17d • SKILL CHALLENGES
Week 6 — Tarp Configurations (Anchored & Free-Standing)
Crawl → Walk → Run Shelter Deployment With and Without Natural Anchors
Objective: Develop shelter deployment skills using both natural anchor points (trees) and self-supported / free-standing methods. Emphasis on adaptability, wind discipline, and rapid site assessment.
TRAINING FOCUS
- Anchor-based vs free-standing geometry
- Ridgeline vs center-pole concepts
- Stake angles and tension mechanics
- Wind direction management
- Deployment speed under pressure
- Resource improvisation
CRAWL PHASE — Anchored A-Frame + Free-Standing Plow Point
PART 1 — Anchored A-Frame
Conditions
- 2 trees
- Standard ridgeline setup
- No time limit
- Calm weather
Standard
- Tight ridgeline
- Symmetrical pitch
- Low weather profile (no high picnic mode)
- 45° stake angles
Submission:Front + side photo + ridgeline detail
PART 2 — Free-Standing Plow Point (No Trees)
Now remove the crutch.
Conditions
- No trees or vertical supports
- You may use:
- Must rely entirely on stakes + tension
Standard
- One elevated center point
- All other points staked
- Wind-facing side low
- Fabric tensioned evenly
Key Teaching Point:Free-standing requires understanding force vectors — the tarp is now a tension structure, not a suspended structure.
Submission:
- Full view
- Center pole detail
- Stake angle detail
AAR:Which was easier to tension? Why?
WALK PHASE — Three Configurations (Including One Fully Free-Standing)
Task
Deploy three configurations:
Required:
- Anchored A-Frame
- Lean-To (anchored)
- Fully free-standing configuration
Approved free-standing options:
- Plow point with center pole
- Modified pyramid
- Tarp tent with two trekking poles
- Flying diamond (ground anchored only)
Conditions
- Reset tarp each time
- No pre-tied ridge system
- Evaluate wind direction before pitching
- Must be functional weather shelter
Standard
- Stable in moderate wind
- Tight tension lines
- No excessive sag
- Realistic survival pitch (low and weather-oriented)
Submission:
- Photo of each
- Which required most tension correction?
- Which would survive a storm?
AAR:Which configuration gives best weather survivability with NO trees available?
RUN PHASE — 7 Minute Field Deployment (Tree-Restricted Scenario)
Scenario
You reach open terrain. No trees. Weather incoming.
Task
Deploy a free-standing configuration under time pressure.
Conditions
- 7-minute hard cap
- No trees
- Tarp folded in pack
- Cordage stored, not pre-staged
- No pre-set knots
- Choose site rapidly
Optional stressor:20 pushups before timer starts.
Standard
- Fully pitched in under 7 minutes
- Stable
- Low weather profile
- Entrance oriented away from wind
- All stakes properly angled
Submission:
- Timer screenshot OR video
- Final shelter photo
- State deployment time
ADVANCED RUN (Optional for High-Level Members)
After deployment:
Option A:
- Reconfigure orientation in under 4 minutes to adapt to wind shift
Option B:
- Build a windbreak wall using natural debris in front of free-standing shelter
Option C:
- Establish fire in safe position relative to free-standing shelter and demonstrate airflow management
KEY LESSON — Anchored vs Free-Standing
Anchored shelter teaches:
- Ridgeline tension
- Symmetry
- Efficiency
Free-standing shelter teaches:
- Engineering mindset
- Load distribution
- Force management
- Adaptability when terrain gives you nothing
Most casual campers never practice free-standing because it exposes weak understanding of tarp physics.
LEADERSHIP DISCUSSION PROMPTS
- Did removal of trees increase hesitation?
- Did you overthink the geometry?
- What failed first — pole stability or stake tension?
- How would cold hands change performance?
SCORING MODEL
Crawl Anchored: 10 pts
Crawl Free-Standing: 10 pts
Walk Complete: 20 pts
Run Under 7 Minutes: 30 pts
Under 5 Minutes Bonus: +10 pts
Advanced Run: +15 pts
Peer Feedback (2 Members): +5 pts
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Week 6 — Tarp Configurations (Anchored & Free-Standing)
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