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Hi Guys,
When you know there's a good chance the weather will turn bad on an outing but the call of the Piney Woods is just too strong. What rigging changes do you make, if any?
Pre-trip, Pull out the big tarp. Beef up the ridge line with something thicker?
Carry a larger assortment of stakes?
Would a tarp hold a bigger snow load if the ridgeline was under vs over?
Any suggestions and ideas welcome.
thanks
Heavy rain or snow can abruptly end your ride. Always make sure you only ride if you have good visibility. Also be aware of what other drivers can or cannot see from their vehicles. I recommend using “Rain X” and make sure your headlamp is working properly. Ditch the tinted visors and go with clear, as well as keep your helmet in good clean order.
:confused: about the above post
:rolleyes: same hereQuote:
Originally Posted by ChrisH
THe title of the op is "ridding for fowl weather" where it should have been rigging.
I think he confused "Ridding for Foul Weather" for 'Riding' (aka to ride) as in a motorcycle.
Back to our regularly scheduled program:
Most of my gear can handle the additional loads of snow, and big enough that I can seal it up (still planning on getting a 'BWDD:Winter Dream).
Tarp: over vs under:
I used to be in the tarp under ridge-line camp until this last season. It was time to test the RL under the tarp, (first thing I noticed was how much more taut I could get the pitch) and not 20 minutes later the sky opened up, the wind was blowing from 5 directions all at once, and a few gusts took down a neighbors tree (tornado hit the region).
The tarp didn't even flutter, and the sides barely moved. I am now 100% sold on tarp over ridge-line.
Other preparations for bad weather: Stock up on fuel, clothing, food, water, and books. If you are stuck under your tarp for 3 days, you will want supplies. (*water* or melt the snow if there is enough, hence more fuel)
I get a tighter pitch with tarp over ridgeline, but in rain, (the 2 times I have done it over during rain) I get WET & the whole ridgeline is soaked. So, for me: Wind with no rain = over the ridgeline. Rain = under the ridgeline. Snow = I think I'll do it over the ridgeline.
The other changes I make: Down to 30 I change nothing as my 3 season stuff will get ME down to 28 with ease*. 30 - 20 I add: New river UQ, a homemade door for one end of my tarp, a few more pieces of clothing. Below 20 adds my truckers windscreen to the above. I also carry a few hot packs (chemical had or toe warmers) for "Just in case".
*My 3 season stuff, carried except for the really hot weather: 13.5' x 10' tarp (I can close the ends if need be), BBO, No sniveler, ME, Hammock, 3/4 length home made underquilt, 1X underquilt & If needed I can add the CCF pad from my pack for about 8 - 10 degrees insulation.
What kind of line do you use for your RL?Quote:
Originally Posted by Doctari
I use Zing-It and my line never got wet under the tarp.
Yes, that may be the problem! I'm using 550 cord & it flows water better than a river. I don't get: drip, drip, drip. I get FLOW! :D I got up one day & watched water literally flow down the tree, hit the 550 cord & make a hard turn to go under my tarp. In hind site it was quite spectacular in a neat way, & below the cord the tree was wet, but not soaked, the 550 cord was that efficient . At the time I was a bit annoyed, thankfully I was in the back yard so could dry it all out quickly.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rug
Soon as I can, I'm switching to Zing-It.
This thread makes me laugh.
Thanks to the mod that corrected my spelling in the title.Quote:
Originally Posted by aBRG2far
It was late and I had been on HF for about 6 hours(new member, think kid in candy store) reading and soaking up all the awesome advice and suggestions I could.
I am really interested in getting out this winter and doing some over-nighters with short hikes and hangs.
So what I am really looking for is advice on prepping my rig to handle a storm. Whether it be rain, wind, snow or all the above.
Rug, is zing-it the same as amsteel? For some reason I thought most were using amsteel for their ridgeline.Quote:
What kind of line do you use for your RL?
I use Zing-It and my line never got wet under the tarp. -Rug
Thanks everyone for your ideas and sorry if these questions are a little on the newbie side.
Hey there Feller.....
Fun to get out in the adverse conditions. I did some videos just for noobs....Shug's Noob Hammock Primer
Here is PART 5 where I start in on tarps. Most of it in snow. It may give you some ideas.
Good luck.
Shug
As humerus as the typo above was, considering the condition of your transportation (ie getting back out) makes sound sense. A full fuel tank, good wipers with antifreeze windshield cleaner, a good scaper, ect.
