Another basic setup/knot question

[Shrewd]

So I'm oblivious to the dark sorcery of knots.
I spent most of my night tonight sipping beer and thing knots to a chair from my dining table trying to learn, but it's all so overwhelming.

So,
Simply put, if I picked up a tarp (slowly being seduced away from my tent), would I be good if my line from the tie outs to the trees were simple bowlined or double half hitched to the tarp and then run through a pair or wasps/flyz/fleaz?

Or I suppose I could run stingers and simple double hitch the rope to them as well, but, anyway, is that strong enough?

Similarly, if I decide to forgo Dutch bling on the guy outs, is a bowline or some such from the tarp going to an adjustable taut hitch on the stake a legitimate configuration for my first night out?

I eagerly await your sage-like advice

[Bubba]

I like knots and use a variety of knots and hitches but its (k)not for everyone . Andrew Skurka has a very simple method for tarp tie outs.
http://andrewskurka.com/2012/tarp-guyline-system/
I like Dutchware but I think it's good to at least know how to set up a tarp without hardware in case your hardware gets lost or damaged.

[Flash Grundelore]

Look up my personal favorite... the Farrimond friction hitch.
Like a sliding, self-tensioning prussic that is quick release. Very snug and sturdy, and it cuts out the need for a lot of "small gear", especially on a low-load like a tarp.

"Save money... learn six knots"

[Caminante]

Similarly, if I decide to forgo Dutch bling on the guy outs, is a bowline or some such from the tarp going to an adjustable taut hitch on the stake a legitimate configuration for my first night out?

I eagerly await your sage-like advice

I'd start with knots so that you have that in your backpocket and then decide if and what hardware you want. The Ultimate Hang is a great resource and here shows how to rig a tarp without hardware using a bowline and a tautline:

http://theultimatehang.com/2012/05/r...k-no-hardware/

For the guy outs to the stakes you can attach a line to your tarp with a bowline, go around the stake, and tie a tautline. That has worked for many, many years and still does. I still use it because it's simple enough for me to understand.

Their are certainly advantages to hardware such as speed and functionality, but I'd get the basic all-knots setup down pat first in case you wind up needing it at some point.

[OneClick]

I'll admit I'm an all-hardware user. I can't remember the knots or their names (not that names really matter). But no matter how much I practice them I just forget. But in reality if I break or lose hardware, anyone could get by in a pinch no matter what knot you use.

[Shrewd]

Awesome, good info guys.
I'm sure ill play around with knots more in the future but right now I'm good with one or two and some bling

[Shug]

I have some Tarp Tutorials that may give you some ideas......https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...r4JzQgQ_iyB2RU
Tarps and knots and bling for all.
Shug

[Tacblades]

Farrimond hitch is the only knot you will need for ridge lines and tieouts
I love a hardware free hang

https://youtu.be/XhgSLHUV2-k

[Shrewd]

I've been a fan of your vids for awhile Shug, in fact I was watching that very playlist while playing with a few hitches on the legs of my dinner table chairs last night.
��

I'll check out the farrimond when I get home from work today.

[MattK]

I will echo Bubba: Check out Skurka's system.

I have tried all sorts of different methods for rigging my tarp. LineLoc3s, dutch bling, continuous ridge lines, etc. The lineloc3s are easy to use as it is to eat half of my Granny's homemade apple pie, and dutch bling is cool and rock solid.

However, I have recently reverted to the Skurka system, which is what I used on the ground for my tarp. I find that system to be nearly as fast as using hardware, and I have never had any slipping whatsoever. I use the McCarthy hitch or the trucker's hitch on every single tie out (ridge line or out to stakes). I really like that the system lends it's self to using natural anchors (downed trees, rocks, bushes).

I do have a LOT of guyline on my tarp because of this though. I have ~8ft pieces on the ground tie outs and ~18ft on the ridgelines. But, I use 1.25mm ZLine from Zpacks, so there is no weight penalty. If you don't take time and organize your lines, it can quickly become a tangled mess.

I find the truckers hitch and McCarthy hitch to be the simplest way to pitch my tarp these days. But it's really mostly about personal preference. If you like the ease LineLoc3s, use them. If you like the class, bling, and security of some ti dutchware, get it. If you want to tie a taut line or farrimond hitch every time, go for it. But do give the Trucker's hitch a shot. It's my favorite but, I am a minimalist at heart, and it doesn't get too much more minimal than 1.25 lines and those hitches.