lonetracker
Guide
the tarp ridgeline is basically a string,cord or rope suspended between two trees that is used to hang a tarp.the tarp could go over or under the line.the main advantage a ridge line has over just tying a string to each end of your tarp is the ability to easily move the tarp to center it over your hammock without untying anything.
my ridgeline design evolved by putting together several diferant knots and techniques i learned at h.f. it uses no hardware and only one in the field knot,and one stick.
first start with about 30 feet of cord.i prefer zing it or fling it in 1.75 or 2.2 mm the 2.2 is a little easyier to work with.i also have one tied with 7/64 amsteel that i use with a large winter tarp.this larger line is easier to handle with cold fingers.any rope or cord with low stretch can be used for this ridgeline.
then tie a big knot in the end of the cord.i tie a monkeyfist.(7/64 amsteel used in pictures)
a good reference for knots
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_knots
then tie a loop knot.the loop should be about an inch or so longer then the big knot.
thats basically it.attach that end to the first tree by going around the tree(the tree in this case being played by a pot),then wrap the loop around the line.insert the large knot into the loop and pull tight.works like a simple button.
if useing amsteel or zing it you can do that end also with some fancy splices,looks like this i can post these diyrections if anyone wants.its similar to tying a whoopie.this also shows you can larkshead the loop over the knotted line if you want extra security.
you could also tie on some whipping to have a slideing lock on the loop
2.2 zing it spliced with slideing lock closed on a tree.i have found even without the lock locked if the knot is big enough this never comes undone.
now lets go over to the other tree and see if i can explain that clearly.my first ridgeline had a figure 9 on this end attached via a prussic knot.if you do not mind a little hardware this is the fastest/easiest and a very secure way to do it.i kept making tarps for people so kept giving my figure 9's away so i stumbled on this similar method i substituted a trail stick for the figure 9.otherwise it worked the same.with the advantage of you can pull on the stick to help tighten the line.
think of wrapping line around one of those boat cleats,same motion.slippery half hitch optional.coil up remaining line and hang from stick.
after a while i figured i could make the prussic go away by simply marlin spike hitching a stick in place.this is what i do now.tie the m.s.h at least a foot from the tree.
pull on stick as you pull on line 1
figure 8 the line around the stick.to remove pull out or break stick in middle of knot.knot disappears.or if stick does not break right unwind string.
now we have the tarp attachement to the ridge.on a regular tarp i leave the ridge allways attached to the tarp useing prussics.i use the same button hole technology (as the first end of the ridge)on my prussics.the one on the right is a klemheist.
you could also use the stick attach method,or a regular prusic and a stick or a regular prusic and biner.
a drawing of the ridge and tarp featureing a figure9.my old setup now i use the marlin spike hitch/stick in place of the fig.9 and prussic.
thats about it.any questions/suggestions/discusions feel free to ask/add.also if you like add your own ridgeline system lets see how you do it.
thanks
bill
my ridgeline design evolved by putting together several diferant knots and techniques i learned at h.f. it uses no hardware and only one in the field knot,and one stick.
first start with about 30 feet of cord.i prefer zing it or fling it in 1.75 or 2.2 mm the 2.2 is a little easyier to work with.i also have one tied with 7/64 amsteel that i use with a large winter tarp.this larger line is easier to handle with cold fingers.any rope or cord with low stretch can be used for this ridgeline.
then tie a big knot in the end of the cord.i tie a monkeyfist.(7/64 amsteel used in pictures)
a good reference for knots
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_knots
then tie a loop knot.the loop should be about an inch or so longer then the big knot.
thats basically it.attach that end to the first tree by going around the tree(the tree in this case being played by a pot),then wrap the loop around the line.insert the large knot into the loop and pull tight.works like a simple button.
if useing amsteel or zing it you can do that end also with some fancy splices,looks like this i can post these diyrections if anyone wants.its similar to tying a whoopie.this also shows you can larkshead the loop over the knotted line if you want extra security.
you could also tie on some whipping to have a slideing lock on the loop
2.2 zing it spliced with slideing lock closed on a tree.i have found even without the lock locked if the knot is big enough this never comes undone.
now lets go over to the other tree and see if i can explain that clearly.my first ridgeline had a figure 9 on this end attached via a prussic knot.if you do not mind a little hardware this is the fastest/easiest and a very secure way to do it.i kept making tarps for people so kept giving my figure 9's away so i stumbled on this similar method i substituted a trail stick for the figure 9.otherwise it worked the same.with the advantage of you can pull on the stick to help tighten the line.
think of wrapping line around one of those boat cleats,same motion.slippery half hitch optional.coil up remaining line and hang from stick.
after a while i figured i could make the prussic go away by simply marlin spike hitching a stick in place.this is what i do now.tie the m.s.h at least a foot from the tree.
pull on stick as you pull on line 1
figure 8 the line around the stick.to remove pull out or break stick in middle of knot.knot disappears.or if stick does not break right unwind string.
now we have the tarp attachement to the ridge.on a regular tarp i leave the ridge allways attached to the tarp useing prussics.i use the same button hole technology (as the first end of the ridge)on my prussics.the one on the right is a klemheist.
you could also use the stick attach method,or a regular prusic and a stick or a regular prusic and biner.
a drawing of the ridge and tarp featureing a figure9.my old setup now i use the marlin spike hitch/stick in place of the fig.9 and prussic.
thats about it.any questions/suggestions/discusions feel free to ask/add.also if you like add your own ridgeline system lets see how you do it.
thanks
bill
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