Hammock Gear Tarp

A different perspective of my hammock camp by the river. I had the tarp up on the second day to act as a sun shade, the UV was way too strong and there was little respite to be found nearby.

The tarp pictured here is a Hammock Gear Standard Tarp with Doors, in a camouflage Dyneema Fiber (a.k.a cuben). The tarp measures 11ft x 8.6ft and weighs 336g including all the extras to follow. I use an 11ft sleeve to stow the tarp (for super quick/easy deployment and packing up), a continuous ridge line system; 32ft of 1.75mm Zing-It, a Dutch hook spliced on one end and a Tarp Wasp on the other to get things taut (both pieces of hardware from Dutchware, naturally), whilst soft shackles attach the tarp to the ridgeline and provide lateral adjustability through their use as prussic knots. For guylines I use 2mm Racespec cord from Tier Gear. I used this to make up some prussic loops to attach at the corner tie out points, with 6ft lengths of the cord going through said prussics at each corner, finishing them with an overhand loop knot at the outer end of the cords length for use with regular stakes. If using rocks or stakes I’ve made then I simply create another larger overhand loop to fit whatever it is I’m using as my anchor. There’s 4 total guylines and I have found these ample for all applications. I tend to carry a little back up cordage and use it if required, as in when using nearby trees to tie off to instead of bothering with staking out things. I have a quick release system for the doors too, consisting of some 2mm shock cord lengths and mini plastic buckles. This means I can clip the doors to one another over the top of the tarp if they’re not required, as in this image, or clip them together and get my humble abode all battened down in preparation for severe weather.

I’ve stayed high and dry under this beaut’ in some damn gnarly weather since receiving it in May 2016. No signs of wear or elongated pinholes at critical seams, protection in 4 seasons and an incredibly light package all make this item a wondrous bit of kit to use year round.