Tent and Tarp Setup

[@akcarlos]

its interesting that you have addressed the problem nobody else has mentioned, how to put your tent up when raining without getting it completely wet inside.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Very good point and I forgot to mention it in the video. Yep on wet days the tarp inevitably goes up first. Thanks

[@kingmichaelthelastwarrior]

You’re living the Dream Mr. ☀️

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I try. Thanks. 😃

[@kingmichaelthelastwarrior]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe - really enjoy your videos; you’re a great boatman. I live in Oregon and planning to do Bowron Lakes in BC this summer with my 16 year old son. I’ve pick up many tips from your channel✌🏽

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

@@kingmichaelthelastwarrior That is great hear that the channel has been useful, many thanks. I was hoping to do the Bowron Lakes a few year ago but because we were a party of eight it was so restricted in both time and which sites you could use (park regulations), we binned it. I will get around to doing it one day. Have a great time, very special doing it with your son.

[@robmackins2111]

Great idea to hang your kit above the tent but under the tarp.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Absolutely. It is one reason I like the tarp/tent combination.

[@MrMjt888]

Brings back memories. Great little vid.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thanks! Many happy memories of camping here over the years. Great river, great camping. Again thanks.

[@martinoutdoors6941]

Great set up Ray and easy to see it’s well practised. I’m a big fan of tarps especially for admin space.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thanks 👍 Yep a ex para friend of mine described it as creating a personal admin area. Yep a well practised system and I will do a video on the knots and set up in more detail for those that don't do this. Anyway thanks for your comment. It is appreciated.

[@markl2815]

Hi fella. Yep, Can only agree really, bedroom and lounge/admin space In the tarp area … not ultralight/minimal but weighs not much more and actually works. I’d also echo the point about multi dry bags. We get people turn up with gear for a long river trip and no dry bags at all. And hoping it’ll be ok in a boat over a week. It won’t. We do end up “over providing” bags so they can double bag at least some or all of it The barrel the food, kitchen etc which we also provide As you say, bitter experience … especially if it’s down bags etc. Say hi to the family

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Hi Mark, yep I think a lot of use, after years of experience, end up with a very similar system and methodology. Yep it is amazing how many folk believe they will never get wet or capsize.

[@nigelgregory4777]

That was a brilliant week with you and Paul last year, the scenery was amazing and the company and atmosphere of the whole group made it a fantastic time, many thanks the time and effort you must put into your posts. Hope everyone is well, take care. Nige 👍 ⛺🚣☕

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

It is a stunning trip. Great paddling, great camping spots and good company (oh and a wee dram of malt whisky). All good here Nige. Keep well.

[@nigelgregory4777]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe was keeping the Scottish water a secret, 😂😂, good to hear you are all well., 👍 👍☕❤

[@vinoto]

So concise and helpful! Thanks 👍

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

You're welcome!

[@gud2go50]

Nice setup! It is always a juggle depending on where you find yourself for the night! I have recently been trying out some bungee cords with clipped hooks for safety and security. We will see how it goes though!😊

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Good stuff! I learnt so much sea kayaking on the west coast of Scotland. So often there were no trees so I had to become very inventive. Much easier in woodland. The bungees sound interesting but I do like the versatility of cord in terms of length.

[@KartsHuseonica]

Yes, I'm also all about personal preferences. Works for me.... so I don't really care much what others think. Also, I never trust anything to be waterproof 🌧

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Yep it is a great system for keeping tent and gear dry. Learnt this one from an exmember of the commandos. I just make sure the tarp is a real lightweight one.

[@one2oneCanoe]

I love the bodging it up solution for the tarp specially the tensioning! and the carabiner to hold the line below the tarp, nice

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

It is always good to be creative. 😁

[@one2oneCanoe]

absolutely, little gems to keep for the next adventure

[@sup-surfer6358]

Great setup Ray 👍

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Yep. It is simple enough but makes life a lot easier. Thank you

[@ptrckmuir]

Another good video Ray.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you. appreciated

[@canoeingnav7618]

Hi Ray. I am new to your channel. Very interesting to see you have the same tent, tarp set up I use for tripping here in Canada. I am enjoying your videos. Cheers.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thanks for the kind words and responding. Yep I think a lot of us end up with the same set up.... because it works well.

[@grahamrowe6278]

Succinct, consice and as honest as ever Ray. Without a doubt, there should never be any trusting that a single layer of waterproofing is going to keep the most essential items dry. When the days get brutal, as they do from time to time, escape to comfortable rest through good prep and organsiation is as much safety, as it is the route to a successful experience.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thanks Graham. As you say it's all about the preparation. Keep well.

[@lennylink8772]

That's an interesting way of doing things. I always appreciate seeing a setup from different areas of the world. I prefer hammock camping like that, but I also tent camp.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Hi, yep it is always good to see other peoples set up. Mine has evolved over the years from watching others and getting an idea here and there. Out of interest several of the customers on this trip were using hammocks. So we had a good variety of set up in use that trip. Any thank you for you comment. Appreciated.

