NFT

I have never used a tarp and I got this for day hiking. I have my crossbow and (now, yeah!!) my portal for camping.

It took a lot of practice and there is definitely a learning curve. (I first tried to pitch it as a wind block when out skiing and I had no clue what to do with it!!!) Rich at Sling Fin was patient and helped me through my confusion. He also urged me to practice at home. I could not agree more, there is definitely a learning curve and technique to this.

Here is how I use it:
Winter skiing: For comfortable, warmer lunches while keeping your view. (Yes, with a couple of people and a dog, the tarp adds warmth.) It feels like quite a luxury indeed!!!
3 Season: Protection from sudden storms.
Summer: Shade when you really need a break from the sun and yet you want to enjoy the view.

Beginners Tip: The tarp is bigger than you might think. Pitch those stakes far apart otherwise you will be stuck in a trial and error thing, pulling up stakes and re-pounding them until you get it right. I paced it off so now I place those stakes correctly every time.

New to tarp camping. I spent a week sleeping under different pitches every night; mostly with varying degrees of rain and wind. I wish I could post pictures; but here’s some first impressions…

The tarp is awesome and I love it. So light and packable, but large and versatile. It pitches tight and doesn’t get too floppy in rain. The mid-panel guy loops really help create more space.

Lesson learned: when it’s raining and wind is gusting and changing directions, a closed pyramid pitch has worked the best for me so far.

Suggestions:
* add toggles to the 4 detached guy lines. So much quicker to pop toggle into guy loop.
* add center guy loop (outside). This would allow several pitches to guy out to ridge line or tree and go up without a pole inside the tent (pyramid, tarp tent)
* add the same guy loops to the short sides as they are on the long sides (4 more total). A lot of the popular tarp pitches can’t be done as-is with NFT: tarp tent pitch, stealth, several fully closed/pyramid pitches.

Toggles were easy to add. I may try to figure out sewing guy loops, but I’ve never sewed and don’t want to screw up the beautiful tarp.

I have more than a few tarps in my quiver and this one has quickly become my favourite. Unlike my A-frame tarps, the NFT is versatile and can be pitched in many configurations. But unlike a conventional flat tarp, the catenary edges of the NFT mean you can get drum tight A-frame pitches. I also love its spaciousness - it's truly palatial for one person or for me and my pup - while the numerous guy lines and tie-out points facilitate a wide range of pitches and set-ups. And unlike my DCF tarps, this one can be stuffed into its sack in next to no time, without babying it, and it packs down really small. The NFT really is a fantastic piece of kit. I urge all tarp lovers - or those folk curious to try out tarp camping - to check it out!