SOLITUDE Tarp Setup: Quick Shelter for Backcountry Hunting

Quick answer

To set up the SOLITUDE TARP [SILNYLON] quickly, choose a site with natural wind protection, stake the ridgeline first, then tension the corners. Avoid pitching too tight in wet conditions to prevent fabric stress.

How to set up the SOLITUDE TARP in 5 steps

1. Choose your site: Look for flat, well-drained ground with a natural windbreak (a clump of trees, a boulder, or a hillside). Avoid low spots where water pools. Orient the tarp so the low side faces the prevailing wind. A common mistake: pitching in a dry creek bed that floods after rain.
2. Lay out the tarp and stake the ridgeline: Unfold the SOLITUDE TARP and locate the ridgeline seam. Stake both ends of the ridgeline first, pulling the tarp taut between two anchor points. Use the supplied stake loops or tie-outs. Keep the ridgeline as straight as possible for a stable pitch. Checkpoint: if the ridgeline sags, the whole shelter will flap. Adjust stake tension now.
3. Tension the corners: Move to each corner tie-out and stake it at a 45-degree angle away from the tarp. Pull just enough tension to remove wrinkles. Over-tensioning in dry weather will cause the silnylon to stretch and sag when wet. Common mistake: pulling corners too tight, which stresses the fabric and makes re-tensioning harder after rain.
4. Adjust for wind and weather: If wind picks up, lower the windward side by moving that corner stake closer to the tarp. For rain, pitch one side lower to channel water away from your sleeping area. Leave a slight belly in the ridgeline so water runs off the center rather than pooling. Checkpoint: after rain starts, check for pooling and re-tension the ridgeline if needed.
5. Secure the edges for full coverage: Use additional stakes or tie-outs on the side panels to close gaps. For a closed-end shelter, bring the two rear corners together and stake them as a single point. For maximum ventilation, leave the front edge high and open. Common mistake: leaving side gaps that let in wind-driven rain or bugs.

Product facts

• SOLITUDE TARP [SILNYLON]: Weather can change quickly in the mountains, and carrying a full shelter isn't always necessary. The PEAX Solitude is a hunting tarp built to provide lightweight weather protection, versatile shelter options, and dependable coverage without adding unnecessary pack weight. This means you can leave the heavy tent behind and still have reliable overhead protection for glassing, cooking, or sleeping.