Tension a Forest Tarp
A-frame or lean-to with two trees, a ridgeline, and the two knots that actually matter in rain.
Never tie into a dead standing tree. Deadfall kills more campers than bad knots. Keep the low edge into the wind so rain cannot lift the sheet.
Choose two live trees
Pick trunks a tarp-length apart, no widowmakers overhead. Clear the ground. Face the closed side into weather; leave the open side for cooking if wind allows.
Ridgeline with a bowline
Bowline on one tree (fixed loop). Run paracord to the second tree at head to chest height. That is your ridge — everything else hangs from it.
Required gear
Lock with a taut-line
Finish the far end with a taut-line hitch so you can slide tension after the tarp is clipped. Wet cord slacks — walk the hitch, do not retie from scratch.
Required gear
Pitch for runoff
Drape the tarp over the ridge (A-frame) or stake one edge to the ground (lean-to). Aim 30–45° so water sheets. Stake corners out, not down, so the fabric stays taught and noisy in wind.
Required gear
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