Fixed Length Walking Pole Tent Mod

Discussion about making bushwalking-related equipment.

Fixed Length Walking Pole Tent Mod

Postby South_Aussie_Hiker » Wed 30 Apr, 2014 10:18 pm

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.
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Re: Fixed Length Walking Pole Tent Mod

Postby icefest » Wed 30 Apr, 2014 11:07 pm

Correct me if I'm wrong, but why not just angle the poles and put them in a divet?
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Re: Fixed Length Walking Pole Tent Mod

Postby GPSGuided » Wed 30 Apr, 2014 11:14 pm

Icefest, obtuse thinking not allowed. ;)
Just move it!
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Re: Fixed Length Walking Pole Tent Mod

Postby Franco » Fri 02 May, 2014 9:28 am

South Aussie Hiker,
what size poles do you use ?
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Re: Fixed Length Walking Pole Tent Mod

Postby South_Aussie_Hiker » Sat 03 May, 2014 8:13 am

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.
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Re: Fixed Length Walking Pole Tent Mod

Postby Franco » Sat 03 May, 2014 8:20 am

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.
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Re: Fixed Length Walking Pole Tent Mod

Postby GPPJ » Thu 12 Jun, 2014 5:42 pm

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

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Re: Fixed Length Walking Pole Tent Mod

Postby GPSGuided » Thu 12 Jun, 2014 6:29 pm

Brilliant! Now, is it foldable?
Just move it!
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Re: Fixed Length Walking Pole Tent Mod

Postby Mark F » Thu 12 Jun, 2014 8:47 pm

Use the bit at the bottom to groom your tent pitch. No need for a groundsheet protector.
"Perfection is attained not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing more to remove".
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Re: Fixed Length Walking Pole Tent Mod

Postby Strider » Thu 12 Jun, 2014 9:21 pm

Fibreglass is *&%$#! heavy!
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Re: Fixed Length Walking Pole Tent Mod

Postby Ellobuddha » Thu 12 Jun, 2014 10:48 pm

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.
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Re: Fixed Length Walking Pole Tent Mod

Postby GPPJ » Fri 13 Jun, 2014 10:30 am

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.

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Re: Fixed Length Walking Pole Tent Mod

Postby GPSGuided » Fri 13 Jun, 2014 10:43 am

Aren't fishing rods too flexible for the task of supporting a tent/tarp?
Just move it!
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Re: Fixed Length Walking Pole Tent Mod

Postby icefest » Fri 13 Jun, 2014 12:32 pm

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
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Re: Fixed Length Walking Pole Tent Mod

Postby GPSGuided » Fri 13 Jun, 2014 12:55 pm

When retractable CF trekking poles are only $22 on AliExpress, why are we wasting bandwidths?
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/carbon-f ... 91862.html
Just move it!
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Re: Fixed Length Walking Pole Tent Mod

Postby Ellobuddha » Fri 13 Jun, 2014 2:15 pm

GPSGuided wrote: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)
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Re: Fixed Length Walking Pole Tent Mod

Postby ElvenCraft Gear » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 11:54 am

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.
The most valuable items in your hiking kit are knowledge, experience, and improvisation.
Everything else is luxury.
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Re: Fixed Length Walking Pole Tent Mod

Postby ryangus » Sun 07 May, 2017 6:14 pm

ElvenCraft Gear wrote: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.
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Re: Fixed Length Walking Pole Tent Mod

Postby Neo » Sun 07 May, 2017 6:31 pm

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.
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Re: Fixed Length Walking Pole Tent Mod

Postby Neo » Mon 08 May, 2017 6:42 pm

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