I’m thinking about tying to make my own tent/shelter. I was wondering if any one knows if there is any reason that the tent pole sections could not be used as the stays in my pack. This way I can get double duty out of items that normally only has one use. I would hat to take the time to make the tent, only to find out it doesn’t work. Seem to me that the sections of the poles certainly would be up to the task. Any insights would be helpful.

Michael,

I did this with the short poles at the rear of my Contrail tent. There are two short carbon fiber poles that worked great for my pack stays. However, I note that you just finished a pair of trekking poles. Those might be even better for tent poles if they work into your tent design.

-Mark

Some guy called Matt Boyd has done it, and posted instructions on Rainmaker's "'alternative gear" page. He writes:

"I did a little experimenting and have found the perfect replacement for tent poles.

I just connected two backpack stays with bolts. My North Face aluminum stays already had one hole drilled near the tip. I drilled second corresponding holes in each stay and bought a couple of bolts from Home Depot. It makes an extremely sturdy pole which is up to 41 1/2 inches long. The total weight for the hand tightening nuts and bolts is 1/2 oz. Lighter weight bolts could also be used."

http://www.trailquest.net/TQaltgear.html#stay

Edited by bardsandwarriors on 11/25/2007 15:13:00 MST.