New Stoney Creek tarp/fly for camping adventures
I got to use a new piece of equipment on my recent camping trip in Arthurs Pass NP. This was a new tarp/fly sheet made by the local outdoor company Stoney Creek.
 |
| Drone fly sheet set up over my tent, Arthurs Pass NP |
I purchased a Stoney Creek 4X4 meter fly with a Hunting and Fishing voucher I got for Christmas. It cost me $80 (normally $119) in their Summer sale and is an item of kit I have needed for some time now. I have a smaller 2.5 x 3 meter fly but it is not large enough for covering my tent and an area for camp tasks.
 |
| Stoney Creek Drone Fly in its carry bag |
The fly sheet has a seam sealed 3000 water-head rating and weighs about 700 grams and will provide another option for when I am camping in the backcountry. It is easily big enough to cover three people or can provide a vast amount of covered space for one.
 |
| The Drone fly is 4x4 meters with a central ridge |
The fly/tarp came with pre attached guy lines so it is ready for use right off the shelf. They have a handy cord loop on the underside of the fly so once you roll them up you can feed them through the loop to keep everything nice and tidy.
 |
| Guy line looped on the edges of the Drone fly |
 |
| Good reinforced attachment points for guy lines |
The attached guy ropes on the fly are excellent. They are all about 3 meters long and made of a decent quality reflective cord. I had no problems reaching nearby trees with the guys when I used it recently. I was also impressed by how reflective the guys were...I could easily see them from about 40 meters away when I flashed them at night.
 |
| Good quality reflective guy lines on the Drone fly |
One thing I did need to buy was a set of X stakes for tying the fly down...they are not provided with the tarp. You really need at least 6 stakes with a tarp to allow you to set it up in a variety of ways. All up the 6 stakes add about 60 extra grams to the total weight.
 |
| Set of Zempire aluminium stakes |
I brought some cheap Zempire aluminium X stakes and they will be stored in the stuff sack with the fly. I will probably replace these with some better quality MSR stakes once I find a set.
Drone fly in use:
Here are some photos of the Drone fly out on its first trip. This is from my New Years camping trip to the Hawdon Valley in Arthurs Pass NP. It didn't rain so I cannot speak to effectiveness by I will once I use it in inclement weather...
 |
| Drone fly was more than large enough to cover the tent |
As you can see in the photo below there is an attached bag for storing the fly sheet in attached to the corner with a length of cord.
 |
| Stuff sack attached to the Drone fly |
No doubt you will see the fly in action in the future as I will be using it on a series of Wild Camping trips I have planned for the new year.
