Can I build a TARP SHELTER in a Blizzard?
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An old man here...... throw tarp down UNDERSIDE UP...... on about 3-4 feet along downwind (will become upwind side when you fold it over) side edge throw your gear on it (leave enough tarp out for you to lay on)...... now fold the tarp over gear and yourself and stake down corners and roll out your bed...... go to sleep and weather may let up by morning...... keep it loww.... your pack will keep tarp up off of you enough...... and in high winds with the tarp blowing up against you, you can pitch this from underneath the tarp......if you need a fire that's a little different situation.... good video.... I enjoy your stuff
If you absolutely positively have to pitch full height like you did, a weight like rock or chunk of wood suspended on a downwind corner will dampen the flapping and make things quieter. Nothing is perfect, but everything helps. The weight of the rock or piece of wood you use may matter too--has to be "just right."
The ol' tarp taco!
@@rob-d7h done deal
I'm sorry, could someone please elaborate or rephrase this? I don't mean to say it makes no sense, I just can't comprehend and really need to learn more on the subject. I'd very much appreciate this by the sounds of it. Also, what about putting Weight on the tarp, risking damage? Again, I don't think I understand. Sorry :) :o
You should make a video on this.
A cousin of mine had to do this on the Brecon Beacon mountains in South Wales, when he broke his ankle and had to take shelter. He used his rucksack and walking poles to provide the support and had the slope end into the wind, crawling round he dumped snow onto the edges of the tarp all round and then crawled inside. He used his foam mat to lie on with rucksack at his head and looped para-cord through the eyelets to form a sort of lace up to reduce the size of the entrance. Managed to get his brew kit and cooker out of the external pocket of his rucksack and brewed up some hot drinks, and had high energy food (none or little prep). His ankle was covered in ice, not swelling or hurting due to the cold effect. He got picked up the following day by Army colleagues, and in the hospital as the cold effect and ice wore off he began to feel the pain. Luckily he had only broken the outer thinner bone at ankle level (the Fibula) and was strapped up, no plaster cast and given painkillers and home to recover. He later became a combat survival instructor, he said he learned a lot of lessons that day.
Wow!
Below freezing, high winds, and no natural cover? I'm glad you testing this out for us, since I never want to be in that situation.
Absolutely love this type of video!! I go out in bad conditions in some peoples opinions and shoot long range carrying a 20 pound rifle in a pack weighing 45-55 pounds. Snow, rain, cold or hot it’s what I enjoy doing. Hiking and rock shooting is great exercise and by doing it year around, it keeps you in shape for up coming pack hunts. Appreciate what you do!!
learn snow/sand anchoring when stakes are a no-go. also keep some marbles in your pack, it gives you an anchor point anywhere on the tarp and ammo for a slingshot. setup a plow point shelter in that kind of weather, only 1 stick or hiking pole needed or 1 overhead branch with the marble trick.
That's a damn good idea. Thanks!
I've done this at -10F. Dig a ditch in the snow, perpendicular to the wind. build a snow berm on the uphill side. Lay the tarp flat, across the trench. Blowing snow goes past. At -40, build a snow cave. Takes some time, but easy to heat the cave with one candle.
Cool!
That happend to me last weekend. Did an overnighter in -2 degrees, put the tarp up half assed at midnight in the dark...and then it had started to snow and it all landed on me at 2:30 a.m.... including 10 cm of snow on the tarp... I first thought an animal had jumped on me 😄
I used a 10x10 tarp on top of a bald with 65 mph gusts last October (hurricane remnants).
I pegged the windward side down with three pegs. I put a hiking pole on the front of the leeward side and ran a guy line out from that pole, with one peg holding each corner of the leeward side. One stake on each side panel from there. Enter and exit on the leeward side.
Half of the tents flattened out under the wind load that night, but my tarp did fine. No snow, but it did rain about 4 inches. both of us stayed dry, but it was pretty loud.
As someone who works in vineyards during the winter in upstate NY and camped in as cold of conditions I can feel the cold in this video as say that you're a braver man than I for pitching camp in the open like that without a doubt!
Love the research and data you provide keep up the excellent work!
