Fastest Tarp setup methods for emergencies TIPS AND TRICKS

[ikemouser]

Hey guys, as always me again trying to increase speed and decrease weight. Anyhow, on the tarp i use bowline turned into larks head on the tarp drings and i never remove it, i only run the line through my stake and then tie a taut line on the line running from the tarp voila. When im done i just remove the stake from the line, wrap the line around my hand forming a loop with the line, then wrap a few inches of line around the loop and stash it in my dring on the tarp itself. So the line never leaves the tarp. When i take out my tarp, to unroll the i just pull it from the dring and unwrap it abit and gravity unwinds it. I use a bowline/lark combo on all my drings, and taut lines on the way back.

I was wondering if you guys employ any kind of similar time saving techniques, perhaps one i have not seen yet. If so let me know, trying to be fast with setup.

On a side note, i think if i had groves on my tarp bag, like groves for bullets on those old wild west films where they where the bullets on their belt, i would not even have to remove the line from the stakes, making setup even faster during key times. Anyway, let me know any shortcuts it you guys know any, thanks!

[Barry]

I just got back from a week in the rain and made a few mods to my setup to help with the speed as a result of what I learned. Generally they sound similar to your's with the exception of abandoning the D-Rings for figure 9s. Here's what I did:

* I added a ridgeline to the tarp (running through the end tabs) and replaced the D-rings with figure 9s
* The tarp ends are also held to the ridgeline with short lines and prussik knots so the tarp can be repositioned or tightened later (thanks Grizz for the suggestion)
* The side lines (2 on each side) are a continuous cord from one tab to the other on the same side - this allows me to either stake it with a single stake (forming a triangle), or 2 (forming a square)
* for storage,
- while it is still hanging the side tabs are brought together
- the side lines are then wound up (like what you described) as if they were a single tab with a doubled line
- I unhook one side of the ridgeline and fold the tarp from this end while gathering the sides (like I had a snakeskin - my next mod) - I leave the ridgeline out however
- when I get to the other end, I wind up the ridgeline (similar to side lines) and insert everything into the bag
- the end result is sort of like a Bishop's sac where the initial ridgeline end is at the bag openning so it can be quickly wrapped around a tree before the rest of the tarp is pulled out of the bag and then as I move to the other tree, the tarp comes out of the bag - the sides fall out as the tarp is hung and the side lines can quickly be secured to something or I grab some twigs to use for stakes

[Hooch]

IM, I employ the same mothod you do for storing my guylines, except I don't slip the finished package in my D-rings. To tie my guylines to my tarp, I use a simple clove hitch. IMO, the best way to reduce your setup time is to be familiar with you gear and practice setting it up. However, your post does beg the question: Why the hurry? Personally, I get outdoors to escape the rush-and-hurry world I live in. It doesn't really matter how fast you set up your tarp, no one's in a race out there. Just hang and enjoy.

[oldsoldier]

I have a small plastic clip, sorta like a hook, I suppose, tied to one end of my ridgeline. I then run it through the ridgeline loops, and make an electricians knot on with the rest of the line. When I need to set up in a hurry, I simply pull out the tarp, run the line with the hook around one tree, snap out the electricians knot, and tie the other end. I then tighten the tarp across it with prussiks (already on the line). then its just a matter of staking out. All in all, it takes less than a minute to set the ridgeline, and maybe another minute or so for the tie outs.

[ikemouser]

IM, I employ the same mothod you do for storing my guylines, except I don't slip the finished package in my D-rings. To tie my guylines to my tarp, I use a simple clove hitch. IMO, the best way to reduce your setup time is to be familiar with you gear and practice setting it up. However, your post does beg the question: Why the hurry? Personally, I get outdoors to escape the rush-and-hurry world I live in. It doesn't really matter how fast you set up your tarp, no one's in a race out there. Just hang and enjoy.

In case of emergency like monsoon or similar heavy rain, perhaps approaching blizzard, etc.

[ikemouser]

Barry few points:

1. If u ever get pics of the setupbplease post

2. How did you remove the drings? I would assume u would have to cut them mine are sowed in my maccat.

[BillyBob58]

I still mostly use the largest size Snake Skins with my JRB 11x10 tarp. I'm not sure if it is really all that much more handy than just having it in a stuff sack would be. But it does work pretty good. I like being able to tie both ends to the trees before pulling the tarp out of the skins a little at a time in windy weather, getting one end loosely staked or tied to a branch the other end is still partially restrained in the skins.

