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Poncho Shelter: 4 Fly Configurations

September 22, 2017 by Mike Leave a Comment

In this post about poncho shelters we’re going to take a look at four different versions of the Fly, which is a shelter made for shade.

Basic Fly

Let’s start with the most basic configuration. You will need one ridge line, two poles, two guy lines, and two stakes. It doesn’t matter if you set this up lengthwise or widthwise you still get the same structure. Attach two corners of the same side of the tarp to the ridge line and on the opposing side attach a pole and guy line to either corner, run out your guy lines, and stake it down. To set this up with poles you will need four poles, four guy lines, and four stakes. I set up this structure like I would tighten the lug nuts on a tire, going from opposite corner to corner.

Dining Fly

Moving on let’s take a look at the dining fly which is basically an A Frame on stilts. This is another shelter that can be set up length or widthwise. To set this up you will need a ridge line, four guy lines, and four stakes. Attach the tarp to the ridge line then run out the guy lines from the four corners. If you wish to set this up with poles all you will need is two poles, six guy lines, and six stakes. I start by spreading out a tarp on the ground, and then loosely staking down the four corners using guy lines, then i decide how I would like to setup the peak and add the center poles with guy lines. From here you can readjust the corner guy lines if need be.

Diamond Fly

The Diamond Fly is next one on the list. You can stake it straight to the ground or use guy lines to spread it out. You’ll need a ridge line, two stakes, and two guy lines if you want to open up the shelter. Attach the tarp to the ridge line diagonally and then stake down the two other corners. If you’re setting this up with poles, stake down two opposite corners first, then attach poles to the remaining two corners.

Super Fly

I call the last shelter the super fly. To set this up you’ll need a ridge line, two poles, six guy lines, and six stakes. Attach the center of the tarp to the ridge line, add poles to the other side, attach guy lines to the four corners, and run out the lines. To set this up with poles you will need four poles, eight guy lines, and eight stakes. Spread the tarp flat on the ground and loosely stake down the four corners, then add poles to the inside center points of the tarp and stake down the poles guy lines.

Tarp Rigging (Knots) Links:

Setting up a tarp with poles

http://plighttofreedom.com/trekking-pole-tarp-setup/

A Comprehensive Guide to Tarp and Tent Guy Lines

http://plighttofreedom.com/guy-lines/

Tent Stakes & How to Use Them

http://plighttofreedom.com/tent-stakes/

3 Tarp Ridgelines: Tied, Toggled & Hardware

http://plighttofreedom.com/3-tarp-ridgelineâ€¦toggled-hardware/

5 Knots You Need to Know

http://plighttofreedom.com/5-knots-you-need-to-know/

Poncho Shelter: Open A-Frame

August 24, 2017 by Mike Leave a Comment

Poncho Shelter: The Open A Frame

I’ve been a fan of this setup for years. When I go out in nature I want to see what’s around me, not the inside of a tarp or tent. If it’s chilly, and you have a fire, this structure retains a nice amount of heat. Finally, the structure itself is perfect for collecting water. When it rains, put a cup at the corner of the tarp and refill your supply.

To set this up you’ll need a ridge line, one pole, one guy line and four stakes. Attach the tarp to the ridge line, and stake it out like an A Frame, but leave one corner to attach a pole and guy line. I prefer this version when I go camping with a larger tarp, but when I’m limited to a poncho the wider version is my go to. Again connect the tarp to the ridge line, stake down three corners, then attach a pole and guy line to the fourth.

Now that you’ve seen the ridge line setup here’s how you can do it with poles. You will need three poles, three guy lines, and six stakes. Stake down the four corners and setup an A frame shelter, then choose a corner and add the third pole and guy line. You can rotate the tarp and set it up the same way. Stake down the four corners, add the center poles and guy lines, choose a corner and attach the third pole and stake it down.

With this next setup you can see a transition from the A frame into a fly. To put this up with a ridge line you’ll need a ridge line, two poles, two guy lines, and four stakes. Attach the tarp to the ridge line, and stake down two opposing corners, on the remaining two corners add the pole setups. Rotate the tarp to get a nice variation of the same structure.

