Framed up this very simple spike camp yesterday. 1 9x12 tarp, 10 nails, 2 oly’s, and about 10’ of cord. I have put several in my hunting area where I can sleep near the elk as they vary location. Bow, food, sleeping bag in the pack and I am mobile with the elk.

What state are you in? Looks like grizzly country

I like it. That flexibility can be priceless.

Should work. However, I would build the frame then roll up the tarps, put them in some kind of bag, and stash them nearby. It only takes a minute to put them back on the frame. Prevents theft, sun damage, bear damage, etc.

I hear ya RC. The shelters are taken down at the end of September, or I would definitely follow your advice. No chance of theft, bear shredding it would be a possibility but rare. I don’t cook in them or store food there and hang any food I have in my pack 50 yds downwind. I never build near animal “travel corridors” as well which I have found to be very important in avoiding bears traveling through at night, they will stick to trails or familiar routes. I’ve been using similar shelters out here for 25 years and haven’t had many bear issues.

Looks simple but definitely effective. Ever use a camo tarp?

Good use of two beers!

Spike camps are my style. Nice work.

Here's how I do it.....even more simple, with no frame. Not that there's any timber to make a frame at 11,000 feet anyway. Being that it's just a tarp and a couple stakes, I take it down and it goes with me when I decide to move somewhere else, since I never know where I'll end up.
I don't bother with the jet boil unless I know I'll be in one spot for a couple days.

Timbermaster how far apart are your "spike camps"? Thanks for your time. Cheers NC

I have used camo tarps on other shelters but did not have one for this trip. It is almost 40 miles to “town” to buy one. Here are examples from past shelters. I am still using the A frame but the other one came down in a September snow storm, hence going to the A frame design to shed snow. My camps are about 1 to 1 1/4 mile apart plus or minus. I basically have a low, middle and high camp.

That is simply genius!

Great camp setup! We use buckets for storage also. They work very well. Just curious what’s the funnel for?

The funnel is for a rainwater collecting set up to catch runoff from the roof. With enough rain (we’ve had plenty) it easily fills a 5 gal water jug before hunting season. That camp (high camp) is quite a hike downhill and back to water source.

We're in the planning stage of a llama pack trip for elk this fall. The place we want to camp is about 1/2 mile from the nearest water which is in a steep draw. We have an advantage in that we can pack in a couple collapsible water jugs and haul it with the llamas. Llamas don't drink much. 2 5-gal jugs would last us for days.

Sounds like a good idea. I kind of figured it was a water catch. Good luck this season!

That would be OK as long as the rain doesn't fall sideways. If it's not going to rain, then you don't need the tarp.

This is more like those that I have set up except I use a trekking pole instead of a long gun.

Here's one simple camp that I built before the season. I have taken it down and cached the poles. The tarps I carry home.


This picture was just after completion.


This photo was during Colorado's 3rd season.