5 Unique Tarp Shelters for Camping & Bushcraft.

Now a tarp, it's light, it's compact, it's versatile and in my opinion it's one of the best ways to camp when you're out in the bush. Now you might be asking yourself why bother sleeping under a tarp when you can just sleep inside of a tent and that is a very good question. Now in my opinion nothing beats sleeping under a tarp it just connects you to the landscape far better off than locking yourself away inside of a tent and it's super versatile as well so having a good quality tarp in your kit is one of the best pieces of gear you can have so Now the tarp that I like to use is a three by three meter Alton Goods tarp it weighs 740 grams is made out of 30D ripstop nylon and has 23 tie-out points. This tarp comes with nine aluminium pegs but if you need more or would like to save some weight you could always whittle up some pegs out of some sticks. First up we have the gunya which is an Aboriginal Australian word meaning shelter. This is my favorite tarp configuration as it gives you good protection from the elements and is quite versatile. Start by pegging one corner into the ground then take the other corner and peg that in. Now taking the middle tie out stretch that out so it's taut and peg that into the ground this will be a ground sheet. Then taking the corner fold that over and peg it about half a meter or so from the corner of the ground sheet that's already pegged in. Now grabbing the middle tie up point and using a guy line with the loop on one end place the loop through the top tie out then using a small stick or toggle place that through the guy line loop and pull to secure. Then using a stick with a fork at the top place the guy line toggle in the fork peg that into the ground and tension the line. Then repeat on the other side. If your tarp doesn't come with a guy line you could always use other cordage such as paracord. Start by creating a loop at the end of the cord using a bowline knot then tension the line with a trucker's hitch. To create a trucker's hitch take the line and create a loop then bring the loose line through the loop creating another loop run the cord around a peg and back through the loop you just created. Pull down to tension the line and tie off. Attach a guy line to the awning and peg that in. On the back of the tarp attach another guy line and either tie it to a tree or peg it into the ground. Using a stick to prop up the line will give you more internal space. If the weather is fine you can raise the awning or fold it right back to give yourself more room. There is plenty of space to sit up comfortably as well as room to store your gear and remain well covered. The great thing about this shelter is it's versatile. If the weather turns for the worst you can quickly and easily adjust the shelter by removing one of the support sticks and pegging that corner into the ground. This provides a lot more coverage and is great in windy conditions. Now this next one is pretty unique. I've named it the bungalow as it feels like a little house with two rooms when you're inside. Start by pegging a corner into the ground. Next peg the opposite corner in. Then take the back remaining corner hold it out square locate where the first tie-out point in from the corner is and bring the corner to that spot then peg that in. Next take the front remaining corner move it to roughly the halfway point and peg that in. Then take a stick to prop up the ridge and to create an entrance and use a guideline to secure it in place. Then using a sock over the end of a stick place it inside at the back of the shelter to open up the space. There will be some loose fabric so take the remaining tie-up points and peg them out until you get it nice and taut. There is a lot of space inside the shelter and it gives you some really good coverage in wet weather. Another option is if you take a stick and raise the corner this will open up the shelter and allow you to look out over camp. The downfall of this shelter though is it doesn't provide your ground sheet but it does give you a lot of livable space. Now I don't really have a name for this shelter but it kind of looks like an arrowhead so let's run with that. Start by taking the middle tie-up point of one edge and peg that in. Then on the diagonal corner grab the first tie-up point in from the corner and peg that in. Do the same on the other side and then tuck the remaining fabric in and this will become a bit of a ground sheet. Then using a stick raise the ridge. Then peg in the remaining corner flaps. These front flaps will give you some added protection from the wind and rain. Now this shelter is great in strong winds so long as you have the pointy end facing the wind and you have the added bonus of having a bit of a ground sheet. Next up we have the pyramid shelter. Start by pegging one corner into the ground then peg the opposite corner in. Then for the remaining two corners pull them taut and using the same peg peg them into the ground. Then grab the trusty old sock stick place that inside to create the apex and bam you have yourself a triangular pyramid. The benefit of this setup is it is super quick and simple to set up and it will completely protect you from the wind and rain although with a lack of ventilation condensation may be an issue. Next up we have the tarp tent. Start by laying the tarp flat out on the ground. With the back corner peg out both tie-up points that are next to the corner tie-out. Then fold the loose flap underneath and repeat on the opposite side. Next go to the front corner and bring the corner into where the first tie-out point is and peg that in and do the same on the opposite side. Then grab that trusty old stick sock and use it to raise the ridge of the tarp. Using a guy line or some cordage tie back the loose material to the back peg repeat on the opposite side then use a guy line and tie out the front part of the tarp. To create more space inside the shelter use another guy line to pull out the back of the tarp. This is a great setup in wet and windy weather and provides a lot of living space inside. So there you go folks five unique tarp shelters that you can practice when you're out in the bush. The great thing about tarp is there is almost endless possibilities so have a play around and see what you can come up with. Thanks for watching this video and I'll see you guys on the next one.