Being a very old Soldier, who spent the late 90's as a Company Commander in the 6th Infantry Division up in Alaska...I was laughing my ass off watching this video. My 1SG and I would sleep under our poncho's at -40 degrees ambient in the Yukon Training area (north of Fairbanks, AK) for a couple weeks at a time doing Platoon EXEVALS. You have to dig in the snow and get as low to the ground as possible. Get yourself a slot at the Norther Warfare Training Center...the Light Arctic Leaders Course and you'll learn how to do it right! RLTW!
I would have gone with a plowpoint, just to minimize the wind. I like to fold a third under me as ground cover - and my gear and body weight keeps it from being whipped away in the wind. I usually use a wood walking staff, but I'd like to try one or two of those trekkiing poles.
this has to be so therapeutic. great video!!
There is really no reason to setup camp out in the open when there are trees nearby. I can see if you are on the tundra or some place like that but in the lower 48 i just dont see a situation
Damn impressive! I had to drink a double bourbon just to stay warm watching.
I just drink before I go out 🤷🏻♂️
Can you make another video showing what an A-frame set up looks like.
Done multiple setup on my channel. 😁👍
It looks like an A.. Like literally the letter "A".. Like this without the walls.⛺
Hello Randall, laugh in the direction of the Black Forest the weather is like this. When I go on trips with my Arctic Cat and sleep outside, a few garbage bags 240 liters, good pad and if you crawl inside with the sleeping bag, pull a bag over the top and cut a hole pure. Waterproof and warm, plus wrapped in a thin flannel blanket, fits. I usually take two tarps and have the cat with underneath. Inside two survival blankets on the tarp and you can always cook and heat something under it with a wood, ethanol, or LPG Stove. Greetings from Frankfurt.
Yep tarp tent configuration, awesome for wild weather.
Thanks Randall ! TAKE CARE..
Excellent video Randall as a dd tarp owner here in the UK I've sew in some extra tie down points between the original one's..all Excellent points..atb Mitch.
That's a good idea. Thanks
I believe I would have gone with a plow point tart configuration as you alluded to.
I prefer round tart configurations ;-) but with a tarp I would have gone with a plow point variation as well.
Nice job. Well earned kudos, dude! Might i suggest a low profile plow point configuration for that tarp shelter app. and I agree lots of stakes, I also agree a good tent would be better. A tarp is a multitool. It can do many different jobs but none as perfect a special built tool.
Plow point is the way to go. Keep it low and tight. Cover edges with snow. I've done this before several times and worked great for me.
Thanks
I really like the pyramid tarp setup. First seen it on the survival theory channel and I have used it many times. You must stake down the perimeter hard before you even put the pole inside. The length of the pole is critical. Your pole was to short. I usually just cut something on site. I love it in windy conditions but I must admit that I have never tried to set up on the snow. It's fast and easy and gives a great shelter from the wind and rain. If you would have kept on and buried the edges as you suggested I really believe you could have ended up with a secure and safe al night shelter. 10x10 for myself and a 12x12 if there are two of us. For this shelter you must have more stakes than normally come with a tarp when you buy it. Happy Trails and I appreciate all that you do.
That makes a lot more sense
You can also move your pole closer to the door, which then allows you to have a lower angle (more like a plow point) and more stability .. with a 12x12 or even 12x15 for two people, I make this pyramid with a full floor, and it is great even in the wettest of weather !!! Good luck !!!
Having grown up in the Midwest, I can tell you from personal experience, -1 C or 30 F isn’t all that cold.
That's why I don't live in the midwest 🤣
Have you ever used an alpha tent set up. It is just a poncho with a set of poles from a dome tent
No but I just found out about it!
watches the rucking benefits video. I am out doing this in the evening but very interesting on the calories burnt with thermal regulation, bone density. I explained to the wife about the rucksacks count as gym equipment and not rubbish in the closet
I guess I’ll keep my Observer Plus.
I think if it were me, I'd have multiple lines coming from that peak just in case the wind direction changes. Nice video.
Definitely. Thanks!
Agreed
I was thinking Plow-Point as well. Great instruction video - good job!
Thanks
Love it!! Good job!!
I just discovered tarp clips last night, LOL. Have you used them before? I'm gonna get some and test 'em on my channel.
