Tarp Guyline Angle Hack

[@franklins4312]

I just put a spare guyline between the 2 trees and connect the main guyline to it. Same idea. Nice to see I use the same trick as a Pro. Thank you for all your videos.

[@PaulKirtley]

Yeah, that'll work too. Cheers, Paul

[@BuckMckawtheotherone]

Necessity, the Mother of Invention. Just another example of not being so rigid in your camping/bushcraft methodology. Nice!

[@PaulKirtley]

Cheers Marcel.

[@nowakezoneforever6021]

Handy idea! My solution is a simple ridgeline between the two trees followed by attaching the tarp guy line with a toggle to a prussik loop on the ridgeline.

[@bastonor]

Yup, that's my way of dealing with this setup as well.

[@canadianrockiesbushcraftal5182]

Exactly what I was going to say 👍

[@idunbeezasmart1]

Yeah, I agree. His method requires far too much fiddling with cordage to achieve a result that doesn't even allow him to tighten it without undoing all of his knots. A little rain to slacken the cordage with a little wind and that corner of the tarp will be flailing all over the place. A ridgeline with trucker's hitch and a prusik to hold the guyline and that corner isn't going anywhere.

[@nowakezoneforever6021]

idunbeezasmart1 great screen name!

[@idunbeezasmart1]

@@nowakezoneforever6021 Thank you, friend!

[@robch4414]

Nice one. I'd suggest attaching a coloured bandana or something visible at the tie-off point, as the cord between the trees could be hard to spot (easy to walk straight into).

[@myss520]

Used this trick on Allagash Lake, Maine, 2 weeks ago. Worked great! Thanks!

[@randvanguy]

Cool video! Please do keep up the 'quick tips' videos as I find them quite helpful. Thanks for your continuing contributions to the bushcraft community.

[@PaulKirtley]

Cheers for your feedback. Thanks and noted.

[@doctorbea]

What a brilliant hack!!! I will CERTAINLY be using this!

[@HectorPlasmic]

About a week after watching this video, found myself in need of this technique in the Ouachita mountains. Worked flawlessly. Thanks!

[@Buschpirat]

Ahoy Paul. A very simple but effective trick to setup the tarp. Thanks for showing and greetings from Germany. Azze

[@PaulKirtley]

Ahoy! Glad you liked this my friend. Warm regards, Paul

[@paulhenry7122]

Nice trick ,I've used a single line from tree to tree then made small loop out of scrap cord and tied a presic knot loop and tied my guide line to it.just a trick I've used thanks for all you do Paul.

[@PaulKirtley]

Yeah, that's a good idea too. Prusiks are super useful in many situations. Thanks for watching. ATB, Paul

[@BeeOutdoors]

Not sure why people would put a thumbs down on this video. Though I know this kind of tarp setup and hack I think there is a lot of people out there that would not think of using this. Nice video Paul thanks for sharing

[@PaulKirtley]

Thank you my friend.

[@grandmasstories3418]

that is brilliant! thanks for sharing it, Paul!

[@Janetdavenporttdk10]

Thank you for the video. They say to 'learn something new every day', and I did, that's a pretty cool way to set a tarp up.

[@KaiserRagez]

Mind blown! Brilliant idea, Paul! Encountered this scenario before, but we pull the cord to the ground instead which is awkward. 😅

[@TheEnglishRedneck45]

Or reset the entire tarp in another place! Such a great trick.

[@MaidMirawyn]

Brilliant! I could have used this over the weekend. I made do, but this would have been so much easier!

[@PaulKirtley]

Next time... :-)

[@TheBushcraftPadawan]

Nice one Paul, not an obvious workaround so thanks for sharing it with us. 👍

[@PaulKirtley]

My pleasure Craig.

[@TimIredale]

Thats a handy tip, thanks Paul I am sure this will come in handy in the future. Cheers Tim.

[@PaulKirtley]

Cheers Tim. Good to hear from you. Hope all is well with you. ATB, Paul

[@TimIredale]

Paul Kirtley All is well with me thanks, I have lost 7 stone so I can be more active and get more from being outdoors. If I remember we discussed my weight issues in the intermediate course, the course was a great eye opener. I hope to repeat the course one year. Next year all being well I will come down to do the navigation course as this year's one fell on a date I was not available. Hope all's well with you and the team. Cheers Tim

[@TheKf4pbl]

You could run a ridgeline with the two trees, a prussic, & a truckers hitch to adjust the slack.

