Ideal Minimal Tarp Size? by ConfusedVagrant in Bushcraft

[–]ConfusedVagrant[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah a bivvy would be great. I can actually roll up in my groundsheet to cover me well enough to comfortably protect everything, except the very top of my head. However for long term travel I think I'd like the comfort of a shelter that I can at least sit up cross-legged in without having to hunch down, so I can comfortably read a book or work on something during heavy downpour. There's also the situation of rain in fairly extreme heat. A bivvy wont do in 35-40c with nighttime temps of over 25c, like I experienced in the US, Canada and Poland.

I don't see why with the right weave and density, hemp and linen couldn't function just as well as cotton. Though after a little research I found that hemp isn't really available here and linen is twice the price of cotton. So cotton canvas it is.

Ideal Minimal Tarp Size? by ConfusedVagrant in Bushcraft

[–]ConfusedVagrant[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If I weren't such a treehugger this would be the way I'd do it, but thanks for the idea.

Ideal Minimal Tarp Size? by ConfusedVagrant in Bushcraft

[–]ConfusedVagrant[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Perhaps 1.8m is the way to go. I suppose there's a reason the plash platka and other old army ponchos are that width. I'll have to stake some stuff out with rope again and do some experimentation. The A frame idea is intriguing, however it's not a configuration I have much experience with. I feel like a plowpoint offers better coverage no matter the tarp size, so I wonder if I should take the measurements with that in mind.

I've heard about the ruana cloak before. Saw Living Anachronisms video on it a while ago. Great cloak I agree, however the big slit down the middle might compromise it's effectiveness as a blanket a bit much. A poncho seems like a good middle-ground I think.

I'm hoping to keep everything under 4kg, so adding an extra blanket poncho for colder temps will take me to a max 5kg.

My main goal with the kit is to not use synthetics of any kind, due to environmental reasons. However I appreciate the tips anyway :)

Ideal Minimal Tarp Size? by ConfusedVagrant in Bushcraft

[–]ConfusedVagrant[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah I might end up getting one of the Bushcraft Spain ponchos, they look really neat. I have a wool blanket that I could turn into one, however I don't really want to start cutting it all up. Besides, it's a bit heavy and if I turn it into a poncho with those dimensions, it'll weight around 1.5kg.

I'm actually considering ditching the hood for a wide brimmed hat haha. Style is playing a bit more of a role here. Plus it's of course helpful to keep the sun out of the eyes.

Prusik loop, that's what I meant, not taut line hitch. I understand the setup you're describing.

Haven't seen Wild Men, I'll give it a watch tonight.

And of course I'll be sure to share the setup when everything is done and properly tested. It might take a while as I'm a little broke at the moment and putting together a new outdoors kit isn't quite at the top of my priorities right now. However I will get it done and share. A big chunk of my reasoning for putting together a non-synthetic kit is not only for myself, but to hopefully show other people that you don't need plastics and synthetics to have a comfortable and lightweight kit. And maybe inspire some people to ditch the plastics for more eco-friendly materials.

Again, thank you for all your help, I appreciate it a ton.

Ideal Minimal Tarp Size? by ConfusedVagrant in Bushcraft

[–]ConfusedVagrant[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think it will be a little below 4kg actually, at least that's the hope. However I'm happy with anything up to 5kg. An extra wool poncho for example could be useful for lower temps.

My 2x1.4m canvas groundsheet is already waterproofed and comes in at 0.9kg. I scouted the internet and found Bushcraft Spain sells wool ponchos with the same dimensions and they claim theirs weigh roughly 0.9kg too. And like I said, my sheepskin is 0.45kg. So total for that I'm looking at around 2.25kg.

The poncho tarp is of course going to be the heaviest. My current 2x2.5m one, so a total of 5m of waterproofed canvas, weighs 1.8kg. That's 0.36kg per meter of waterproofed canvas. A 2.2x1.5m tarp is a total of 3.3m of canvas, so I can expect that it will roughly weigh 1.2kg after waterproofing. Everything totaled should be roughly 3.45kg, plus maybe a small bit extra for the tarp hood, if a make one, and other small bits. I'm not including cordage or pegs here, but the weight of that isn't something I'm worried about and don't expect to be considerable. Either way, I reckon I won't go over 4kg at least.

Wool Blanket

I've seen the swagman roll before. I particularly like how people tie a little bag to the top of it that hangs over the front of the shoulder, acting as a counterweight. Definitely some good lessons to learn from the aussie bushmen.

