Quote:


No, I just untie the Trucker Hitches and start stuffing tarp/fly into bag. When I pull it out, the lines might be intertwined a bit, but a gentle shake seems to separate them nicely.
I'm trying to gradually get rid of items that get lost/broken or that I can use something I already have ( rope/guy lines) to do the same thing.
One of the best things about QJ is the different ways people do things and the clever ideas they come up with.
I'm always experimenting, looking for the " perfect" gear selection
Problem is there's NO such thing

Despite my namesake (Master-tangler) I actually hate tangles and have low tolerance for them. The last thing I need on a trip is any hassles. I just want to grab the lines and uncoil them bada-bing.

In the interests of credit to whom credit is due, I learned this from Cliff Jacobson and it works like a charm. I believe he said it is how the Navy handles ropes (lines). Larger lines like my ridgeline I coil around from palm to elbow (much like your extension cord). Smaller lines like paracord I have in 10' or 20' sections and loop them around my palm.

Now you have a coil. Leave about 10" or so loose and wrap it around several times. Then slide the tag end through the hole you have made and slide the wraps upward to lock in place. Quick and easily accomplished and all stays together without tangles. All my lines go into a small stuff sack without tangling.

The following vid is the general idea. I omit the last step on the vid and instead just pop the tag end through the hole and slide the loops up to lock in place. The trick is to not get the loops so tight that they won't slide up. Seems to work just fine.
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

Yup Kerry, that is exactly what I'm talking about.
I have that many and like you I'm not going to take the time either.
When I take my tarp down ( Dri-Fly), I lay it flat on the ground and just let the guy lines fall loosely where there tied off.
I just start at one corner and stuff in bag.
Since I eliminated the 2-3 hole tensioner and any other things that tend to grab/snag, I've found that once I open the tarp out to hang, the lines don't seem to tangle as bad, if at all.

I set my tarp up so I can rig it even in heavy winds. Check my " clip" system out in my QJ picture gallery. If you've never strung a tarp solo in wind/rain, you don't know what your missing

Corner lines are effectively permanent, any point that's always tied off deserves a permanent line.  Everything else is usually added as needed for the conditions.  Sometimes a centerpoint line, sometimes a ridge line, sometimes a center pole.  Once the main set is up there's time for tweaking.

I don't like tangles.  With my tarps being my only shelter I like to be able to quickly set them up in a downpour. 

For my guy-lines I use something similar to a very small butterfly coil starting from one end of the rope.  Left hand is the jig held in a Hang 10 sign.  (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)  Cord goes around thumb & pinky crossing itself in between.  Then that mass of figure-8s is folded and wrapped with the last 12" of cord.  When it's time to pitch the tarp just grab a fist of cord and walk away paying out line as needed.

A big fan of the 3m reflective cord.  They used to make it red, now it's black & less visible in the day than it is at night with a light on it.  It should be hot pink, hunting vest orange, fireman yellow.

Most all my lines are butterfly-coiled.  That's just how I learned.  It keeps twists out of the rope.

I have more like 12-16 ropes hanging off my tarp.  I cut them to about 5 foot lengths and tie onto the tarp loops where they generally stay unless I need to move one or double them up for length.  When storing I just double each up a few times until they are about 8 inches long and tie the group in an overhand or slip knot to hold.  Then either fold or stuff the tarp into its bag.  I have the center of the tarp already tied to a main rope, about 50 feet long, which is also stuffed in when storing.  When I take it out I can tie one free end of the main rope to a tree and find the other end to tie to a tree opposite the first.  When the rope is stretched the tarp center line is already secured and is easy to control even if it is windy and fast since I already have the tarp on the main rope as it comes out of the bag.

BTW, Ranger...is that a Eureka Apex 2XT tent you use?  I have been eyeing that model up and wonder how you like it.