[@Jonboyr700]

Great tip Paul. I've run into this scenario so many times and this never occurred to me. Thanks mate!

[@PaulKirtley]

Glad it gave you some new ideas. Thanks for the feedback. Cheers, Paul

[@sundaymorninghikes6275]

That's a really good idea! Thanks!

[@markfillery1002]

good tip paul, if you intend to camp there in the future plant a tree and in a couple of years it will be perfect

[@PaulKirtley]

Good tip. Thanks! ;-)

[@alfredthebigasshousespider9650]

tbf you can't just plant a tree in a "crowded" area like in this video, it might disturb the other trees around it

[@northwoodsrat6686]

Thanks Paul , i'm quite certain that I will inevitably need to use this very practical hack . All the best .

[@PaulKirtley]

Glad you liked it.

[@richardbisset8323]

Fantastic tip Paul 👌

[@stephenfewson7188]

Great little tip Paul. Often forgotten. G'day from Australia 🇦🇺

[@Quillons1]

I like this a lot. I've always settled for just staking it off low to the ground but this is awesome. I've never seen it before. Thank you

[@WayPointSurvival]

Very excellent tip, thanks!

[@PaulKirtley]

Thanks

[@BorisKarlovic]

Very nice tip - definitely will help. Thanks Paul.

[@PaulKirtley]

Glad you like it Andy

[@alicanmelen2628]

Thanks for your clear explanation.

[@juanitagreenspan5412]

Excellent tip.

[@chrismurnin722]

Hi Paul, great bit of advice, clearly presented. I wouldn't sell it short as a hack (might help KZbin hits) this is quality advice. Thanks for sharing. Chris

[@PaulKirtley]

Thanks Chris

[@thewimpycamper7692]

Omigoodness. What an ingenius tarping hack!!! Wish i had known about this long ago. Thank you for sharing this tip - surprised I’ve never heard of this before from other youtubers etc 😃👍👍

[@PaulKirtley]

Glad it's given you another option

[@RCD566]

Good video Paul. I've done the same type of thing for years but instead of extending my tarp line, I use some extra cord to make an indipendant line between available trees. Then tie and tension the tarp line directly to that line. Either way it works well to get the right angle and tension on your tarp, tent fly sides etc.

[@SamiAnderson]

i was thinking exactly this method. both combined would be perfect. thanks for sharing

[@Aldocello1]

I USE THE SAME METHOD , INDEPENDENT LINE AND TIE MY GUY LINE TO IT WITH A TAUGHT HITCH , CAN ADJUST MY ANGLE /TENSION WITH EASE .....

[@solsdadio]

Cheers that was well explained.

[@Roarmeister2]

You're right; my first instinct would be to use a pole. But this is a valuable technique to add to one's repertoire.

[@billyjoedenny]

thanks paul , I've got a feeling i will be using this tip this weekend while island camping .. billy joe

[@PaulKirtley]

Great. Glad it will be of direct use to you Billy. Have a great weekend camping. ATB, Paul

[@theoutdoortraditionalist]

Brilliantly simple and I have to say that I've never seen this before.

[@PaulKirtley]

Nice to throw something new out there for you Austin. Cheers, Paul

[@firehanshg]

Hi Paul, very nifty little trick, can you please tell us what tarp are you using there, thank you, cheers.

[@birchwoodbushcraft]

Wow excellent idea. Thanks for the tip. Will definitely be using this.

[@chrish5949]

Very handy. Thank you

[@PaulKirtley]

My pleasure.

[@chrish5949]

Paul, I’m sure you won’t have time to reply so don’t worry if you don’t get the chance. Quick question. First “wild camp” next week and it’s forecast some rain. I have a roll mat, appropriate sleeping bag and 3x3 tarp (no bivvi). Would you recommend a tarp setup with that utilises some of the tarp as a ground sheet like a “stealth tarp” set up or do you think I will stay dry using a setup that allows more room inside. The lack of space to sit up when using a ground sheet set up puts me off, especially if the rain is prolonged and I have to spend an extended period in there but I don’t want to risk waking up wet. I’m comfortable and think I have enough sense to choose an appropriate plot to set up. Thanks, Chris H.

