Over thee years we have ended up in some campsites that did not have trees to attach our tarp to on 1 or 2 corners. Last year we tried taking an old tent pole but found that it was too flexible and we couldn’t easily adjust the height.

Do you take a pole, and if so, which one do you take?

If I take them they are MSR poles (came with MSR parawing). If I were buying some I would get these CCS shelter poles .

No, I don't take a pole (except for fishing!). I do use a canoe paddle when necessary but as you can imagine there are significant limitations to this setup. Like my grandpa used to say...Good enough for who it's for!

Unlike some other poles, this one from Kelty is super strong. Weighs 1.8 lbs but extends 80-99 inches. We'll use these when car camping.

4keys: "Over thee years we have ended up in some campsites that did not have trees to attach our tarp to on 1 or 2 corners. Last year we tried taking an old tent pole but found that it was too flexible and we couldn’t easily adjust the height.

Do you take a pole, and if so, which one do you take? "

I take one or two (usually two) of these ones from REI.

REI Tarp Pole

Nope never carried poles.

butthead

I use a ridge line set up for my 1.1 oz silnylon tarp and I have been experimenting with bringing along one pole. Even though I’ve always been able to find two trees to hang it between, sometimes the distance is pretty far and it gets “fluttery”. By adding the pole away from the tree it can be a lot more ridges. I too have been using a longer tent pole just because I have it and it’s light, but have considered buying or ordering a more ridged one. Adjustable doesn’t seem that important to me.

So far I’ve only brought one on trips where I figured I’d be camped in the same spot for a few days, but not on trips where I’m covering more distance and likely to move most days.

I carry the 62" version of these carbon fiber poles. I like that they are really light because I often don't use it and just have a ridge line. I like the new CCS poles and would consider those. They are heavier but the ability to have fine adjustments could be really nice. With the carbon fiber pole, the only adjustment is leaving out a section.

I plan to try out a Double Blade paddle this year for my Prism.
Of course I'll also carry a Carbon ZRE bent shaft single blade.
So as a secondary use for the 2 blade it'll also be a tarp pole.
240cm, just short of 8 ft.
I don't know for sure yet but since my next BW trip is not until Sept.
I'll have all summer to try out the double blade on windy lakes
around home. NE Indiana.

Larry S

I have the Kelty poles and I did like them for the tarp. But they were really bulky so I stopped using them. Think hard before you get tarp poles. If I were to buy them again, I would not. Lots of lumber in the woods, just go hiking and look on the ground for dead wood.

Double post, sorry, please delete.

I use poles made out of golf ball retrievers (like this one
https://www.amazon.com/ProActive-Sports-Hinged-Retractable-Retriever/dp/B0014MWID0/ref=zg_bs_3411041_35/134-1094502-3359412?pd_rd_i=B06XT4412W&th=1&psc=1).
Just cut off the cup and you have a telescoping camping pole (mine is about 5' weighing 0.3lbs).

Savage Voyageur: "I have the Kelty poles and I did like them for the tarp. But they were really bulky so I stopped using them. Think hard before you get tarp poles. If I were to buy them again, I would not. Lots of lumber in the woods, just go hiking and look on the ground for dead wood. "

We do use a long stick if we need a center pole for support. But we have been in an old burn area that only had thin short trees, mostly brush, not much for dead wood. On a cold windy rainy day we managed to get the tarp up in sort of an a frame with just enough room to sit around the stove and cook. Poles would have been very helpful that day.

andym: "I carry the 62" version of these carbon fiber poles. I like that they are really light because I often don't use it and just have a ridge line. I like the new CCS poles and would consider those. They are heavier but the ability to have fine adjustments could be really nice. With the carbon fiber pole, the only adjustment is leaving out a section."

So these carbon fiber poles don’t have shock cords. It’s hard to tell from the picture, how do they stay connected? Just pressure? They look really lightweight.

The carbon fiber poles stay connected by friction and it works fine. With no shock cords you can easily leave out a section or add extras from another pole. They are very light and the three tube design is very stiff.

I’m a little surprised that they aren’t more expensive compared to the other poles. I hope that is still accurate.

It boils down to...am I comfortable humping around a heavy, bulky and/or awkward piece of equipment that I may not need? Thus the analysis is on just how heavy, bulky or awkward it is, the likelihood that you will need it, and the amount of utility you derive from it.

It sounds like you could go an entire trip with out needing it depending on suitable campsites and weather. Plus there is also a potential substitute as you are in a forest full of wood.

On the other hand, it's light and no more awkward than a fishing rod.

