Read the book's Introduction on the following page
This is the first book I have written that contains advanced skill concepts, descriptions, and instruction. However, the book is not just for the advanced hiker and tarp-camper. I also detail a wide range of beginning tarp skills - and everything in-between.
My intention with this new Tarp Book was to make it easily readable - with the concepts wholly understandable. In fact, I have written the book in such a way that pretty much anyone can read it, start to finish, regardless of the person’s tarp camping experience or skill level.
There is plenty of information that will give you the knowledge; but my hope is that you will put the book down, now and then, and practice what you have learned. Head knowledge is one thing; practice and experience takes that knowledge to the next level. And the new Ray-Way Tarp Book will serve as a ready reference for improving your skills.
The book includes some history of the ray-way tarp design. I explain why I enjoy tarp camping so much. I describe pitching methods and tarp campsite selection. I have several photo sequences of knot tying and tarp pitching. There are chapters on bugs and critters and rain and wind - all the questions and reservations that a person may have in regards to tarp camping. Hopefully I have addressed those questions thoroughly enough to inspire the reader, or at least to have sparked an interest.
Obviously, I think the ray-way tarp is a fantastic, lightweight, easy to use, portable shelter. And I hope that my enthusiasm for it is passed along through this new book. One of my goals in writing the book was to raise the reader’s tarp pitching skill level, and to pass along some of my advanced-level concepts specifically for thru-hikers of the long trails.
I have included it all - from the beginning basics of the tarp and tarp camping, to the many fine details for the aficionados.
All in all, I’m stoked about the book. I hope you will be too!
Meanwhile, the book includes a chapter on how to minimize one's exposure to ticks and the diseases they can transmit. This topic is a concern for many hikers and campers, whether or not they are sleeping under a tarp and using a Spitfire or Net-Tent. As such, I think this is an extremely important chapter for Appalachian Trail hikers, or other people who frequent the beautiful woods of the eastern states. Even if you have no interest in tarp camping, I consider the Ticks chapter essential reading for a safe and worry free trip.
Our new Tarp Book contains about ten times the info as the old tarp book, and far more as pertaining to tarp camping as did Trail Life.
This is because I have logged so many thousands of more miles with my hiking and cycling trips, since I wrote the other two books.
The new book contains the following story:
"During one of my thru-hikes of the AT, someone asked me where I would be camping that night. This is a commonly asked question in the late afternoons, among long-distance hikers.
"I replied that I usually camp where darkness finds me, just off the trail. I said I don't need to stay at the shelters, because my tarp works so well.
"To which the person asserted: "Yeah, but you're Ray Jardine."
"That struck me as pretty funny, but it also got me thinking about peoples' differing mind-sets and skill levels."
So I am writing this new book in order to pass along my tarp camping skills, not merely at a novice level, as with the original book, but at a more advanced level, such that everyone who reads the new book should be able to enjoy camping with a tarp with the same high degree of skill-sets, enjoyment and safety, as I do.
To lend a more universal appeal, the new book will not contain instructions for sewing a ray-way tarp. These are included with our kits.
Presently, I don't have any ideas for a better tarp design, so our current tarp kits represent our latest design. (I do have ideas, but none of them are better in the grand scheme, only because our current design works so well.)
The new book will printed with the many photos presented in back and white, so the book will sell at a more cost-effective price than Trail Life with it's expensive color pages.
And therefore, the overall presentation is not meant to be stunning, instead, the photos are meant to illustrate the topics in their vicinity. That is, each photo is there for a reason.
I wish I had a publication date, but I'm not there yet, even though I have been working night and day, seven days a week without letup. These projects take a surprising amount of time to get them right.
And once again, I am writing the book, not to say what I think everyone should do. But only to detail what I do. Personally, I think that every person should think for himself or herself, in all things.
“Simplifies camping and raises it to an art form.”
This book is for anyone who would like to sleep warmer and more comfortably in the wilds.
The “ray-way” tarp is simple in appearance, yet it will outperform even the most sophisticated tents in a wide variety of weather and terrain, when used according to the instructions in this book.
Ray's tarp is about a fourth the weight of even the lighter tents, and it offers at least twice the living space. Even though open all around, it is probably warmer than the tent you are currently using. Why? Because of the tarp's superior ventilation. A tent traps moisture, and this moisture saps body heat.
Here you will find information on how to select a good tarp site, how to pitch the tarp, and how the ray-way tarp handles rain, wind and bugs.
Discover the advantages of a ray-way tarp for yourself.
Read the book's Introduction on the following page
"As you can see from the attached photo, I finally got a new-to-me classic sewing machine. I tuned it up like you showed me how to; installed a new motor belt, and now my 1950's model Pfaff is purring smoothly." - Will L.