[@kevinbungles]

Awesome Paul, love the quick tips videos

[@HikeCamp]

That is a very useful hack... Great tool for the box!! 👍😀👌

[@PaulKirtley]

Glad you like it.

[@andreborsch2266]

Great tip. I had never seen that before.

[@PaulKirtley]

Glad to share something novel. All the best, Paul

[@barriewatson]

A Good and simple trick,regards Barrie Watson

[@PaulKirtley]

Glad you liked it Barrie.

[@360OutdoorAdventures]

Great tip Paul, I think this will be getting put into practice. Thanks for sharing.

[@PaulKirtley]

No worries

[@p.richter9592]

Great video 👍🏻👍🏻 Thank you Mr. Kirtley 🇳🇴

[@PaulKirtley]

My pleasure!

[@dwardo1066]

All done with camera tricks as I didn't see a single stick caught up in the trailing end of your cord! I have used a separate piece of cord in the past but this is much more sensible., Thanks,

[@PaulKirtley]

Haha, no camera tricks. I just got lucky this time :-)

[@prettyoutside7464]

Very nice tip, Paul! Thank you for sharing. Davi

[@PaulKirtley]

Thanks Davi

[@vvs3796]

great! I Think by demonstrating this kind of tricks of different nature you ll get more views,which you deserve.

[@theresa_lili]

Great video

[@PaulKirtley]

Thanks

[@mshockley17]

Definitely a useful tip. Thank you!

[@PaulKirtley]

Yup, another one to file away for when it'll come in handy.

[@williammorrissey9661]

Same. Simple ridge line between the trees. Could make it more taut. And you’d need 1/2 the extra cordage. Great idea / video though, esp if you don’t want to cut your cordage.

[@HFSurvivalSchool]

Great tip sir , will use this for sure ! Take care Nick

[@PaulKirtley]

Glad you think it will be useful

[@cillaloves2fish688]

Awesome idea!! I will use that one for sure! Thx Paul!!

[@americannomad513]

Another clever tip.

[@PaulKirtley]

Cheers!

[@davef5916]

Do you think this would be strong enough for a ridgeline?

[@sammyslavvu1981]

I really like that Paul, a simple solution indeed :) thank you for sharing

[@PaulKirtley]

Thanks. Glad you like it.

[@bikepackingmitherbert1153]

very nice this idea, should be very usefull

[@PaulKirtley]

I'm glad!

[@JBOutdoorsAndMore]

Another awesome video as always. Thanks my fiend. Loved it. ATB Joe

[@PaulKirtley]

Thanks Joe. Glad you liked it.

[@stevesmith8854]

A new way to me... very cool

[@PaulKirtley]

Glad you like it.

[@davidpkm]

Is there some reason not to just tie the separate piece of cordage between the two trees and tie you guy line to that instead of splicing it and using twice as much length?

[@robertferry6356]

Hi Paul, great video for a simple hack that isn’t obvious. Also, like the slightly sarcastic “so you don’t get wet” part!

[@greywindLOSP]

Did we learn this at The Woodlore Bushcraft Course long ago, Ole Ray he is brilliant, of course you know that. ....ATB!

[@PaulKirtley]

You may have done. Juha Rankinen sometimes showed this to people and I think it is where I first saw it when working with him on Woodlore courses. Warm regards, Paul

[@bushcraftstevesonnyokeeffe]

Nice one Paul nice I dea great tarp

[@PaulKirtley]

Cheers Steve.

[@samtemple3182]

Great video. Would be great see a video on lighting a fire under a tarp!

[@MoandGillOutdoors]

great tip paul i try that when im out next time. also give me a idea . thanks again for sharing atb mo

[@PaulKirtley]

Nice one Mo. Let me know if your idea also works. Cheers, Paul

[@BackGardenBushcraft]

Thanks for the tip Paul!

[@PaulKirtley]

You're welcome Tom.

[@ezel1954]

Thanks Paul for this great video, great idea, keep the good work up gr Cees

[@PaulKirtley]

Thanks Cees!