I actually just received a few the other day
we have used tarp clips in the past, we prefer the heavy duty ones with a screw rather than the sliding clamp ones. But a marble or a rock in pinch will work as well.
I use a tarp and my favorite is a modified plow point with a partial floor. I take an 8 x 10 Poly Tarp, and along one of the 8 foot sides, I measure out a trapezoidal floor 8 feet long, 2 feet at foot end, and 3 feet at head end. I add a grommet at the 3 foot and 2 foot ends and tie a small cord for tent stakes, as this separates the floor from the tarp shelter part. The diagonal from the 2' foot end to the opposite cornet is the plow point roof line and I only need a skinny tree around 2 inches diameter. The 3' head end pulls out for one wall. The remaining section if the other wall.
Use tarps on all my long-distance walking projects months in a row. One of them was walking up and down North Cape...eight months cold and harsh weather conditions and two months musquitos. But as always the body can endure...snow or heat!!
Awesome!
Thank you for the video. It was me yesterday in the Lakes (UK), I wish I knew this trick with guy lines put to the trekking pole. Finally I quit the high roomy setup and went for minimum setup 80cm high at most going down to like 40cm on the opposite closed end. So difficult to setup tarp in the Lakes, where we have no single tree and constant winds anywhere from barely breeze to 80km/h... If it's too windy, I just stay home, I find no pleasure going out and try to sleep when my tent or tarp is flapping and loud as a fighter jet.
Good time out Randal. Sometimes you are stuck in the open for one reason or another. I have the same tarp and its awesome. I would try the plow point set up with 2 tracking poles. One low near the back and one higher, but not to high at the front. Seems to be pretty stable in the wind when you aim it right.
Nate
awesome! like you said, try the plow point with your trekking pole shortened..... i'd love to see your resutls!
I learned to tie the tarp, in my case a tent, to myself before getting it out, so when it goes wrong and blows away it wel be tied to myself. I had to do this once and I put my tent up in no time. By the way, my tent is a North Fave VE24, the old one.
Excellent video brother, a great way of testing skills in shitty conditions, that way you know you can do it if need be, and what improvements to make next if you have to do it.
Thanks man!
Large ground cloth to minimize condensation. Staff at half height. Guy lines underneath tarp. In really bad conditions make a taco with you on the inside.
Yea that's a lot better than my silly idea
Still close to my location. Good pigeons keep coming back.
Maybe it could be modified like one of those round expedition tents.
With justt two live young trees. Maybe birches. Eh, whatever. I'd try to dig myself a trench and use it as a bivak if the snow was too dry and light to build a wall.
Do you carry a shovel? If not I dont know what to tell you 😀
8:21 I bought a camillus titanium $10 camp knife at walmart 4 years ago, its been the most reliable and sturdiest knife Ive ever owned next to my $30 Elk Ridge bowie huntin knife of 5 years, both of which only needed slight touchups blade edge wise once in all that time .
Crazy. Thanks for proving it can work, but that's some rough conditions.
Man!!! There are a ton of TH-cam videos showing how to do a pyramid configuration tarp shelter that's strong even in higher winds! There are also a number of A-frame & modified A frame configurations that would help in the weather conditions you were facing in this test. Then there are the lean-to & plow point options. Check them out. Using what I learned from watching these tarp shelter videos, I can now build a shelter can withstand 40 mph wind gust even with a 4 x 4 meter tarp. Keep doing what you do. We all benefit from each other's trial & error episodes!
Informative and well done, glad you did it for me to watch and learn from!
Do you prefer a large ALICE of a Medium ALICE with or with out frame? Also what about a bi-fold tarp where you guy line the trekking pole first, with the lines on a 180 perp to the wind & the have loops on the guy line to snap the tarp onto as tight as possible? And I might not be explaining my thoughts ANYWHERE near clear enough to make any sense.
That sounds good. I like the large
Randall's OP !
Good work, Grunt! Thanks.
