This last weekend I set up both a tarp and a tent - after two years, my girlfriend and I finally went backpacking together, and I wanted her to see what some of the choices are. It really rained hard, but I found a good site for the tarp, and no water came in from the ground.

But little drops of water came through this brand new Etowah 10x10 tarp from the top, and not just at the seams. Not huge amounts, but we decided our down sleeping bags would be safer in my guaranteed-waterproof and guaranteed-heavy tent (which has been through many real downpours). We left our backpacks under the tarp, and in the morning they were definitely a little damp, not wet.

Sigh. If I could just leave that tent behind and use the tarp, I'd be down to about 34 pounds with food and water. The tent is about 6. But she's going to have to feel really secure in a downpour or I'll be backpacking alone.

Do I just have the wrong tarp?

Jonathan