Way to much time fussing with tarp

**Hulk** · 06-08-2010, 12:34

Setting up my Black Bird is ridiculously simple. Pull the webbing out of the stuff sack wrap around tree clip on with biners, adjust buckles done.
Then i sit down, untangle ridge line(s) and guy lines before i can set up the tarp. Breaking camp consists of pulling the stuffing the tarp back in the sack, sitting down and attempting to neatly store the ridge line and guy lines as to to have to untangle later. Never seems to work, some how they tie them selves in knots inside the pack.

Of course...the hammock takes virtually no time to pack.

So i have identified what i want. A single ridge line, under the tarp, so i can hang items under the tarp. Setup just like the Black bird, with no figure nines....as i find they get lost easily, and some sort of tangle resistant line.
It has to be something that can be done in the dark with cold wet, numb hands.

Is there something out there readily available...or am i dreaming.

**sclittlefield** · 06-08-2010, 12:42

Talk to Opie here on HF. He can get you all set up. I'm sure he'll chime in here as well once he sees the post. In the meantime, check out www.whoopieslings.com.

And yes, you're not dreaming. There are easier ways and better tangle-resistant lines available.

**BrianWillan** · 06-08-2010, 17:36

Greetings

One way to save the tangled mess of lines for guy outs is to take a few seconds per line and do the figure 8 hank across your thumb and pinky finger. It uncoils quickly and easily too. Some people also have rubber bands or hair elastics at the tarp tie out point and use that to secure the hanked up cord.

For the tarp ridgeline, there is always the option of using snake skins to help in deployment of the tarp. This way the tarp would always be attached to the ridgeline.

Both options here should really help you out with your spaghetti tangled lines.

Cheers

Brian

**Bat** · 06-08-2010, 17:43

Talk to Opie about the ridge line and then buy some snake skins. They make taking down and setting up the tarp as easy as the BB setup. Keeps your guy lines from getting tangled too.

**Mustardman** · 06-08-2010, 17:55

I've gotten a lot faster with the combination of separate lines for the ridge, which are coiled and stored in my stake bag, plus snakeskins for the tarp, with guylines staying attached at the corners, and then figure 9's permanently attached to my MSR Groundhog stakes. With figure 9 carabiners attached to the ridgeline loops of the tarp, it's a quick and easy setup.

**Poppabear** · 06-08-2010, 18:20

I second the figure eight coiling of the guy lines. It takes only seconds per line. When ready to deploy they uncoil with no problems. As for the tarp ridge line, if it is connected to your tarp with prussic loops. The same figure 8 coiling will work for each end that extends past the ends of the tarp. The remainder of the ridge line that runs under the tarp should not tangle as the tarp is put in a stuff sack or stuffed into you pack.

**TOB9595** · 06-08-2010, 18:26

Originally Posted by Mustardman

I've gotten a lot faster with the combination of separate lines for the ridge, which are coiled and stored in my stake bag, plus snakeskins for the tarp, with guylines staying attached at the corners, and then figure 9's permanently attached to my MSR Groundhog stakes. With figure 9 carabiners attached to the ridgeline loops of the tarp, it's a quick and easy setup.

So your ridge line rope is off the tarp when stored?
And the fig 9s quick setup when you're ready???
Just trying to get the picture of it.
Regards
Tom
Tom

**pgibson** · 06-08-2010, 18:30

Cough, Cough, there are some no hardware tarp ridge lines available at a shop I know, Cough

**opie** · 06-08-2010, 18:39

Hulk, the figure 9 wont fall off the prusik I attach it to the RL with. You would have to physically take it off.

Ive found, and this is JMO.. If you want a single line RL, you really need to ability to gain some mechanical advantage on the line to pull it tight. The prusiks on the 2 line system work well for getting the tarp taut... But if you are going to use the line for other purposes, you really will enjoy getting it pretty tight. It is possible to do this without a figure 9 using a truckers hitch or a combination of several prusiks. TeeDee has an interesting tarp RL set-up.

As for line stowage.. I also figure 8 wrap all my loose lines... My TRL, my guy lines and even the tails to my slings, prior to stuffing everything.

**Mustardman** · 06-08-2010, 19:28

Originally Posted by TOB9595

So your ridge line rope is off the tarp when stored?
And the fig 9s quick setup when you're ready???
Just trying to get the picture of it.
Regards
Tom
Tom

Exactly - the tarp lines each have a loop in one end - I girth hitch them aroud the trees, so I have lines coming off each tree, then use the fig 9 biners on each end of the tarp to attach the lines to the tarp. An alternate setup method is to hook those loops in the line to my dutch clips or biners on my tree huggers.