Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Center ridgeline tarp setup
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jhb8426 |
quote Mad_Angler: "There was a recent thread about tarp setup. It included a link about the center ridgeline setup. Hmmm unfortunately Hoop's pics have been disable by photobucket's recent policy change regarding 3rd party hosting. That's too bad as they are very informative. |
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Mad_Angler |
The prussiks pull the center pretty tight before adding any guylines. I only used those at the 4 corners. Adding all 6 would help. I have not rode out a big blow in the center ridgeline setup. I have rode some very big blows in the front ridgeline setup that you mention. It is nice to have one end low enough to block nearly all the wind. I figured that I would have to lower the side facing the wind if it really started to howl. But for moderate to high winds, the center ridgeline did much better than I expected. I expected nearly all the rain to come right in. In fact, very little rain came in. |
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Fizics |
My first tarp is a CCS 12x10 that I have rigged with a center ridgeline of Lash-It (my all time favorite small diameter rope). My second tarp is a 9x9 Nemo Bugout that I rigged the same way, but the ridgeline runs longways along the hypotenuse of the square. Both of them have a "dumb" end I call it, just a micro caribiner that can hold a lot of weight (it's titanium) that I clip onto the rop itself around the tree. The "smart" end of the rope has about 20' extra of rope, with a Dutchware Wasp, makes it an absolute breeze tying up my ridgeline and getting it as tight as I need it. I can get it so tight I bring along an "extension" line of the same rope that has a loop on one end, I tie it off to a tree, and use the loop to tigthen my tarp rope + wasp around. It can span 50-60 feet if trees are REALLY crappy on a site, and the rope is tight enough to hang clothes on yet. The tie-offs are another story, I have 8 tarp worms from Dutchware and each tarp worm is on a loop about 8" around of 1/8" shock cord tied to itself with double fishermans knots. I just loop the shock cord loop through itself on the tarp tie outs wherever I need them, and then stake it out with those tarp worms, I tigthen em up on the shock cord so the tarp stays nice and tight when drenched. It's most commonly deployed in a A-Frame shape for my hammock, but it easily ties out for other uses, usually I'll tie one end of it level (so that half the tarp is flat about neck level) and the other end angled down to cut out wind, and we still have plenty of room to sit. My favorite part is launching/packing. I have snakeskins on my tarp, but I just use a couple dealybobs for my Nemo. Both of them you just grab both corners and start rolling up towards the ridgeline, and use the dealybobs to keep it rolled up, take down the smart end, then dumb end, and stuff it into your sack and go! I do giggle every time I see a tarp being folded delicately in the BWCA lol |
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Wally13 |
You are right on with your comment about a center ridgeline allowing for easy raising and lowering of the side of the tarp depending on wind direction/intensity. Pineknot and I were on a Pickerel Lake campsite a couple of weeks ago and a big storm hit us with 40 mph west winds and heavy rain and even hail. Yikes ... it was crazy. But Pineknot is a master at tarpology and rigged his CCS tarp with a center ridgeline with prussics on each end and was able to lower the one end of his tarp just like in your picture and ....voila ... we were able to stay quite dry in that bad storm. I learned a lot about tarpology from pineknot and with some practice I think I will be able to tie Truckers Hitches and Prussics and with carabiners and Figure 9's ... do a pretty good job at rigging a tarp the right way. I have ordered a CCS Ridgeline storage bag from Dan Cooke as it makes tarp rigging that much easier. |
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boonie |
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DanCooke |
The Ridgeline Lean Stuff Sack that is in Hoop's is quite different than a Bishop bag. Both have the ability to have the tarp preset on the ridgeline of the tarp. The Bishop bag is a fixed volume bag. The Ridgeline Lean Stuff Sack from CCS has two different volumes. When fully extended there is 280 cu inches, When sealed off at the lower cord there is 130 cu inches of volume. This makes it much easier to stuff the tarp into the larger volume and then compress it to the smaller volume. The handle on the bottom makes it easy to pull the tarp out of the stuff sack. The two volume stuff sack allows you then to store the tarp in a less compressed state then a fixed volume bag. Hoop's video is very good. When setting up in trees I use a Siberian Hitch for the first ridgeline anchor knot and then a Truckers hitch for the second anchor knot. |
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unshavenman |
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ozarkpaddler |
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Mad_Angler |
CCS has loops across the top and front. The front ridgeline and the center ridgeline both have enough tie outs to distribute the load. |
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jhb8426 |
quote mastertangler: "...the only thing I have some curiosity about is getting the center ridgeline high enough to be satisfactory..." I've found that it is best not to have the ridge line higher than you can comfortably reach, and in most cases a bit lower is better yet. Get it too high and the likelihood of rain blowing in goes up. I don't mind ducking a bit under the tarp. |
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mastertangler |
