Guy Line Lengths

[clwilla]

I'm in the midst of weighing all of my gear and I need to know how much line to cut for each of the tie-outs (8 total). I know that this varies from person to person, but a couple of theories about longer v shorter (or vice versa) would be good. I'm on the east coast, so having to tie to billion-foot wide redwoods isn't an issue. I'm also only looking to hang your average A-frame style pitch (for now - hence the 8 lines rather than the full 12).

I was thinking 10' for the 2 ridgeline loops, and 6' for the 6 (3 on each side) remaining loops. I am using a JRB 11x10 cat tarp, and will be attaching DIY line tensioners to make sure that all stays taut during the night.

Thanks

[angrysparrow]

Your chosen lengths (10' for ridge guys, 6' for side guys) is a good compromise of length/weight.

I think my most-used tarp has 12' ridge guys and 5' side guys.

The only time that those lengths wasn't sufficient was when tying between two especially large trees, and I needed more cording on the ridge ties only. (This is an unusual situation). In that case, I used the spare cording that I keep in my backpack to extend the ridge tie lengths.

[Hooch]

Personally, I use 25' for each ridge guy and 15' for each of the 8 side tie outs. Just kidding, I use about the same 10' and 6' lengths you discussed.

[Coffee]

I like 10 feet on guy lines and 12 feet for ridgeline. opens up more hanging spots. I often hang longer distances or guy to things farther away. Makes it easier to rig in trekking poles to raise a side of a tarp.

I also go from tarp to stake back to tarp.

[Youngblood]

What I have done is to try match the maximum span and tree diameter that I can hang a tarp with the maximum span and tree diameter that I can hang my hammock that I will use it with. Obviously, not having enough hammock suspension line or tarp ridgeline is a problem, but having too much of one is an unnecessary nuisance.

In general, wider tarps need less guyline on the sides... unless you hang it in some unusual way. If you are going to use the Baker's Hut pitch with your JBR tarp, you end up with a narrow tarp on one side where you may need longer guylines on that side.

[slowhike]

I like about 12' for the ridge line & 10' for the side guy lines.
Most of the time it's a little more than needed but sometimes I may use a really big oak or something to tie the ridge line to, & occasionally have still needed to add an extra length of cord to go around the big tree.

Also, the 10' side guys alow me to reach trees, limbs, roots, logs, & rocks that other wise would be out of reach w/o adding more cord.
I like using those kinds of things rather than a stake when I can.
Quicker & stronger. And if the weather's good, I can tie high for a view.

[l1ranger]

all of my lines are 6' - I use a loop of shock cord on the end which adds a little bit of length except on the ridgeline.

but like someone mentioned above - I always have extra cord, rope, etc that can be used to lengthen as necessary

[ame]

Mine are all 2.5m (about 8'). They have clamcleats to adjust the length, and I added tarp-tensioners to the two side lines.

A

[Coffee]

It's one of those things too is for a couple oz's your get a lot of extra guy line and way more options for hanging.

[riverkeeper]

I have to deal with one of those monster trees on occasion and extra line rides along for those but I rig for normal. 12' on ridge and 10 on sides of the Hennessy Tarps - I like to use poles on the sides too.

On the sides I tie one end the line to the ring and a loop at the other end is clipped to the snap provided by hennessy at each tie point.