[@Mixwell1983]

I have some wooded area on my property and I'm going to take my son there to tent camp for the night next week. I dont know why i waited ages but I have a 7 person teepee style tent and a tarp i want to cover it with. Im going to rake out the dead leaves and dig down a bit for a make shift firepit a d bring some marshmallows along. I can't wait, im sure the lad will be excited and i kick myself for waiting soo long to take him camping. My tarp is a 3x3 meter (10x10ft) for us Americans Kalinco tarp that i got on Amazon with all the tie outs. Its apparently a copy of a more popular brand. It's right in the backyard so if he has to go to the bathroom we can still trek back to the house haha No rain is in the forecast but you know how quickly that can change. That little stream by your spot looks nice and relaxing. Cheers

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thanks for that. Yep I really hope your lad enjoys it. It is always special camping with kids even if its in reach of the house. Camped in our garden a lot during Covid lockdowns. Got to the point where my daughter was happy to camp with just her and the dog. Anyway have fun.

[@alexblue6991]

I'm also from Scotland always wanted to give this a go but I'm hopeless with knots and don't have any transport I like the thought of a tarp as it give you a better view of the wildlife

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Knots are just repetition. You need to just do the same ones every day and in a short time you will learn them. Mind there is very little wildlife to be seen in reality but it is always possible to see something and then it is quite magical.

[@alexblue6991]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe thanks for the reply I'm surprised about the lack of wildlife in my area of central Scotland their deer buzzards squirrels foxes and more

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

@@alexblue6991 They are certainly there and I suppose I take for granted the birds: I see buzzards every day from my house and the occasional red kite. Most other wildlife is very shy and difficult to see if you are in a group. Foxes particularly so at all times. Deer are far easier to see on the mountains but in woodland less so. We do see deer on the banks of the Spey but it tends to be fleeting views, once we are spotted they are off.

[@alexblue6991]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe in my area the deer just walk around most in the morning they don't seem to bother about people the same anymore wooden area all around as for the foxes people leave food out for them it's true we do take it for granted but when friends visit they think how lucky we are

[@kristaps2010]

Love everything to do with paddling and camping. Thanks for sharing. Looking for a tarp now to add to my H.Unna tent.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Yep it does make life more comfortable. Just a bigger working area and a lot easier packing away in the rain. Have fun

[@kristaps2010]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Thank you, stay safe.

[@wolfoutdoorscanada]

Nice set up!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you.

[@philschaefer4651]

Good video and use of time lapse. I've used a similar set up for years, but typically with a smaller tarp just over the tent door. It's so nice to have a dry area to crawl in and out of the tent. Also, love the look of the Hillaberg tents, I'll probably be getting one when my current tent wears out, which will be a while since it's an MSR. Thanks again.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Hi Phil, as ever thank you for commenting. Yep the Hillabergs are great tents and very well made. Mind the Akto is small and the first time I crawled into it it felt like a coffin! Mind I am so used to it now and it is my tent of choice when I am in N America. They are expensive but bloody good. Keep well.

[@philschaefer4651]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe I'm looking at their Nallo 2. I love my MSR Fury 2, especially when I'm above tree line and the wind picks up, but the vestibule entrance is tiny and I'm not as flexible as I once was. But it's still in good shape and I anticipate using it for several more years.

[@skyblue-df2od]

You're too clever with ya tarp tying! going to play in slow mo

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I am planning on a separate video for the knots and methods. that will make it much clearer.

[@downeastprimitiveskills7688]

Nice go over, Ray. Do you follow Lisa DeHart? 3Minutes with a Maine Guide? She has some complementary content as well. Out ice is just about to break up, a couple weeks and the small faster streams will be free of ice soon to follow the ponds and lakes, its been a long winter.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Yes. I have watched quite a few of Lisa's but not for a whole. Must pop back to the channel. No freeze here this winter so been able to paddle throughout except for the big storms and their winds. Here's to another paddling season over there. Cheers

[@doliergr]

Another great video Ray, have to agree personal admin space is worth taking that extra tarp! What other exciting tricks do you have hidden in your 110L bill's bag for expeds I wonder?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thanks Grant. Secrets? That is why they are called secrets. I can't let you know everything in one hit. 😅. In truth nothing exceptional or surprising. But I will have to do a couple of 'kit I carry' videos at some point. Keep well.

[@linapatel4341]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Whiskey?

[@pajmage]

Love it, brings back memories of the time I went to the Spey with yourself and Paul. Is this the 2nd island by chance?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Yes it is. Well spotted although they are all quite different. Good times

[@bertheemskerk3273]

I recognised the island from the thumbnail of the video 😅👌🏻

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

@@bertheemskerk3273 Good spot. Well done Bert 😃

[@realitycheck2669]

What is this wizardry? Is their a hammer and nail solution?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

only if you have a supply of timber.

[@davecalder2688]

what are the dimensions of the tarp? thanks

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

2.4m x 3m. Rab Siltarp 2

[@davecalder2688]

thanks mate,,,I have an old tent that I still like but the fly is shot so rather than buying a new tent I will tarp it

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

That will work well I think.

[@linapatel4341]

Can i have the Tarp for my trips please 😁 and you to bodge it too

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

The first question is under consideration. No to the second. 🤣