Ridgelines

[Globetrotter.uk]

What is the best ridgeline for a tarp, I have a 3x3 tarp under construction is paracord strong enough or should I get something stronger?

[tommy the cat]

Paracord is fine. I think that most people will probably say they have or do use paracord.
dave

[Shambling Shaman]

3mm para cord is normally strong enough. I use 5mm and run it back under my tarp so I can hang stuff on it.

[dommyracer]

Paracord works fine but I normally use a thicker, more static polypropylene rope or accessory cord (6mm)

[w00dsmoke]

We very often tend to go for overkill in tarp lines and the like, I've used brickies line for my bashas which is so thin and lightweight but unbeleivable strong and it has worked out a treat. Anything bigger than paracord is overkill really.

I tend not to use a ridgeline but if I do I suspend the tarp beneath it and use short length of cord attached to the line with prussiks to adjust the tension if neccessary.

[spamel]

I use Purlon cordage, mainly because I got the remains of a reel when i was in the Forces! Also, due to its' greater strength, it has other applications too which maybe aren't as necessary for bushcraft but was very handy for river crossing safety ropes when I was in the Mob.

[Shambling Shaman]

if I do I suspend the tarp beneath it and use short length of cord attached to the line with prussiks to adjust the tension if neccessary.

Thats my method, I just take the line back under just below the tarp as a hanging line. I know 5mm is over kill - I just like the feel and I can tie it even with cold wet hands.

[Shambling Shaman]

I use Purlon cordage

What size?

[spamel]

What size?

Erm...... Hang on, I'd need to measure it!

Edit: About 6 mm or so!

[Shambling Shaman]

Erm...... Hang on, I'd need to measure it!
Edit: About 6 mm or so!

The cord I hope.......................

Thanks

[spamel]

The cord I hope.......................

Thanks

Oh great! It's descended in to endowment gags already!

[Shambling Shaman]

Oh great! It's descended in to endowment gags already!

Too good to miss.

Back on thread - How much do you use?

My ridge line cord is 50ft (but I do double it)

[spamel]

Well, the ridge line on my Aussie tarp was sufficient as long as I didn't want to put it up between trees that happened to be spaced a few inches too far apart as I found out when I went up to see Shewies' wood! It was about six inches too short!

I have a bundle of purlon here that is quite long that I now carry on most long trips, I also have a short lrngth with a monkeys' fist which is good for throwing over a branch and suspending my hex with so that I don't need to carry the pole. I have some more somewhere, it will be used once I get rid of the Hootchie and get a larger tarp as the hootchie is just to small for hammocking in foul weather IMO.

[bikething]

... I just take the line back under just below the tarp as a hanging line. .

doesn't that lead to water tracking along the line and dripping in the middle when it rains ?? or do you fit drip loops to it?

[Shambling Shaman]

I also have a short lrngth with a monkeys' fist

Thanks, The monkeys fist, has given me an idea thanks again.

[mazeman]

I'm with the 5mm purlon brigade: use para cord for everything else but t'is always handy to have something thicker available.

[SimonM]

I use 5mm purlon for my ridge line, with the tarp suspended below it. I know its overkill size wise, but as has already been posted, with cold, wet hands its is still usable.

I use 3mm para cord for the guys lines and for the prussick loops that keep the tarp taught.

With my large Tatonka tarp (4.5m x 4.5m) I use 2 ridge lines, again of 5mm purlon. Guylines are commercially bought reflective ones this time.





Simon

[Shambling Shaman]

SimonM - Nice Pic's

[ol smokey]

These sound good. I got some para cord and it was not very strong, must have been cheap rubbish.. Source for 6mm purlon please?

[SimonM]

SimonM - Nice Pic's

Thanks!

Heres another of the tarp rigged to take 2 hammocks, taken last night. This was my daughters first time off ground and she loved it.



Simon

[sandbender]

I'm with the 5mm purlon brigade: use para cord for everything else but t'is always handy to have something thicker available.

Another vote for 5mm purlon.

I carry three lengths, each seven meters long, one to use as a ridge line, one to tie under the tarp to suspend, boots, head torch etc. and one just in case my chosen piece of flat ground is surrounded by trees which are inconveniently more than 4-5 meters apart

I have also found the thicker cord useful in ways that paracord wouldn't have been.