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Outdoor Section => The Outdoor and Survival Forum => Topic started by: caninesapien on February 28, 2017, 10:25:25 AM

Title: Telescopic tarp poles?
Post by: caninesapien on February 28, 2017, 10:25:25 AM
Hi all

I'm planning a trip to the Wye Valley in Wales pretty soon and I'm trying to find some decent extendable/telescopic tarp poles as I want to be travelling as light as possible. I've looked here and elsewhere online but can't really get to grips on any good recommendations. I've seen elsewhere that people recommend washing line poles but they're around 4ft when collapsed and that's slightly too big for what I need. Unfortunately the site I need to stay at requires tarps, otherwise I'd just copy with a bivvy bag!

Any advice gratefully received. Thanks!
Title: Re: Telescopic tarp poles?
Post by: hiraethus on February 28, 2017, 11:31:22 AM
Telescopic poles tend to be heavy so I'd avoid them if possible.  There are a few out there that are lighter, but they've got holes drilled for the telescoping mechanism and I'd prefer something stronger.

You don't really need a telescopic pole anyway, if you get the right length to begin with.  I use a 3-piece 115 cm pole for the high end of my tarp, and a one piece 35 cm one for the low end.  Have a look here: https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/equipment-c3/accessories-c10/tent-pegs-poles-c11/lightweight-aluminium-tent-pole-p540 or here: http://www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/shop/?product=custom-length-carbon-poles if you want something fancier/lighter/more expensive. 
Title: Re: Telescopic tarp poles?
Post by: Syncop8r on February 28, 2017, 12:01:23 PM
If you want to travel light are you able to make some wooden poles when you get there?
Title: Re: Telescopic tarp poles?
Post by: caninesapien on February 28, 2017, 12:12:01 PM
Have a look here: https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/equipment-c3/accessories-c10/tent-pegs-poles-c11/lightweight-aluminium-tent-pole-p540 or here: http://www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/shop/?product=custom-length-carbon-poles if you want something fancier/lighter/more expensive.

Great, thank you! I will take a look.

 
If you want to travel light are you able to make some wooden poles when you get there?
That is a possibility and that's what I'm hoping to do, but thought it wise to check just in case. I know I will need tarp poles for other planned hikes/camps so I thought if I could get something decent it might be worth getting to try on this trip.