Fixed Length Walking Pole Tent Mod

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

I'm looking at getting my shelter weight down with a Stratospire 2, problem being it requires 127cm walking poles... And mine are too long!

Most people have walking poles which are either adjustable, or if their poles are fixed length but too short, can just use pole extenders easily.

I decided to try and come up with a way to shorten the three piece Black Diamond Ultra Distance before buying the new tent. Achieving this would mean saving money and weight on having to buy the Tarptent pole set.

I got the idea from here....
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin ... d_id=74541
But used better materials.

So I bought one of these:
http://www.bunnings.com.au/pope-10-x-70 ... r_p3130582
And cut it in half (one for each pole) and then sliced it lengthways.

Then I bought two of these:
http://www.bunnings.com.au/clamp-hose-f ... 2_p3100015

Pics to follow.

[icefest]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but why not just angle the poles and put them in a divet?

[GPSGuided]

Icefest, obtuse thinking not allowed.

[Franco]

South Aussie Hiker,
what size poles do you use ?

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

Hi Franco! Black Diamond Ultra Distance 130cm.

Not sure which tarptent model I will get, so wanted to confirm I could change them anywhere from about 115 to 130cm.

[Franco]

OK.
The SS2 works well at 130cm, however that is to high for the Notch but they can be used opened up in that one.

[GPPJ]

The whole walking pole DIY thing is fascinating me.

Anyone for Bunnings DIY "Stanley Walking Poles"?

$50 for a fibreglass pair... cut the length and sharpen the point after removing the weighty thing at the end?

http://www.bunnings.com.au/stanley-14-t ... e_p3360070

[GPSGuided]

Brilliant! Now, is it foldable?

[Mark F]

Use the bit at the bottom to groom your tent pitch. No need for a groundsheet protector.

[Strider]

Fibreglass is *&%$#! heavy!

[Ellobuddha]

Use a fishing rod blank - as a standalone pole or cut two sections down (one slides into the top of other) or one piece of shorter section as a pole jack.

[GPPJ]

Fishing pole idea is good, very lightweight. and cheap -- the recycle store at the tip usually has a good selection too. My Tarp tent doesn't need telescopic poles.
Maybe a fishing licence would be required incase you meet a Badge.

I've realised thats a tad paranoid, I better take more prozac... but I'm in a parking-nazi-cigarette-gestapo-report-your-neighbour-burning-leaves-stalag-pooper-scooper-patrol-garden-city.
The Eureka Stockade dissenters were on the money.

[GPSGuided]

Aren't fishing rods too flexible for the task of supporting a tent/tarp?

[icefest]

What's wrong with carbon fiber golf sticks from aliexpress? Iirc that's what was used at bpl before the current gen of carbon fiber poles

[GPSGuided]

When retractable CF trekking poles are only $22 on AliExpress, why are we wasting bandwidths?
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/carbon-f ... 91862.html

[Ellobuddha]

Aren't fishing rods too flexible for the task of supporting a tent/tarp?

Not that Ive found. I made up a two piece pole from two seperate blanks and its stable as in duomid or as a standalone pole for my tarp. I havent had it in a wild storm but certainly feels as solid and stable as my trekking pole. (You can get different wall thickness blanks)

[ElvenCraft Gear]

Use some Grass tree Flower spikes cut to length.(xantherra)
Before all the high tec stuff, they were all the rage in Australia for 40,000 years. - lighter and stronger than the high tec stuff too. (and way cheaper)
Spears, walking staffs (still use one as a scout staff because you need one 1.8m for big "stepdowns" and scree slopes) fire starter sticks, reaching pole, and yes - I use mine as my tent pole also.

[ryangus]

Use some Grass tree Flower spikes cut to length.(xantherra)
Before all the high tec stuff, they were all the rage in Australia for 40,000 years. - lighter and stronger than the high tec stuff too. (and way cheaper)
Spears, walking staffs (still use one as a scout staff because you need one 1.8m for big "stepdowns" and scree slopes) fire starter sticks, reaching pole, and yes - I use mine as my tent pole also.

Dug up this old thread, as I'm interested in making a grass tree spear hiking pole. Any tips would be appreciated.

[Neo]

Got some here from a prolific little one in the garden. May depend on species/moisture content/diameter etc but I wouldn't trust one with my full weight. Not the same density or strength as a stick. They would be UL if it works.

[Neo]

Here is a link to a walking stick at the national museum, says it's 42mm thick:
http://collectionsearch.nma.gov.au/object/119309