I love the sled in the opening scene! Thank you for the video! :)
I've used that setup before in Gail force winds and snow and freezing rain. No problem. The key is having an appropriate size pole. You could have lashed two trekking poles together to extend the length of ideally carry a pole jack or as I did on that trip a hiking staff that is bigger size then regular trekking poles. In a pinch you could have used a piece of your kit like upside down canteen cup filled with snow so it doesn't sink was a jack. Great channel and content. Takes me back to my 11B days. I miss it
I didn't see the convertible mittens in the grunt-proof approved gear I need a pair. … Great upload, I always look forward to your vids and reviews. Cheers
It's Solognac, sold exclusively through Decathlon
In that type of wide open situation, I would definitely want an actual tent. Not sure I'd be able to pitch that in those winds, good job!
I've had polls break on me in high winds, it really doesn't matter what you're in it's more about how well you can improvise.
Even if you have one of the sub Arctic high wind rated tents if you fuck up a pole and you're counting on that to keep your structure up so you can be insulated from the wind it doesn't matter if you can't improvise.
Good to know
It's possible. I tarped on a very windy night in the mountains once. One pole in the center. 1/4 and 3/4 loops staked together on one side, and same on the opposite side. All other loops pulled tight and staked. Crawl in through one of the creases where the 1/4 and 3/4 loops come together. Looks and works like a limpet. A TH-camr called "Papa hiker" calls it the "Strong hexamid" and shows how to set it up far better than I can every explain here.
Cool!
Use 1/4 to half of tarp on the ground. Then stake all you can crown tight. Use your pole to just pick up tarp a couple feet tie it out 2-3 places. Keep top low and tight. Put snow on tarp all way around d to keep out wind. If you have to use bag to hold opening closed. Enjoy
Thanks!
Yes you can, you could have just asked me and saved yourself the trouble. But I must admit I've never used such a large tarp, just the MK1 army poncho. Fastening the stakes is the right thing to do so you don't loose them if you have to bug out quick. Do it A frame with the windward end flat to the ground.👍 Best regards.
Tent should be a diamond shape. Fire to keep warm...
Thanks for the field test.
In that vein, have you done a field test of the Esbit mil surplus solid fuel stove, or the newer combo solid & alcohol cook set?
I have not. I doubt an alcohol would work at all in these winds.
Those are nice Tent Stake where can we find those? Your set up might work in a pinch I like the idea.... Thank you for the tips!
Enjoyed watching Very informative thank you keep it up Bud
best outdoor youtube channel!
That looked like the DD Tarp but what size? That looked larger than the 3x3...
3x3
Looks like a tough spot to be in if you have no fallback, like, say, a nearby house or car. If I were forced to be out in those conditions, I would want a tent. A good, stout tent. If I had to use a tarp, I think I would want a very heavy canvas tarp in a plow-point configuration, pitched as low as possible. That wind is a fierce opponent. Imagine what would happen if it picked up to, say 30 mph, gusting to 45.
Thanks for sharing this video. I learned a lot.
😎💙💛
There were gusts up to 60 mph that day. I think the slope I was on helped greatly
Evening mate, ya your right haveing it lower to the ground is far better with the head open. You could always use your ruck as a wind block. Thanks for the time and effort mate. 🇺🇸💪🇬🇧👍😁
great video i liked it😎👍
I use a hexagonal layout and bury the tarp inner corners, and run a poncho underneath with a bunch of pine needles as bedding when using a tarp in similar conditions (although alot more sheltered)
That sounds cozy
If you even get sleep from the wind you'll be getting up to check, otherwise it's just a constant read on how things are going.
My last storm I was in I was up watching the tent look like it was Hyper ventilating from crazy high winds in a valley at Roosevelt in arizona two Thanksgivings ago when a tornado had funneled/touched down in the desert hills area. It bent, snapped, and ripped all our gear and everything was doubled guyed. We knew it was gonna be a good storm so we figured we were good, the winds didn't get below 25/30 for hours and gusted to 45/50. Wind much faster and we wouldn't be able to stand, when we walked it was pushing us around in the gusts. But that's our fishing trip time and we already took the week off, but when your gear fails and you have no shelter after hours of mending guy-lines its good to know when to throw the towel in if you can.
