Continous Ridgeline w/prussic knot Snow Load Tests

[OutandBack]

Hi All,

I am testing a continuous ridgeline with 1/8" amsteel.
Tarp is attached to the ridgeline using 8" long cord/prussic knots and small toggles.

To increase the tarps snow load I have the ridgeline under the tarp.

Here are a few shots.
It's been snowing for about 6 hours and there is 3" of snow on the ground.

Snow load on the tarp is about 1.25"
There is quite a bit of sag. I believe the prussic knots are slipping.
After knocking all the snow off I was able to re-tension the tarp and the prussic moved about 5"

Once the snow was cleared. All corner stakeout lines had to be re tensioned by 5-6".
Not sure what to try next since this was the strongest setup I could think of.

I could tie straight from tarps D ring to tree with no ridgeline however I am worried the tarp could fail.

It's better to have a sagging tarp than torn tarp.

Anyone have other suggestions I might try?

[Dutch]

I tie right to the trees. However I also have a steeper pitch so the snow doesn't pile up.

[Alamosa]

Adding an additional wrap when tieing your prussik or switching to a klemheist may stop the slipping along the CRL.

[2Questions]

IMHO,
The best way to configure a tarp for a snow load is when it minimizes the snow load. Set up so the snow is shed off instead of adding weight to the tarp. That's where the beauty of a center pole shines.

[bloomgorge]

agree with dutch and i think that treking pole is causing your tarp to act like a catch basin. i would drop your tie outs closer to the group and opt for side tie outs on the tarp.

[optimator]

agree with dutch and i think that treking pole is causing your tarp to act like a catch basin. i would drop your tie outs closer to the group and opt for side tie outs on the tarp.

I agree with this. I also have always thought Amsteel is overkill for a tarp ridgeline.

[OutandBack]

Thanks for the tips guys.

I raised the ridgeline to ~7' , removed the ski pole and dropped the angle from
~50 degrees to ~40 degrees also shortened the 4 corner ty-out.

It's still snowing so the testing continues...



Alamosa- I am currently using 4 wraps on the prussic. I will give 5 a try next time I go out. I'll have to look up the klemheist.

optimator- your hands are probably younger than mine.
1/8" rope is the smallest diameter these old hands can deal with and really like amsteel so I don't bother with other types of rope or lashing.

My thinking on the skipole porch.
I was really hoping to use the pole porch.
This was allowing me to enter/exit the hammock area without touching the tarp with my head and giving me a little more room under the tarp area to sit out the falling snow.
I guess I could still do this when awake just not for the evening if snow is expected.

Please keep the ideas and thoughts coming...

[traftonm]

I agree with this. I also have always thought Amsteel is overkill for a tarp ridgeline.

I agreee with you Amsteel is over kill I would not want ther tarp to be the week link. better to have to repair the ridge line the the tarp.

[OutandBack]

Just a couple shots of the prussic on the ridgelien.

Ridgeline wraps around the tree to the figure9.
Figure 9 attached to prussic for safety release/slide so nothing breaks under heavy load.


Prussic knot on ridgeline toggled to tarp D rings.

[optimator]

Thanks for the tips guys.


optimator- your hands are probably younger than mine.
1/8" rope is the smallest diameter these old hands can deal with and really like amsteel so I don't bother with other types of rope or lashing.

If that's the case I'd go with some 1/8 poly rope. Cheaper, still no stretch, and a much lower breaking point. Still plenty strong though. I'm no youngster, but even using Speer no tangle is no problem with a figure 9.