How to Use a Tarp to Make a Tent Waterproof
A rain-soaked camping tent will quickly put a damper on your outdoor excursion. Most camping tents come with a specialized component known as the rain fly. The rain fly allows rain to run off the sides of the tent as opposed to soaking into the fabric. If you forgot to bring along your rain fly, you can construct a do-it-yourself canopy using a tarp. According to the outdoor experts at REI, most camping tarps feature a waterproof design made from coated nylon or polyethylene.
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Instructions
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Locate a level camping site that features an abundance of trees. Remove any stones or sticks from the ground to avoid puncturing your tent. Erect your tent near four adjacent trees.
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Unfold the waterproof tarp across the ground. Insert one bungee cord through each metallic ring located at the corners of the tarp. Lift the tarp off the ground while holding one of the bungee cords.
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Wrap the bungee cord around the trunk of an adjacent tree. Connect the hooks of the bungee cord to fasten the tarp in place. Slide the bungee cord up the tree trunk until it sits higher than the camping tent.
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Fasten the remaining bungee cords around the trunks of the adjacent trees. Slide the bungee cords up the trunks to align the waterproof tarp over the top of the tent. Place your camping gear under the tarp to keep it dry throughout the night.
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