Porch mode-- help with setup?

**CooOkieCOOon** · 03-27-2012, 08:57

I use two sticks. Wrap guy line around top of stick once and then to ground with stake.

**Corncob** · 03-27-2012, 09:15

One thing to note is that if you don't have adjustable hiking poles, you may need to hang your tarp a little higher to allow for a downward slope from your ridgeline to your hiking poles. Mine are adjustable, but the first few times I set up my tarp in porch mode I extended the poles all the way out and ended up having a dip because my poles weren't far enough below my ridgeline.

**DivaB** · 03-27-2012, 09:42

Thanks for all the pics! Gutter and I each just acquired a set of hiking poles so this will be fun to learn and play with the next time we're out in the field.

**Tomplus** · 03-27-2012, 09:45

FLRider, i really like your adaptability, especialy with the bike !
And you will know if someone wants to steal it

Since i don't carry hiking poles, it gives me ideas ...

**Corncob** · 03-27-2012, 10:53

How do y'all wrap your guylines around the pole if you wrap around the handle? I've heard of using a clove hitch, but I'm curious if there is any other popular way.

**FLRider** · 03-27-2012, 10:55

Originally Posted by Tomplus

FLRider, i really like your adaptability, especialy with the bike !
And you will know if someone wants to steal it

Since i don't carry hiking poles, it gives me ideas ...

Thanks! Hope it works out well for you.

**Downhill Trucker** · 03-27-2012, 16:24

Originally Posted by Corncob

How do y'all wrap your guylines around the pole if you wrap around the handle? I've heard of using a clove hitch, but I'm curious if there is any other popular way.

I use a clove hitch. I've used an overhand knot in non windy conditions.

**gargoyle** · 03-27-2012, 19:00

Originally Posted by Tomplus

FLRider, i really like your adaptability, especialy with the bike !
And you will know if someone wants to steal it

Since i don't carry hiking poles, it gives me ideas ...

I have always been able to find a couple of sticks that work to prop the tarp. You don't have to use trees or poles.

Originally Posted by Corncob

How do y'all wrap your guylines around the pole if you wrap around the handle? I've heard of using a clove hitch, but I'm curious if there is any other popular way.

You can just wrap the line around the grip. It will stay put as long as guyout is tensioned.

**AaronAlso** · 03-27-2012, 19:42

Originally Posted by gargoyle

You can just wrap the line around the grip. It will stay put as long as guyout is tensioned.

+1

This is how I do it. No knots are necessary if the guylines are good and taught.

**FLRider** · 03-27-2012, 19:50

Originally Posted by gargoyle

You can just wrap the line around the grip. It will stay put as long as guyout is tensioned.

This is how I do it as well. Especially with rougher branches, it'll hold just fine.

One trick I'll do is to put a tautline hitch as my knot to the stake, tighten it as close to the tarp as it'll go, and then sink my stake. This allows me to let slack out with the knot and put a branch (or whatever) into a couple of wraps near the tarp's edge, but still batten down the hatches quickly if things turn ugly. A linelock or other doohickey can substitute for the knot, if wanted.