Simple Morning Shade for Small Backpacking Tent

[nita]

You're a legend, thanks so much! That's really useful I'll try it out:)

[Bob]

Two guy lines at the corners, or it's unstable.

[Lo_80]

I rigged this up for a friend last year, and was told it worked pretty well. It's a pretty basic setup. Just enough shade to allow you to sleep in a bit in the morning. This setup works with a one or two person backpacking tent. All you need is:

(1) 8x10 Tarp or Shade Net with Grommets
(2) Telescoping Camp Poles or Similar
(4) Rebar Stakes or Similar
(1) Rope or Cord, approx 20 feet

Picture is pretty self-explanatory for setup. I used shade net so the wind could filter through somewhat, but one of those heavy-duty silver tarps would provide cooler shade. I used the taut-line hitch for tying off the guylines. Orient tarp to face the morning sun.

Hoolie, can you please explain why you set the poles at an angle instead of vertical?

[Hoolie]

Hoolie, can you please explain why you set the poles at an angle instead of vertical?

Hmm, that was four years ago now, but I'm guessing that was as short as the poles got, so I placed them at a diagonal so the tarp wouldn't be too vertical.

[Lo_80]

Hoolie, can you please explain why you set the poles at an angle instead of vertical?

Hmm, that was four years ago now, but I'm guessing that was as short as the poles got, so I placed them at a diagonal so the tarp wouldn't be too vertical.

Thanks!

[Hoolie]

Just to expand on an earlier comment about wind: The easiest way to account for sun and wind is to orient the closed end toward the morning sun and the open end toward your car for use as a wind block. Those who are not arriving by car can look for a spot with another vehicle or structure oriented opposite the morning sun and pitch your tent near it, effectively using your neighbor's structure or vehicle as a wind block. Just use good judgement here and respect your neighbor's camp space. Otherwise, just use shade net. Assuming everything is staked down tightly, the wind should filter through enough to prevent any breakdowns (at least that was my experience). It won't be as cool as solid shade, but it's way better than direct sun.

[Hoolie]

Forgot to mention in the original post, if you use straight rebar stakes, be sure to cap them with something like old tennis balls or plastic water bottles. The caps I used in the photo are purpose built rebar caps.

[tommyzed]

Hoolie - How are the poles prevented from moving around? Are they partially underground (i.e. you dug a hole)?

Thanks!
---tommy/loki/whatever

[Hoolie]

Hoolie - How are the poles prevented from moving around? Are they partially underground (i.e. you dug a hole)?

Sorry for the late response. The poles are not dug in. They are held in place simply by tension, from the guylines and from the tarp itself. This is why it's important to use strong stakes and learn a good slipknot (like the one I linked to in the original post). That way, you can really tighten things down. This will make the overall structure sturdier as well.

[Hoolie]

Just to reiterate, a good knot is important for this shade setup. Here's the one I use:

[media]

[Sundial]

Is that fine for grommets too? Or would a bow line be a better choice for those?

[Hoolie]

I run this knot through grommets all the time. I prefer it because it's adjustable, but a bowline would be fine too, particularly if you have an adjustable knot at the other end.

[Leap]

So after being told my Kodiak, FIGJAM cooler, aluminet, jacuzzi, XBOX, volley ball court plan may be a little ambitious for my first burn, I've been thinking about simplifying. I found the right 4 season tent and I was looking into how to shade it. I found this thread and the first shade structure looks almost perfect. I can fly with a tarp and some nice collapsible camping poles. I may add two more poles and extend the "ceiling". Has anyone else seen other versions of this simple shade structure?

[AndrogynousTwin]

I'd really like to build a simple shade structure like the one described here. Appears tho that the original photo has gone down. Does anyone have a photo or schematic of the same design or something similar?

[Traveller in Time]

Not all but some are still present.

One pole design

Carport multipole design

[Canoe]

I'd really like to build a simple shade structure like the one described here. Appears tho that the original photo has gone down. Does anyone have a photo or schematic of the same design or something similar?

Reposted.
this post and the one below
viewtopic.php?f=277&t=82330&p=1144336#p1144333

[Canoe]

I'd really like to build a simple shade structure like the one described here. Appears tho that the original photo has gone down. Does anyone have a photo or schematic of the same design or something similar?

p.s.
As the morning sun quickly heats structures up, if you want to shade your tent against heating in the morning sun so you get more rest after sunrise, watch out for the morning sun sneaking in from the East.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=78496&p=1138417#p1138417