I use ______ instead of prusiks on my ridgeline

**Redoleary** · 02-28-2012, 16:35

I have tried the Klemheist and they also had a tendency to lock up on me and be difficult to get the line to slide thru. I spent a whole morning a few weeks ago trying different knots on a RL in the basement and thats how I landed on the Distel hitch. It is also directional, but once tied it can be left on the RL even w/o the carabiner left on it. (Just thought I'd give a bit more background on how I landed on the distel.) HYOH & TYOK (tie your own knots)

**Cannibal** · 02-28-2012, 16:45

Originally Posted by Owl

I have cordage attached at either end, with a plastic Figure 9 attached to the cordage.

The plastic ones! Really?
I tried them once; broke both the same night. Went back to the original Fig 9s. Otherwise, this is the same way I roll. Although, if I'm being truthful, I think I've only got one tarp with Fig 9s on it anymore. I like them Tarp Flyz that Mr. Easy On The Eyes makes.

**Shotgunred** · 02-28-2012, 17:39

Originally Posted by Owl

I don't use a ridgeline for my tarp.

I have cordage attached at either end, with a plastic Figure 9 attached to the cordage.

I simply take one end, estimate the distance I need from the tree, and attach it around the tree with the Fig 9. I then repeat and tension/adjust the distance on the other end with the Fig 9s.

No ridgeline on my tarp, and it doesn't use the ridgeline/support from my hammock either.

I have mine the same way, only I use Dutch flyz

**HighlandHorde** · 02-28-2012, 18:14

I use a Valdotain Tress (VT)

But i tie the ends with a figure 8 instead of having the loops to clip a biner into.

**tdickenson** · 02-28-2012, 18:27

I like the prussik because you can apply tension to the tarp by dragging the body of the knot along the rigeline. One hand holds the body of the knot, the other holds the ridgeline above the tarp. Both the klemheist and Distel hitch have a tendency to not jam onto the ridgeline after being tightened in that way - they jam best after sliding in the opposite direction.

The Valdotain Tress is a new one for me. Ill have to try that.

**HighlandHorde** · 02-28-2012, 18:39

Originally Posted by tdickenson

The Valdotain Tress is a new one for me. Ill have to try that.

I actually use the VT on all my tarp guy lines too and can tighten them from in the hammock if necessary.

**DemostiX** · 02-28-2012, 19:29

I fly Clark tarps.

The ridgeline tie-outs are flat nylon/nyloc fittings with rectangular 4mm x 12mm openings. Because one of the tarps is just-right sized and I need to place it carefully over the hmmk, I went to a full length ridge-line (of 1/16" hollow Vectran) which passes through the fittings and under the tarp with one wrap on each fitting. When the ridge-line is tightened, the friction against 3 sides of the hole in the fitting is enough to have it behave just as a prussic, Kleimheist, and similar knot would, and I must grab each one and push or pull hard to move it and the tarp.

Resistance to sliding is equal in both directions. In over a hundred nights there has not been slippage once, no matter the weather.