• Tarp shelters can replace traditional tents.camping image by ska from Fotolia.com
  
  When camping or backcountry hiking, a tarp shelter can be a great way to construct a place to escape the elements without carrying a lot of gear. For even the most complicated tarp shelter, the only materials you will need are a tarp and lengths of thin rope, which can be purchased at any sporting goods or department store. On the trail, choose the type of shelter that is right for the terrain, weather and purpose.
  
  

Fire protection

• On a rainy day, even the most sophisticated tents won't be able to help you keep a fire going for warmth and cooking. When you are camping in inclement weather, set up a fire shelter immediately on reaching camp to provide a place to sit around the fire.
  
  To create one, use rope to tie two corners of the tarp to rocks, stumps or other low points. For the other two corners, attach rope and tie to tree branches or two tall sticks to create an angled roof. Experiment with the angle and the placement of the fire pit to ensure the flames will not melt the tarp. The rain will roll from the top level of the tarp to the bottom, keeping you and the fire dry; if the rain is driving, consider adding another tarp as a wall.
  
  

Tent

• If you are camping in heavy rain or snow, or if you simply want a more enclosed shelter, create a tarp shelter that resembles a traditional A-frame tent.
  
  First, run a top line from one tree to the next; this should be longer than the shelter and be approximately level. Drape the tarp over the line and tie the corners down to nearby stumps. Alternately, you can tie the ends of rope to the tarp and to a heavy rock; this way, you can adjust the tightness of your shelter by pulling the rocks away from the tarp. The more taut the tarp, the more likely it is to keep rain and wind off of you during the night.
  
  Adjust the top line to create the space inside the shelter, and add ponchos or other tarps to the openings to create walls.
  
  

Triangle shelter

• If you will be staying alone in your shelter, a triangle version is a low-profile option that presents protection from the elements and a ground cover. This is particularly useful when camping in rough weather or after a rain or snow storm.
  
  To create the shelter, run a center line from a point about 4 feet up on a tree down to an anchor point on the ground. Drape the tarp over the line and fold the ends under so it forms a triangle point at the low end. On the high end, bring the corners of the tarp out to form an opening and anchor with rocks; the edges should fold under to create a floor.