I am going to do an Oct 3 day trip with my wife on the Superior Hiking trail in Mn and will be using a tarp. I have a 5x7 pc of sil nylon that is untrimmed. What is the best way to finish off the edges without sewing?

Mosquito,
Don't you think the sil nylon is going to be too slippery? Seems like you'd slide around on it a lot during the night.

Jason

where the heck have you been?


Re: Ground cloth - I thought they were made of canvas.
Jim

I suggest tyvek.

Given the slippery surfaces of sil-nylon, I don't think this would be a particularly good choice. You could coat the edges or the whole piece using the Jim Woods silicon sealer/mineral spirits mix. This would keep the edges from unraveling and would also cut down on sliding and increase the water proof-ness of your fabric.

Personally, I would get a piece of kite Tyvek. If you get the flexible type it only weighs 1.3 oz per square yard and does not need to have the edges finished. It isn't water proof but neither is sil-nylon. If you want light and waterproof, get a piece of 2 mil polyethylene sheet.

Thanks. Will go with 2 mil poly.

I second the poly.

I thrice the poly...sabre11004....

The reason I suggested canvas - in the old days, ground clothes were made of canvas like the tents and tents had no floors. A non-porous "ground plastic" will not drain and may collect water making you more wet than without. Personally, you couldn't pay me to use a ground cloth.
Jim YMMV

Hey Jim! Sorry I've been on a bit of a sabbatical. I talked to Dick tonight and he said you guys are leaving for an epic hike today. Have a great time and please post pics! BTW, I told him to say hi to you for me. If he doesn't, tell him I'm goin to keep his Bushuddy hostage for another 6 months!

Jason
No Dick did not say hi for you - keep the bushbuddy.

PM me about your blog - ...
Jim

SWEET! I get a free $150 stove! Let me know how the trip went!