I'm moving towards flat tarp camping but don't use trekking poles so I'm probably going to put something together using the lighter easton poles (0.340) from quest outfitters.

So these poles have quite a small diameter and on less than firm ground or snow I would be concerned about using them due to them sinking or moving around. Here's a model of a potential solution whipped up in sketchup.

It is compromised of a ball and socket type joint the socket being mounted on a peg type thing and the end of a pole inserted into the ball.



The wider of the two has incorporated a snow basket type of platform that could be used on softer surfaces to spread the load of the pole.



Demonstrating a possible use for stabilising angled poles.



A large surface area on the spike (?) would improve its stability.

And finally a few ideas demonstrating how it would hopefully fit together or could be used for multiple poles.



I hope I have described that clearly enough ..

So is there really a need for something like this? Have I over engineered a soloution?

Any suggestions for improvement would be gratefully recieved.

Oh and for actually making a sample to see if it works I will have access to a 3D printer from about October.

Pretty cool sketches. Looks like it could work.

I tend to go for pre-existing items for pole bottoms, however. Nylon barbed plumbing fittings and plastic champagne corks come to mind.

With the downward pressure of the tarp and guylines I haven't had a problem with the poles moving laterally at the bottom. So I'm not sure the protruding bottom on your drawing is needed. The shape of the bottom would also tend to hold on to dirt and mud.