Hi I dont use trekking poles and am looking at the trailstar . can you buy lightweight poles to use to hold it up? What height do they have to be?

Edited by jay590 on 04/18/2009 20:20:35 MDT.

Although they don't list the apex height on the MLD website, you could email them to see if this would work: http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=35&products_id=57&osCsid=9dadf0656059e874b8bb6f5f8866d1ca

Otherwise, yes, there are a number of dedicated tarp poles available through various manufacturers that should work with that shelter.

yes i emailed ron about those poles and he said that they were not long enough and they were not stiff enough.

In that case, check out Golite's shelter pole (they have two sizes, small and large) http://www.golite.com/Product/proddetail.aspx?p=SH6209&s=1

I have the same problem - I don't like using walking poles so I am in the process of converting a pair of cheap ones by removing the handles and spikes, leaving a pair of adjustable height poles weighing around 100g each.

If you get the peak height, you could just go to questoutfitters.com and order some stiffer/larger diameter aluminum poles to make your own collapsible pole...

I have a fixed length hiking pole that works well as the center pole. It is 120 cm or about 47 inches.

Titanium Goat will custom-make a carbon fiber pole for you. I haven't had a chance to try it yet, but I got myself one of their poles, and I'm impressed by how light it is.

I think you would lose a lot of the versatility of the shelter with a fixed center pole. One of the main reasons I love mine so much is all the options I have with it. Have you thought about carrying a single adjustable staff? It wouldnt be that much of a weight penalty, and would help you out on steep downhills \ stream crossings, etc.

FWIW, I find a pole in the 105cm to 120cm range to work best (ie best compromise b/t headroom and coverage). In mild weather a much longer pole could be used.

Seek Outside sells an Adjustable Carbon Fiber Pole that weighs 6.2 oz and has a range of, I believe, 56.5" to 66" (The range is based on the next bigger pole which adjusts from 65.5" to 75") I have no experience with Seek and would be interested in any comments you have if you went that route. The price seems reasonable but one thing I can't tell is if their poles are shock-corded. If you need something shorter I would also recommend the Titanium Goat poles but the adjustment range on their poles is only 6 inches. You really need to have an idea of what heights you'll want. In any case you can find the Seek pole here:

http://seekoutside.com/store/products/Adjustable-Carbon-Fiber-Tent-Pole--Max-66-%22-.html

I recently ordered the longer adjustable carbon fiber pole from Seek Outside, it is not shock-corded. The weight was (to my memory) a few tenths under spec. The sections are apx. 2' long. So far I've been happy with it, have yet to field test it under severe conditions yet.