Topic
Guy Lines for MLD Poncho/Tarp
Forum Posting
A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!
Home › Forums › Gear Forums › Gear (General) › Guy Lines for MLD Poncho/Tarp
- This topic is empty.
-
AuthorPosts
-
Jul 2, 2009 at 6:19 pm #1237498
I am in the process of making guylines for my MLD Poncho/Tarp.
My question is: How long do the guylines need to be to allow a good variety of pitching heights without "excess" line?
I am planning on attaching the guylines to mini carabiners to facilitate quick and easy attachment & detachment. I am using the BMW AirCore Pro Shelter Guyline Kit (with the cam-locking tensioners).
Jul 2, 2009 at 7:49 pm #1511811I used the BPL NANO Dyneema guyline kit to make the lines for my SMD Gatewood Cape. I cut the lines to 24" and then used about 3" to make a loop on the non-tensioner end. Rather than using the micro-biners I simply pass my loop through the tieout and then pass the tensioner portion through the loop. I leave them attached if I'm not expecting rain or remove them if I'm likely to see rain.
The Gatewood Cape also has an extra tieout that allows you to create a little additional headroom for which I have a 60" line – you can see it (thanks to other BPL members) in the photo below:
The cord is very tangle-resistant and, when they're not attached, I keep them with the harness in a snack-sized ziploc bag.
Good luck – just remember that a 12" line does not allow you to have a 12" gap between your tarp and the ground. You're always going to stake your lines at an angle and, if you have the micro-tensioners you'll further cut your length in half by the distance between the stake and your tensioner.
Jul 8, 2009 at 12:15 am #1512614Ryan,
When using an A-frame configuration, 18" – 24" for sides & corners should be about right. Your ridge lines should probably be around 10' each. The trick with a tarp is to get a tight ridgeline.
Jul 8, 2009 at 9:10 am #1512655If I recall, I've seen it suggested that one cut their guylines into 2'-3' lengths, with a bowline at one end to facilitate easing linking of the lines should you need longer lines. Of course, your ridgelines will always need to be 7'-10' in length, but you could cut it to the shorter 7' length knowing you could extend it.
With BPL Nano or Aircore line weighing less than an ounce for 50', there's no real need to scrimp on line. Leaving 10' home probably enough of a weight savings to make it worth it.
Being a member, you can read this article about bad weather tarp pitching.
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Forum Posting
A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!
Our Community Posts are Moderated
Backpacking Light community posts are moderated and here to foster helpful and positive discussions about lightweight backpacking. Please be mindful of our values and boundaries and review our Community Guidelines prior to posting.
Get the Newsletter
Gear Research & Discovery Tools
- Browse our curated Gear Shop
- See the latest Gear Deals and Sales
- Our Recommendations
- Search for Gear on Sale with the Gear Finder
- Used Gear Swap
- Member Gear Reviews and BPL Gear Review Articles
- Browse by Gear Type or Brand.