To set up this structure with poles you will need four poles, four guy lines, and six stakes. Like the previous shelter begin by setting up an A Frame shelter, then attach poles to two opposing sides. And rotate the tarp for a little change.

Tarp Rigging (Knots) Links:

Setting up a tarp with poles

http://plighttofreedom.com/trekking-pole-tarp-setup/

A Comprehensive Guide to Tarp and Tent Guy Lines

http://plighttofreedom.com/guy-lines/

Tent Stakes & How to Use Them

http://plighttofreedom.com/tent-stakes/

3 Tarp Ridgelines: Tied, Toggled & Hardware

http://plighttofreedom.com/3-tarp-ridgelineâ€¦toggled-hardware/

5 Knots You Need to Know

http://plighttofreedom.com/5-knots-you-need-to-know/

Poncho Shelter: The A Frame

August 11, 2017 by Mike Leave a Comment

Ridge Line

To set up this structure you will need a ridge line and four stakes. Begin by attaching the tarp to the ridge line, and then stake down the four corners. Sometimes it is helpful if you lay down your sleeping pad first to give yourself an idea as to how much space you’ll need, and then stake down the corners. If you need a little more space under the tarp then try the barn setup which will require adding four guy lines and four more stakes to your setup. Attach guy lines in-between the ridge line and the stakes then pull them out at an angle that will create a barn like structure.

Alternatively you can rotate the tarp and set it up the same way, which I believe will give you more width space but it will retain less body heat. Again, connect the tarp to the ridge line and then stake down the corners one side at a time.

Ridgeline Seat

By increasing the pitch of this shelter I’ve found it to be a perfect quick shelter for waiting out poor weather. Or if the weather really goes sideways, you can even take the back two corners and by placing them together and then stake them down, it will create a fairly inclosed shelter. It’s also useful for keeping a stove going in windy weather.

Pole

To set up the A Frame with poles you will need two poles, two guy lines, and six stakes. When setting up this shelter with poles first determine how wide you will need the structure but understand the wider you make it, the less headroom you will have. Stake down one side of the tarp at a time and attach the center pole with guy lines.

If there is an issue of space to enter or exit try the cross pole method but you will need to add at least one extra pole to your setup. Holding your poles parallel, slip the pole straps over each other, or just cross the poles if you’re not using trekking poles, loop the guy line around them and stake it down.

Again by rotating the tarp it will give you a nice variation of this structure. Stake down one side at a time, allowing room to add center poles, do so, and then finish it off by staking out your guy lines.

Closed End

Here is a little bonus setup, that will close off one end of the A-Frame so your shelter will retain more body heat and it will also help in blocking out the wind and rain, but keep in mind if you’re big or tall it will be an extremely tight fit. To set this up you’ll need a ridge line and five stakes. First attach the tarp to the ridge line, then going in a quarter of the tarp, stake it down there leaving a smaller triangular flap, and then stake down the front corner, then repeat this on the opposite side. On the back side of the tarp take the two left over flaps and stake them down together. If there is a little gap left over you can close that off with a stick and some shock cord.

To set this up with poles you will need at least two poles, two guy lines, and seven stakes. Stake down the tarp a quarter way in from one end and the front corner, then again on the other side, attach a pole and guy line to both sides of the tarps peak, and close off the end with the open flaps.

Tarp Rigging (Knots) Links:

Setting up a tarp with poles

http://plighttofreedom.com/trekking-pole-tarp-setup/

A Comprehensive Guide to Tarp and Tent Guy Lines

http://plighttofreedom.com/guy-lines/

Tent Stakes & How to Use Them

http://plighttofreedom.com/tent-stakes/

3 Tarp Ridgelines: Tied, Toggled & Hardware

http://plighttofreedom.com/3-tarp-ridgelineâ€¦toggled-hardware/

5 Knots You Need to Know

http://plighttofreedom.com/5-knots-you-need-to-know/

Poncho Shelter: The Bat and Flying Squirrel

August 3, 2017 by Mike 2 Comments

The Bat (Ridge Line 1)

For the ridge line setup there are four variations. To set up the first pair of this configuration you will need a ridge line, one pole, one guy lines, and four stakes. I call this first setup The Bat. Begin by attaching the longer side of the tarp to the ridge line, on the back side of the tarp attach a pole and guy line to the center, then stake down the two rear lower corners.

