Kelty Noah's Tarp - 2008 BCS

Scout,

I have the Noah's Tarp 9 and have been very happy with it overall. I'd say that you could sleep two people underneath it in the rain comfortably, as long as you pitched it fairly low to the ground. I squeezed three under it in a trip to the selkirks, but chance of rain was very low. I havent used the EWing, but as it is an E-mergency Wing, I would guess that the Noah would be better for more long-term situations, while having more room as well. FYI I can pack the tarp in an extra small granite gear stuff sack easily so it pack way smaller than the sack that it comes with. I just use that sack for storage. Hope this helps

Hope that helps

Go with the 9x9. 12x12 is way overkill for one person.

The size you need will depend on the configuration you use to set it up. If set up as in the picture, the diagonal length of a 16'x16' tarp between corners will be 22.6 feet.

For the difference in price, I think ill buy the 16'... thanks for your help guys.

I have the Noah 9 and while it would fit over a picnic table, it would probably keep only 4 people packed together pretty good reasonably dry. It depends on how many people you are trying to fit under and how big your table is. I agree with Phil that bigger is going to be better given the shape of this tarp. Hope this helps.

Hey Jake,

I guess a picnic table is about 4x8' by the time you take into account the table and benches, so you can get away with the 12x12'. That size should also be good for the "emergency" part of shelter, if that's the real primary purpose you want it to usually serve. But with those really acute angles on the pole ends, for the table, it might be pushing it to get more than just so-so coverage out of that size, especially if you want to set up the canopy high enough up to comfortably walk around under, and with water dripping down the edges. The 16x16' is just a bit more than you need, but nobody is going to have to hang out with a soaked back.

WJS,
I believe the primary answer is going to be name-branding. Apart from that the MSR is actually smaller at approximately 12x12', but the shape is different giving you more coverage at the ends near the poles. The MSR does include poles (but they suggest that you use ski poles or paddles because you would already have those with you) and is 7 ounces lighter. And the final difference is the kelty is made with polyester versus MSR in nylon. Now you just have to weigh these small differences out and decide if it's worth twice the price to you for some shade.
I hope this helps!

It comes with 4 guy lines with Nite Ize F9 clips on each. I added 4 more lines, but havent had a use for them yet. I added 2 more stakes as well so that I could put 2 guys lines per pole (makes the tarp more sturdy when putting it up like the picture shows above), as well have having leftover stakes for staking in the other two sides. Hope this helps.

Most people use either sandbags or a "dead man".

A "dead man" is a bit antiquated term, but very useful. You tie a rope to something a little bulkier, like a small log, then dig a hole. Place the log in the hole and back fill it. If you have a bulky enough thing under enough sand, its not going anywhere. This also makes a good makeshift shore anchor for a light boat.

Sand bags would be just an empty bag you bring with you, with some grommets that you could fill with sand and let it sit there, heavily. You could probably use it as a dead guy too.

It's waterproof and seam sealed. It would definitely work for a fly over a hammock.

I just use my trekking poles or tie it to some trees if there are some around.

No, it comes just with guylines (but Kelty does sell poles separately).

I think it would be great at the beach as long as you had some poles or another structure to attach it to. There's plenty of guy outs to stabilize the tarp if it's windy.

Yes, it's like a tent fly.

It depends a bit on how high you want to pitch it and where you're bringing it. Trekking poles work great if you're bringing it to the backcountry and don't mind sitting under it (trekking poles don't get it super high off the ground).

If you're car camping and want it higher - like over a picnic table, it'd be best to tie it off to trees or get the longer Kelty poles meant specifically for this.

In terms of stakes - I almost always recommend MSR GroundHogs. They're light, pack well and are RIDICULOUSLY tough. I've hammered them into tough Colorado rocky soil with other, larger rocks and have never had one bend. Ever.

You could string it up between two trees.Sorry - I deleted what Phaedrus said.He said you could use trekking poles - save weight by making them multi-task.

Yes, Trekking Poles work great - although they will limit the height. Purchasing Kelty's poles - or tying guy points directly into trees - will provide additional height.

I got a kelty brand pole from here a couple years ago, but it doesn't look like they sell that anymore. You can get them at most outdoor stores, or you can pitch it with trekking poles or on trees. These tarps are really handy.