Tarp Ridge Line - Over or Under Tarp?

[2ply]

My ridgeline runs under the tarp and I have not had any issues with water running under the tarp even in a heavy downpour. I attach my Guardian bug net to the ridgeline also and have not had any problems with the height of the tarp.

[SilvrSurfr]

I use my ENO a ton for sitting in (sideways) and would think the ridgeline would get in the way of this type of use. That's pretty much the main reason I have not put one on at this point. The ridge line would be hitting me in the head if I were using it in the seated position I think?

Just use a ridgeline biner on one end. Disconnect the ridgeline when sitting. Of course, Dutch makes a cool titanium ridgeline biner to bling out that ridgeline.

[Chard]

I run my ridgeline above my tarp with two prussic loops tied inline to attach my sil tarp to. I just wanted to minimise any abrasin between the ridgeline and the seam sealer on my tarp. Since I have a very long ridgeline rope, in good weather, I'll often double back under my tarp and use the second lint to hang extra gear, stuff sacks, etc...

[jcnick34]

Hmm...being a NOOB I was trying to figure out why you would put the tarp under the ridge line but then I read the "rain coming down the ridgeline" comment and it made good sense. Haven't hammocked in the rain yet. Good thing you guys are getting me "edu-macated" ahead of time. Thanks!

[DemostiX]

I found that out when I switched from a continuous tarp ridge line I used beneath one tarp design. No, there was not a cat curve designed into the ridge-line cut; but that would be another cause for intended dip.

Turns out this multi-panel tarp was designed to drop 3/4 the way, around the tail end of the hammock, for additional weather protection. I had been straightening out the ridge line, adding to space,yes, but unaware of how much the ridge line had been designed and sewn to be form a shallow V when self-supporting.

Hex-design tarps also have more dip than rectangulars, greater dip yet when pulled down taut against wind. A ridge-line underneath may permit tighter pitch while retaining some headroom.

Sometimes, any hammock might need to be hung from trees so far apart that you might then wish to run a tarp ridge line beneath the tarp purposely to provide desired clearance. You might not be tall enough to fly the tarp high enough otherwise.

[ReXwag]

I have had water run down the crl when I had the tarp over the ridgeline. It wasn't bad it was a few drops it on my hammock and top quilt. switched the tarp to under the crl during the rain without getting anything else wet and I didn't have anymore rain on the hammock and it rained the rest of the night.

[ibgary]

Questions? Crl= continues ridge line, right? Srl= structural ridge line. Trl= tarp ridge line.
I understand Srl and Trl, but please explaine how crl is differert from the others.
I have my set up in the by=back yard. I like the hang in the rain. I notice the tarp is more stable in wind when over the Trl. I haven't noticed any water coming in, I think it catches and drips off at the figure 9 that hold the tarp to the Trl.

[hairbear]

I use my ENO a ton for sitting in (sideways) and would think the ridgeline would get in the way of this type of use. That's pretty much the main reason I have not put one on at this point. The ridge line would be hitting me in the head if I were using it in the seated position I think?

try running a double ridge line with a taut line hitch tying one end to the ridge line so it slides on the other.you can loosen it by sliding your knot one way or tighten it by sliding it back

[K0m4]

I used to run mine over the tarp with prussiks, mainly because I wanted to avoid abrasion. I used to have a line long enough that it would serve as a ridge line above, then come around and provide a "gear line" underneath. To this I would suspend my bugnet when I used a DD hammock - it doesn't have a srl itself, and comes with shock cords for the bugnet that you tie up to the line.

Worked ok, but I found myself not using the line underneath very often (even less so now that I have a WBBB with its own line), and the line above serving basically no purpose, plus making me lose a few centimeters of "loft" under the tarp - not insignificant a consideration when you're 186 cms.. So I cut it and now have two lines in either end of the tarp instead, still with prussiks for adjustment, and if need be for a "gear line" I can just string one up.

[ibgary]

It rained last night so I checked the Trl for water. None under the tarp. I also set mine up ata slight angle. The angle carries water away from the tarp on the more exposed side. The high end is more sheltered by the tree.