In chapter 25 of Way of the Wolf, Beck uses a tarp to create a deck for his make-shift raft. A tarp – or tarpaulin – is a sheet of waterproof material that can be used to create a quick and effective shelter, either for spending the night, or simply for protecting yourself from the elements. It has a number of advantages over a more traditional tent.
It’s lighter, so will keep the weight of your pack down.
If you try to erect a tent in the rain, you’re more than likely to get the inside wet. A tarp shelter can be erected much more quickly and, as there is no floor to get wet, rain isn’t really a problem. It’s quick to dry, too.
Cooking under a tarp in wet weather is straightforward and safe.
Many people prefer the openness of a tarp shelter – you’re not enclosed in canvas so have more of a sense of being in the outdoors.
Tarps can be erected in a number of ways. Common configurations include an A-type roof (elevated or at ground level), a lean-to, over a camp cot or hammock, or any combination of these.
I have used tarps in some very obscure, difficult places, from jungles to swamps, and they have been very useful when needing cover in a hurry. They also provide good space to work in while keeping out of the rain. They don’t keep the mozzies out, but a well-placed fire can do that job for you.
If you’re in an environment where wildlife is a consideration, use a tent rather than a tarp as it puts a wall between you and any unwanted visitors. It may not seem to be a particularly strong wall, but no lions or tigers, for example, have ever been known to rip through a tent purely to get at the occupant. Bears have been known to do this, but only when the occupant has made the mistake of taking food into the tent with them – a big no-no if you’re in bear territory.
