HOW MUCH ROPE-LINE NEEDED? four questions

[Mule]

1. HOW MUCH ROPE, BRAIDED LINE OR MASONS LINE DO YOU CARRY?
2. IS HEAVIER CORD NEEDED OR IS THE SMALLER STUFF LIKE MASON'S LINE ENOUGH?
3. HOW MANY PITCH THEIR TARP WITHOUT A RIDGELINE?
4. WHAT KIND OF STAKES DO MOST OF YOU USE. I just have titanium skewers.
Thanks for your patience with this FNG. Mule

[Take-a-knee]

I don't think mason's twine has a place in your pack, it is too weak and has way too much stretch. I use paracord on my tarp tie outs and trip tease for the tarp stakes. If paracord is too "heavy" for you go with some sort of covered spectra.

[Mule]

THANKS, I do carry some spectra but I just cringe when I have to cut it to a shorter lenghth. There have been several posts about the virtues of this Mason's twine (line, some called it). It has about 150 pound strength, not too much. I appreciate your comments, Take-a-knee.
Mule

[Rapt]

If you're doing tarp tie outs, clothes lines etc. I think Mason line or similar is fine. There's no need for super ultra high strength like spectra...

In fact there are places where it may be a disadvantage causing the tarp to fail rather than the line if its over loaded... Further stretch can be an advantage if its used that way. Much like line tensioners...

I know 2 mm spectra is way stronger than 2 mm nylon, but 2 mm nylon is less than 1/10th the price and often more than adequate for the things you want to do with it.

Don't get me wrong I think spectra is great and will use it extensively where appropriate or advantageous like in hammock suspensions. But why use 1000-2000lb strength line where you only have 20 lb loads?

[headchange4u]

I have recently started using mason line and I really like it. The braided line has 150lb breaking strength.

I normally carry 50-75' of small diameter, UL line like mason line or Speer No Tangle and about 20' of the 7/64 Spectra line. I also carry a small amount of shock cord.

I don't use a ridge line on my tarp and I use aluminum "V" stakes.

[nickelanddime]

Well, the triptease which is spectra core is 200 lb. and about $15 for 50ft I think and weighs 1 oz.... the mason line(braided) is 150 lb. and $4 for 200ft, not sure about the weight. I've got a lot of triptease where the cover is bunching from frequent use so I like the mason line on the tarp.
I use msr ground hog stakes
I pitch without a ridgeline
I use 50ft of paracord to bear bag and in case of emergency use since it is so easy to canabalize.

[Mule]

Well, the triptease which is spectra core is 200 lb. and about $15 for 50ft I think and weighs 1 oz.... the mason line(braided) is 150 lb. and $4 for 200ft, not sure about the weight. I've got a lot of triptease where the cover is bunching from frequent use so I like the mason line on the tarp.
I use msr ground hog stakes
I pitch without a ridgeline
I use 50ft of paracord to bear bag and in case of emergency use since it is so easy to canabalize.

WOW! These are all very informaive. Thanks
Mule

[Rat]

1. HOW MUCH ROPE, BRAIDED LINE OR MASONS LINE DO YOU CARRY?
2. IS HEAVIER CORD NEEDED OR IS THE SMALLER STUFF LIKE MASON'S LINE ENOUGH?
3. HOW MANY PITCH THEIR TARP WITHOUT A RIDGELINE?
4. WHAT KIND OF STAKES DO MOST OF YOU USE. I just have titanium skewers.
Thanks for your patience with this FNG. Mule

I use 550 cord (parachute cord, 550 lb breaking strength) I keep 100 feet of it in about 12 foot sections, easier to use that way, like you I hate cutting my ropes.

Use what you need, sometimes heavier is needed, but also consider the other properties of the rope/cord. A slick cord requires a better or different sliding knot than what you may be used to using, on sheathed cord the sheath may bunch up or roll when used in a trucker's hitch type knot, dynamic cord (a little stretchy) is better when a shock load could rip or tear something (like wind blowing against a tarp), stiff cord can be both easier and harder to tie depending on the knot and circumstances, best tp practice before hand to see which knots work best for you, cord with removable innards (like 550 cord) can serve double duty (you can sew with the PE inner strands, or whip smaller cords, use as trigger lash for traps etc). So, the cord depends on a multiple of factors, with the choice we have today bringing some of each isn't out of the question, then you always have what you need!

No ridgeline.

I use Easton Jumbo stakes (semi-hard earth where I live) but always take a couple of Alu. V stakes for the soft areas I may have at any given site.

[Mule]

I use 550 cord (parachute cord, 550 lb breaking strength) I keep 100 feet of it in about 12 foot sections, easier to use that way, like you I hate cutting my ropes.

Use what you need, sometimes heavier is needed, but also consider the other properties of the rope/cord. A slick cord requires a better or different sliding knot than what you may be used to using, on sheathed cord the sheath may bunch up or roll when used in a trucker's hitch type knot, dynamic cord (a little stretchy) is better when a shock load could rip or tear something (like wind blowing against a tarp), stiff cord can be both easier and harder to tie depending on the knot and circumstances, best tp practice before hand to see which knots work best for you, cord with removable innards (like 550 cord) can serve double duty (you can sew with the PE inner strands, or whip smaller cords, use as trigger lash for traps etc). So, the cord depends on a multiple of factors, with the choice we have today bringing some of each isn't out of the question, then you always have what you need!

No ridgeline.

I use Easton Jumbo stakes (semi-hard earth where I live) but always take a couple of Alu. V stakes for the soft areas I may have at any given site.

Thanks, I also have some 1/8 braided nylon. Backpackers I go with don't carry much rope or cord. This hammock makes a difference.

[stoikurt]

WOW! These are all very informaive. Thanks
Mule

That's the type of people you have here. Everyone's always ready and willing to help out with answers and opinions about gear selection and usage questions.