Your tent pole is my rod holder. Still undecided.

I have both the REI poles and the CCS poles mentioned above. I prefer the ones I got through CCS. I don't necessarily use them for my tarp but I do find them handy for my CCS Lean 2 or 3.

For those of you wanting a taller pole than a single canoe paddle but don't want to carry an actual pole around, you may find this paddle joiner adapter to be handy.

I've taken two different poles on past trips - a guy named Kowalski and another friend named Adamski :)

CCS pole, and a tennis ball with an "X" cut into it to put atop the pole - further protects the tarp, and a cinch a thin rope around it (there are loops), spiral it down the pole, to a stake in the ground at base of pole.

If anyone can’t quite find a pole in exactly the thickness and height they want, you can always order some components and make your own. Tent Pole Technologies

I started carrying a set of Green Elephant telescoping poles. They are lightweight and durable. We usually base camp and this gives us an extra space to escape the weather if in camp when weather turns bad.
I guess it is something I did without for over 40 years of tripping, but it does have a use as I get older.

I carry a couple of homemade paddle joiners. Two paddles joined make a seven foot pole. Light (3 oz for both) and easy to pack.

MississippiDan: "I carry a couple of homemade paddle joiners. Two paddles joined make a seven foot pole. Light (3 oz for both) and easy to pack. "

Hi Mississippi Dan...would you be willing to post a picture of your homemade paddle joiners?

mschi772: "For those of you wanting a taller pole than a single canoe paddle but don't want to carry an actual pole around, you may find this paddle joiner adapter to be handy."

While this is not something I would carry, I just love the creativity that went into it. I am sure it was one of those, "Hey, what if..." moments.

This is my paddle joiner and how it was made. I carry two of these.
Materials: nylon cloth 24x32 inches (old tent)
(2) 14 inch lengths of boot lace or cord
Sear edges of the nylon to prevent fraying. Turn under edges and sew. Fold into three layers. Sew the long edges together leaving enough room to insert the blade of a paddle. Sew one end closed. Then sew the opposite end closed. Sew lace or cord in the center of both openings. Use these to tie around the paddle shaft.

I used these during a couple of trips. A finished length of 20 inches would accommodate most paddle blades. So 22x32 be enough.
Another thing needed is a small sack to go over the grip of the paddle with a drawstring to tighten around the paddle shaft and a cord on on top of the grip to fasten to the tarp.
The first photo uses a 52" and a 54" paddle to make a pole about 80" tall.
Dan

Have never taken poles.

Frenchy: "I started carrying a set of Green Elephant telescoping poles. They are lightweight and durable. We usually base camp and this gives us an extra space to escape the weather if in camp when weather turns bad.
I guess it is something I did without for over 40 years of tripping, but it does have a use as I get older.
"

Equivalent to Green Elephant but cheaper: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P7GH32D/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Two for $37, 1.1 lbs per pole. I've found these very durable. But actually I wouldn't take them paddle camping, only car camping. Very convenient if you have the space and are willing to carry them.

I can recall the time most campsites had a few wooden poles, often ground smooth on one end. We would use them for the tarps. Now they are hard to find, perhaps firewood for those not understanding their purpose.

I can usually find poles cut by beavers along the shoreline on my way to camp or doing a quick search after choosing a site. They are most often long,straight and smooth. I always leave them for next group.

I’ve been messing around with this too, as many others have on here. I’ve used dead branches before and just shaped the tops to do less harm to my tarp. As someone stated, though, sometimes you’re in an older burn area, or maybe just an open area, and that might not be an option. So there’s that question, do you leave the poles behind and assume there’s going to be plenty of diy options, or do you pack in a pole or two hoping you use them?? Even though most of the time I’m tripping, I’m (knock on wood) lucky enough to have good trees around to string up my tarp. Or even a hammock if I wanted to.

I think I’ve landed on some though. While a lot of great poles have been mentioned, it’s surly going to give you some options to consider. Allow me to add one more for you, I came across this brand several years ago and don’t own a single thing of there’s. However, it all looks relatively nice.

https://www.pariaoutdoorproducts.com/collections/backpacking-gear-accessories/products/adjustable-tarp-poles

Not the lightest, not the heaviest. Two adjustable poles for $50 and weigh in at 1 lb. 12oz. I plan to try them out, so maybe I can being a good review back

The Paria Outdoor Products poles posted by Erk look pretty nice. And if you want them to go taller, I found extensions under accessories on their website. Hadn't heard of that company before but it looks like they make some nice stuff.