[@kammt9999]

Great hack! How about using a stick (length up to chest or waist) at the corner, then one guyline from tent (bowline) to stick (clove hitch), using one stake to the ground (taut hitch)?

[@trytheoutdoors]

Thank you: clear and simple

[@PaulKirtley]

My pleasure

[@normanbates3200]

... I guess we can no longer count on the woods to provide a respite from the call-to-prayer!

[@ericl2969]

That's clever enough I suppose, but my first thought is that if you already have the extra cordage, simply installing two guy lines on that corner of the tarp instead of just the one allows you to accomplish the exact same thing and every bit as quickly and simply. Besides, two diverging lines attached to corners or other parts of the tarp can be desirable anyway, since that's the only way to absolutely eliminate lateral movement (which is immeasurably helpful when the wind is strong).

[@unclebrownson]

What about running the line around the first tree, second tree, and back through the tie-out? Knot it with a trucker's hitch, or similar, around the first leg of the run, adjust tension, and from between the two trees, slide the line left and right to get the wrinkles out. Just a thought--looked like you had enough line to do it that way.

[@PaulKirtley]

Yes, that would work too, although that gives you less fine control over the angle the tarp is being pulled towards. You are more dependent on the spacing of the trees (easiest when it is fairly symmetrical as it was in the video) and the ability to adjust the angle as you suggest is more dependent on friction between the line and the trees than in the way I show in the video. But yes, what you suggest would work fine in many situations and I have done similar myself in the past. Warm regards, Paul

[@ScoutManSteve]

That's a neat little trick, thanks for sharing. Just don't get too drunk with that setup, I could see myself entangled in that at night 🤣

[@jeffreyking3807]

I love it. Great video. Thanks for sharing. Much better then my shit show. Keep them coming

[@inthewoodswithbigfoot3941]

Looks like you then have a place to hang some gear. Great stuff!

[@MaxSafeheaD]

Could also use an alpine butterfly knot if chordage is more limited.

[@wulliescottishoutdoors]

I use an alpine butterfly knot and do a Y hang with it so it can be adjusted either way you want it, it’s something I use at work doing rope access. ATB Wullie 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⛺️🏔

[@PaulKirtley]

Sounds good too.

[@wulliescottishoutdoors]

Paul Kirtley cracking video mate always great to share with others 👌🏻 ATB Wullie 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⛺️🏔

[@fog360]

Great tip mate.

[@auroraborealisknives4019]

Excellent idea !

[@PaulKirtley]

Cheers.

[@auroraborealisknives4019]

Any chances of bushcraft courses in Canada one day

[@pablomunozgardea]

great tip! thanks a lot!!!

[@downeastprimitiveskills7688]

Pleasantly simple.

[@PaulKirtley]

That's always a bonus isn't it :-)

[@stevennovak2937]

Top tip thanks 😀

[@PaulKirtley]

No worries Steven.

[@russelljoyce4904]

Another ingenious solution for any of those who have spent time in the woods and clocked three trees and then... oh bugger...

[@gordonmurdoch3811]

A simple tip for guylines is to splice loops at both ends to them all. It makes it easier to fix the lines to the tarp and to extend a line by using a toggle or simply passing the line through itself, no knot tying. Toggles are great in the cold when your fingers don't work. All the best.

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

Nice hack, thanks and take care.

[@thebackswim1103]

Hi, neat but only thing is there is no adjustment in tensioning once tied, this could be overcome by attaching cord to tarp with an adjustable guyline hitch instead of the usual bowline etc, should retensioning be required it is then simple to adjust at tarp end instead of anchor end ---- I have sometimes attached all my cords to tarp with a non-slipped AGH as it's sometimes convenient to adjust at tarp instead of anchor (& non-slipped to avoid accidental untying when cord left permament on tarp).

[@robc8892]

top tips from the tip top

[@PaulKirtley]

Cheers

[@JohnGreen_US]

That's an interesting approach. Thanks for sharing. I'll have to give it a try to see how it works for me. My first reaction is, why not just use your extra cordage to make a ridgeline between the trees, tying the fantastic Alpine Butterfly Loop (very easy to tie once you know it - and easy to untie) at the point you'd like to attach to? Tensioning is then just a matter of pulling the guyline thru the loop, pulling tension, and securing with slipped half hitches ... or a friction hitch like the adjustable hitch, if you prefer. I notice you're pointing out the adjustability of attachment point ... I'm just unsure how much added utility that really provides. I'll give it a try. Really enjoy your vids.

