How to Set Up a SOLITUDE TARP for Quick Shelter

By PEAX - Backcountry Hunting Equipment | Published: 2026-10-19

Category: How-to Guides

Learn how to pitch a SOLITUDE TARP in minutes. This guide covers site selection, anchor points, and two reliable configurations for backcountry hunting.

Quick answer

Set up your SOLITUDE TARP in under five minutes by choosing a flat, wind-sheltered site, using the VTS (VertTrek Stabilization) system to lock the pitch, and adjusting the reflective Dyneema® cordage with Woojin tension locks.

Why a tarp works for backcountry hunting

A lightweight silnylon tarp like the SOLITUDE TARP gives you fast, flexible shelter without the weight of a tent. At just 16.5 oz, it packs small and sets up anywhere you find two trees or trekking poles. The trade-off is that it offers less bug and ground protection than a fully enclosed tent, so it's best for fair-weather trips or when you want to save weight.

Choosing the right configuration

The two most useful pitches for hunting are the A-frame (ridge line between two trees) and the lean-to (one raised corner, one staked edge). The A-frame gives you full coverage and wind protection. The lean-to is faster to set up and works when you only have one high anchor point. Both use the same corner tie-outs and tension locks.

Step-by-step setup

1. Choose your site: Find a flat, well-drained area free of rocks and roots. Orient the tarp so the prevailing wind hits the narrow end of your pitch. Avoid low spots where water pools. A poor site can make even a perfect pitch leak or collapse.
2. Lay out the tarp and stake corners: Unfold the SOLITUDE TARP and stake down the two windward corners first. Use the reflective nylon cordage with Dyneema® to create a taught line hitch at each stake. Keep the fabric taut but not stretched. Over-tightening can stress the silnylon; leave a little give for wind.
3. Raise the ridge or apex: For an A-frame, run a ridge line between two trees and clip the tarp's center loop to it. For a lean-to, attach one corner to a tree or trekking pole at head height. Use the VTS (VertTrek Stabilization) to lock the pitch. If no trees are available, use trekking poles as uprights and stake the pole handles.
4. Adjust tension and guylines: Tighten all guylines evenly using the Woojin tension locks. The fabric should be drum-tight but not distorting the seams. Add extra guylines on the windward side if the forecast calls for gusts. Uneven tension causes flapping and can tear the silnylon over time.

Product details

SOLITUDE TARP [SILNYLON] ONLY: At just 16.5 oz, the Solitude Tarp packs big protection into a small, go-anywhere footprint. Measuring 120" x 104" (10' x 8'8"), it’s built from 20D Silnylon with StormShield™ waterproof coating. This tarp is light enough to carry on any hunt and large enough to cover you and your gear in a sudden storm.
SOLITUDE TARP [SILNYLON] ONLY