Tarp Porch Mode Poles

[bwg]

I bought Easton .344 nanolite aluminum poles to experiment with porch mode. Each pole is three sections held together by shock cord and capped at both ends with Delrin locking tie offs. Bought the poles and locking ends from this site (fast shipping, bought Monday and arrived Wednesday):

http://www.bearpawwd.com/poles_stakes/poles_stakes.html

The two poles are about 48” long and together weigh 4.5 oz. (about 2.25 oz per pole).

They seem to work very well for porch mode and light enough for bicycle touring.

I was concerned that a simple wrap of guy line would not hold well due to slickness of the aluminum, but since I have shock cord as a tensioner the shock cord wrapped around the pole acts to hold the tarp and pole in place, especially if two or three wraps are used. I found one wrap holds if wrapped around the Delrin end cap, and three wraps hold very well if wrapped lower on the aluminum itself.

For those not familiar with shock cord as tensioner, see the method detailed by headchange4u here (it is very easy to install and works well):

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=3731

Some pictures are attached showing the poles and wrapping. The first two pictures show the poles and tarp in porch mode. The third picture shows guy line wrapping around Delrin end cap, and the fourth shows wrapping around aluminum on pole.