Bridge Hammock nightmare - is it only me?

**TrailSlug** · 02-04-2016, 17:37

Guys,
I've have nightmares that I've hiked in several miles and set my Warbonnet Ridgerunner up only to find out I forgot my spreader bars at home. How much pressure is on these bars and could I (if I absolutely had to) cut a small tree limb to suffice?

**pgibson** · 02-04-2016, 18:01

All the more reason I am happy I converted to using the Trekker hiking poles to replace the spreader bars.....They 3rd use as my photo monopods while hiking.

**TrailSlug** · 02-04-2016, 18:37

Are these the poles you use?
Komperdell Trekker Trekking Poles or are they the Mountainsmith Trekker FX 7075 Trekking Poles? I'm not sure I can give up my Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork poles.

**zukiguy** · 02-04-2016, 18:52

I just bought the Mountainsmith Trekker poles to use with my WBRR this weekend (maiden voyage). I may still bring along the stock Warbonnet ones "just in case". Yes, I'll miss the cork ergo grips on my Black Diamonds.

I've seen a thread or two about people having to whittle a couple of small saplings to serve as spreader poles in a pinch. Getting the ends pointed enough to stay in the small holes and the right length would be a little challenging.

I've seen a few methods to make the BD Ergo poles work but it involved making funky brackets and such to get the forces closer to the center line. I tried one that used cords/toggles to support from the end and it cut into the cork handle and deformed the foam near the grips too. The problem I also see is that in doing that mod the handle of the poles is poking out several inches past the edge of the hammock. This would make it a bit of a pain to maneuver past the head/foot end and might end up rubbing the tarp.

**pgibson** · 02-04-2016, 20:00

The Mountain Smith Trekker FX is the pole to use with your RR. They are affordable, work without any modification to the poles, no extra hardwear needed and save you the 9 or so ounces the stock RR poles weigh.

**gunner76** · 02-04-2016, 20:50

I used a set of Wallyworld hiking poles on The Terminator's RR after I forgot to pack her spreader poles. Worked.

**skipcurt** · 02-05-2016, 14:10

I have done that exact thing you ask...the last time I went out. See my post about it here.

Skip

**Brewbud** · 02-05-2016, 14:14

Does anyone make a flip-lock style pole that will work?

**g2outdoors** · 02-05-2016, 15:34

No. The only ones that work without modification are the Mountainsmith monopods.

**OlTrailDog** · 02-05-2016, 18:24

Griz?? has some youtube videos of the process he went through to make a set of poles work. This might work with the BD flip locks. BUT I decided to go with the mountain smith poles because they were $13 apiece and worked without modification. I did decide to spend the $20 for the Warbonnet adaptors for the mountain smith poles that go into the spreader bar holders.