"Porch Mode" - Tarp Pole Mod vs. (2) Poles at Tieouts

[thesergeant]

So my poles came yesterday. Quickly assembled them and took them out today for a test run. I was really surprised how stiff these are. There is no way these things are bending under pressure.

[FLRider]

Instead of poles to make your porch, could you use your bike somehow?

It is most definitely doable. I used mine at Ichetucknee Springs last year in just that manner:



It's not very clear (crappy cell phone pic), but the closer guyline on the tarp goes to the seat post on the bike. I then used my rack tie-down to go to a stake, but it would be easy enough to simply take the guyline and wrap it a couple of times around the seat post, then stake it out. If you really wanted to (and were hurting for another pole), you could probably run the other guyline to the handlebar post.

However, it really isn't needed (at least in my experience); usually there are thick enough fallen widowmakers near any good hammocking spot that you can stand a couple up and wrap the guylines around them.

Anyway, hope it helps!