The Flying Squirrel (Ridge Line 1)

The Flying Squirrel is set up the same way just rotated 90 degrees. Attach the shorter end of the tarp to the ridge line, on the opposite end place a pole and guy line to the center of the tarp, and again stake down the two lower corners.

The Bat (Ridge Line 2)

The second set of this variation will require a ridge line, two poles, two guy lines, and four stakes. Attach the middle of the tarp to the ridge line, and stake down the two lower corners. On the front side of the tarp attach a pole and guy line to either side of the tarps corners and stake them down.

The Flying Squirrel (Ridge Line 2)

Again, the Flying Squirrel is just a rotated version of The Bat. Attach the longer center of the tarp to the ridge line, stake down the two lower corners, and on the front side of the tarp attach a pole and guy line to either side of the tarps corners.

The Bat (Pole Setup)

Now let’s set up these configurations using poles. To do this you will need three poles, three guy lines, and five stakes. Start by loosely staking down the two lower corners, leaving enough room to add a pole and guy line in the center, and do so. On the front side of the tarp attach a pole and guy line to both corners of the tarp and stake them down.

The Flying Squirrel (Pole)

The Flying Squirrel, again, is set up the same way. Loosely stake down the two lower corners, add a pole and guy line to the center, and on the front side of the tarp attach a pole and guy line to both corners of the tarp.

Tarp Rigging (Knots) Links:

Setting up a tarp with poles

http://plighttofreedom.com/trekking-pole-tarp-setup/

A Comprehensive Guide to Tarp and Tent Guy Lines

http://plighttofreedom.com/guy-lines/

Tent Stakes & How to Use Them

http://plighttofreedom.com/tent-stakes/

3 Tarp Ridgelines: Tied, Toggled & Hardware

http://plighttofreedom.com/3-tarp-ridgeline…toggled-hardware/

5 Knots You Need to Know

http://plighttofreedom.com/5-knots-you-need-to-know/

Poncho Shelter: Plow Point A.K.A Flying V

July 28, 2017 by Mike Leave a Comment

Flying V (Ridge Line)

To set up the Flying V, also known as the plow point tarp, you will need a ridge line, a pole, one guy line, and four stakes. Begin by attaching one corner of the tarp to the ridge line, pull out and stake down the opposite corner, then stake down the other two corners of the tarp, space will be limited so attach a pole and guy line to the hood. Lash a line onto the hood, clove hitch it on an elevated pole and anchor it to the ground with your preferred rigging. Alternatively instead of setting up a ridge line, stake down one corner of the tarp and on the opposite corner use a guy line to attach the peak of the tarp to a tree.

Flying V (Pole)

With two poles, two guy lines, and five stakes you can set up the Flying V anywhere. When I set up the Flying V with poles I begin by staking down the three corners first, then on the peak corner I attach a pole and guy line and finish off the shelter with a hood pull.

Tarp Rigging (Knots) Links:

Setting up a tarp with poles

http://plighttofreedom.com/trekking-pole-tarp-setup/

A Comprehensive Guide to Tarp and Tent Guy Lines

http://plighttofreedom.com/guy-lines/

Tent Stakes & How to Use Them

http://plighttofreedom.com/tent-stakes/

3 Tarp Ridgelines: Tied, Toggled & Hardware

http://plighttofreedom.com/3-tarp-ridgelineâ€¦toggled-hardware/

5 Knots You Need to Know

http://plighttofreedom.com/5-knots-you-need-to-know/

Poncho Shelter: Lean-to with Center Pole

July 26, 2017 by Mike Leave a Comment

Lean-To with Center Pole (Ridge Line)

To set up the lean-to with center pole you will need a ridge line, three guy lines, one pole, and five stakes. Begin by attaching the center sides of the tarp to the ridge line, and stake down the two lower corners. On the open side of the tarp find the center and attach a pole and guy line, pulling the guy line straight out from the middle of the tarp, and finish it off by running out two guy lines from both sides of the front of the tarp.