I think this system ( or really all systems) works even better with relatively stiff and tangle resistant line like what Speer sells. These days I often don't even bother rolling the tarp up before putting it in the skins. With the tarp un-staked and hanging loosely, and the lines hanging loosely, I just start pulling the skins from one end. Most of the lines automatically go right in the skins as I pull them over the tarp. It is only at the last stage, as the skins meet in the middle, that I have to sort of roll things up to finish getting the tarp and middle lines in the skins. I think there is a video some where- by Shug? - showing this method. Any way, skins work pretty good with a tarp, especially when it is windy. But I'm sure there are other equally good methods using just a stuff sack.

[Hooch]

In case of emergency like monsoon or similar heavy rain, perhaps approaching blizzard, etc.Then your best bet is to practice, practice, practice. Shortcuts will only carry you so far, being adept at setting up your tarp is what you need. That and watch the weather while you're hiking. :D

[ikemouser]

Then your best bet is to practice, practice, practice. Shortcuts will only carry you so far, being adept at setting up your tarp is what you need. That and watch the weather while you're hiking. :D

lol yea true.

[Hooch]

How did you remove the drings? I would assume u would have to cut them mine are sowed in my maccat.Yep, just cut them and remove if you want rid of them. Personally, I still have the D-rings on mine, but am thinking of removing them as well. None of my other tarps have D-rings on them, and I don't see a true advantage to having them there.

[Roadtorque]

If your setting up in windy conditions, after you put the tarp ridgeline in place do you stake down the windward or leeward side of the tarp first? The first time I set up in a small breeze I did the windward side and it seemed to work out pretty good. I have only set my tarp up once so y'all help my learning curve a little.

[BillyBob58]

If your setting up in windy conditions, after you put the tarp ridgeline in place do you stake down the windward or leeward side of the tarp first? The first time I set up in a small breeze I did the windward side and it seemed to work out pretty good. I have only set my tarp up once so y'all help my learning curve a little.

Windward 1st sounds good to me.

[sakura1998]

Hi again,

I'm still trying to get a picture of what's happening with the tarp here...

From what I can figure, you have two lines connected to your tree huggers - one for the tarp and one for the hammock and the hammock and the tarp are in separate snakeskins.

You attach the tree huggers and tension the tarp ridgeline, peel back the top snakeskins and stake out the tarp, then tension the hammock ridgeline and follow the same procedure...


I realize it's a hassle to ask, but if anyone has some images of setup in various stages it would be a great help...

(sorry all - slow learner here. I'm just having trouble picturing exactly how this is working)

The local saying translates roughly to, 'Even if you forget your lunchbox, don't forget your umbrella', so I think I might need to know this stuff :cool:

[Ramblinrev]

For my setup... I have two separate lines to each tree. The tarp.. using just line... there is minimal stress on the tarp lines... tree damage is not all that likely.
Then my webbing straps for the hammock. I hang each individually so it in no real problem to throw the tarp up quick and fast using figure 9's on the ridgelines and the tieouts.

[Doctari]

#1: The ridgeline cords (550 cord) are permanently attached to the tarp, so I don’t have to look for them or hook them on. At the far end is a small carabineer, attached to each D ring is a figure 9. I can then clip one rope to a suitable tree, walk to the other end, clip that to the tree, then fasten the figure 9, back to the start & hook up the figure 9, pulling the tarp taut.
#2: All of my tie out cords are semi permanently attached.
#3: I have figure 9s attached to 4 of my stakes, usually used for the corners which are the points I fasten at least 90% of the time. The other 4 stakes I just pull tight with loops on the far end. If I need a 9th & 10th stake, I use a rock or a stick or my hiking pole(s).

Nothing I use to increase speed really saves any weight, & most of it adds weight: the 6 figure 9s add about 1.25 Oz if my scale is reading right. The carabineers likely add another 1.5 Oz combined. I haven’t timed it, but set up at a leisurely pace is about 2.5 minutes for the tarp. I think I could have it up in less time, but so far I haven’t bothered to do it like a big T-Storm is bearing down on me. I think I can get the ridgeline up in 10 seconds if I hurry. Part of my “extended time is my tarp is rather large at 13.5’ X 10’, my smaller tarp with 4 fewer tie outs went up in under 2 minutes easily. I almost never use the extra 4 tie outs on the Big tarp, so in practice, the tie outs aren’t an issue.

The ridgeline to tree cords are totally different from the hammock tie outs. The only thing in common is the trees they share. I can set either up independent of the other, and in fact do so often. If it is raining, I set the tarp up first, if not the hammock goes up first. If there is no chance of rain, the tarp stays in my pack. If taking a break while it’s raining, I can just set the tarp up.

