Bumcamping in Japan

Step 3 Ultralight Tarp Shelter

I sewed the 8X10 tarp from http://www.seattlefabrics.com/nylons.html#1.3%20oz%20RS silicone-impregnated nylon. I sewed loops at the corners instead of using grommets. The whole thing weighs 1.5lbs including tarred nylon codline guy strings.
The ground cover is a 5x7 poncho I sewed from the same material. It weighs 1 lb.
Pretty good for shelter for two people. And raincoats.
That silnylon is great stuff. Water beads up on it in a really satisfying way.
www.seattlefabrics.com used to sell roll-ends and seconds for cheap.

We used the bikes to prop up the front of the tarp and form a psychological barrier.
We shoved our umbrellas out the sides to close the sides. There are lots of ways to pitch a tarp.

It's fall so bugs aren't a problem, but it can rain and get pretty chilly, especially at altitude.
At a buggier time of year it you'd want a mosquito net.