Ridge Line Material

[StevieE]

Cant see anything posted before regarding this but please someone stick me onto an existing thread if it already exists.
I've always used paracord for a ridge line for the tarp but notice it does have a tendency to droop over time. I do have a spool of 36 guage bank line at breaking strain of 320lb and thickness of 2.25mm. Is this thick enough to hold a prusik knot in order to stabilise the tarp at either end? Or are there any better solutions out there?

 

[Tiley]

For it to work efficiently, your prussik loop needs to be made of a thinner cordage that the line to which it is attached. If you're going to use a ridge line of 2.25mm, a prussik loop of, say, 1.5mm should be fine; in the interests of ease, it might be worth using a slightly chubbier ridge line - it'll give you more options.

 

[StevieE]

Thanks Tilley. Do you think a lower 18 guage bank line would suffice for a prussik loop? Width approx. 1.5mm thick.

 

[Erbswurst]

I would use parachute cord if I landed in the wildernes with a parachute.

Otherwise I prefere to use Edelrid Multicord 2,5 mm, orange for most tasks if hiking and camping.

Similar line can be found in every boat shop and usually works very well too.

 

[Tiley]

Thanks Tiley. Do you think a lower 18 guage bank line would suffice for a prussik loop? Width approx. 1.5mm thick.

In theory, it should work. The greater the difference between the two, the better the prussik will work because it has the opportunity to 'bite' into the ridge line or whatever ,ore successfully. Of course, there is a flip side: if you tighten or load a skinny prussik around a thicker cord forcefully, it can be difficult to loosen the prussik when you strike camp! There is an alternative to the prussik, called the autobloc, which is often utilised as a stopper knot on long, mountain abseils, simply because it is easier to loosen at the bottom. I've not tried it on a tarp set-up but I imagine it would work; you might need a couple of carabiners, though.

 

[Great egret]

For me Dyneema cord works the best.

 

[Kav]

I’m a Luddite. Well, actually USCG vet and I upset people packing MANILA. As a side note: natural cordage absorbs and wicks moisture to an extent long after paracord has it dripping in your face.

 

[C_Claycomb]

Cant see anything posted before regarding this but please someone stick me onto an existing thread if it already exists.
I've always used paracord for a ridge line for the tarp but notice it does have a tendency to droop over time. I do have a spool of 36 guage bank line at breaking strain of 320lb and thickness of 2.25mm. Is this thick enough to hold a prusik knot in order to stabilise the tarp at either end? Or are there any better solutions out there?

3 mm 16 plait polyester sailing cord for ridge. 2mm arborist throw line for guylines. All posted about in detail here. Including a quick release alternative to the prusik knot.

Tarpology Knots

For the last few years I have been one of several people running a tarp and knot workshop at the BushcraftUK summer Bush Moot. More than once I have wished that I had pictures that I could post of the knots that we demonstrate, to make it easier for people to go away and practice at home. The...

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