I just got my first tarp today, a CCS 10x14. I also bought the ridge-line bag and want to get it set and ready to go. I have never had a tarp before so it is all new to me. I remember a post I read about the pros and cons about rigging it the short way vs the long I just can't find it in my search. It will get used mostly in state and county parks so trees may not be as plentiful as the BWCA.

I don't have a pre-set idea. The layout of the campsite and available trees usually dictate how I lay the ridge.....also maybe wind or possible incoming rain. Long, short, diagonal, tepee style...Don't let your ridgeline bag stifle your creativity.

Go visit Shug on Youtube. He's got great tarp setup ideas and is good at demonstrating which knots you'll want to learn. The guy is funny as hell

Rs130754: "I just got my first tarp today, a CCS 10x14. I also bought the ridge-line bag and want to get it set and ready to go. I have never had a tarp before so it is all new to me. I remember a post I read about the pros and cons about rigging it the short way vs the long I just can't find it in my search. It will get used mostly in state and county parks so trees may not be as plentiful as the BWCA."

I watched Dan Cooke's Tarp presentation at Midwest Mountaineering Expo one year. There are so many possible configurations for setting up your tarp that it is impossible to determine one set-up that will work best for you.

I still haven't landed on what is best for me but, the cordage that CCS sells is packaged in 80' hanks. I cut 30' off the first so I have a 50' ridgeline and two 15' tie-outs. I cut a second hank into four 20' tie-outs. Note: I have only had the tarp for 2 trips but, these lenths have given me options for each deployment.

Good Luck

Rs130754: "I just got my first tarp today, a CCS 10x14. I also bought the ridge-line bag and want to get it set and ready to go."

I would recommend watching this video. This by far the greatest setup I have used: Wintertrekker Tarp Set Up

Gable full external ridgeline is how I do my tarps, with the ridgeline running the length (in your case 14') as opposed to the width of the tarp. I'm thrilled that the link is alive again with pics, as they were missing for the longest time. This setup absolutely rocks.

That's funny, I was reading the article and thinking to myself, that's an awful lot like Wintertrekker sets his tarp up, minus the ridgline bag. Then I noticed the name:) Thanks for the link, it is nice to view as photos as well as the video.

Thank you all for the tips and links. I have spring break next week and after seam sealing I am going to try a couple sets in the yard. I like the 1.9oz I went with but if the 1.1 is the same material as the ridge-line bag I may just have to pony up for a second smaller tarp in the future. Thanks again.

I attached mine to the ridgeline and prussiks with S-biners. To change orientation just unclip a few, rotate 90 degrees, reattach, maybe change a couple guy outs.

Go long for sure! For some strange reason my cordage shrinks in length with time.
Have to admit that a limit is reached, I have a pile of 18 inch and under pieces tucked away in my garage, but usually few short lengths when camping. Curious situation!

butthead

I have pretty much settled on rigging the ridge line on the long dimension of the tarp.

The extra length seems to create more useful space. The extra width from rigging the ridge line on the short dimension seems to be lost due to the slope of the sides. I usually set the sides of the tarp at a somewhat steeper angle than seen in Wintertrekker's video to avoid collection of rain. Otherwise my method is inspired by his technique - he knows what he's doing!

I am 5'10" and try to set the ridge high enough so that I don't have to duck very much to get under the center of the tarp. If I am with taller companions we set it higher for them. I have never found it a problem to sufficiently lower the sides created by the shorter dimension enough to shelter from wind and rain.

10X12 CCS tarp with ridge line bag




Tarp setup with side lowered to shed wind