Funny how little mistakes like a misspelling make you think.
On a tarp note, we learned in The Gorge that thick duff makes for handling high winds with regular length/width stakes quite memorable, and name-changing - right Airborne?
Hea, Shug, Thanks for the video it really helped.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shug
I never would have thought to look up for widow makers. What a great tip.
I do have to ask. To a newbie like myself your ridgeline does look a bit thin. Is this new material that strong. Would that ridgeline hold if you woke up to 3' of new snow?
Thanks again for all your time and effort.
Well ..... hopefully I will find out sometime. So far it has held! It is an amsteel product called dyneema I think ... very strong. If in doubt lash up a long branch and hang the tarp over that. Use a knife to smooth up the burrs though.Quote:
Originally Posted by OutandBack
Fun stuff snow!
Thanks shug. I'm not new to winter hanging just new to all the high tech materials. It's about time I upgraded my kit and Hammock Forum is just what the doctor ordered.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shug
IF you ever find yourself in Colorado itching for a taste of the Rocky Mtn High piney woods look me up. I've lived here for 30 years and have some nice secret hangouts you won't find in any tourist brochure. Would love to pay it forward for all your help.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OutandBack
amsteel blue 7/64 is considered overkill for anything besides hammock suspension.
zing it, or lash it- is the same as amsteel--- the actual fibers of the cord are called dyneema.
zing it has a smaller diameter, 1.75 mil, or 2.2. and is plenty strong for a ridgeline
http://www.treestuff.com/store/catalog.asp?item=1693
Thanks again Shug
Hay: I know there is a DIY of the "Pressing knot" but I can't seem to find it ? ? ?
Link ? ? ?
Thanks
One thing I do for high wind, is connect the corners of my tarp with line. Kind of hard to explain in words, but simple in practice. Once the tarp is set, I run a line from one head end corner to the other head end corner. Then do the same to the foot end corners. I will also add extra guyouts to each corner.
Also, whenever I tie off a guy line, I always look for stationary objects like smaller trees, roots, big rocks or saplings, or downed logs to tie to. I only use the stakes if nothing stronger is available, and even then, I will try to place large rocks or logs on top of the stake to add strength.
It only takes one night looking for far flung stakes in howling wind and rain to learn this lesson.
S
rip W, thanks for the info on amsteel.
Excellent tips Shane thank you.
Bradley give this link a try.
http://www.survivaltopics.com/surviv...a-prusik-knot/
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bradley
Good site for many knots
http://www.animatedknots.com/prusik/...matedknots.com
Quote:
Originally Posted by OutandBack
Thanks fellasQuote:
Originally Posted by mbiraman
That is how I figured it was done But couldn't remember.
Now that I am back at it as well
I think that is a very useful knot
and will bookmark both sites for future ref.
:scared: Face palm moment!
Shug, I've watched a lot of your videos but I've missed that one.
I use the large figure 9's on my main suspension (will go to UCR in the near future) and I'm always annoyed at having to readjust them. I never thought of using a prussik for them.
And the sad thing is the HH tarp tensioner is just a few inches away mocking me with its slideable prussik goodness just asking me why.
These days I'm using 1/8" braided poly cord from Home Depot for my ridgeline and tarp tie-outs. It's probably overly heavy, but cheap and I do not worry about strength at all. If I have a complaint about it, it's that my prusiks don't slide too well on it when not under tension (but they don't slip at all when tensioned so I guess its a mixed bag). One of these days I'll probably upgrade, just for weight savings if nothing else.
I rode out a crazy windstorm early in the spring, trees down everywhere... about all I did different was to pitch my tarp pretty low, and put the biggest rocks I could find on top of my stakes to help keep them in the ground. I guess it was the only really bad night's sleep I ever had in the hammock, what with all the roaring of the wind, rain, and angry river just a few feet away. Still fun tho :lol:
PS, be extra-careful about site selection if you know you're riding out a storm... look for any suspect widow-makers or dead trees that could come down on your position.
By the way, not that it has anything to do with anything... but Rain-X is not indicated for use on plastic motorcycle helmet visors or plastic motorcycle windshields.
Use a plastic polish like Plexus, or Protect-All, in fact use this stuff *anytime* you clean your visor (avoid Windex-type cleaners, paper towels, or other abrasives, they cloud up your visor over time). A clean, soft cotton towel or micro-fiber towel is best.
If, you know... you ride motorcycles.:D