Still curious how that set up does in a big blow. I hate noisy tarps. Just add more lines I guess. As per ducking underneath........that is fine for 1/3 of my tarp. But I prefer having the other half completely clear. I.e. the side I have my ridgeline established is as high as I can comfortably reach. From that point to beyond my center pole (say 7ft total) I can walk unobstructed. In tight spots this is preferred, at least for me. I also like the center pole as i make some hooks out of plastic coated wire ties and it becomes "command central" where I can put stuff like sunglasses, bear spray, etc. |
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cowdoc |
quote Northwoodsman: "MT, NW, I'm not positive, but I believe THIS is the tarp setup style they are referring to. Video is about knots....ignore that and just look at the setup.......single edge ridge and slope, pull out the back or pole/paddle it out. |
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Northwoodsman |
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mgraber |
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kona |
How many guylines would you reccomend for 10x14', and of what length(s)? |
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mastertangler |
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mastertangler |
quote boonie: "quote mastertangler: "Slick!" I like it........the only thing I have some curiosity about is getting the center ridgeline high enough to be satisfactory. I have seen where some posters have come up with all sorts of "methods" to achieve this, some of which includes tossing lines which does not fit with my style. But I have never tried a different method except what Cliff Jacobson suggests so I am not qualified to give an opinion on this specific method .........merely conjecture. I will probably be content to keep doing what I have been as it certainly gets the job done quickly, with strength and efficiency. Perhaps someday I will go with someone who will educate me as to a better way. |
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boonie |
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WHendrix |
Bill |
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Jaywalker |
quote Mad_Angler: "There was a recent thread about tarp setup. It included a link about the center ridgeline setup. Don't forget you can always bring a canoe up and place it just under the low edge of the tarp for added protection from strong winds. |
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mastertangler |
Stay with me here as I am just musing out loud. With the center ridge line the ends of the center are secured and guy lines branch out. With the Cliff Jacobson method you have one side of the tarp fastened directly to the rope at every tie off point. Probably takes a few minutes longer but from a physics standpoint would it be inherently stronger? I.e. one side of the tarp is extremely secure and the other 3 sides are guy lined out. With the addition of a center pole now you are dividing the tarp into 4 smaller quadrants which seems like it would be easier to get drum tight. I have been in some massive blows and my tarps don't make a bit of racket. No flipping, no flapping.........rock solid. A noisy tarp is unacceptable for me. Any set up will suffice if it is calm.......how does the center ridgeline do in a serious sustained blow? |
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Northwoodsman |
I'm trying to picture Cliff's set-up. So is it a continuous line going through all of the tie points on one edge of the tarp? Or is it a rope secured between two trees and then the tie outs each secured to that? Is it a single rope at each tie out attached to a tree or something similar? It sounds like it could be the same set-up as a ridgeline except along the edge instead of the middle. I just started using a good tarp in the last two years and I guess I just used a ridgeline because I would hang things underneath from the ridgeline . Yup, you guessed it. I had the tarp upside down! And well I'm fessing up... my brother and I paddled most of the Lady Lake chain with our bent shaft paddles backwards as well. That's why I love reading about other peoples successes and failures on here. I have apparently had more failures than I knew about at the time. Maybe we should start a thread (although I'm sure there are already several) fessing up to mistakes that we have made. It would get more laughs than a joke thread. |
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mastertangler |
I am not so sure there is 10 cents difference between set ups. It appears both methods get you along in fine style. I will do Cliff a disservice if I try and explain his method. It is available in the DVD "Forgotten Skills" which I do recommend. Having said that, and I am not trying to be contentious, I may point out a few further differences. The high point of the center ridgline (without additional center pole) will be as high as you can set the line. But with the Jacobson method that would be the lowest point since the side is attached and the center pole elevates even further. The practical effect would be that at least one entire side of my tarp is high enough to walk comfortably underneath without stooping near the ends. Advantage? Not always but certainly makes for hassle free walking on most days. The other advantage from a physics perspective is the establishment of the 4 triangularly shaped quadrants. Instead of making 2 rectangles (either side of the center ridgeline) I have made 4 triangle shapes. Of course triangles are the strongest geometric shape. This all sounds good in theory..........but perhaps the practical application is quite different. After all, lots of folks with whole lots more experience than I use the center ridgline method. |
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Wally13 |
I just returned from a 10 day Quetico trip and got schooled by Pineknot on how to properly setup a Ridgeline with Prussics and CCS Ridge Bag. I am now a convert. Simple and very effective way to rig a tarp. It will be my "go to" tarp setup method on all future trips |