Try an Alpha tent made from a poncho. I've set it up in about every condition imaginable, including blizzard cconditions and monsoon storms. Added benefits are incorporation of a poncho liner (woobie), sniper veil (milsurp) in desert and snow. Survival blanket for thermal concealment. You can stay dry and set up in the rain if you are wearing your poncho/thermal evasion kit.
Cool thanks
A small mountaineering tent like a Hilleburg is really what you need...lol Probably weighs less than the tarp. But if a tarp is all you have...you proved it can be done 👍
Love that old time type of sled, Brother !!!
Keep up the great work !!!
My biggest test with a tarp was 9 degrees with 60 mph winds. It was set in a plow point wedge with tail end to the wind. this works great. but my pole was at the point, you will get a wear spot with the pole as you set it.
A grove of pine trees, is where I almost...ALWAYS. .ALWAYS..seek for my set up.. Ready made fat wood ,boughs and needles for bedding, pine sap for fire starters, pine needle tea, a very VERY GOOD WIND BREAK ALSO, for added security seek out the near center of the grove
If I can find a grove by a water source, I might stay there a week or more. If the fishing is epic, I'd build a semi permanent shelter.
My families farm is about a1/4 mile from the Ohio River, there's a 8' tunnel that runs under the 2 lane road. I can get to to and from the river and back to the grove w/o being detected...by...ANYONE 😉😁😎
Real world! Thanks!
Have you ever reviewed/gruntproofed the aqua quest tarps?
Not yet
I would have went with a low plow point to block yourself from the wind.
Hey Randall, i was impressed, can you do the same with the ICS tent. Me i would dig in and get out of the wind and noise. Good video. Got a deal on a ICS tent all the poles and covers. So i'm behind you going out this weekend, yep no football too bad. Rather do this than watch teevee.
I did just recently: th-cam.com/video/z7AjiQEH74c/w-d-xo.html
Hello Grunt Proof!!! Good stuff. Finally, a demo of a windy day tarp set-up... actually in the wind!!! Good on ya! Here at Alaska Raft Connection, If/when I am seeking to optimize for demanding conditions like strong winds and a tarp shelter construction necessitating dependable weatherproofing (especially in exposed terrain)... I go the pyramid setup (with square tarps) for overall strengths, simplicity vs. Hex, rapid pitch, and requiring less hardware or field expedients. By the very nature of pyramidal design, surface area decreases significantly from base to height of the structure. That said... It will only withstand how well it is made, as well as when anchored steadfastly by staking and guying out. Significant forces get translated to the materials, components, stitching, staking and pole. Proof of the simplicity and reliability for these tarp-shelter designs have been from extensive 4-season use of Choiunard mid and Mountain Hardwear Kiva outfitting/guiding in some of the wildest remote destination conditions on Earth here in Alaska. I am looking forward to your next video out an about on the German 'tundra' going full-blown pyramidal!!!
Nice! thanks for going out in that wind haha -14c here today tons of snow but it’s nice and sunny!
The lower the profile the better..
Also, maybe camping on top of a hill in high wind is not optimal.
Maybe try to find some geography with some kind of natural wind protection.
hmm, using prot glases for snow....pretty neat
I am a big fan of the plow point you mentioned. Would like to see more of it to see how it compares to setup, function, time to setup under those conditions. I think you would have been setup faster with one and its shape would lend to deflecting the wind better. Just a thought. I am 6 feet tall and appreciate the added length. Great video Brother!
Incredible
Very low closed end A-frame is the way to go in weather like this 👌 have the side facing the wind, crawl in and lay your pack in front of the opening to block the storm lol
yea I've had to do that plenty of times. I just wanted to see what I could get away with here.
Thanks for the test and well done for getting it set up. I hike open moorland most of the time and Iprefer the outer fly of a tent that is pre-shaped instead of a tarp. Essentially a tarp tent. My tent outer is big enough for 2 people, more stable but much smaller than a 10x10 tarp and not quite as flexible as a tarp.
Same here looking at Durston XMid 2 , seems to be the most modular , 2 poles or hiking poles and it's up in 3mins.
Fair play to you for going out in that. I would of been sitting by a fire somewhere sheltered. Top marks. 👍
I would have definitely gone with a plow point myself.
