplish this we will show you a few of our favorites.
Before you begin:
- Plan the location of your shelter carefully, you should stop and think about it before building your shelter.
- Consider the direction the wind is coming from.
- The ground should be clear of sharp rocks and debris.
- The ground should slope slightly for the water to runoff.
- If there is no slope, you will have to dig some trenches around your shelter to aid drainage.
- Only make it as large as it needs to be, smaller is better.
- Consider the weather and chose a model that is stable and won’t collapse if rain or snow are expected.
For all the shelter examples provided here, you can use a 10×10 foot tarp.
The A-frame tarp shelter
The A-Frame shelter is probably the most common shelter one can make. It can be made by stringing the paracord between two trees. Draping over the tarp and staking it down are the final steps required to make this common shelter. This shelter provides a good rain and snow runoff and a good wind deflection. The downside of the A-frame shelter is that there is no floor and if you haven’t stretchered the paracord tight enough, there will be sagging in the middle.
The Lean-To tarp shelter
This is another shelter that is simple to make and it’s great for deflecting wind or providing sunshade. To make this shelter you need to secure the tarp to the ground on the windward side and support it with the paracord between to anchor points. This is an “on the go” shelter because it’s easy to erect and you can quickly take it down. The downside of this shelter is that there are no sides and no floor to offer protection against other elements.
The tube tent tarp shelter
This is a sturdy shelter that provides a floor and, if properly secured to the ground, will prevent rain from seeping in. To make it, you will need to secure the paracord between to trees and drape over the tarp with the opposite ends secured together. This should be enough room for a single adult.
The cornet tarp shelter
This shelter utilizes the entire length of the paracord strung from a tree to the ground. The tarp is draped over the paracord diagonally, while the leading edges fold under to form the floor. The corner of the shelter should be faced towards the wind. You will also need to tie off some drip lines above the entrance of the shelter to prevent rain from running down the paracord and into the shelter. This is a good design for wind deflection and rain/debris shedding. The downside of this design is that it doesn’t offer too much headroom and if you are a tall person, you might not have enough room for you and your gear.
The wind shed tarp shelter
This type of shelter requires a little practice to get it done the right way. You will need to fold the tarp into thirds and make sure the leading edge of the roof hangs over the groundsheet for adequate rain runoff. The main ridgeline has to be secured with paracords while stretched between two trees. A length of paracord must be added to the bottom fold, where the back panel meets the groundsheet. It provides great wind deflection, but it requires a lot of secure points. The hanging roofline could also sag under rain loads and channel the water onto the groundsheet.
The Fold-Over Wind Shed tarp shelter
This design is similar to the traditional wind shed, but it provides more coverage by sacrificing the groundsheet. The height of the paracord ridgeline determines the angle of the roof and the footprint of the shelter. It provides great wind deflection and rain runoff, but it doesn’t protect completely against the elements due to its lack of floor, flaps or sides.
The diamond fly tarp shelter
This shelter is suitable for two persons and it’s easy to make. You will need to secure the paracord to a tree and the ground then drape over the tarp at a diagonal. The length of the paracord and the angle with which it is tied to a tree will determine the overall headroom and width of the shelter. The steep walls will shed rain and will deflect wind if they are well staked. This model will require drip lines, just like the cornet shelter. Depending on the size of the tarp, this shelter can accommodate more than two persons or more equipment, but the lack of a floor and flaps won’t keep out the elements. If the wind changes direction frequently, the shelter can be compromised.
The arrowhead shelter
Start this shelter by supporting the center of two perpendicular edges with five foot long poles or by attaching those edges to trees using a paracord. You will need to stake to the ground the opposite corner so that it creates a series of four triangles. This design will provide 35 square feet of living space and five feet of headroom at the opening. The flap will hand down and make a partial closure. The poles need to be supported by paracord tie-downs. This shelter deflects wind with its low profile and it’s very roomy.
The shade sail tarp shelter
This is an easy and quick to build shelter and it requires to diagonally drape the tarp over a length of paracord attached to two anchor points. The opposite corners of the tarp are staked to the ground. This is an open and airy shelter and the lower the angles of the sides are, the better it will deflect wind and the more shade will provide. It provides all day shade and it requires minimal stakes and set up, but it’s not weather resistant and it will not keep you dry.
What not to do when building a tarp shelter:
- Don’t build your shelter over an ant nest or any type of burrows
- Don’t set up your shelter beneath a dead tree or near one
- Don’t attach tarp lines to a tree standing alone or tall trees. Always go for the short tree in a group of taller trees.
- Don’t set up your shelter below the high tide mark of a shoreline
- Don’t set up your shelter on top of a hill or ridge.
- Don’t set up your shelter on a river bank
Making a tarp shelter is not difficult and with a bit of practice, anyone should be able to make one. Learning these tarp shelter patterns will come in handy during an emergency.
As Always,
Stay Vigilant and Be Prepared
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