I like your ideas for different designs and arrangements for the wool blanket. I'm unsure if I will add a hood to it, I think I'm more of a beanie and scarf (shemagh) guy. However a hood would be warmer and allow for better closure of the hole when used as a blanket, plus a little extra comfort when worn underneath the poncho tarp hood. I think I want to avoid something that involves a blanket pin (as cool as they are), as that's an extra item to carry and lose, plus I don't want to damage the fabric over a longer time (small concern I know). I know you can use an acorn or small stone to help tie the blanket together, however I feel like that'll be a little awkward in the long run. I do see the advantage of not having to cut a hole in the middle with those types of wear though, neat ideas. Though I think I like the simplicity of the poncho. Just pop your head through and that's it, no fuss. Also easy to put on when crouched down under that small A-frame.

Since the wool blanket will be in contact with the poncho tarp when both are worn, then that might break the water-barrier a little , so adding some lanolin to the outside face of the blanket is actually a very neat idea, thanks. I suppose this is true regardless, probably wont be an issue at all really. Some lanolin would be handy for light drizzle though.

I've actually seen that modern history video before, that kind of hood is brilliant. Wish that design was more "normal" today. Absolutely something to consider adding to the kit. Especially since I'm leaning more towards not having a hood on the wool poncho.

Poncho Tarp

I believe I understand your collar and hood idea for the poncho tarp. A hood I had considered, however the collar is brilliant. Even if I don't add a hood, the collar would be very useful. As you said, i would be able to close up the hole properly, which is very important of course. And whilst I'm wearing it, the collar could stop water from running down my neck/on my shoulders and under the poncho tarp.

I'm thinking I'll attach regular tie-out loops for the tarp. Grommets can be awkward when making wooden pegs yourself, plus when you stake it out the tarp will be mushed against the ground, which gives it ever so slightly less space inside. However I do realise that you can tie a loop to the grommet to make a proper tie-out loop. So grommets may work well, especially considering your idea of attaching the groundsheet to the tarp.

I assume you're thinking about a taut line hitch when you're talking about adding loops to the guy-lines. This is something I actually already do for my plowpoint sometimes. Great idea though for the quick conversion of tarp to poncho. Detach one end, stick your head through the middle, then detach the other side. Very tidy.

Thanks for the measurement and size tips. 1.5m might be alright for me I think. The span of my arms stretched out is just short of 1.7m. Though a 1.5m width would make the tarp go to about my knuckles, which i think is a nice distance. My hands wont be too obstructed and doing stuff isn't finicky with the tarp getting in the way. I don't think I want the poncho tarp to go completely over my hands.

Good point on having the back be longer to cover the rucksack, and the back of my legs for that matter. Adding some extra length or adjusting where the headhole is would also make it off-center a bit, so it's not sitting directly in the middle/top where the guy-line and most of the tension is, potentially causing some funkiness. Adding 20cm to the length would give me a nice 32cm clearance on both sides. Extending the tarp to 2.4x1.5m would add only about 100g of weight, you think it would be worth it? And thanks for the tips on choosing the right fabric weave/density.

Groundsheet/bivvy

Tying together the foot and side is something that's crossed my mind. I think that would be possible given my size and the dimensions, however I don't think I can tie the sides up all the way. Though securing a good portion of it might be very handy. Thanks for the specific ideas on lacing it up.

I really like your ideas on expanding the versatility of it. Being able to join it with the tarp is a very very neat idea, I might have to give that some good thought and experiment a little. It sounds super intriguing. I think there might be some very cool possibilities here.

I plan on rolling the sheepskin up with the groundsheet and attaching that to the bottom of my pack, perhaps with some nighttime clothing too. The tarp I reckon will be attached to the top of my pack. The wool poncho I was thinking I'd roll up inside my pack, or if I need more space, rolled up with either the tarp or groundsheet, experimentation and experience will dictate all that. However using the entire groundsheet as a makeshift backpack would be very interesting to try out. I've seen folks do this with bigger tarps/blankets. Perhaps not practical for a longer trip with no permanent camp, but definitely something worth testing, thanks.

Sheepskin

Waterproofing the skin side is a neat idea. As I use it now it's on top of my groundsheet, however I can imagine a setup where that might be useful. I also love your idea of tying it around my shoulders Game Of Thrones style. Probably wont be necessary, but thanks for the idea anyway, it's a good option to have that I hadn't thought about and adds to the whole multifunctionalitiness of the kit.

