Tarp ridgeline length

[Shug]

Newbie help needed. I am wondering how long your tarp ridge line is. I thought my first attempt at 25 feet Amsteel would be long enough but on my first hang I was proven wrong. I missed by that much (Maxwell Smart). It missed going around the tree and my figure 9 hardware by a 2 to 3 feet. I just tied in a length of 550 cord as a fix. I want my next attempt to be long enough but I also don't want to go overboard. Do you think 30 feet finished length is enough for most situations? Your input would be appreciated.

Razbarry

I use 12 to 15 feet off of my tarp. Have never really come up short.
Here are some tarp tutorials that may give you some insight.
Carry forth...
Shug

[doogie]

Here's a quick way to calculate the length needed for a continuous tarp ridgeline. Take your maximum tree distance, double it and subtract your tarp ridgeline, then add 3 times your maximum tree diameter. So as an example, if I want to hang from 2' diameter trees that are 17' apart (center to center) and I have an 11' tarp ridgeline I will need a continuous ridgeline of 17' + 17' - 11' + 6' = 29'

It should actually be 3.1415 times the diameter, but since you're already estimating the tree diameter, 3 is good enough. I have made a few setups for myself and other people and I order 75' from Dutch and take 35' to make my ridgeline and use the remaining to make 4 10' tieouts. They are all a little shorter after the splices, but still leave plenty of room for the monster trees that i occasionally encounter.

[Razbarry]

Great information thanks all. I am so very impressed with everyone's willingness take you time and effort to help others.

Thanks all!!

Razbarry

[somniferous]

I use a CRL and set it up so the line comes back to the tarp on both sides (pretty much this http://www.arrowhead-equipment.com/u...35_i1_w908.png. I was fine with a 30 ft ridgeline until I was camping at a state forest in MA. I'm planning on jumping up to 40ft just to be safe.

[doogie]

I use a CRL and set it up so the line comes back to the tarp on both sides (pretty much this http://www.arrowhead-equipment.com/u...35_i1_w908.png. I was fine with a 30 ft ridgeline until I was camping at a state forest in MA. I'm planning on jumping up to 40ft just to be safe.

This is the setup that I use and described how to calculate the length needed above. One trick that I now use in case of extra length needed is that I carry a Carl's Pack Hanger (Dutch sells these, or you can make your own out of some Zing-it and a Dutch hook). The cool part of this is that you can easily hook the eye loop of the pack hanger onto your Dutch hook of your tarp ridgeline and you now have a 6' extension with a hook on the end. Gotta love multi-purpose gear.

[MAD777]

I use a CRL and set it up so the line comes back to the tarp on both sides (pretty much this http://www.arrowhead-equipment.com/u...35_i1_w908.png. I was fine with a 30 ft ridgeline until I was camping at a state forest in MA. I'm planning on jumping up to 40ft just to be safe.

That is exactly what I'm doing, using 37' of 1.2mm Tech Line.