On a side note: my “speed set up” for my hammock adds at least 2 Oz or more. Yea, more because I suppose the ring buckles count as part of the speed set up, so lets say 4+ Oz. BUT, I can put the hammock up, taking my time in 30 seconds, including the UQ being in place. THAT I have timed!
If “Showing off” My time is about 3 – 5 minutes. If I am showing off AND bragging, my time goes to at least 10 minutes. ;)

[Wags]

i, like doctari, leave all my guylines attached on my tarp. i keep these wrapped up neatly and knot-free using a technique from someone on this site (starting at tarp end, wrap around hand until about 2 feet left and then wrap that around the existing line)

i too use figure 9's on the ridgeline b/c it's just so simple. i keep my tarp in a bishop sack, and leave it in there, attaching 1 of my ridgelines. then i simply walk the tarp out and attach the other ridgeline. if it's blowing around at this point oh well

then i simply tie out the sides (drive stakes in and wrap my line around the stake a bunch of times then tie a simple square knot). i can make adjustments later if need be, but it's good to just get it set up if weather is inclement

[sakura1998]

on the tarp i use bowline turned into larks head on the tarp drings and i never remove it, i only run the line through my stake and then tie a taut line on the line running from the tarp voila. When im done i just remove the stake from the line, wrap the line around my hand forming a loop with the line, then wrap a few inches of line around the loop and stash it in my dring on the tarp itself. So the line never leaves the tarp. When i take out my tarp, to unroll the i just pull it from the dring and unwrap it abit and gravity unwinds it. I use a bowline/lark combo on all my drings, and taut lines on the way back.

EEeeek!!!

Don't suppose you could include a video with a few slo-mo replays? (I have this knot I really love, see... You hold the cord between your right thumb and left cheek, cross your arms behind your back, then you pull the rope from behind your ear and sort of wrap it around the other one in a clockwise direction...)

Anyone else here get blitzed by 'knot descriptions' or is it just me? :S

[gargoyle]

sakura try this site for slooooow mmoottioon knots.http://www.animatedknots.com/indexclimbing.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com

[Scratch]

+1 on the figure 9's on the ridgeline. I do one wrap around the tree and secure with the figure 9's. (Makes it easy for centering over the hammock).

I use a taut line hitch on all the tieouts, saving the weight of the figure 9's ... I know, I know, it's a whopping 12g I save.

I also leave all cords attached and wind each separately in figure 8. When I remove from bag, it helps keep things untangled.

[BillyBob58]

EEeeek!!!

Don't suppose you could include a video with a few slo-mo replays? (I have this knot I really love, see... You hold the cord between your right thumb and left cheek, cross your arms behind your back, then you pull the rope from behind your ear and sort of wrap it around the other one in a clockwise direction...)

Anyone else here get blitzed by 'knot descriptions' or is it just me? :S
Sakura, what tarp are you using with your HH and SS? Are you using the stock diamond tarp attached to the suspension HH style, stock tied to trees, or a larger after market tarp tied to the trees?

http://www.hennessyhammock.com/1setup.html

http://www.hennessyhammock.com/breakcamp.html

Just for fun, watch how quick the cute girl folds the entire hammock and tarp up in the snake skins! ( I know, I know, most wouldn't wrap a hammock up in a wet tarp, but still..)

[Rain Man]

http://www.hennessyhammock.com/breakcamp.html

Wow... I really thank you for posting that video link! I just bought a used HH underpad and until I saw the video, I thought it went outside the hammock. I did not realize it's supposed to go inside the hammock! Live and learn. LOL

Rain Man

.

[BillyBob58]

Wow... I really thank you for posting that video link! I just bought a used HH underpad and until I saw the video, I thought it went outside the hammock. I did not realize it's supposed to go inside the hammock! Live and learn. LOL

Rain Man

.

You're welcome! But do you mean inside the Undercover(UC) of the Super Shelter? The HH pad is not meant to go inside the hammock(it's loft would be crushed and become useless), but it is meant to go outside the hammock but INSIDE the UC. So, it is the person, then the hammock fabric, the the pad ( preferably with a space blanket on top of it) then the HH UC.

Actually, I think it would be near impossible to put it into the hammock and connect the pad elastics to the prussic hooks as they are supposed to be.
Bill

[ikemouser]

EEeeek!!!

