Qu: Tarp Ridge Lines

[patrickbdunlap]

When I first started Hammock camping last year, I held off on buying an expensive tarp and just made do with a WM one that was heavy but cheap and kept the rain off. Now I have the money to upgrade those so have been asking questions, looking at products (like the OES ones so far as far as quality and price).

I understand the purpose of a ridge line for a hammock to maintain sag (and handy place to hang a light) but what is the purpose of a ridge line for a tarp? Is it to keep it from ripping in high wind?

Any photos would be helpful also. Thanks guys.

[Shug]

You can just tie off from the ends of your tarp or run a ridgeline over or under your tarp to facilitate centering it. There are a lot of options but no right or wrong.......
I did some videos ...... http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=15516
Tarps start at PART 5 ..... may help you to see some options.
Shug

[Bubba]

Shug's videos are great.

Under the tarp RL provides more support in snowy weather. Some like over the top RL to avoid any possible wear on the tarp. Having a RL with prussik loops for tarp connections allows ease of centering and minor tension adjustments.

[aboyd]

Shug has some great info in his videos, really helped me a lot. I use a Lash-It ridge line above my AHE Shangri La tarp, attached with prussics and S biner's to the tarp. Use a Knot Bone on one end and my newly gifted "Tarp Fly" on the other to attach to the tree....works real nice so far.

[rjcress]

Here is another summary of tarp info that may be useful:
http://gear-report.com/how-to-pitch-...-hammock-tarp/

FWIW, I used a tarp RL at first and was perpetually annoyed that my hammock suspension would bump against the tarp suspension.
Then I switched to the way it is illustrated in the link above and the suspension passes through the gap in the tarp suspension... no more bumping !

On the other hand, if I'm using an external bugnet, then I like to hang it from my tarp ridgeline.

So, either way is fine, just figure out what works best for how YOU use your gear.