Need Paratarp Pic

[Travis Scott]

Does anyone have a pic of the paratarp, pitched in A frame mode, w/ someone inside. Thanks

[Woods Walker]

Travis.

There is a photo of a PT, ST, PT and 4-man all lined up at the ECR. After seeing the PT I would not want to sleep inside the thing unless I got lost etc as an ER. The ST has way more room for not alot more weight when you consider the increase in protection etc of a larger tarp.

[Ken]

I'm w/ WW...the ST is ALOT bigger for a few extra ounces...definitely worth the extra money.

[Travis Scott]

That's what I'm trying to find out, Ken. I carry a bivy sack, so I don't use the tarp unless it's raining hard. I'm curious what the tarp looks like w/ a guy inside.

[Hanzo]

Travis,

I was doing the same comparison. Consider this though, if you go with the better shelter, you can leave the bivy at home.

[Mark]

There are some good pictures on Military Moron's webstie with people in a paratarp. No A-frame pictures though.

[Travis Scott]

Hanzo, that's a good point, but my bivy sack only weights 6oz.

If the weather's good, I don't even pitch the tarp. Call me lazy, I guess.

[Hanzo]

Damn...that's a light bivy. What kind is it?

[Woods Walker]

Hanzo.

I have a DWR top and Sil bottom bivy in a long size (92-inch) that is 9 oz. It is not an ECWS bivy but for a day pack when used with a tarp offers great protection.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n220/Daytraderwon/100_2162.jpg

Here is a MLD bug bivy with bath tub sil floor.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n220/Daytraderwon/mlbug.jpg

UL gear is alot stronger than people think. These Items are made from the same stuff as my Kifaru tipi. Add a sil tarp to that MLD bivy and I have a one man tent for under 1 lb. Same goes for the MLD DWR green bivy. Tarp and bivy takes up the space of two soda cans in the day pack and offers a little extra just in case to the E&E. Each adds about 5-degrees to any sleep system. Nice wind breaks too.

[Travis Scott]

Hanzo, my bivy is made by Mont-bell. I would call it a bag cover, rather than a bivy sack, but it is waterproof.

Titanium goat has a bivy similar to WW's, @ 4.5 oz. Also very affordable, $40.

My plan is to use one of these w/ the paratarp.

[Travis Scott]

I know that Patrick isn't a bivy sack fan. I think if I ever reach anywhere close to his experience level, I will probably think they're crazy also. I'm still in my young and dumb phase.

I would love to see a 5 oz waterproof bivy made by kifaru in the paraglider material. I think they would be alot more durable than the ones I currently use.

[tree_entz]

Travis; I have been interested in this same set-up for a while myself; just lacking the funds.

I think the big benifit with the tarp bivy combo is that since the 2 kifaru tarps wont give you full bug protection even w/ the annex many of the bivy's have some kind of noseeum mesh.

[Brotzie]

My SnugPak bag cover (http://www.snugpak.com/30_codegreen/31_14_bivvibag_popup.htm) weighs a tad under 10oz (not 12oz like the website says, not even with stuff sack). But a quick Google search has left me absolutely horrified that U.S. buyers will end up paying over $140 for it... !! I paid about GBP 40 for mine - say $80 for a rough conversion. The tech specs on the material (http://www.snugpak.com/30_codegreen/31_14_bivvibag_popup.htm#paratax_light) say it's got a hydrostatic head (http://www.outdoorgear.co.uk/infopoint/definitions/hydrostatic.htm) of over 5,000mm (>16 feet)!! But you'll still get a wet face... /images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif

[Don Browning]

http://docdb.smugmug.com/photos/109955396-L.jpg

http://docdb.smugmug.com/photos/120056530-L.jpg

[Don Browning]

The bivy under my paratarp is an Integral Designs Microbivy and it weights 18.5oz
I do wonder, though, with the paratarp and a ground sheet, why take a bivy at all? My answer is that I was using a down bag, but with a synthetic bag?????
Don
PS the backpack in the bottom photo is an Arcteryx Naos 70 which I was just trying out.....it did have a gunbearer on it though!

[Travis Scott]

Thanks a million.......

[inFALable]

Don, looks like an Ultralight Arms rifle you have there. If so what is it chambered for? I really want one in .338 Win Mag.

[Pilgrim]

Don, I have used a tarp-only from -22F to desert conditions without a bivy with no problems as long as mosquitos are not legion. Recommend it. (All with a down bag.) However, synthetic sleeping bags are my choice ever since having a death defying problem with a down bag in Yellowstone--using a tent. (And just bought a paratipi for the added many benefits over a tarp, so you know my best thoughts on shelter.)

Pilgrim

[Don Browning]

The ULA rifle is .30-06, quite a shooter too!
Don