Gear review: Bluefield camping tarp

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So awhile back I ordered this tarp from wish.com. I set it up in a few different shelter configurations, to see how I liked it. Here's my thoughts:

INITIAL IMPRESSION:

  
Initally, it seems to be a decent tarp. At 57" x 98", it's a bit smaller than I would have liked, but it's a decent size for covering a hammock. Low cost as well, I paid $14 shipped, slow-boat-from-China style from wish.com. It took about 3 weeks to receive.

IN USE: 

Since I bought this to be a hammock shelter, the first thing I did was string up my braided ridgeline  made for Bushclass and draped it over, then set up my Yukon Outfitters hammock underneath.

This tarp only has 6 grommets: one in each corner, and one in the middle on each of the long sides. I would have liked to see a grommet in the center of the short sides as well, because in order to get proper tension on the ridgeline, I had to find small, round rocks to use as a button to tie a Prussik loop around in order to tension the tarp. Also, I prefer loops over grommets. Grommets tend to rip out easier than loops. However, the grommets are gusseted, so there is a bit of extra reinforcement there. 

The grommets also have a nice, smooth inside curve to them, which should help prevent the metal grommet from cutting the guy lines.

Next, I set the tarp up as a lean-to:

This actually was part of my fire reflector bushclass, so I didn't lay out a sleeping bag or anything like that. I feel like the tarp is a bit on the small side to try to sleep under in this configuration. With the back/bottom edge down on the ground and the top/front edge at about waist level, I could not comfortably sit under the tarp. I did have enough room to lay down flat with the lean-to setup, but just barely. I would have felt more comfortable if the tarp was about a foot wider. I could raise the back edge off the ground a bit, but that would allow a draft in from behind.

After this, I tried another shelter set-up. I'm not really sure what it's called. it's like a lean-to with an awning.

This was more comfortable for sitting, especially when a little rain shower drifted through. I stayed warm and dry, even after the rain put the fire the rest of the way out. Sprocket got rained on, but that's just because he was more interested in my food than laying down under the tarp. However, because I needed to turn the tarp on its short side to get the extra length for the awning, there's no way I could lay down under the tarp in this configuration, unless I wanted to get wet from the knees down. But it's handy for sitting and watching the fire.

At 9.3 ounces, the tarp is fairly lightweight, it'll be handy for overnight and weekend backpacking trips.

 

PROS AND CONS:

PROS:

• At $14 shipped, it's fairly inexpensive
• Grommets are rounded inside to prevent damage to guy lines, and gusseted to avoid tear-out.
• Pretty lightweight (9.3 oz with bag)
• Good for a hammock shelter, or to sit under to keep the rain off

CONS:

• Grommets instead of loops
• Too small to comfortably sit under in a standard lean-to configuration
• Not enough tie points along the edge

BOTTOM LINE:

Overall, this is a fairly OK budged-priced tarp. It'll be handy as a hammock shelter, or as a lightweight backpacking tarp. I'm not a fan of the bright, loud colors, but that's more a personal preference than anything else, so that doesn't belong in the cons list. However, between the loud colors and the style of tie points (and lack thereof), I don't think I'd buy another one. That isn't to say that I won't use this one. I plan on using it for hammock and ground camping until the grommets rip out. Maybe it'll surprise me. It's a "good enough" tarp for under $20.

Crowbait Creek Camp

So after our old camp was overrun by poison oak, my father in law and I decided to abandon it and scout a new place on the property he takes care of. We found a perfect flat area just above the 10 year high water line near the creek. 

I give you our new camp, Crowbait!

Sort of finished the shelter, but we need to put in side walls, and get a tarp that doesn’t have any holes in it.

Inaugural fire, and quick, slapped-together reflector.

Did a little panning in the creek, didn’t find anything but a couple little specks of gold. But a lot of black sand, so I’ll just need to dig a deeper hole.

Little warmup by the fire, to get feeling back into our hands.

Made a little coffee table (and remembered to put out the fire before I left)

Little peek at the creek. It’s hard to tell from the picture, but at the pine on the right the ground drops about a foot. Then it flattens out for about 15 feet toward the creek, then drops a couple more feet to the creek. The highest the creek has gotten in the last 6 years wasn’t quite to the lower flat area. And that includes the drought-busting rain California had a couple years ago. Not too worried about getting flooded out even though camp is like 20 feet from the creek. 

Future plans: make a couple bush chairs so we don’t have to sit on the ground. Get a new tarp or roof the shelter with brush. Reinforce the table (it’s a little wobbly but will support a coffee cup and a billy can). Bring down some buckets with lids to store space coats and miscellaneous dry goods.

Let me know what you think!