Don't suppose you could include a video with a few slo-mo replays? (I have this knot I really love, see... You hold the cord between your right thumb and left cheek, cross your arms behind your back, then you pull the rope from behind your ear and sort of wrap it around the other one in a clockwise direction...)

Anyone else here get blitzed by 'knot descriptions' or is it just me? :S

Im always blitzed by knot descriptions, here is a video bud of the taut line hitch, when my tarp comes in i will make u a video personally and send it to you, adding it to the library, the knot will allow you to save weight, you wont have to use fig 9's.

[Just Jeff]

I'll often put the STL loops around the stake, then connect the line to the tarp's D-rings with a double-slip-knot (like a trucker's hitch). It's quick and easy to adjust.

[sakura1998]

Thanks for the knot links guys :) (guess I'm gonna have to edjakate myself a bit on those knotty issues)

As I posted elsewhere today, I'm experimenting with a new system that doesn't require any extra knots... I have the tarp in its own snakeskin still attached to the prussic hooks.

I have the Henessey stock tarp (wish I had've bought direct from Hennessey, rather than ebay - the option to upsize at no extra cost is a good thing)


While I see the value of learning some knots (will try to get onto that and set aside a bit of time to practice), I've tried to set myself up so I need as few as possible. Currently all I need to tie are my 'side ties' (can't think what they're called...) and my tarp tensioners.

[ikemouser]

On a side note, does anyone make and sell skins for a maccat deluxe in spinn? I need some skins, probably 2 pair-one for me, one for my wife, in the no see um or whatever that see thru stuff is variety. So i can dry them on my pack while hiking, thanks.

[beep]

On a side note, does anyone make and sell skins for a maccat deluxe in spinn? I need some skins, probably 2 pair-one for me, one for my wife, in the no see um or whatever that see thru stuff is variety. So i can dry them on my pack while hiking, thanks.

You might check with Tim Marshall at http://www.tmoutdoors.webs.com/ to see about having some made. He's capable and used to custom work.

[tight-wad]

... Snake Skins with my JRB 11x10 tarp.... I like being able to tie both ends to the trees before pulling the tarp out of the skins a little at a time in windy weather, getting one end loosely staked or tied to a branch the other end is still partially restrained in the skins.
... These days I often don't even bother rolling the tarp up before putting it in the skins. With the tarp un-staked and hanging loosely, and the lines hanging loosely, I just start pulling the skins from one end. Most of the lines automatically go right in the skins as I pull them over the tarp. It is only at the last stage, as the skins meet in the middle, that I have to sort of roll things up to finish getting the tarp and middle lines in the skins ....

Absolutely the easiest and quickest way! I use homemade snake skins, small figure 9s on the ridge line, and tarp tensioners. While the tarp is in the skin you can adjust to get it centered between the trees. Then using the tarp as a guide, centering the hammock is a snap. Take down: no rolling anything. Just shove it in as you stretch the snake skin, especially the tie down lines. Make sure you feed a lot of your tie down lines into the skin as you pass that point, otherwise you will end up with a bird's nest when you get to the middle.

[tight-wad]

On a side note, does anyone make and sell skins for a maccat deluxe in spinn? I need some skins, probably 2 pair-one for me, one for my wife, in the no see um or whatever that see thru stuff is variety. So i can dry them on my pack while hiking, thanks.

Can you sew? Do you have a relative with a sewing machine? Snake skins are easy. I used $1 Walmart tulle for the skins and $1 Walmart camo mosquito netting for the stuff sack. Sadly the $1 Walmart bins in my neighborhood are history, but the concept is the same... Basically - from a fading memory - a trapezoid 6' long, ~16' on one base, 8" on the other base, with cord channels, X2. Sew the long sides of the fabric to create a tube, make the cord channels on each end, and you're done.

You don't need special skins for the fabric of your tarp. These will work for any tarp, any shape, any size.

[tight-wad]

EEeeek!!!

Don't suppose you could include a video with a few slo-mo replays? (I have this knot I really love, see... You hold the cord between your right thumb and left cheek, cross your arms behind your back, then you pull the rope from behind your ear and sort of wrap it around the other one in a clockwise direction...)

Anyone else here get blitzed by 'knot descriptions' or is it just me? :S

Figure 9 on the ridgeline to the tree doesn't count as a "knot". On the tie downs I just wrap the line, equipped with tensioners, around the stake, or root, or whatever, a few times and make a slippery half hitch. Pull the line tight before wrapping. Slippery half hitch = make "1/2 a shoe string" knot. Piece of cake. If it looks like a storm is brewing make another half hitch with the loop from the first slippery half hitch.