View Full Version : Which guyline do you prefer?
Joker4ink
06-02-2010, 00:35
What do you use to guy out your shelters or tents?
I like using the same stuff for my tarp for my shoelaces, and anything else. There is better stuff in marine stores, for control lines, but the bright gold no-trip stuff works well enough.
There is a case for tarred hemp if you want to do some lashing and stuff. It is hard to find good stuff, but the cheap stuff is cheap enough, and it makes good fire starter also. You want to clean up after yourself though, even if it is biodegradeable.
Uncle Cranky
06-02-2010, 07:06
BRAIDED Masons line (avoid the standard twisted line that unravels) is very strong, light, and inexpensive.
Comes on 500' spools for under $10 in neon colors for easy visibility.
Pick it up at the big box home improvement store or building materials/lumber yard.
bigcranky
06-02-2010, 07:14
Spectra cord from BPL or Gossamer Gear. Light, and doesn't tangle. I love the little triangular cord locks for guy lines, too. Here's a kit with everything (http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/aircore_pro_dyneema_spectra_guyline_cord_50_ft.htm l). Not cheap, but I like it.
http://www.speerhammocks.com/Products/Supplies.htm
scroll halfway down to 'no tangle guidelines'
I use the 2mm cord for nearly everything- clothesline, foodbag hanging, tent guy, etc... The braided mason line sounds interesting. I may just have to try that.
Uncle Cranky
06-02-2010, 19:13
I'm a carpenter by trade and we use braided mason line as a guide line when straightening walls.
To cover long distances without sag or distortions the line must be pulled extremely taut.
One day two of us were pulling either end of a 60' wall when the light bulb in my head went on...
If two strong guys can yank this stuff without breaking, it must be really useful for camping too!!
The thing I most like about braided mason line is it's really cheap for what it will do.
I use it to guy out my tarps and bear bag too.
No Joke, I even hung off my food bag, all 175lbs of me, trying to snap the line when the bag got hung up and couldn't break it!!
I had to cut the line to get my food.
http://www.speerhammocks.com/Products/Supplies.htm
scroll halfway down to 'no tangle guidelines'
This is great lightweight line! Plus the orange is easy to see! Love it.
For the 4 corner tie-outs of my tarp, I use Kelty Trip Tease. I've never had a scout stumble over MY tie-outs while using it. The twice-a-year family tent has the same white tie-outs that it came with, and the kids are ALWAYS tripping over them, year after year, as if incapable of learning.... There's probably a lesson for us all there.:-?
For just about everything else string or light cord related, I use neon green braided (not twisted) mason's line. OK, my plumb bob has yellow line, but it came with it.:)
Dummy lines are all orange mason's line. That way I can tell what I'm tying on from what I'm tying to. I'm old, I wear glasses, gimme a break.:cool:
I save the 2mm reflective cord for special things that require differentiation and strength. Not too many.
HYOH, tie yer own knots,
Ranc0r
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brooklynkayak
06-04-2010, 13:57
The thing I most like about braided mason line is it's really cheap for what it will do.
I use it to guy out my tarps and bear bag too.
Reasonably strong, light, cheap and easy to find. It does wear out a little faster than the expensive spectra stuff, but I've never had any fail on me in the worst conditions.
The twisted type is even cheaper and will do in a pinch but it does come unraveled, which can be a PITA.
Hikes in Rain
06-04-2010, 15:03
I'm still interested in the tarred hemp, though. Fascinating idea! Maybe not ultralight, though.....
I like the MLD LiteLine. It's about $16 for 60 ft but only weighs an oz for that amount. It's good and strong, orange so it's highly visible, and is pretty tangle free. I got it on my OES tarp, and then ordered more for extra tie outs from MLD. Here is a right up on the line and the LineLocks:
http://stick13.wordpress.com/gear/my-current-gear/shelter/mld-liteline-linelocks/
And here is the tarp I am using it with:
http://stick13.wordpress.com/gear/my-current-gear/shelter/oes-8-x-10-flat-tarp/
I'm still interested in the tarred hemp, though. Fascinating idea! Maybe not ultralight, though.....
Put that in your pipe and smoke it......;)