I got the following idea from TeeDee's post in the Tarp ridgeline challenge thread. Since I don't use a continuous ridgeline, but prefer to use two lines, I have adapted the method, but it can also be used with a continuous ridgeline to eliminate the Figure 9.
I used 1.75mm Zing-It for the Prusik loop and the guyline. I used 18" of Zing-It for the loop with 1.5" buries. This gives just enough room to put two Prusik knots on the loop without the buries interfering. The first step is to put a Prusik on a small object. I used a needle for the pictures, but a short section of tubing works equally well. The buries should be on the side of the loop, not opposite the first Prusik. The second step is to put a Prusik knot on the guyline. At this point, it should look like this:
The third step is to pass the free end through the tarp's D-ring. In a final step, the free end is passed through the Prusik knot made in step 1. This is pretty easy if you use a needle or a short section of tubing for the first Prusik. The final arrangement looks like this:
To use this, pass the end of the line around the tree and use a toggle (trail stick) to secure it. Then, simply hold the Prusik knot closest to the free end and pull on the free end. It is pretty easy to get the tarp nice and tight since there is a mechanical advantage.
I have had my tarp out in a pretty strong wind and it seems to hold fine, even with the 1.75mm Prusik loop on 1.75mm line. This configuration should double the load where the Prusiks begin to slip. I've only used this a couple of times, but so far I like it. No knots, no hardware and pretty easy to use.
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