I just picked up a Integral Designs Siltarp (5'x8') from gear swap just to experiment with. What length guylines do you recommend that will be versitle enoughfor several pitches? I am planning on putting Z Packs line locks with the canvas loops for easy adjustment, I ordered 8 of them. I haven't tried setting it up yet, but I was thinking around 3' for each guyline.

That's too short for a lean to.

Check out the video #9 from Suluk46.com (Steve Evans) here for a short tutorial on 3 common ways to set up a solo tarp:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Suluk46/videos

Thanks, Steven. I need all the instruction I can get after a recent experience.

Andy, I have successfully used 2 8 foot guy lines off the centerline and 6 3 foot lines off the edges with my ID Sil1 in a decent rain storm. I pitched it very low with the foot end nearly on the ground and stayed dry in a meteor bivy. Recent experience makes me feel that I need more varied lengths of guy line to make adjustments to terrain elements and weather and that the 5x8 is just too small when it really matters although I think it is a good option for California's wet/dry season where you can predict relatively well that you won't be drowned on any given outing.

Edited by mtblack on 03/26/2012 21:12:58 MDT.

The extra weight of a foot or two per guyline is negligible (please don't flame me) but the flexibility it can give you is, in my opinion, worth it. In the rocky ground of the Pennsylvania mountains I can't always get a stake in the ground where I need it and find myself tying off to bushes and trees occasionally. That's where an extra 12-24" can be invaluable.

I have 16" lines for my Gatewood Cape (I like to keep it elevated about 4-6" off the ground) and keep two 24-inch "extenders" with my guylines for those times that I need them.

+1 to Kevin

You never know when you need some extra length of guyline to make your tarp work in rough territory.