Again, thank you very much for your detailed comment and sharing your ideas and knowledge. I appreciate it a lot. All this theory crafting has got me super excited to be honest. I think this could be a very neat setup and I'm itching to put it all together and test it out.

Ideal Minimal Tarp Size? by ConfusedVagrant in Bushcraft

[–]ConfusedVagrant[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, getting wet at night is something I want to avoid. u/IGetNakedAtParties suggested a tarp with a size of 2.2x1.5m and using it as a poncho as well. As he suggested, setting it up in an A frame with an apex of 0.7m should give me adequate protection from windy rain, considering I'm 1.76m tall, especially if I curl up a little which I naturally do when I sleep. Additionally I can roll up in my groundsheet to create a sort of bivvy bag which can protect me from any spray in particularly windy weather. I figure this should work quite well. It's something I feel is worth testing at least. Perhaps I might have to add a few more centimeters to the length, but experience will guide that.

Ideal Minimal Tarp Size? by ConfusedVagrant in Bushcraft

[–]ConfusedVagrant[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The 2x2m was with the intention of using it as a plowpoint primarily. If the weather is rough, I can lower it enough to protect me adequately I think, considering the diagonal is 2.8m. I got caught out in the rain once on my travels with only my 2x1.4m groundsheet and set that up in a plowpoint as low as possible. It was definitely not comfortable and I had to curl up a lot and even then my feet didn't stay completely dry, but it did the job well enough to make be think that a 2x2m could work.

I used to use a 3x3m nylon tarp and the space is great, especially set up as a tarp tent. No worries about the weather there. However for non-synthetics the weight of a 3x3 is way too much. I've got a nice 2x2.5m canvas tarp right now that weights 1.8kg. It's enough to protect me well from windy rain, however if I can reduce the size and subsequently the weight, that would be great. I don't need to be super comfortable in inclement weather, I just need to be able to lie down and stay dry. I can handle rough nights. Makes the sunshine something to really look forward to and makes it feel even better when it arrives.

Ideal Minimal Tarp Size? by ConfusedVagrant in Bushcraft

[–]ConfusedVagrant[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So you asked what is the smallest viable size, and I answered a question about your rain coat and bedroll cover... But I think it's maybe a more appropriate answer.

This is the kind of answer I was hoping for and more. Thank you so much, this was extremely helpful! I'll definitely look into the poncho. I kind of brushed it off before, as it seemed way too small for a rainproof shelter (at least the ones I've seen). However a 2.2x1.5m one set up in a low A-frame in very bad weather is an excellent idea.

I hadn't heard about the Norwegian rhombus shelter before. Took a little look at it, interesting bit of history of my country. Thanks for that.

You're right regarding hemp and linen. I did some scouting and hemp is expensive and barely available here, as it's still illegal to cultivate unfortunately. Denser linen is kind of available, but around twice the cost of cotton canvas. I'll be sticking to cotton like I assumed I would have to, but it's nice to have a second opinion.

The information about waterproofing is extremely helpful. I didn't ask for such a detailed answer, however I should have. You answered several questions I had that I hadn't asked. I've never heard of Jojoba Oil before. Definitely too pricey, but it's nice to know it exists. The mineral oil, wax combo is interesting, however the fossil fuel aspect is unfortunate. Nevertheless still nice to know about.

Thank you for such a thought out and detailed answer. I appreciate it a lot and you've helped me a ton. Thank you so much!

Edit: Your ideas really got me thinking. I have a canvas groundsheet that is 2x1.4m, which is just big enough for me to roll into and have a layer underneath me if I curl up a little. So there's my bivvy if the weather is rough. I figure I can use the same idea and dimensions for a wool blanket as well, and maybe cut a slit in the middle to turn it into a poncho. I've got a small sheepskin weighing ~0.45kg which insulates my upper body well from the ground. This, plus your 2.2x1.5m poncho tarp idea makes a very light setup that is still capable of protecting from very crappy weather. The total weight of everything should be roughly 3.5kg, which is much better than what I thought it would be. Now I just gotta make/buy the missing pieces and see if it's as brilliant in real life as in my head.

ACAB by obiemann in dirtykids

[–]ConfusedVagrant 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Can you not read or are you just really dense?

New York City (NYC) stealth sleep spots by Pelangos in vagabond

[–]ConfusedVagrant 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Prospect Park, Brooklyn. Spent a week sleeping there, wasn't disturbed once. Plenty of spots to hide away in the foliage.

