Paracord Tent or, hobos tent

This "ible" is going to show the process of making a tent in 20 (about) minutes. With a few easy supplies: paracord, a tarp, and trees.

Step 1: Supplies and tools

You will need:

Para cord (I actually didn't have enough paracord, so I supplemented with used hay twine)
A tarp (painters plastic will work as well)
and posts (trees are easiest)

tools you will need:
A knife
A tomahawk, camp axe, hachet or other similar tool (not absolutly neccesary, but it makes it easier)

Comments

[Max™]

Take a tarp long enough for you to lay under on the long edge.
Lay it out and stake two of the long ends down near a tree.
Pull the free corner closest to the tree under almost enough to reach the staked down edge.
Run a cord from the far stake up to the tree at enough of an angle that you could lay under it if you were next to the staked side of the tarp.
Take the free corner you didn't fold under and pull it over the cord so the folded section is pinned up against the outer layer by the cord.
Stake the corner you just pulled over the cord down.
Adjust the free hanging portion of the tarp so it's against the ground near the stake and use either another stake or whatever sort of clip method you have available to close the remaining side after you enter.

Similar to this one: http://www.instructables.com/id/1-Person-Tarp-Tent/, except without cutting the tarp, and with the cord support instead of a stick.

[Brittz303]

If you're bringing paracord and tarp, why not tent pegs? They're cheap and easy to use. It would save a heap of time and effort :)

[Brittz303]

Also, because heat rises to the top, it is better to have the tarp lowered to allow you to feel the accumulated body heat that's rising off everyone.

[oldanvilyoungsmith]

0 comments? should I feel hurt?

No one has anything to add, no tips, no suggestions. Oh well.

[r3cycl3dartrat]

I have a comment! Hope ya feel a little better after reading it! ;-) I love your idea and design. I have been "living off the environment" so to speak for a couple of weeks now and your instructable really helped me out....ALOT. So thank you. If you have any tips on how to make it blend in better with a nature setting (ie: camping, etc...) then thatd be awesome. I tried spray painting it before I left and let it dry completely which worked for a bit but eventually it began flaking off.... yes I know, dont laugh too hard, not my most "intructable note-worthy" moment. Peace from a chic that thinks rent is theft

[scoutert38]

They make these tarps in green, black, brown and gray that I have seen. One could always buy a camo net to throw over it too. My concern is the mosquito's can easily get in, having done tarp camping before, so I purchased 10 yds of bulk mosquito netting. I drape it FIRST over the parachute cord, THEN THE TARP and it does a great job of keeping the buggers out!!!

Scoutert38

[oldanvilyoungsmith]

Umm, to make it blend in? my best suggesestion would be to get a camo tarp. I've seen them sold before, and if you can't find that, I have seen green tarps, and brown tarps. Blue isn't your only option.

[r3cycl3dartrat]

Thanks for your response. I knew blue wasn't my only option but I mainly asked because I had gotten mine for free from a yard sale that was over and the ppl were giving the rest of their stuff away so I was more trying to find out "what to do with mine" if that makes sense, anyways thank you tho for your response I'm going to go look or one this week.

[oldanvilyoungsmith]

Well, if you don't want to buy a another one, painting is an option, but getting good paint that won't come off (which I don't know if you can) wouldn't be cheap, and you can also buy some camo netting, but the would be just as expinsive as a new tarp. Sorry I can't help more.

[tjosephcarter]

 I'm wondering if you can use a bigger tarp and some clever origami to give you some flaps.  I can only think of how to do it if you make a triangular structure though, and the tarp needed would have to be flippin' huge.

On the plus side, you'd only need one tree.

[oldanvilyoungsmith]

Maybe.... But I would not be the one to figure it out. <way above his head>