Pitching the Cirriform SW for stormy weather

OSAS System - Oh Snap! A Storm!

  • The ‘OSAS!’ System allows you to close off the mesh panels along the sides of the shelter. You may wish to do this if spray from wind or splashing becomes an issue. You might also want to close off one side to restrict a cold draft.
  • To cinch the mesh shut, pull the cord through the cordlock located at the midpoint of the panel.
  • Keep in mind that you’ll limit ventilation and increase the risk of condensation with the mesh closed off.
  • As an alternative, in bad weather, you might try adjusting the intermediate stakes at the middle of the tarp’s body. Move these inward, closer to the floor so that they pull the tarp’s edges downward rather than outward. This can help to reduce spray from wind.

Lower the pitch

The Cirriform SW is designed to allow you to lower the entire pitch while retaining a shapely tub-floor. You may find it desirable to use this method in times of extreme exposure or weather.

  • Reduce your trekking pole heights by about 5”
  • Stake the guylines for the tarp’s corners much closer to the tarp. You may even wish to stake them directly to the ground.
  • Re-tension all guylines as necessary for a taut and balanced pitch.
  • At the floor’s corners, run the shock cord through the black webbing loops located about 5” above. This effectively collapses the floor to take up the newly introduced slack. Clip the shock cord as necessary to pull out the corners of the tub (see methods for shortening the shock cord).

Lower the pitch

A quick way to increase protection from wind driven rain is to adjust the pitch to bring the tarp’s edges closer to the ground.

  • Stake the intermediate tie-outs on the tarp’s sides close to the floor. This pulls the edge downward and closer to the floor.
  • Move the corner stakes closer to the tarp. Depending on how close you bring them, you may need to adjust the shock cord lengths. Also note, as you narrow the width of the tarp, you may find it increasingly difficult to pull the beak perfectly taut. See the pictures below for alternative ways to pitch the beak/vestibule to help seal it off or take up slack.