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boonie |
quote kona: "I'm setting up a recently purchased 10x14 ccs with ridgeline lean bag. Six - the 4 corners and the center on each side makes it more solid in wind. I like having at least 20 feet of guyline attached to each one - it is adequate for most situations/rigs and saves the time of adding additional lengths. I bundle each guyline up with a "hair thing". |
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boonie |
quote mastertangler: "Slick!" MT, it is, and I'll add that it's especially helpful for the soloist - like having an extra couple of hands :). |
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Northwoodsman |
I learned these great tips from many of you on this site and from CCS's site. I found some great knot videos on Youtube and the rewind function is my best friend. |
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Northwoodsman |
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Grouseguy1 |
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crewser |
quote jhb8426: When I get home I will message from my computer there. My phone won't allow it, and my work computer does not have emails set properly. |
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jhb8426 |
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jhb8426 |
quote jhb8426: "quote Mad_Angler: "There was a recent thread about tarp setup. It included a link about the center ridgeline setup. Digging thru my archives, I've found that I have a PDF file of Hoops original article with pictures. If anyone is interested, contact me via email here and I will send it to you. |
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OldFingers57 |
quote Northwoodsman: "The things that I struggle with are knots, both tying and untying, and tension. I have been practicing knots via Youtube for the last couple of weeks. I purchased the CCS Ridgeline bag last year for my CCS tarp. I think I have finally figured out my ultimate setup and am satisfied that I can get my tarp deployed within a couple of minutes and won't be fidgeting with it for an hour to get it just right. Like Dan pointed out above, the Siberian Hitch or one similar on the first end and a Trucker's Hitch on the second end is the key. I also have a prusik knot with a short line on each end of the tarp at the ridgeline so once the ridgeline is in place I can slide my pre-rigged tarp into position and make it taunt. I then grab the 4 corner lines that are already attached and run them to whatever I will fasten them to and do another quick knot, most likely another Trucker's Hitch on each one. It works well in my garage now I just hope it works well in the field. I just have to remind myself to take my time, don't rush it, and don't second guess myself and change my mind at the last minute. I just received my new rope supply from CCS. Last year I got frustrated because I couldn't get my knots undone and cut them off. Evidently it wasn't a faulty rope, it was operator error (patience). LOL. For knots on your tie out lines I use a quick release sheet bend as I have some short sections of rope on each tie out to tie my longer line onto. Then at the stake end I use a trucker's hitch again with a quick release knot to secure it. Both ends can be untied quickly with just a pull of the free end. A for knot videos Animated knots by Grog is great. Animated knots by Grog |
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unshavenman |
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Mad_Angler |
quote jhb8426: "Hmmm unfortunately Hoop's pics have been disable by photobucket's recent policy change regarding 3rd party hosting. That's too bad as they are very informative." That does stink. The linked article had a lot of very good pictures... |
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boonie |
quote jhb8426: "quote Mad_Angler: "There was a recent thread about tarp setup. It included a link about the center ridgeline setup. WHendrix's link will take you to his (Hoop's) YouTube video - same thing. |
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boonie |
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Mad_Angler |
I've been on 15 BW trips. I have several CCS tarps. I always used a front ridgeline. I liked having the windward side very low to protect against wind and rain. Well... I just got back from my wettest trip by far. I switched one tarp to a center ridgeline just for fun. It worked much better than I expected. It was great. I very quickly changed my other tarp to a center ridgeline. I was amazed at how well it protected against wind-driven rain. I especially liked not having to restring my tarp each time the wind directed switched. I'm a convert now... Center ridgeline |
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WHendrix |
Ridgeline Stuff Sack |
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Grandma L |
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cowdoc |
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Mad_Angler |
I love using exposed roots for tying down the low end. The roots are extremely strong and much faster/easier than driving stakes (assuming that you can find a root where you need one) |
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mirth |
quote gkimball: " Triple tent stake anchor on lowered (windward) side" I do the triple stakes too, however I typically put them in on different planes..... drive the first stake in leaning away from the tent/tarp ~45 degrees, the next two stakes go in perpendicular to the first stake from either side... so its like an X crossing over the first stake. Had some very strong winds our first morning earlier this month and our campsite was basically a sand island. The stakes didn't budge! |
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gkimball |
