Ridge line idea and question with Dutch gear

[dannyvp]

I'm thinking about making a tarp ridge line.
On it I'm thinking about one end a Dutch hook on a prusik knot for tree fastening.
On the other end I was thinking if a Dutch fly thing for making the ridge line tite.
On the ridge line would be 2 Prusiks with Dutch hooks for clipping on to my tarp d-rings.

I think this would be a fast set up. What do you guys think?
Will this work with 1.9 tech line?

[Buckeye Bill]

Check out this video for running a continuous ridgeline for a tarp.

[Passinthru]

On the end with the Dutch hook I don't think you would need a prussic. The hook would tie directly to the end of the line and 'hook' over the ridge line after you wrapped it around the tree.
Either a 'fly' or 'wasp' would work great at the tensioning end. I just switched to a 'wasp' because it seems easier to move when you need to change its placement on the line.
Some people find that the prussiks will sometimes slip on the ridge line but with an extra wrap it should not be a problem. The prussic makes it easy to position your tarp along the ridge line. Instead of a prussic I use a 4" UCR at each end of the tarp. Holds great and very tidy looking.
The Dutch gear all works with 1.75 Zing-it - I would think it would also work with your 1.9 line.
Some people like to use a separate line at each end of the tarp but my setup looks a lot like what you have planned and it works great for me.

[SilvrSurfr]

You could just use soft shackle prusiks for attaching the tarp to the ridgeline. Dutch hooks aren't really necessary. As mentioned by Passinthru you don't really need to put the other Dutch hook on a prusik either - just go around the tree and attach it to the line.

[dannyvp]

Right now my ENO has line off of both ends and i use a truckers hitch on both trees. Its kind of a pain, and the guy line they use is coming apart pretty quick.

Ive got some spare amsteel i may make a few loops to use with it.
I dont understand how the tarp connects to the prusiks without hooks though.

I also like the ridgeline under the tarp idea.

[DanglingModifier]

A soft shackle prusik opens up and functions like a fixed carabiner if you want to try your hand at splicing versus buying more hardware. You don't need it to bear much weight so Opie's great DIY post should work. If you want to make something sturdier check out L-36.

[Passinthru]

I dont understand how the tarp connects to the prusiks without hooks though.

Depending on your tarp you will need some way to attach to the prussiks. A split ring, small biner, hardware store S-hook, soft shackle (I've never seen or used one but I think that would be an application for one), etc. I am currently using Dutch ridge line biners because I like to be able to completely remove the tarp easily if needed (however, don't see a need)

*!*!*! - this stupid computer always wants to change 'biners' to 'binders' or 'niners' (whatever that is)*!*!*!

[doogie]

Here is my video on my tarp continuous ridgeline



Any how I make the splices

[dannyvp]

Very nice, that's what I was thinking.

[SilvrSurfr]

I dont understand how the tarp connects to the prusiks without hooks though.

I also like the ridgeline under the tarp idea.

A soft shackle prusik is, you guessed it, a soft shackle (for connecting the tarp) and a prusik (for attaching to the ridgeline.

softshackleprusik.jpg

So put the soft shackle prusik on the ridgeline, undo the soft shackle, connect it to the ends of the tarp ridgeline and you're done. You can now slide the soft shackle prusiks to center your tarp.

I never have understood ridgeline under the tarp - it's a great way to allow water to run under your tarp and drip on you. With a cat cut ridgeline, it does more harm than good. And if you're thinking of hanging stuff from the tarp ridgeline, you might want to consider tree straps. Most people don't use tree straps for their tarp because the tarp ridgeline is not used for weight bearing applications, but once you start hanging gear off the tarp ridgeline, then it is a weight-bearing application and the Zing-It could damage the tree.