| Anyone who has ever gone on a camping trip will | | | | You also need to make sure you can put them up |
| admit that camping in the rain is horrific without a | | | | quickly. Since they need to be secured with poles, |
| few tarps to cover the tent and anything that needs | | | | you will most likely need at least one other person to |
| to be stored outside such as large coolers, a grille, | | | | help get the poles securely placed while one or two |
| etc. | | | | others unfold the tarp, get the rope, and start |
| A tarp needs to withstand some strong winds, too. | | | | draping it. Even experienced campers can find this a |
| This means that not only does the tarp need to be | | | | bit difficult, especially when the tarps need to be put |
| completely water proof (preferably made of a heavy | | | | up on a moment's notice. |
| vinyl rather than duck cloth), it also need to have | | | | Larger campgrounds might even sell <a |
| large securely reinforced holes through which the | | | | rel="nofollow" |
| stabilizing rope can be drawn. Having a thick, durable | | | | onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', ' |
| waterproof tarp is useless if it can be blown off in a | | | | outgoing/article_exit_link']);" href=" in their on-site |
| heavy wind because the grommets were pulled | | | | store. However, be prepared! Don't wait to see |
| completely through. | | | | those storm clouds rolling in before you start trying |
| They come in all sizes, qualities and even colors. It's | | | | to locate a tarp! |
| important to choose the correct one. For instance, if | | | | Do yourself a favor and head to a local mass retailer, |
| you plan on heading to some real wilderness, you | | | | and head to their "seasonal" dept. Load up! A huge |
| should consider getting a tarp that is shiny and | | | | 20' by 20' <a rel="nofollow" |
| reflective, such as an iridescent yellow or orange that | | | | onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', ' |
| can be seen from afar in the event of an | | | | outgoing/article_exit_link']);" href=" can be had for |
| emergency. | | | | under $15. |