A few tarping questions

sounds like a round turn and 2 half hitches from the description but that isnt realy a slip knot. The rolling hitch is also similar but I have been shown 2 different knots called rolling hitch. On a large fly though you may need to use the truckies hitch to get it tight enough. Our club flys sleep 8 at a pinch and I always tied them with a rolling hitch and they always sagged. Someone else told me to use a truckies and that pulled it up ruler straight. I dont like that not as it damages the line but I dont know any other knot that functions like a block and tackle. this is the rolling hitch I use http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/RollingHitch-ABOK-1734.jpg&imgrefurl=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_hitch&h=1000&w=4040&tbnid=QPiL99l7OxEoZM:&zoom=1&docid=nNcltXoTsANycM&ei=OGJhVfjPI4Xp8AWS_oGIBg&tbm=isch&ved=0CDQQMygCMAI A different link also calls it a taughtline hitch This knot is also called a rolling hitch http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.timtunks.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rollingHitch.png&imgrefurl=http://timtunks.com/why-knot/&h=391&w=430&tbnid=HoIOT7_vwy1tDM:&zoom=1&docid=k927yrFQbD30eM&ei=vmJhVaigMMjt8AX8jIKoAg&tbm=isch&ved=0CBUQMygRMBE4ZA

Check out Groggs Knots. Go every knot you're ever likely to need, with online visual demonstrations on how to tie them.

I dont think my description can really describe it, Its not a round turn and 2 half hitches and its not a tautline or rolling hitch. Ive run photos of it past some other guys and none of them know what to make of it, and the guy who taught me it hasnt the faintest idea of what it is called. It holds well though and seems to be one of the few slide and grips that hold in the dodgy thin polypropylene rope I have. Im not a fan of truckies hitches on my tarp because if you want to adjust them, especially in the early stages of setup when Im working round doing the tensions, Im constantly untying them and tying them off again at a different tension. I just had a thought though. Im wondering how well it would work if I did one line with a slide/grip knot, then the opposite one with a truckies. Slide and grip for easy adjustment of tension early on, then truckies to crank it up afterwards? And good tip on groggs knots kreig, but I already use that site =p and bought the android app.

You could do the first loop of the truckys and tension as normal then use the rolling hitch to fasten it Best of both worlds

I wonder which way up you use the trekking poles for tent poles? I use them point upwards and have no trouble either just having a loop permanently on the end of the guy ropes, or using a clove hitch. I had thought I used a prussic knot for my adjustable guy ropes but have just looked up - http://www.netknots.com/rope_knots/ and discovered I don't! Apparently I use a variation of a 'Tautline Hitch'. Basically I pass the rope/cord around the peg and bring it back up and do a Tautline hitch with it but put 3 loops below and only one above rather than the 2 below and 2 above as shown on that site. Probably both work as good as each other. My version not so good with slippery cheap plastic cord but excellent on white woven cord.

Ive used a couple of different things 1. A 6' by 4' polytarp from the Wharehouse, weighs 247gm, waterproof good for a 1 person groundsheet, two small for my lightweight 2 man tent. 2. A 6'4" by 4' piece of heavy duty plastic from an bag on a mattress I brought, but its a bit heavy at 350gms. 3. A light weight plastic tablecloth from the Wharehouse, 150gms, totally waterproof, and cut to my size. This is now my preferred groundsheet.

I'm a fan of the plastic table cloth for a groundsheet too, very light and surprisingly tough, also cheap and easy to replace when necessary. I have also used a light weight shower curtain but I think the table cloth is holding up a bit better. We sleep 2 people on it.

Geeves, Ill have to try the truckies/slide and grip combo. That could be a winner. Ill have to use something other than a rolling hitch though as they dont hold in the line Im using. Solved the mystery as to what the knot I didnt know the name of was. Took a great deal of discussion, but its a pipe hitch. It seems to hold well in every line Ive tried it with, and its a piece of piss to tiE.

In terms of the groundsheet thing,polycro is readily available in NZ under the guise of window insulation. Go visit Bunnings or the other hardware stores and check out the 3M brand...... From memory I think the 5 window box is 1600 wide by 5000mm continuous sheet and is around $45, the stuff is amazingly strong,lightweight and perfect for use as a groundsheet.

I use polycro. Something to keep in mind; Polycro is great and light it does however shrink over time from either summer heat or body heat. So when you cut it add 3cm or so to allow for the shrinkage. I also use polycro for a rainskirt during the summer. Tablecloths are also good and light. Some use shower curtains as tarps. (Gramma Gatewood) They are durable, but are only 180cmish wide.