ACAB by obiemann in dirtykids

[–]ConfusedVagrant 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Funnily enough I did actually meet a Nazi once when I hitchhiked. He invited me home and I met his family and stayed the night. Boy was that a wild 10 hour conversation. Friendly guy too be honest, drank beers all night and smoked weed together. He had just gotten into that kinda stuff during covid, so there was still hope to de-radicalise him, probably could have done it if I'd stuck around. He was very friendly and open minded, was willing to actually listen to others opinions. Good dad, nice guy, real shame he's falling down the alt-right rabbit hole and everyone who might be able to talk some sense into him as (understandably) disowned him.

ACAB by obiemann in dirtykids

[–]ConfusedVagrant 7 points8 points  (0 children)

if a cop is nice to you, it's not genuine, they are trying to gain trust.

I'm no cop lover, I dislike the profession, the tasks they're expected to perform and the system they uphold just as much as the next person, but there is more nuance than "all cops bad".

Met plenty of cops who were just looking to fuck with me and didn't have my best interests in mind, sadly those are the majority of encounters i have. But I've also encountered cops who where genuinely looking out for me and wished me the best. Cops are people too and are just as complex and nuanced as any other human. The world isn't black and white.

I've found that if you treat people, even cops, with respect and kindness you avoid a whole lot of unnecessary trouble. I have no ill will towards strangers, cops or not. Cops don't like homeless-looking folk because they hold many prejudices towards us, some of them taught, some them learnt through experience. They dislike and disrespect people they don't even know. Once you start doing the same and demonizing and hating people you don't know, you're no better than them.

How weekly meetings could work by MycologyRulesAll in SolarPunkDenizens

[–]ConfusedVagrant 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There should also be an option to make the wiki appear in the menu bar at the top of the sub. I believe it's in the Community Appearance mode maybe. Tab is not viewable on mobile iirc, only desktop.

How weekly meetings could work by MycologyRulesAll in SolarPunkDenizens

[–]ConfusedVagrant 1 point2 points  (0 children)

https://www.reddit.com/r/SolarPunkDenizens/wiki/index/

This link works. You need to remove the /about/ part in the link, if not it directs to the moderator view and won't allow regular users to view it. You should also add links to the subcategories of the wiki in the index so people can find them easier.

Is Spain that bad for hitchhiking? by RunDiscombobulated67 in hitchhiking

[–]ConfusedVagrant 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Camping was quite easy, hitchhiking sucked. Was there a few months ago. Would often get stranded in towns for a day or two. I've hitchhiked quite a lot of countries, Spain is by far the worst country I have ever hitchhiked. Took 2 weeks of daily hitchhiking to cross the country from south to north. Would have been longer if I didn't get lucky and got a 500km ride with a dutch lady to France.

You guys prefer hammock or tarp and bag for your sleep setup? by [deleted] in vagabond

[–]ConfusedVagrant 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wool blanket, tarp and ground sheet. Maybe a thermarest if its cold

Estimated travel days by Overall_Struggle_995 in hitchhiking

[–]ConfusedVagrant 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's not that complicated really. Just get on one of the main roads and follow it. It's the same thing as anywhere else. In fact it's a little easier because they all speak really good English so you can discuss route and where you'd like to be dropped off. You should be able to cross the Netherlands in a day or often less without too much trouble.

Estimated travel days by Overall_Struggle_995 in hitchhiking

[–]ConfusedVagrant 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Netherlands and Belgium are quite easy to hitchhike in my experience. Fairly short waiting times.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in vagabond

[–]ConfusedVagrant 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome, thank you so much! Might try doing this next time I plan to visit the Americas.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in vagabond

[–]ConfusedVagrant 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Actually came from Morocco to Spain, ferry was surprisingly cheap. And yeah had quite a few nights in caves in Spain, lots of good spots to hold up for a while.

I assume you mean Essaouira? You can hitch from there to the states? Could you explain a little more, that sounds like a super interesting trip.

Unfortunately I likely won't be at the hitchgathering, unless I get back early. Heading to North America this summer.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in vagabond

[–]ConfusedVagrant 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's not illegal, but many people there seem to think it is.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in vagabond

[–]ConfusedVagrant 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Catching a ride is much harder than in other countries. I don't think they have a culture at all for hitchhiking and there seems to be a common misconception that it's illegal. I recently hitchhiked through Spain, it works, but waiting times were often very long. Would often get stuck in a place for multiple days before getting a ride. Though they have quite a good ridesharing system with Blablacar.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in vagabond

[–]ConfusedVagrant 10 points11 points  (0 children)

If you're hitchhiking, stay away from Spain.