Tarp Guy Lines - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

I’m leaving for springer tomorrow and am just finishing with my gear setup. For those who tarp how many guys lines do you use for your tarp? How long is each guy line? Do you keep them attached to the tarp permanently or do you add them where you need to depending on the situation? I’ve tarped quite a bit in the military but we always used bungee cords so that we could tear it down faster in a tactical environment.

Also how long do you have your line for hanging your food?

I’ve cut all the line for my tarp and food bag and it came in at a whopping 11.5 oz. I think that might be a bit much (used 550 cord) since I made fourteen 8 foot lengths for the tarp and a 45 ft line for the food bag.

Any advice from those who have tarped before is greatly appreciated.

Josh

joshua blair

#2

I have a total of nine lines for my tarp. I have a long, 25’ cord for a center line. I have two shorter lines for using my treking poles. Each cord gets staked, run to the pole, then staked again, forming a triangle between the stakes and the bottom of the pole. The last six other lines permanently tied to the four corners and two opposite sides. The non-center lines are probably about 8’ each. I also carry eight stakes. This is the maximum amount of line that I ever use. I prefer to set up modified a-frames, where one side is horizontal and one on an angle. You can surely get by with less. I also use metal sliders which greatly aid set up time. I would suggest you set up the tarp in the various configurations and to get a good feel for how much line you need. Practice with and without trees handy. Good luck.

Alligator

#3

I use one guy line on my tarp most of the time. I just stake the sides to the ground.

Darth Pacman

#4

I have 8 guylines attached to my 6x8 silnylon tarp. To reduce weight I use Kelty Triptease Lightline which has an advertized weight of 1 oz. for 50 ft. In addition I use either Ti stakes or .5 oz. aluminum stakes.

Farther