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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Tarp tutorial
 
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IowaFishinGuy
01/11/2018 05:56PM
 
Thanks for the input! I had a pretty good idea that a high quality tarp would be a must for canoe/backpack camping, and after reading a few threads on this website, I proved myself right. I'm leaning more towards making that one of my first purchases, and if I do, making sure I have plenty of practice rigging the tarp this spring at home before heading north. I think I might wait a couple months before stepping outside to rig a tarp, but watching some videos, and reading your suggestions, I can spend this winter indoors practicing knot tying.


This might be a silly question, but besides tying the ridgeline to trees, what are you tying the rest of the tarp off to with? My first idea is tent stakes, but i didn't know if most bring those along, or just pick a good spot with smaller trees/rocks around they can tie off the bottom or sides to. Hopefully my question makes sense to what I'm looking for.




 
yellowcanoe
01/11/2018 06:11PM
 
It all depends on what is around. Small trees if available. Rocks if stakes cant be used ( like sometimes on the Canadian Shield). Have an arsenal of ideas ready cause no two campsites are alike
 
OldFingers57
01/11/2018 08:03PM
 
As for tying off all the other lines besides the ridgeline, there are lots of small trees and bushes around plus rocks and stumps to tie to . That is why I carry extra rope to add to the lines on it. Instead of a 15ft line it may take two to reach a decent tree or bush to tie off to. So I just do a quick release sheet bend on it and add on a length of rope. As for other useful knots two half hitches and a truckers hitch are what I use the most beside the quick release sheet bend.
 
rdgbwca
01/11/2018 11:17PM
 
IowaFishinGuy:
This might be a silly question, but besides tying the ridgeline to trees, what are you tying the rest of the tarp off to with?


"



I just wanted to mention that Cliff Jacobson's Forgotten Skills DVD is often mentioned when it comes to rigging tarps. I have bought a couple of his books and have been thinking about getting the DVD. I haven't pulled the trigger on the DVD yet.
 
BnD
01/12/2018 03:39AM
 
I think the group has you covered on basic rigging. I will add what I think is very important. Any nylon cordage especially paracord will relax under tension over time especially when wet. We only use either braided polyester cord (not the cheap hollow woven stuff) , dyneema (zing it, blue steel, etc.) or spectra. None of those cords will elongate under tension and/or when wet. Personally, I grew frustrated continuously re-tightening the tarp cords to keep it strung tight with paracord and braided nylon cord. The CCS cord is very good poly cord. For rigging we like the ridge line prusik knot method mentioned earlier when possible. Learn to tie a taught line hitch, bowline knot, prusik knot and a truckers hitch and you’ll be well on your way to a nice tight tarp setup.
 
boonie
01/12/2018 11:07AM
 
+1 on the CCS cordage, don't use paracord.
 
CrookedPaddler1
01/11/2018 12:41PM
 
Excellent Question!
I take along a large 3/8" diameter rope probably 50' long to use as a ridgeline when I have the option. After that I have a bag full of parachute cord, one color is 8' lengths, the other is 16' lengths (no magic for the length, just one arm length vs. two arm lengths). That way I can look at the trees, rocks, etc., that are around to determine the length of rope I need at each section.


For the ridgeline rope, I tie one end around the tree using a clove hitch, run the rope over to the second tree and form a truckers hitch so I can tighten as needed over time. As for attaching to the tarp, I always use a bowline and then a tautline hitch to whatever the rope is tied to.

 
awbrown
01/11/2018 02:22PM
 
Go to the Cooke Custom Sewing website. At the bottom of the main page, there is a link to frequently asked questions. One of the FAQ's states "what is the best way to rig a tarp?". If you click on that, it leads you to a link for their instruction manual for rigging tarps in several configurations.


If you are a lucky guy like me, I have had a number of opportunities to attend tarp rigging sessions held by Dan Cooke. I always learn something new every time.



 
IowaFishinGuy
01/11/2018 12:20PM
 
I was reading up on a recent thread about whether a tarp was necessary or not, and it's an overwhelming yes. I am currently planning my first trip for the upcoming summer, and am looking for some tips and tricks for setting up and rigging tarps. On that thread, one person posted a video of set-up and take-down of a CCS tarp with a ridgeline bag. Curious if anyone else has tutorials like that, and suggestions/videos of the types of knots to use for tarp rigging.
Thanks
 
cowdoc
01/11/2018 03:56PM
 
CrookedPaddler1: "Excellent Question!
I take along a large 3/8" diameter rope probably 50' long to use as a ridgeline when I have the option. After that I have a bag full of parachute cord, one color is 8' lengths, the other is 16' lengths (no magic for the length, just one arm length vs. two arm lengths). That way I can look at the trees, rocks, etc., that are around to determine the length of rope I need at each section.



For the ridgeline rope, I tie one end around the tree using a clove hitch, run the rope over to the second tree and form a truckers hitch so I can tighten as needed over time. As for attaching to the tarp, I always use a bowline and then a tautline hitch to whatever the rope is tied to.
"




Mostly how I do it. It do use some small biners and a prusik on the ridgeline too. There are numerous vids on youtube for hanging tarps.
 
boonie
01/11/2018 05:29PM
 
Yeah, I started using the ridgeline setup and it's nice. Knots - I attach guys with bowlines and use the prussic cowdoc mentioned. I learned to tie the Siberian hitch to anchor the end and a trucker's hitch to tighten on the other. You can easily google those knots; maddy the goose has a Siberian hitch video on his YouTube that shows just how quickly it can be done.
 
boonie
01/11/2018 08:07PM
 
I carry stakes (and some extra cordage too) - they're convenient and you only need a few (4-6) - but sometimes use trees or other things. The configuration depends on the options at the site and the weather conditions. You may want to drop one side if there's a cold wind-driven rain for example.