Ridgelines for tarps for noobs

Alright, I guess I'll kick things off

What's a fast way to set up a ridgeline for your tarp?

This method was described over at ADVRider by Law Dawg:

Quote
Law Dawg
BTW my single ridgeline is a piece of line (find some that works for you) and four Prusik knotts. The ends have two simple loop knots (it will not need to hold that much weight) for the two outside Prusiks. Run the ends around the trees and attach to the outside Prusiks with mini biners and snug up. Two more MBs for the tarp, adjust and snug up...pulling the two inside Prussiks tight in opposite directions.

Unfortunately I don't really have a clue what he's talking about haha.
OK I lied, I know that a biner is a carabiner and I assume an MB is a small carabiner

So uhh... this is a Prusik?

http://www.animatedknots.com/prusik/index.php

I hate acronyms

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Warbonnet Blackbird double 1.1 + Hennessy Hex Rainfly 70D Poly
Hiking, paddling and touring around the Pacific Northwest on an '83 Suzuki GS750E

OK, this diagram is starting to make sense. I'm guessing this would work fine with the standard Warband webbing setup.
To be honest I haven't learned what whoopie straps are yet haha

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Warbonnet Blackbird double 1.1 + Hennessy Hex Rainfly 70D Poly
Hiking, paddling and touring around the Pacific Northwest on an '83 Suzuki GS750E



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/08/2011 05:32PM by Skye.

This is how to tie a Prusik knot. It slides either way when the loop is 90 degrees to your main line but locks into place when pulled parallel to it. I tied four of these on a length of line (pick your poison for line) and two simple loop knots at the end of the line. I run the main line around the tree and attach with two mini biners to the outside Prusik knots...slide the Prusik knots to tighten the main line. The two inside Prusik knots are attached to the loops on either end of the ridgeline of your tarp (pick your poison on how to attach the tarp, I use two more mini biners) and slide it into place. Then snug up the tarp with the two inside Prusiks.

That said, we are (generally) motorcycle riders no? Lately I have taken to using Nite-Ize adjustable 5mm bungies on the ridgeline loops and attaching to a pair of tree straps. I use four more bungies (pick your poison) to secure the corners. It is a dual use idea for us moto heads. Hope that was not as clear as mud...

I'll have to check out those bungees you mentioned, sounds like just the ticket.
I'm not real good with knots (yet)

Thanks a bunch for taking the time to explain it though. I'm sure it will make more sense when I've got it in front of me

This method seems to make sense. I just need to watch more knot videos!

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Warbonnet Blackbird double 1.1 + Hennessy Hex Rainfly 70D Poly
Hiking, paddling and touring around the Pacific Northwest on an '83 Suzuki GS750E



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/07/2011 10:15PM by Skye.

Quote
Law Dawg (ret)
This is how to tie a Prusik knot. It slides either way when the loop is 90 degrees to your main line but locks into place when pulled parallel to it. I tied four of these on a length of line (pick your poison for line) and two simple loop knots at the end of the line. I run the main line around the tree and attach with two mini biners to the outside Prusik knots...slide the Prusik knots to tighten the main line. The two inside Prusik knots are attached to the loops on either end of the ridgeline of your tarp (pick your poison on how to attach the tarp, I use two more mini biners) and slide it into place. Then snug up the tarp with the two inside Prusiks.

I totally get it now!! That sounds like an excellent method.

That's cool that one knot can slide or lock depending on the forces

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Warbonnet Blackbird double 1.1 + Hennessy Hex Rainfly 70D Poly
Hiking, paddling and touring around the Pacific Northwest on an '83 Suzuki GS750E

Found this too, good read

Pitching and Choosing A Hammock Tarp, Ridgelines and Guylines

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16945

I didn't really understand the continuous ridgeline vs end tie-outs before, but now it's clear.

I think I'll replace one of the ends in your setup with a Nite Ize figure 9 carabiner just so I have more line to work with if the trees are far apart or really close vs just a loop at the very end.

After the initial confusion, it's pretty fun to think of new ways to do the setup

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Warbonnet Blackbird double 1.1 + Hennessy Hex Rainfly 70D Poly
Hiking, paddling and touring around the Pacific Northwest on an '83 Suzuki GS750E



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/08/2011 05:40PM by Skye.