Lean-To with Center Pole Long (Ridge Line)

For a little variation rotate the tarp and set it up the same way. Attach the center sides of the tarp to the ridge line, stake down the two lower corners, add a pole and guy line to the front center of the tarp and run out the two side guy lines.

Lean-To with Center Pole (Poles)

Now let’s set this up with poles, to do so you will need three poles, five guy lines, and seven stakes. Start by staking down the two lower corners, on the center sides of the tarp attach a pole and guy line to either side staking them down as you would a regular lean-to, on the front side of the tarp add another pole and guy line to the center pulling the line straight out from the tarp, run out two guy lines from either side of the front of the tarp, and readjust the guy lines on the side poles pulling the lines out to the sides.

Lean-To with Center Pole Long (Poles)

The longer setup id done the same way. Stake down the lower corners, attach poles and guy lines to the center sides, and another pole and guy line to the front center, run out the corner guy lines, and readjust the side pole guy lines.

Tarp Rigging (Knots) Links:

Setting up a tarp with poles

http://plighttofreedom.com/trekking-pole-tarp-setup/

A Comprehensive Guide to Tarp and Tent Guy Lines

http://plighttofreedom.com/guy-lines/

Tent Stakes & How to Use Them

http://plighttofreedom.com/tent-stakes/

3 Tarp Ridgelines: Tied, Toggled & Hardware

http://plighttofreedom.com/3-tarp-ridgelineâ€¦toggled-hardware/

5 Knots You Need to Know

http://plighttofreedom.com/5-knots-you-need-to-know/

Poncho Shelter: Lean-To with Side Walls

July 21, 2017 by Mike Leave a Comment

Lean-To with Side Walls (Ridge Line)

To set this up you will need a ridge line, two guy lines, and four stakes. Start by dividing one side of the tarp into quarters and then loosely attach the two inside quarters of the tarp to the ridge line, stake down the two lower corners, attach guy lines to the two upper corners that were not attached to the ridge line and run them out creating side walls. You can create more room by adding a hood pull. Lash a line onto the hood, clove hitch it on an elevated pole and anchor it to the ground with your preferred rigging.

Lean-To with Side Walls Long (Ridge Line)

You can rotate your tarp and try it the long way. Again divide one side of the tarp into quarters and then loosely attach the two inside quarters of the tarp to the ridge line, stake down the two lower corners, attach guy lines to the two upper corners that were not attached to the ridge line and run them out giving you side walls. If you are going to try this configuration then I would definitely suggest adding the hood pull to add more room underneath.

Lean-To with Side Walls (Poles)

Now let’s set this up with poles, to do so you will need two poles, four guy lines, and six stakes. Start by staking down the two lower corners, on the peak side of the tarp attach your poles to the two inside quarters of the tarp and run out the guy lines, then attach another two guy lines to the outside corners of the tarp and run them out using you preferred rigging. If desired add a hood pull to add more space.

Lean-To with Side Walls Walls (Poles)

Alternatively rotate the tarp 90 degrees and stake down the two lower corners, on the peak side of the tarp attach your poles to the two inside quarters of the tarp and run out the guy lines, then attach another two guy lines to the outside corners and run them out using you preferred rigging. Space will be limited so add a hood pull for more space.

