Ultra minimalist guy line testing, ultralight.

**Tacblades** · 08-12-2016, 05:14

Originally Posted by MAD777

1.0mm dyneema with a Marlin spike at the stake. Since the cord is so thin, I use red color. You can see the red with your headlamp just tripping over it. I hate reflective lines.

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Great idea will try some red

**Intimidator** · 08-12-2016, 05:35

Originally Posted by Tacblades

With this method is the tension achieved with the position of the stake?

Yep you just tie the MSH on the line and stake it out

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**GadgetUK437** · 08-12-2016, 05:55

Originally Posted by MAD777

I hate reflective lines.

Interesting. How so?

**MikekiM** · 08-12-2016, 06:34

to the OP..

I'd like to know how this line & hardware would work if you put a fixed loop at the stake end and looped through the tarp tieout so the adjustment end was at or near the tarp.

Whats your source for the 1mm Spider Line?

**OneClick** · 08-12-2016, 07:01

Originally Posted by Wkerber

I think we tend to make things too difficult sometime.

No kidding! There are so many topics that just get me shaking my head (not this one). I think it's just that I don't like tinkering with things; but I understand some people do. I have my own things that I over-complicate

**Wanderlost** · 08-12-2016, 07:37

Maybe I haven't subscribed to the extreme limits yet, but the weight difference for 2 - 4' and 2 8' guy lines of this vs something like 1.75mm line is a little 6 grams....for all the lines combined. That seems fairly negligible for the effort involved. Love the idea. I do what I can to shave weight since I'm still trying to reach that elusive 10 lb pack.

**MAD777** · 08-12-2016, 08:26

True, 6grams isn't much. But, a gram her, a gram there, pretty soon you have a kilo. After trading in the synthetic sleeping bag, waxed canvas tent, and queen size blow-up mattress, it gets harder to shed more (other than switching the cast it on skillet to titanium). So, either we're happy at that point, or it becomes an exercise of following the law of diminishing returns.

Oh, the reflective lines. I'm in the woods to enjoy nature. Therefore, no Coleman lanterns or reflective cords, LOL. Also, I camp alone occasionally and I don't want my location advertised by a full moon.

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**dirtwheels** · 08-12-2016, 08:38

Regardless of how it's accomplished I prefer the ability to adjust the tarp tension at the tarp guyout to stay out of the rain if there are problems. For all of my tarps other than my UGQ I use a prussic larks headed on the tarp guy point, the UGQ has 2 small split rings that make for easy adjustments and only require a half hitch to secure.

As for the stake, I always have fixed loops on one or both ends of the guy lines, I either just drop the loop over the stake or larks head the loop on the stake. It seems if the stake is secured to the guy line it would be more likely to become a projectile aimed at my tarp. After experiencing that in high winds waking up to the thud of the stake against the tarp I looked to something that would potentially release the stake before it hit the tarp.

**OneClick** · 08-12-2016, 08:44

Originally Posted by MAD777

Oh, the reflective lines. I'm in the woods to enjoy nature. Therefore, no Coleman lanterns or reflective cords, LOL. Also, I camp alone occasionally and I don't want my location advertised by a full moon.

I use them, but don't know why. I guess it was marketing hype that got me. My tarp is only about 6" from the ground anyway, pretty much impossible to trip on. Porch mode leaves a good 5' of line out, but I keep it at a steep angle and I just never really trip on them either.

**MattK** · 08-12-2016, 08:54

I use 1.25mm line from ZPacks. Nice and stiff sheath keeps from tangling and holds knots really well. Just big enough that it isn't too finicky to tie knots into.

I use the trucker's hitch/McCarthy hitch. Makes tying off to trees, logs, rocks, etc really easy, gives a mechanical advantage when battening down the hatches for a storm, adjusts real quick, and can be done for the most part under the tarp. No hardware to break or lose.

I haven't tried the marlin spike method yet. I guess i just like the idea of being able to adjust the tension without moving/pulling out the stake. Also, like I said, it wouldn't work too well with natural anchors.

Part of this is a hold over from tarping on the ground.