Originally Posted by craigeckhoff

I have lots of experience improvising on touring gear. My aim is to help those who wish to start touring learn cheap and inventive ways to start. One idem I do most of the time is use a tarp instead of a tent. Now some will use a rain fly/lightweight nylon rig. I just use a old cheap mall mart blue tarp. 8 by 10, 4 metal stakes, some para cord and in my case, my cane/walking stick. I rig this up like an old miners tent. Lie it flat, put 2 stakes in the corners of the 10 foot side. The other 10 foot side I prop up with my cane, tie a bit of cord to the grommet and cane, then stake the corners of that 10 foot side. I've also done it using the 8 foot sides instead. My "bed" and gear fit inside and off to sleep I go.