Ponchotarp guylines

Blair, Here is what I do…its pretty much taken from chapters in Lightweight Backpacking and Camping. If you dont have it i'd suggest it.

First, the main difference in a poncho tarp and a regular tarp is you want to remove all line each morning. This is because when it starts to rain you don't want to have to deal with a bunch of lines dangling down from your poncho. The best way to do this with minimal lines is to cut 8 sections that are 3 feet long each. Tie a bowline knot in the end of all sections. Bring eight tie stakes as well.

First I stake the rear corners of the tarp directly to the ground.

Next I attach a 3 foot section to the front corners by threading one loop through the webbing in the tarp and taking the other loop of the cord and pushing it through the first loop then pull. This basically makes a slip knot that will be easy to undo in the morning. I stake the front corners down at approaching where I think they will need to be when the tarp is pitched.

Now I use the same slip knot technique to make two 6 foot sections… one for the front peak and one for the back peak.

The easiest way to attach cords to your poles is the place the front pole upside down (handle in the dirt) and set the web loop of the poncho through the tip of the pole. Then take one 6 foot lines (2x 3ft) and drop the loop over the tip in the pole and stake out the other end. The rear end of the tarp gets the other 6 foot section of cord (2x 3 sections) and can use a branch to hold it up or your other pole. If the pole is not adjustable you can use a piece of duct tape wound around the point where you want the string to set…lets say at 3 feet. Then attach your line to the rear peak loop with the slip know approach and wind your line around your pole just above the duct tape and stake the line down.

The last thing I do is use the final 2 pieces of cord to stake down the sides of the tarp.

Here is a picture of what it looks like…

the pitch is a bit slack as this was after a night with same decent winds.

Here is a picture using the same setup with a tighter pitch, but it is a regular flat tarp (5 x 8).

In the morning it takes about 2 minutes to take down the tarp and remove all the lines.

I realize this is a bit difficult to understand with just words so if you want some pictures showing how to thread the cords through just ask and I will snap some.

Jamie

Ridgelines should be 10 to 12 feet.

Corner and center guy lines should be 2 to 3 feet.

Spectra cord sold on this website is excellent and yellow colored to prevent you from tripping over your own lines.

Check out Ray Jardines website for tarp information and Ryan Jordans "Advanced Tarp Camping" on this website…

Goodluck

1. How are the longer guylines attached to the trekking poles? I have GG LT4's, and have no idea how to use them as supports.
I have BPL Stix, not GG LT4's but think the same approach will work … I either plant them upside down with the guy line tied around the tip end with a clove hitch or in deep snow I plant them with tip and basket down and the clove hitch around the grip.

3. What types of knots do you use?
Clove hitch as described above and a tautline hitch … with extra turns when using slippery line.

Hi Jay!

What's the bugtent under that tarp? Looks nice and roomy!

thanks,

Doug

Hey Douglas, That is a Golite Lair 2 Nest..They do not make them any more..It sleeps two very comfortably plus a little room for gear.. It is for sale–PM if interested…

-Jay

> Ridgelines should be 10 to 12 feet.

> Corner and center guy lines should be 2 to 3 feet.

Agree with Jay on this, although my guylines are a little shorter. Most people struggle because the guylines are too short and not tight enough. Tight, tight, tight!!

Depending on the ground, sometime I place the tips of my LT4s in the ground. The foam grips will keep the guyline from sliping, although the will be deformed for a while.

Best to use the poles with the tips up.

As with anything else; practice, practice, practice.

Thanks guys, I was finally able to set my ponchotarp up.

Now that im all excited, I tried to put two of them together.

My partner and I both use two trekking poles and ponchotarps. Are there ways to put the two tarps together to make a two person tent type shelter?