Hanging from a Ridgeline

Call me crazy, but I was sitting here looking up the costs of various lines to make a ridge line for my tarp. Some of these lines are very strong. They're far stronger than needed to support a tarp. In fact some of these are strong enough to support a human, and then some.

Then I got to thinking. :huh:

Then I actually got an idea. :scared:

So what is keeping us from hanging from a taut ridge line? Attach a couple of prusiks to an Amsteel RL and you are always going to have the same hang.

Crazy enough that it just might work, or crazy enough that I should video tape it when I try it so I can deter anyone else from trying? Has anyone tried it?

I think what you're talking about is similar to the "Single Line Suspension" that's been discussed before. Search for that and you'll see.

But even with strong cord, if you hang the tarp from the same lines as your hammock, you'll end up with a much looser tarp. Probably ok for good weather but I tie my tarp separately from my hammock b/c I like 'em tight.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Just Jeff

I think what you're talking about is similar to the "Single Line Suspension" that's been discussed before. Search for that and you'll see.

But even with strong cord, if you hang the tarp from the same lines as your hammock, you'll end up with a much looser tarp. Probably ok for good weather but I tie my tarp separately from my hammock b/c I like 'em tight.

---

That's the only thing I can't quite get around yet.

Maybe incorporate something like the line self tensioning tarp lines with enough tension to counteract the sag on the tarp caused by a weight hammock.

Using tensioners on the ridgeline tie-outs will make your tarp blow off-center when a strong wind comes along...which is the exact time that you don't want your tarp to blow off-center. Attaching the tarp to the hammock supports is convenient for non-threatening weather, but I wouldn't build a system around it that's intended to withstand anything more than a summer shower.