My tent pole snapped mid-trip on the Appalachian Trail last weekend

I was setting up camp near the Springer Mountain shelter when my main pole just cracked in half. It was one of those cheap aluminum poles on a 4-season tent I bought used 3 years ago for $80. I ended up using a hiking stick and some duct tape to prop it up for the night. Has anyone else had luck fixing a broken pole with a repair sleeve or is that just temporary junk?

3 comments

3 Comments

amy_craig2829d ago

Oh man, I once used a ski pole and zip ties to rig my tent after a windstorm, worked better than you'd think.

pat_moore29d ago

That ski pole trick is clever, but I feel like zip ties are a bit too brittle for tent duty in a real storm. I'd rather just use some paracord and a solid stick (y'know, the old-fashioned way) for something that won't snap under pressure.

owens.anthony29d ago

Zip ties can actually handle WAY more tension than people give them credit for, especially the heavy duty ones. But you gotta be smart about it. The trick is to keep them out of direct UV for too long because sun makes them brittle. Pat's right that paracord is more forgiving for long term use. But in a pinch after a windstorm, zip ties are perfect for a quick fix because you dont need to tie any knots. I've used them on my grooming shop canopy more times than I can count.