Purposeful Gear: Hammock Tarps Part 2, by Crusoe

In my previous article I discussed the basic hammock system and my preferred set up. To add structure to that system you need a tarp.  A tarp serves, much like a tent, to keep you out of the elements and all your gear dry.  They come in many different fabric types with silpoly, silnylon and Dyneema being the most popular.  Silpoly is more stretch resistant and sheds water better, while silnylon is more durable.  I added Dyneema as an option as it is significantly lighter and 100% waterproof but comes at a premium price.  All three are solid options and it boils down to what your requirements are.  On the Appalachian Trail I used a Dyneema tarp from LiteAF (they no longer make) due to the fact my requirements were based upon weight.

There are different rules of thought in selecting a tarp size (coverage).  You can go with a summer minimalist tarp if you are planning on being in an area with great weather and little to no rain or on the other end of the spectrum you can go with a winter tarp that will fully enclose your hammock.  If I could only buy one tarp to rule them all I would purchase a four-season winter tarp.  It is heavier than the minimalist option but has the most versatility.  Also, if you have an 11-foot hammock then an 11-foot tarp will work.

With a tarp you need a ridgeline system so you can suspend your tarp and anchor between two trees.  I am a proponent of keeping my gear simple so that it is easy and fast to set up in the dark and during inclement weather.    For my system I use an Autumn Ultralight continuous ridgeline that is attached to the two ends of the tarp and incorporates a toggle and two “nama claws” to adjust your tarp along the ridgeline. I find that a prussik knot system is temperamental and never quite works as advertised, especially when wet and you have cold hands.  With hammock campers there is a term called “Dutch Bling” based upon all the unique hardware options that Dutchware Gear sells.  I use Dutch’s tarp worms that are permanently attached directly to the four corners of the tarp via a shock chord.  This allows me to quickly adjust my guy lines to be staked to the ground.  Speaking of stakes…friends don’t let friends buy any other stakes than MSR Groundhogs.  I have a bin full of bent stakes and none of them are groundhogs.

For my tarp I have extra flaps on the ends that act as doors.  With a modification using 3/32 shock chord and mitten hooks you can very easily modify these doors to completely close or hook into each other on the same side to pull them out of the way.  This allows you to close the doors during a storm or tie back to increase ventilation when it is hot outside. You can modify the mitten hooks by trimming the plastic latching mechanism to make them easier to hook or unhook.  I like options.

One last item I use is a tarp snakeskin.  It is a cylindrical mesh sleeve the slides on and off the tarp.  When I set up my tarp, I anchor the two ends to the trees and then with one movement I can slide the tarp out of the sleeve.  This is handy as your tarp isn’t flapping in the wind while trying to get it set up and you can also keep it stowed until you are ready to deploy.

My Tarp Setup

Tarp- Warbonnet SuperFly (11’, 20D, and woodland camouflage)

Tarp for the Appalachian Trail (equivalent) Hammock Gear Standard Tarp with Doors

Autumn Ultralight Ridgeline with button knot

Dutchware Gear Tarp Worm with shock chord and zing it (4 ea)

MSR Groundhog Stakes

Shock Chord 3/32 (25’)

Mitten Hooks (4 ea.-but buy double that for other uses)

Tarp Snakeskin

Link to video showing how to set up the shock chords for the doors

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csgsHtfceB4

Crusoe is retired from the Air Force after 30-years of service as a flight crew member.  He spends most of his time thinking about the apocalypse and how to mitigate its effects.  When not immersed in academic pursuits, he is often on a trail hiking in the mountains of North Georgia or reading with a glass of Irish whiskey and a German Shepherd by his side.   Global travel enthusiast, history nerd, Appalachian Trail thru hiker, and recovering ultra-endurance athlete.  He can be reached at [email protected]