I keep some 550 cord with pre-tied loops for a ridgeline and stake it down on one side of the plow point and tie the other end either up to a tree or a hiking pole. If you use a hiking pole you can leave about 8 to 10 feet of extra Ridgeline and run that to the ground as a stakeout.
Damn, that looked cold.
Awesome .. and Informative .. thanks 👍.
This reminds me so much of the terrain here in Rheinfelden - Möhlin Switzerland when snowed up. Took a Winter Day Hike in similar weather. Despite ending up on my rear end a couple of times due to Black Ice (my Pack saved the back of my head during one back flip). Hadn't had so much fun in 70 Summers. I belong to a Weekly Nordic Walking Group .. mainly Pensioners. My Swiss Walking Colleagues think that this South African (from warm Sunny Climes and such) to be somewhat suspect in the head in that he enjoys going out (dragging them with 😳) in such conditions. One exception though .. Wet Cold with Wind is a No-Go.
Yep .. knives (and a lot of equipment) don't have to cost an arm and a leg. 'Brand Snobbery' can be expensive.
Watching this has me looking forward to Winter and it's Challenges. Hopefully cooler Dryer Cold this time around.
Thanks for sharing and take care .. stay warm ..
Thanks a lot! Only been there twice but Switzerland is amazing
What kind of boots are you wearing in this video?
Belleville Mountain Combat Boots
@@GruntProof
Thanks 👍
I can't comment on the tarp, but if Kabar knives haven't lost their quality over the last several decades, they're really decent knives. I'm pretty sure many of you that have fathers that were outdoorsy, could sneak into their old stuff and find one.
I got my dad's after he passed, that he kept in his good fish kit, and it's awesome. I also have one from when I was a kid, and same thing. The steel was pretty decent.
Matt Australia So if you read my post, I said absolutely nothing about that particular knife (I'm really so not into tactical knives like those. I think they're borderline useless) , I also said I'm not sure of current quality. I just said the old Kabar knives were really good for the price....actually just pretty good knives period. I have two that are about 45 and 55 years old, and they're pretty awesome.
There are "cheap" Mora's? 😂
Grunt Proof Of course there are!! Geeze, the bottom end one is like what, $25. In fact they are far from a super expensive line. I see lots of these TH-cam bushcrafters with $300 knives. Total waste of money imo, unless you got cash to burn, or the company gives you one to plug. I guess some people just love that shit too, but the return on investment gets pretty low at that range.
Cool
This is why its best to carry a tent rather than a tarp. Jmho. Great video. Thanks
Why did you pitch the tarp upside down..?
Good effort though..although I would have pitched it differently...
I explained it 🤷🏼♂️
Must of missed it...made a brew whilst watching it...👍
Looks Cold! Great video, like always Randall! what brand of tarp was that? What were the dimensions of that tarp? 3 meters by 3 meters? How much did it weigh? Did it do a good job in the wind? Thanks for showing us this video. I got good ideas from just watching you and the tarp setup. Thanks Man!
Name of gloves?
Solognac mittens
Did you say you were in Germany? I was stationed there and a couple years after. Man I miss it
I was in Baumholder back in the day. A 2/6 IN
@@GruntProof dang bro! I was in geisel near bitburgh 2/62 ada hawk. We brought our equipment to baumholder for depot support
Cool. They still have Spangdalhem over there. No more army
@@GruntProof yep. Our HQ was at Spang. When I arrived, I inprocessed thru there. I thought "hey this is going to be pretty cool duty station! Then they told me I was going to c battery and it was out in the sticks. They were not kidding. Man I sometimes wish I could go back in time. Sigh...
What tarp are you using?
New subscriber! Believe it or not in just a few videos I've learned so much. Oh, and I've also started rucking, haha. Thank you for protecting America and sharing all your knowledge from years of experience!
Awesome!
Good stuff.
with the snow, could you have built a snow wall, some sort of wind break.
Yes
Thanks for doing this so I don't have to!
Use a large mattress bag and just climb in it.
Hey mom, where's my sled?
You're dad is using it right now.
🥶🥶🥶
What was the size of the tarp and where did you find it? and you're tough dude to get out there and all that cold weather. Enjoy your videos keep them coming.
Thanks! It's a DD multicam 3x3 meter