[@PaulKirtley]

Yup that's another option. Many ways to skin a cat. As long as you tie the alpine butterfly in the right spot first time then you are away. Have a play with the above. See what you think in comparison. Cheers, Paul

[@randvanguy]

When I started watching the video I thought he would do as you describe, but I like the simplicity of this approach, with just a single knot plus the extender, if necessary. Also when you untie it all comes off at once instead of removing the guyline, then taking down the extra ridgeline. Like you I'll try it in the field and see what I think of it then. :)

[@JohnGreen_US]

@unislave - Yes, this method reduces from 4 to 2 knots (You'll need the line extension in almost all cases), one being the master position/tension knot, so it might set-up/break-down faster. It's a matter of how fiddly it is to position the attachment point and get the right guyline tension first-time/every-time ... and then how easy to re-adjust if your cordage is a bit stretchy. If it can be managed easily, I'll definitely add it to my toolkit of options. This method will take a bit more cordage, in most cases, as you have double lines coming from each tree, but if you have the cord that's no problem.

[@JohnGreen_US]

@Paul - Will do. Interested to see if this method adds benefits of simplicity and speed while maintaining stability and adjustability. Re: alpine butterfly positioning - I'm confident in positioning the Alpine Butterfly Knot (ABK) on the ridgeline ... anchor one end of the ridgeline - walk ridgeline path with ridgeline in-hand - grab the guyline and pull to the ridgeline, adjusting intersection to the desired point - immediately tie the ABK at that point - complete the ridgeline by anchoring/tensioning the other end. Works well. Still, the ridgeline/ABK method requires a few extra knots. And while the ABK is normally easy to untie, it's a little less so with small diameter cord that's been placed under significant tension. I'm guessing that using the ABK might be a bit easier to later adjust guyline tension, if needed, tho'. Always fun to try new things. Look forward to your next video.

[@PaulKirtley]

Indeed. I'm always interested to learn how other people do things. It's good to be open minded. My colleague Ray Goodwin and I are always trading new ways of doing what we have established ways of doing. Plus we are always looking to what others are doing to see if there is place in our repertoire and we are often trying things for a while in place of what we usually do rather than make snap judgements. You can get really geeky about knots and cordage but that's part of the fun too... :-)

[@Langor]

and then it can be used as a clothes line too :) (but that would be more of a car camping kind deal)

[@PositivelyHealthy]

Rather than tie the two lines together, just tie the spare line between the two trees like a very slack clothes line, so it is slack enough to reach the tarp line. Then tie the tarp line to it tight and you could even slide it back and forth down the line to adjust it.

[@oferbechor1579]

THANK YOU

[@Tvede2613]

Hi, I just discovered you on youtube and this is the first clip I see from you. I subsequently saw your Lightening The Load Part 1 - Sleep Systems. i thought holy cow is that video 10 years old. so it was only 3 years, what the hell has just happened, how have you gotten so old so fast

[@user-wj4pm4tk1x]

This is so mean lmaooo. I just watched a video of his from a month ago and he looks the same to me. Maybe a little more grey hair but I think its just because it's much longer so you see more gray.

[@zchuss1]

I use an axle hitch between the two trees and then run a farrimond friction hitch from the tarp.

[@PaulKirtley]

There are many ways to skin some cats. I'm a fan of the farrimond hitch too. Nice hitch.

[@max_fjellstorm]

Brilliant!

[@HockeyGuy_in_STL]

Last step: Hang your empty beer cans from all the cords so you will hear when the bear comes at night.

[@kidbach]

a-ha! one week you show us how to bend cordage, then BAM! the next you use it to solve a problem. "roarin round of applause"

[@PaulKirtley]

:-)

[@lindamon5101]

Ir a genius.

[@alphapatriot8405]

Top notch thnxs

[@ourtechwriter]

Clever!

[@jeffreyhill3960]

Nifty!!!

[@PaulKirtley]

:-)