Best way to rig a tarp

[bowl-maker]

If I could offer a suggestion...I have the same issue.

I use a doubled midshipman's hitch. I take the the line around the tree, and then double it over to a long enough length to tie the knot. Then I just tie a midshipman's know with the doubled-up portion. It holds quite well, is very easy to untie, and uses no extra hardware!

[MAD777]

A Dutch hook on each end in an eye splice. Wrap the line around the tree and hook to itself using 1.75mm Zing-it. I have two 9 foot ridgelines. Tarp is permanently attached via prusics to the ridgelines. Slide the prusics to center the tarp and tension it.

[Jiblets]

A Dutch hook on each end in an eye splice. Wrap the line around the tree and hook to itself using 1.75mm Zing-it. I have two 9 foot ridgelines. Tarp is permanently attached via prusics to the ridgelines. Slide the prusics to center the tarp and tension it.

If you don't want to buy Dutch hooks & Zing-it, you can use your existing line and tie a Siberian Hitch around the tree and then use the prussics on each end of the tarp to adjust the tension.

The Siberian hitch is easy to tie and very easy to untie (Looks like Youtube has some nice demos). Braided mason's line works great for prussics.

Having said this, I own several dutch hooks - they're just so sexy...

Good luck.

[Shug]

Here is my 3¢ worth of info on tarpage.......
Shug

[StrawHat]

I use figure-9 for my tarp setup, in case of loss or hardware failure i use these as backup - tie one end of the ridgeline using siberian hitch and tie off the other end using the farrimond friction hitch as an adjustable knot for tensioning the RL. Tarp ends connected via prusiks with a small trail stick attached by using girth/lark's head.

[bowl-maker]

I don't like extra hardware if I don't need it. Well, I DO like extra hardware, and actually have to make myself leave it at home.
For the rainfly I don't use anything other than the rope to attach it to the trees. I run it once around the tree, and double up the running part into a section long enough to work with on my knot. Then I tie a midshipman's hitch around the standing part (the part coming from the tarp) using the doubled line. Won't slip unless I want it to, and quickly adjustable and easily untieable (I know, not a word).