The Simplicity of Tarps

Just back from another spectacular bikepacking trip on my Salsa Mukluk, I can honestly say that for 90% of my trip needs, a Tarp is the perfect shelter. For the last 5 years I have experimented with tents, bivies, and a number of different Tarps, so I believe that for me, I have acquired a fair bit of experience through a multitude of conditions. 

With the exception of some very specific situations and scenarios, the Tarp has ruled the roost.  With a bike, I can string a tarp anywhere I want, including the middle of nowhere.  Using my technigue for anchoring the bike with line and stakes, it serves as the perfect highpoint for one end of the tarp.  The other end can be anchored to some other fixed object, or with the aid of your helmet or stick, stood on end, you have enough lift to comfortably sleep without and contact between your bag and the tarp. 

Add in an UL bivy, like one from MLD, and you have bug and splash protection at your disposal.  Thus carrying a Cuben tarp, a set of UL stakes and a UL bivy, you are set to string up protection no matter where you travel.  With some larger fixed structures to anchor to, you can easily create a very comfortable living space that protects you, your bag and your gear from the elements.   

My current Tarp of choice is the Cuben Fiber tarp made by Hyperlite Mountain Gear.  I have been traveling with this tarp for almost two years now and it has proven itself as completely reliable.  The attention to detail is amazing and the Cuben Fiber is not only light but absolutely waterproof.  One very nice feature of Cuben is that it does not wet out.  What this means is that after a night of rain, simply shake the tarp and the vast majority of the moisture is displaced, thus keeping your UL tarp in a UL state.  I have found that Silnylon has a tendency to wet out and thus your super light tarp is no longer super light and you are stuck packing an item that is soaked through and through.

For those that are serious about traveling light, the combination of a Cuben Tarp, UL Bivy, a Neo Air pad, and a set of UL stakes is the ultimate combination for light weight, flexible shelter.  Simple to setup; flexible in how you use it; and a multitude of useable configurations with very few things that can break! 

HMG Cuben strung over rock

Creative use of endpoints, a helmet and bike lashed to table

Camp full of Tarps, all off of the table

Using the bike as an endpoint

Trip Planning - Where to begin

I have every intention of really detailing this topic, as I think it is what causes the biggest issue for people wanting to go out on some form of Adventure, big or small.  Right now, I need to make it through Labor Day weekend and then I can really begin sharing some details on what I am doing and what my thought process is for the choices I make. 

However, I will start things off with this.  I start every trip with the following key items and then I begin the process of iterating each one on their own.  After each set is done, I then step back and look at where I can eliminate any redundancy in an effort to simplifly my kit and reduce the need to carry extraneous gear.  So, where do you begin? 

• Mode of Transport
• Shelter  
• Cook
• Sleep System
  
• Element Protection, including moving and stationary
  
• Tools
• Electronics

To me, these are the biggest components of a trip, and the most critical.  There are always outliers that must be considered, but starting with these will allow you to begin the process of choosing gear and making key tradeoff decisions. As a teaser for some of my decisions, here is a little gallery of past choices just to get the discussion going.  Next week, I will discuss Shelter and Cook as it applies to the Lost Coast Bikepacking trip. 

Spring Cleaning

Alaska, in the winter, by Fat Bike -- Yes, crazy and epic, that is for sure.  I have been back in the lower 48 for a week now, meandering, relaxing, and dealing with re-entry.  I now begin the process of collecting my thoughts, and sorting and editing thousands of images, throw in a couple of presentations and magazine articles, and yes, it will be quite the change from life on the trail.

This will take me a while, so please keep checking back, subscribe to the RSS feed, and even better, jump on the new Newsletter that will be coming on line next week.​

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Homer Fat Bike Festival

That Newsletter leads me into a number of changes that will be coming on line.  My Photo Archive site, and Portfolio sites will both be undergoing a facelift over the next 4 weeks.  I will also be tweaking this site to make it simpler and more efficient for those wishing to read my past travel stories as well as previous thoughts on gear and my ramblings on life.  The changes will take a bit, but I hope that in the end, they will make the experience better for both of us.​

I have a couple of workshops and presentations that I will be putting on this year and those details should be online by the beginning of May. I will post notices about them but you can always check the new Events page to see what is happening.  Lots of fun stuff coming down the pike including a number of small Micro-adventures and details on the next big trip.​

No trip would be possible without the support of friends, family, strangers that are no longer strangers and my Sponsors.  A special shout out to Salsa Cycles and Hyperlite Mountain Gear, two companies that produce amazing products but also actually live the life style that they promote.  Thanks to you both!!​