Ideas for protecting tree from ridgeline?

[jdonuts]

I am considering straps to zing it, but I want something easy. Has any one used something to protect the tree from ZingIt like a sleeve or thought about something that just goes around the backside of the tree where the ridge line makes contact. It would be nice to eliminate the fiddle factor for rainy days etc. I know its probably not essential given the forces involved, but it would make me feel better and probably eliminate some possible scrutiny from Ranger Rick.

[The Old Boot]

I've always used tree straps for both the hammock and the tarp.

[Eidson]

Although I haven't tried either of these methods, I've come across them mentioned somewhere on the forums...
Using lightweight rubber tubing or using gutted paracord.
I keep meaning to gut some paracord and give it a shot, but haven't taken the time yet. Might not add a lot of tree protection, but it would be better than the straight line around the tree.

[jamaulwall]

I haven't tried it personally but I heard of someone using a 2-3' piece of gutted paracord as a sleeve for the zing-it ridgeline. Essentially, you run the zing-it through the gutted paracord and leave the paracord section as the part that touches the tree. The idea behind it was that when you center the tarp over the hammock you won't be sawing into the tree with the zing-it, but sliding it through the paracord sleeve instead. Again, I haven't tried it but it seems like a good idea if you are hanging from trees with soft bark. A lot of my hanging is on trees with bark thick enough that I don't worry about the tarp ridgeline doing any damage.

If I wanted to integrate straps into my tarp ridgeline I'd forego the CL and go with a small straps with loops on each end. Then I'd larks head some zing-it to each loop and use Dutch Stingerz to connect them to the tarp. So I'd essentially have two straps that looked like this ----------------||||||||||||||||||------------------ where the "----" is zing-it and "||||||" is a 1" strap. Having typed that out, I don't see myself ever doing that but again, if you wanted to I can see this working.

EDIT: Looks like someone beat me to the gutted paracord idea.

[Floridahanger]

In Florida STATE PARKS 2" straps are required for hammocks AND tarps.

I used to use 1" straps for my tarp to lengthen the reach until I got long enough Lash-it. Now no straps for National forests.

The problem with paracord sheath is it soaks in the water. Not enough to add weight, but I wouldn't want that moisture in with my tarp and RL. That's just me.

[Zilla]

FS (2).jpg


2 inch x 4 ft sewn onto 1 inch x 8 ft. problem solved. you can use seat belt straps for the 2 inch and 1,500 or 3,000 lb straps for the 1 inchers.

[jdonuts]

Thanks for the good ideas everyone. The gutted paracord sounds like the sheaths used by arborist when climbing. I just can't think of any sheath that may be a little more protective than paracord. Leather is out (weight and water absorbtion). Thanks to Zilla and jamaulwall. I think zing it to 1 inch straps may work. Anyone have thoughts on pros and cons of grommets in the ends of the straps lengths or do you think loops to larks head would be more effective?

[ksbcrocks]

Grommets tend to tear out. I would sew loops in the straps and do some sort of loop to loop knot.

[Caminante]

What about cutting a sleeve of polyethylene or clear PVC tubing? It would be light, wouldn't absorb water obviously, and would probably distribute forces a little better than paracord sheath.

http://www.homedepot.com/s/plastic%2520tubing?NCNI-5

[Dux]

Why not larkshead one end of your ridgeline to one loop on a tree strap? Run the ridgeline through the the other loop and use as normal. Easier yet would be a Dutch clip, carabiner, etc on the other loop of the tree strap. This would allow clipping rather than feeding all that line through.