Links:

Setting up a tarp with poles

http://plighttofreedom.com/trekking-pole-tarp-setup/

A Comprehensive Guide to Tarp and Tent Guy Lines

http://plighttofreedom.com/guy-lines/

Tent Stakes & How to Use Them

http://plighttofreedom.com/tent-stakes/

3 Tarp Ridgelines: Tied, Toggled & Hardware

http://plighttofreedom.com/3-tarp-ridgeline…toggled-hardware/

5 Knots You Need to Know

http://plighttofreedom.com/5-knots-you-need-to-know/

Poncho Shelter: Slanted Lean-To

July 8, 2017 by Mike Leave a Comment

This week we are going to cover the poncho shelter slanted lean-to which is quickly becoming one of my favorite tarp configurations. It provides two sides of protection from the elements and is perfect for setting up next to a long fire. I have found that having the extra wall will cause the tarp to retain more heat than a regular lean-to and it offers more protection from side winds and rain which is great for those cold wet nights.

Slanted Lean-to Regular (Ridge Line)

There are two ways to set up this shelter, the regular way and the long way. Either way you choose will give you the same space and results. To set it up you will need a ridge line and three stakes. Pick a ridge line and set it up in-between two trees. Loosely attach the center of the tarp and one corner to the ridge line. Pull out the tarp and stake down the two rear lower corners, and finish it off by staking down the front corner that was not attached to the ridge line giving you that second wall. You can create more space by pulling out the hood. Lash a line onto the hood, clove hitch it on an elevated pole, and anchor it to the ground with your preferred rigging.

Slanted Lean-to Long (Ridge Line)

Setting up the long version is identical to the first method. Loosely attach the center and one corner of the tarp to the ridge line, pull out the tarp and stake down the two rear lower corners, and finish it off by staking down the front corner that was not attached to the ridge line. Add a hood pull if desired.

Slanted Lean-to Regular (Poles)

Now let’s take a look at the pole set up. You will need two poles, two guy lines, and five stakes. Begin by staking down the two rear corners. On the peak side of the tarp, attach a pole and guy line to the center of the tarp, and pull the line straight out from the center. Then add another pole and guy line to whichever side of the tarp you want, run out the guy line from the corner pole at a slight angle, and stake down the front corner. If you can improvise an extra pole then pull out the hood for more space.

Slanted Lean-to Long (Poles)

Again, the long version is set up the same way. Stake down the two rear corners, on the opposite side of the tarp attach a pole and guy line to the center of the tarp and another pole rig on whichever side of the tarp you want, run out the guy lines, and stake down the front corner. And again, if possible, add the hod pull for more room.

Links:

Setting up a tarp with poles

http://plighttofreedom.com/trekking-pole-tarp-setup/

A Comprehensive Guide to Tarp and Tent Guy Lines

http://plighttofreedom.com/guy-lines/

Tent Stakes & How to Use Them

http://plighttofreedom.com/tent-stakes/

3 Tarp Ridgelines: Tied, Toggled & Hardware

http://plighttofreedom.com/3-tarp-ridgeline…toggled-hardware/

5 Knots You Need to Know

http://plighttofreedom.com/5-knots-you-need-to-know/

Black Medick: Cautions, Edible & Medicinal

June 30, 2017 by Mike Leave a Comment

Black Medick, or known by its Latin name as Medicago lupulina, is a member of the Pea Family. Its lifespan is either an annual or a short lived perennial and the plant sprawls out along the ground from a 1-1 ½’ in length. This native plant of Eurasia can be now be found throughout much of North America in roadsides, waste places, meadows, and cultivated beds.

Black Medick Identification

The flowers can be observed from March to December and are yellow, irregular, and grow in small flower heads that will turn into fruit clusters of small, one-seeded, black, spirally coiled pods. The plant has alternate leaves that are divided into 3 leaflets, which are entire or finely toothed, the leaflets are tipped with a short bristle, and they have long leafstalks. The stem is sprawling and downy, and the root is deeply rooted.

Caution

The seeds of Medicago lupulina is said to contain trypsin inhibitors. These can interfere with certain enzymes that help in the digestion of proteins, but could possibly be destroyed if the seed is sprouted first. It should also be noted that other Medicagos, such as Alfalfa, contain the amino acid L-Canavanine which can cause abnormal blood cell counts, the enlargement of the spleen, and possibly a recurrence of lupus in those who suffer from the disease. Alfalfa also has some estrogenic components, so it is not recommended for pregnant women or children. The estrogenic components will also increases the clotting ability of your blood, which will decrease the effectiveness of drugs such as Warfarin/Coumadin.

