Need help with a ridgeline and tarp setup?

**jrm27** · 09-14-2016, 13:40

Hello all,

I've been slowly building up my hammock gear and you all have been so amazingly helpful as I do so. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind advising me on my next piece.

I've got an ENO Doublenest that, when I'm not taking camping, I like to hang in my yard. My little girl likes to climb up in and and hang for hours, reading and just relaxing in the late summer/early fall weather. But, my yard has no shade. So I've been rigging up a little ridgeline with some spare 550 cord and an old nylon "woobie" to keep the sun out of her face. But, I'd really liek to get a tarp tat I could setup and stake-out so she can have shade AND airflow.

Any advice on what I should be looking for? I'll be looking for a different ridgeline/tarp setup for some ultralight hiking/camping I'll be undertaking in the future, but would love a nice little rig for home. Any advice? Thanks!

-jon

**johnspenn** · 09-14-2016, 14:16

If it's strictly for the backyard, just get a cheap blue tarp from a hardware store and stick with the paracord. No need to get fancy, and if you leave it up it's not a problem. The silnylons and polys don't do well with alot of UV exposure.

If you need one that's dual purpose i.e. backyard and backpacking, that's a different story obviously.

**SilvrSurfr** · 09-14-2016, 14:31

Wally World blue tarp or check woot for Yukon Outfitters Walkabout rainfly.

**W8lkinUSA** · 09-15-2016, 03:17

A heavy duty mesh tarp would provide great shade and also allow airflow.

**hutzelbein** · 09-15-2016, 04:42

Why not get a sun tarp (are these called awnings?)? Those are made for providing shade and should deal much better with UV-radiation. Plus they might give more UV protection, but I'm not sure about this.

**jrm27** · 09-15-2016, 12:57

Thanks guys. I guess I should have thought of that! We live in a little townhouse and our "hangable space" is quite small. I can't leave it up at all times, so installing an awning or hanging a big blue tarp might not work the best. Discretion is the better part of valor in our little homeowners association area

Something that is easily deployable, and then easily storable would be ideal, though a standard tarp would work once I get it all figured out!

As far as a backpacking setup.. is there any "go-to" setup that I should look at?