Guy Lines for MLD Poncho/Tarp

I 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.

Ryan,

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.

If 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.