Topic
Length of tarp guylines
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) › Length of tarp guylines
- This topic is empty.
-
AuthorPosts
-
Mar 26, 2012 at 7:04 pm #1287873
I just picked up a Integral Designs Siltarp (5'x8') from gear swap just to experiment with. What length guylines do you recommend that will be versitle enoughfor several pitches? I am planning on putting Z Packs line locks with the canvas loops for easy adjustment, I ordered 8 of them. I haven't tried setting it up yet, but I was thinking around 3' for each guyline.
Mar 26, 2012 at 7:14 pm #1859734That's too short for a lean to.
Mar 26, 2012 at 7:56 pm #1859760Check out the video #9 from Suluk46.com (Steve Evans) here for a short tutorial on 3 common ways to set up a solo tarp:
Mar 26, 2012 at 8:04 pm #1859767Thanks, Steven. I need all the instruction I can get after a recent experience.
Andy, I have successfully used 2 8 foot guy lines off the centerline and 6 3 foot lines off the edges with my ID Sil1 in a decent rain storm. I pitched it very low with the foot end nearly on the ground and stayed dry in a meteor bivy. Recent experience makes me feel that I need more varied lengths of guy line to make adjustments to terrain elements and weather and that the 5×8 is just too small when it really matters although I think it is a good option for California's wet/dry season where you can predict relatively well that you won't be drowned on any given outing.
Mar 27, 2012 at 5:24 am #1859871The extra weight of a foot or two per guyline is negligible (please don't flame me) but the flexibility it can give you is, in my opinion, worth it. In the rocky ground of the Pennsylvania mountains I can't always get a stake in the ground where I need it and find myself tying off to bushes and trees occasionally. That's where an extra 12-24" can be invaluable.
I have 16" lines for my Gatewood Cape (I like to keep it elevated about 4-6" off the ground) and keep two 24-inch "extenders" with my guylines for those times that I need them.
Mar 27, 2012 at 5:30 am #1859872+1 to Kevin
You never know when you need some extra length of guyline to make your tarp work in rough territory.
-
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.