String for tarps

Kish Logan

02/12/2009 at 23:11

Someone's thread about exmoor has set me off. I want to go off even now and sleep out in the rain. I'm thinking about buying an expensive Rohan poncho/tarp, but if I do, I'll have to carry string too. How much? What sort?

Edited: 02/12/2009 at 23:14

NickNick

03/12/2009 at 05:27

Hi Kish,

I looked on the Rohan site a couple of weeks ago, during their 20% off everything sale and couldn't see the poncho, has it reappeared?

As to the string you use, I'd make a decision when you get the pocho, you want something strong enough but as light as possible yet not so light/thin that it damages the poncho so when you see the poncho fixings you can decide. As to the length well, try it out ad see what works for you, for my poncho tarp I got ready made spare guys from a shop and they must be about 3.5-4m long all told incluing the ajustment to tension the tarp.

Simon Chaplin

03/12/2009 at 06:07

For my tarp, I use good old simple paracord in 4mm thickness I think. Does what I need, easy to use and bought in one long length from ebay and cut down to my individual size requirement.

Simon Hackett (minimalgear.blogspot.com)

03/12/2009 at 08:23

You may want to go for the golite tarp if you can wait until 18th december. Cheaper and a firm favourite with those in the know including andy skurka. For guylines, i'd go for a guyline kit from Team Io-you'll get mini lineloks too, which I find easier than knots. They're super light but strong. You can see them in action on my blog, attached to my Mountain Laurel poncho tarp, which really was eye wateringly expensive!

Edited: 03/12/2009 at 08:23

Mole

03/12/2009 at 09:04

If you are not bothered by camo, this poncho tarp is very good value. Mine weighs about about 360g.

Have yet to use it as only arrived the other day, but it seems very well made.

One thing. If the tie out points are not metal eyelets, then dyneema cord will be tougher than the fabric/tape of the tarp. May be worth using a short thicker piece of cord between thin dyneema cord and the tarp,so as to protect the tarp from potential 'sawing' by very thin tough cord. (Think I read this somewhere recently -makes sense to my cautious nature).

JonnoS www.ni-wild.co.uk

03/12/2009 at 09:13

Paracord is the standard but it's heavier than tent guylines. The guyline kits from TeamIO look good at £12.

I really like the look of the GoLite poncho/tarp - it's going on my wishlist!

Edited: 03/12/2009 at 09:14

Mikel von Dundeeski

03/12/2009 at 09:20

I use this 2mm Dyneema from Cleats. They also sell Linelocs.

03/12/2009 at 10:57

The Dyneema is good bet .

Aquaint yourself with various set ups for poncho tarps to suit the conditions.Some set ups can be done with one walking pole,can be done with two.If under trees tie up the hood to get a no pole set up. In windless conditions a long length of cord for a ridge line to poles or trees will give the neatest set up.Paracord is better for that style.

I carry mine on day hikes so if benighted I have a good shelter

Tall PC

03/12/2009 at 11:49

Second dyneema but it is tough stuff and when I used it for shoelaces it cut through them in a matter of a month. Was ok because that was when the shoe's sole collapsed making it useless anyway.

I used 2mm dyneema from Cleats and was pleased with their service. I think it was Mike who pointed me in their direction. Thanks Mike. The mini lineloks are very good. Unfortunately with other commitments involving nice hostels and bunkhouses and proper campsites with my big tent (vango spectre 200) I only got out in my new tarp and dyneema guylines once. Tried a cave arrangement but gave up in favour of an A frame with the back very close to a craglet face.

Tarp I used was a Kathmandu basha 2.5m square. Heavier than a smaller one but I was able to put a groundsheet down and spead out my gear in a sheltered, luxurious accomodation that was still lighter than my Fource10 Vitesse (but only just as I used an aldi tarp / car rack cover for the groundsheet having forgotten a proper sheet).