Edible

Edible Parts: Seeds & Leaves: Summer to Fall

Nutrition: Three ounces of the leaves contains about 23.3 grams of protein, 3.3 of fiber and 10.3 of ash. In milligrams they have 1330 mg of calcium, 300 mg of Phosphorus, 450 mg of magnesium and 2280 mg of potassium.

The seeds were lightly roasted and eaten out of hand or ground into flour. The Leaves are a bit chewy and were cooked as a potherb.

Medicinal

Medicinal Actions: Antibacterial and a mild laxative

Aqueous extracts of the plant have antibacterial properties against micro-organisms and the plant is mildly laxative.

Other Uses: Fodder plant for grazing animals

Black Medick Sources:

Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986

Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

Green Deane, Black Medick. Eat the Weeds and other things, too. Web.

Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant’s Notes on Edible Plants. Dover Publications. Albany. J.B. Lyon Company, State Printers. 1919 pg. 357

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 58-59

Peterson, Lee Allen. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants; Eastern and Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1977. Print. pg. 80-81

Plants For A Future, Medicago Lupulina. Web.

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Dept of Agriculture. pg. 37

Poncho Shelter: Rectangular Stall & Flat Roof Lean-To

June 23, 2017 by Mike Leave a Comment

The Flat Roof Lean-To and Rectangular Stall Poncho Shelter
Continuing with the series on poncho shelters This week we are going to cover the flat roof lean-to and the rectangular stall, two more shelters that you can add to your arsenal of bush skills. The rectangular stall is limited on space, decent in light rain and great for setting up next to a long fire. The flat roof lean-to will provide more space, is fair in light rain, adequate with a fire, but great for shade under a hot sun. And as usual I will be showing how to set up each structure using a ridge line and poles.

Rectangular Stall (Ridge Line)
Here is what you’ll need to setup the rectangular stall with a ridge line: four stakes, two guy lines, two poles, and a ridge line. Choose a ridge line, and set it up in-between two trees, attach the center of the tarp to the ridge line and stake down the two lower corners. You can either stake the tarp straight down from the ridge line or angle it out for more room. Attach the poles to the corners of the tarp and run out your guy lines.

Flat Roof (Ridge Line)
The flat roof lean-to is set up the same way. Attach the center of the tarp to the ridge line, and stake down the two lower corners. Decide if you want to stake the tarp straight down or angle it for more room, attach your poles to the corners of the tarp and run out your guy lines keeping the roof as flat as possible.

Rectangular Stall (Poles)
When setting up the rectangular stall or flat roof with poles you will have to either borrow a set of trekking poles from your hiking partner or improvise with whatever is available. To set this up you will need four poles, four guy lines, and six stakes. Start by staking down the two lower corners, attach one set of poles to the center points of the tarp and stake out the guy lines as you would a normal lean-to, add the second set of poles with guy lines to the outside corners, stake them out using your preferred rigging, and reposition the center pole’s guy lines out to the sides to add tension to the tarp’s ridge line.

Flat Roof (Poles)
Rotate the tarp 90 degrees and setup the flat roof just like the rectangular stall. Stake down the two lower corners, attach one set of poles to the center points of the tarp, stake out the guy lines as you would a normal lean-to, add the second set of poles with guy lines to the outside corners, stake them out using your preferred technique and reposition the center pole’s guy lines out to the sides to add tension to the tarp’s ridge line.

Links:

Setting up a tarp with poles

http://plighttofreedom.com/trekking-pole-tarp-setup/

A Comprehensive Guide to Tarp and Tent Guy Lines

http://plighttofreedom.com/guy-lines/

Tent Stakes & How to Use Them

http://plighttofreedom.com/tent-stakes/

3 Tarp Ridgelines: Tied, Toggled & Hardware

http://plighttofreedom.com/3-tarp-ridgeline…toggled-hardware/

5 Knots You Need to Know

http://plighttofreedom.com/5-knots-you-need-to-know/