I have made several mids/tipi's recently, and I have just used my treking poles strapped together for support. I am now going to be making a 9' tall version and I am going to need a longer center support.

Does anyone know where I can get some aluminum center pole pieces such as the ones for the shangrila 3 or 4 that i can make 9' tall?

Thanks

You could probably buy 2 Golite shangri-la pole supports, and cannibalize the sections from one pole and add them to the other to extend its length.

http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/GoLite-Adjustable-Pole/GOL0238M.html?CMP_ID=SH_FRO001&CMP_SKU=GOL0336&mv_pc=r126 (on sale for $27)

You could also probably buy a Kifaru or Titanium goat pole of that length.

Edited by dag4643 on 01/29/2010 11:11:28 MST.

Fibraplex will make a nice custom pole for you. Extremely low weight, but pricey.
--B.G.--

Hi Bob,

Will Fibraplex make a "thicker pole" for a mid? I've ordered from them in the past and have checked their website to consider having something made up but there is nothing (or I have not been able to find it) on the website about larger diameter poles. All I've been able to find on their website is the 292 poles, which are way too thin and flimsy for a center pole for a mid or tipi.

What's wrong with .292" diameter?

You aren't trying to get one fifteen feet long, are you?

--B.G.--

I've got a .292 diameter fibraplex pole. For a typical height of say 5-6 feet, there is no way that pole can withstand the compression force of a typical pyramid shelter. It will start to bend and once it does, it just can't support the vertical load. I've tried it on my hex 3, and to say the results where less than unsatisfactory would be quite an understatement.

How much weight are you trying to support? Is this made out of buffalo hide or something heavy?

For lightweight tents, I find the carbon fiber poles to be excellent, and I have never seen any bend in mine.

--B.G.--

I am looking for about 9 feet. I guess the golite route would only be about $70, so that is not too bad.

Check quest outfitters,
http://www.questoutfitters.com/tent_poles.htm

they have aluminium pole segments up to 0.75 in thick.

I believe that dimension is a diameter, not a thickness.

--B.G.--

I tried using my TiGoat poles on my Hex 3 and the amount of bend was scary. No way would i have felt comortable using them. I would be looking for a lot more than .292" dia.

It's not the weight of the shelter, but the downward force of the stakes required to get a tight pitch in these shelters. If you have a square pyramid and only use 4 stakes at each corner, and it's a very calm day you could probably pitch it loose and the thin pole would be adequate. But once you start adding stakes and try to get a tight pitch, (like you would want if you are expecting high winds) the downward force on the single pole is considerable. Add some snow and all bets are off.

"I tried using my TiGoat poles on my Hex 3 and the amount of bend was scary. No way would i have felt comortable using them. I would be looking for a lot more than .292" dia."

So, let me get this straight. You did not try the Fibraplex poles, did you?

--B.G.--

You could try Fibraplex. They used to, and still do if I read their site correctly, make a 5/8" diameter tarp pole that might be stout enough for that height. I would send them an email about it - they called it the "Pinnacle" tarp pole, and they still show some versions of it in their price list. Look here:
http://fibraplex.com/tentpoles2B.asp
and sctroll down to replacement pole sets; you'll see Pinnacle 62 and Pinnacle 48. The question will be whether you can get a custom pole with that same tubing, and whether it would be stiff enough for that height.
Also, Kelty makes some adjustable poles:
https://www.kelty.com/p-134-adjustable-pole.aspx
that might work for you. another idea is an avalanche probe. You can get various lengths and diameters and weights, in aluminum and also carbon I think. I know some guys who use them as mid poles for ski trips, since they already have them on board.

I've never seen an avalanche pole that was that seriously strong. I've used them in a lightweight arch over a snow shelter, but never as a structural beam like it seems like is under discussion here.

--B.G.--

I have used the pole from a golf ball retreiver (the long poles with a cup at the end for getting you ball out of the pond). They are telescoping and adjustable. You can cut them down to make the carrying length packable. The tubing is strong alum. and it is pretty cheap, too. Scott

The carbon fiber pole used in the Black Diamond Mega Light is the best center pole I have found for Mid's of a similar size. It's the lightest pole I have found that dose not have to be custom made and is still plenty strong. It can be purchased here:
http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/mountain/spare-parts
More information on the pole here:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/black_diamond_mega_light_mega_bug_tent_review.html

As i said Bob, i used TiGoat poles.
I would love to see a photo of your .292" dia carbon pole set up in a Hex 3 or similar style mid without any bend in it. Makes you wonder why BD use an 18.mm dia pole in their Mids.

I do not have either of those products, so I can't show you a photo of Fibraplex poles in use with them.

I had my Fibraplex poles custom cut for the proper length for my own shelter. Works good. Lasts a long time. For a lightweight shelter, they have zero bend.

--B.G.--

Ben --

If you go with the Go-Lite poles, ProLite Gear has them on sale for $24.98 each:

http://www.prolitegear.com/golite_adjustable_shelter_pole.html


Free shipping if you get your total order to at least $50 (2 poles + something at 4 cents or more -- maybe one foot of 2mm Eidelweiss accessory cord @ 11 cents/ft(:>)

Sure are heavy at ProLite's 15 oz estimate per pole.

If that estimate is accurate, Go-Lite seems to have added weight to the pole. I have one that is "only" 13 oz.