continuous ridgeline: tarp goes over or under?

[SilvrSurfr]

Brandon has no problem using a continuous ridgeline over the tarp, but he recommends just two separate lines. Ridgeline under the tarp kinda defeats the whole point of a cat-cut ridgeline (a taut pitch).

[ezwicky]

thanks everybody. i did not know about the catenary cut of the ridgeline, thanks for the explanations. i will keep the ridgeline above the tarp, and i will also try just the end tie-outs with no ridgeline.

[nothermark]

I'd take that opinion with a modicum of conditions. As somebody else pointed out it depends on what you are worried about. In low load conditions separate end lines or above the tarp let the tarp hang nicer. In high load conditions like strong wind or wet snow where you are hunkering down a single strong line supports the tarp better underneath. A single line with a couple of prussics on top is easier to adjust. Like a lot of things in life there is no universal right answer.

[ezwicky]

piggybacking on my original post with this question:

what length of line do you all carry for your continuous ridgeline? mine is about 30 feet, but i was wondering what other people do. i motorcycle camp and am not concerned about carrying around an extra 20 feet of tarp line.

thanks,

-eric

[IK_]

My CF tarp goes under the CR.

[sidneyhornblower]

Ridgeline under the tarp opens up the possibility of water running down the line, and dripping.

That's the way I ran my continuous ridgeline this past weekend in the rain. Mine is Hennessey Hex, not Superfly, but same principle.

[Wraith6761]

How I run my ridgeline depends on the conditions I'm expecting to be camping in...If I'm expecting heavy near-constant winds (like when I go camping at the Cove), or if the forecast calls for substantial snow or ice (more likely in my area), my ridgeline runs under the tarp for extra support. I also switch from Ti shepherds hook stakes to MSR groundhogs. If those weather extremes are not being called for, however, I'll just run the tarp beneath the RL.

As for how long mine is, I believe it's 30 ft, it's the single line tarp ridge line w/soft shackles sold on whoopieslings.com

[billygoat]

How I run my ridgeline depends on the conditions I'm expecting to be camping in...If I'm expecting heavy near-constant winds (like when I go camping at the Cove), or if the forecast calls for substantial snow or ice (more likely in my area), my ridgeline runs under the tarp for extra support. I also switch from Ti shepherds hook stakes to MSR groundhogs. If those weather extremes are not being called for, however, I'll just run the tarp beneath the RL.

As for how long mine is, I believe it's 30 ft, it's the single line tarp ridge line w/soft shackles sold on whoopieslings.com

Agree - dictated by weather conditions expected.

[ROADGUNNER]

so it sounds like based on this discussion there is no ware or damage to your tarp if you run it over the Ridge line?

[SilvrSurfr]

so it sounds like based on this discussion there is no ware or damage to your tarp if you run it over the Ridge line?

If you want to guarantee no wear or abrasion damage to your tarp, go with the ridgeline under the tarp. If you don't mind the possibility of wear and abrasion, go with the ridgeline over the tarp.