How to set up a big tarp by yourself (without trees), by Stray Along The Way on YouTube. 5 min 45 s.
- Video length
- 5 min 45 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Check which way the wind is blowing. Lay the tarp out so it sits at 90 degrees to the wind, which keeps the wind from getting under a loose edge.
Keep your pegs in a pocket or on your belt. Unfold the tarp a section at a time and peg each corner down as soon as it appears.
Once the whole tarp is flat and pegged, attach a guy rope to each corner eyelet with a simple loop knot.
Walk each rope out as far as it reaches and peg the end firmly into the ground, keeping the line in roughly the same direction as the corner.
Pull out the pegs holding the tarp flat. Assemble your two tarp poles and check the height is set the same on both.
Loosen the ropes nearest the first eyelet, push the pole tip through the grommet, then walk the pole upright and retighten those ropes to hold it.
Repeat the same process at the opposite end, loosening, lifting and retightening so both poles stand.
Walk around the shelter and adjust one guy rope at a time until the tarp is tight, even and not flapping.
Tips and common mistakes
Never put bags, chairs or rocks on the tarp to hold it down, because a gust will pull it against its anchors and tear it.
Peg as you unfold. A half-spread tarp in a gust turns into a sail very fast.
Push pegs in at an angle away from the tarp so they grip better in soft ground.
If the wind picks up while a pole is going up, lower the tarp and wait rather than fighting it.
Questions
Can I do this alone with such a big tarp?
Yes, if you peg the tarp down as you unfold it and raise one pole at a time. The trick is never letting a large loose section catch the wind.
What if there is no wind at all?
Set the tarp up however suits your view or shade needs. Wind direction only matters because it decides which way the open sides should face.
Do I need special poles?
Adjustable tarp or tent poles work best because you can match the height at both ends. Straight sticks or trekking poles also work if they are long enough.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