quote mirth: "quote gkimball: " Triple tent stake anchor on lowered (windward) side" Sounds interesting. The 2 stakes going in at an angle might improve performance where the soil is very thin - like most paces when you need it most! |
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3Ball |
Thanks for the education. |
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unshavenman |
quote fsupp: "For those with rectangular, and not square tarps (say 10x12 or 10x14), do you recommend stringing the center ridgeline along the long or short axis of the tarp?" YMMV, but my 10x14 pictured has the ridgeline running the 14' length of the tarp, not the shorter 10' width. |
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unshavenman |
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unshavenman |
quote Mad_Angler: "unshavenman, Those are loops for attaching additional lines if necessary. They weren't as useful as I thought they would be and have since come off. I have 20' of CCS cord on each corner as well as attached to the center loops at the front and the back of the tarp. The front and back lines are usually not used and are kept wound up until the wind and rain hit, then they are indispensable. I bought the same tarp in Yellow and had it on a loop through Oyster and LLC a few weeks ago. This pic may show better what I'm talking about. |
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Northwoodsman |
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timatkn |
T |
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boonie |
quote unshavenman: "quote fsupp: "For those with rectangular, and not square tarps (say 10x12 or 10x14), do you recommend stringing the center ridgeline along the long or short axis of the tarp?" Same with mine; I think you get more useable space underneath this way. |
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boonie |
quote gymcoachdon: "quote Northwoodsman: "What do most of you use for the ridgeline cordage?" I use the same - it handles well and has low stretch. |
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Northwoodsman |
boonie, I have a 10 x 14 and I would normally run it lengthwise unless I was dropping a side to deflect the wind. It may also depend on your campsite layout, trees, rocks, unusable space, fire grate location, etc. Last trip we re-strung it across the short way so we could drop one side to the ground. It wasn't raining that much but it was in the 40's and 50' and the wind coming off Cherokee was cold! |
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fsupp |
quote boonie: "quote unshavenman: "quote fsupp: "For those with rectangular, and not square tarps (say 10x12 or 10x14), do you recommend stringing the center ridgeline along the long or short axis of the tarp?" Thanks to you both. |
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gkimball |
I second the 50' of line for the ridgeline idea. Gives maximum ability to place the tarp with due consideration of where wind and rain will come from so you will have a side to drop for protection when needed. Also including picture of triple tent stake anchor method used to windward side - these have always held where soils are thin. Ridgeline tarp setup Tarp adjusted as storm approaches Triple tent stake anchor on lowered (windward) side |
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mastertangler |
But If it's blowing and raining sideways I'm in my bag reading or taking a snooze anyway, but I have seen the light and stand corrected. I still think I would prefer my set up, due in large part to not having to duck my head every time I approach from the side. But during shoulder seasons or with a group of 3 or 4 I would now adopt the center ridge line method. Thank you for educating me (thumbs up). |
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fsupp |
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mastertangler |
I have a 10x10 and had CCS make me an 8x8 for my August solo trips. Worked fine and dandy for my needs and considerably more compact I might add. Certainly a significant consideration when you have to carry food (and a major amount of fishing equipment :-) for longer trips. Plus the 8x8 was easy to set up in the smaller campsites that WCPP has to offer. |
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Mad_Angler |
what are the strings attached to each of your loops? |
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butthead |
quote unshavenman: "quote Mad_Angler: "unshavenman, While I usually set a tarp umbrella style without a ridge or pole, if I use a ridge it's like this, as pictured by unshavenman. Difference for me is that I like Niteize S Biners to clip the mid-tarp loops (saves wear, adds to adjusability), then Prusiks at the border loops. Then just corner ties to anchors with trucker hitches. I do the same with my Lean 1+. butthead |
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DanCooke |
The 4 panel CCS tarps lend themselves to pitching with a ridgeline in either direction. most 10 x tarps are the market only have pull outs along one center direction. The ridgeline is supported by 7 loops in the length or width of the 10 x x tarps. |
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gymcoachdon |
quote Northwoodsman: "What do most of you use for the ridgeline cordage?" I use the stuff Dan sells with the tarp. 1/8" poly rope I have 50 ft. for the ridgeline, and 25 ft attached to 4 corners and the middle of each side. Total of 200 ft of rope. I have not had any issues with stretching, even when wet. I have the CCS 10x12, 1.1 oz. |
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boonie |
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mirth |
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mirth |
Intentionally pitched before severe weather blew in, the hammock stayed dry. |
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Mad_Angler |
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