Branches instead of Poles?

[ndbwhunter]

I'm thinking about leaving the tent pole(s) at home and just using branches to pitch my tent. What are your thoughts on this? I don't have poles for the mountainsmith, and my trekking poles aren't adjustable, so I would have to use branches for that one anyways. My other option is a pyramid tent with a single 65" center pole. What are the chances of finding a semi straight 65" branch that isn't 6"+ in diameter?

 

[Tuscor]

Depends on where you're camping... clearly above the treeline you may have issues, but if there are pines/conifers/birch/alders around then finding a decent straight-ish pole should not be too much of an issue.

If you can only find thicker poles then consider splitting them (either with a hatchet or batoning with knife).

I dont carry poles for my tarp (which I set up as an A-frame using two sticks). I find it easier to get the straight poles in the UK where I use hazel or pine, but when I am home in Australia there are less sticks around where I hunt (Flinders Ranges) so I usually just bivvy out without a tarp or bring a tent with poles.

 

[ndbwhunter]

Depends on where you're camping... clearly above the treeline you may have issues, but if there are pines/conifers/birch/alders around then finding a decent straight-ish pole should not be too much of an issue.

If you can only find thicker poles then consider splitting them (either with a hatchet or batoning with knife).

I dont carry poles for my tarp (which I set up as an A-frame using two sticks). I find it easier to get the straight poles in the UK where I use hazel or pine, but when I am home in Australia there are less sticks around where I hunt (Flinders Ranges) so I usually just bivvy out without a tarp or bring a tent with poles.

Thanks for the reply. I won't be hunting above timberline, so access to trees shouldn't be an issue. I'm contemplating bringing a saw with, so using branches instead of poles gives me one more reason to pack the saw since I won't have the added weight of the pole(s).

 

[charvey9]

Depends a lot on where you hunt, but I think it could be tough to find anything laying around of that length that would support the tent. In other words you would probably have to cut down a small live tree to get something suitable. If you don't already carry a hatchet or saw in your kit, it may just be easier to get a dedicated tent pole.

Check out Ruta Locura. I got a 4 piece adjustable pole for my Cimmarron that goes all the way out to 72" and weighs in at just under 6oz.

http://www.rutalocura.com/Tent_Poles.html

 

[justin davis]

I've used sticks in a Kifaru supertarp plenty of times. Worked well

 

[rayporter]

i have cut a pole for years. [ like 15 years] usually use an old glove to protect the top of the tipi.

the 12 man -i carry the pole.

 

[ndbwhunter]

Depends a lot on where you hunt, but I think it could be tough to find anything laying around of that length that would support the tent. In other words you would probably have to cut down a small live tree to get something suitable. If you don't already carry a hatchet or saw in your kit, it may just be easier to get a dedicated tent pole.

Check out Ruta Locura. I got a 4 piece adjustable pole for my Cimmarron that goes all the way out to 72" and weighs in at just under 6oz.

http://www.rutalocura.com/Tent_Poles.html

Have you had any issues with the carbon fiber pole in strong winds? I have a 3 section aluminum pole for the pyramid tent, but I'm not a fan of the length when collapsed.

 

[charvey9]

Have you had any issues with the carbon fiber pole in strong winds? I have a 3 section aluminum pole for the pyramid tent, but I'm not a fan of the length when collapsed.

Can't say that I've tested it in strong winds, but it should hold up fine. It is .600 carbon fiber and beefier than a trekking pole.

 

[Hunt'nFish]

These are the things I pay attention when scouting an area pre-season.
I use a modest sized 14x14 Beckel TT tipi w/ the horses and if we have a tree pole we cut a few years back that we go hide & retrieve each year. It's much stiffer than the sectioned alum pole & allows for a tighter pitch, and we left a few of the limbs 3-4" long to hang clothes off of, as well as the lantern, etc.

My advise, get a cheap $20-30 set of trekking poles that are adjustable and go scout it. Or cut a couple walking sticks on the way in and then finish cut them once you get onsite & go to pitch the Mountainsmith.

I will say this.... I have the Mountainsmith LT as well and I usually, at some point, end up adjusting the poles a little longer to tighten up the pitch. Or I end up moving a pole to make more room for me. Personally I'd want adj poles, just less hassles when you want to make changes.

But yes you can cut sticks/poles on site, but they may not be perfect and you might have to resort to shimming them up w/ a flat rock to tighten pitch. I'd cut them a little long, say 3", and start with pitch that has the poles leaned/canted off at the bottom. And as the fabric relaxes you can straighten the poles up to tighten pitch.
Hope this help put a couple thoughts in your head.
Hunt'nFish

 

[Colberjs]

I just got the Mountainsmith so I don't remember if it has the option or not but some tents have the option of tying them up from an overhead branch in place of the upright pole on the inside.

 

[kpk]

I was kind of in the same situation. I ended up getting easton backcountry trek poles on camofire for 52 shipped (today). I didn't really want to go with poles but for 50 bucks I think it's worth it. I'd gladly pay 50 bucks if I had to search for an hour every time to find a proper branch

 

[ScottP]

I just got the Mountainsmith so I don't remember if it has the option or not but some tents have the option of tying them up from an overhead branch in place of the upright pole on the inside.

I have the mountainsmith. In CO, I used it during archery season and never took poles. In fact, I never had to cut any with a saw either, just found some good looking pieces of dead wood and busted them with a good stomp (dead wood is readily available in most of northern CO due to beetle killed trees or if you're in near an aspen stand there always seemed to be good poles available). And yes, you can suspend the LT without poles. I've done it with the rear quite often and actually like this better as the pole distance on that tarp requires me to pick one side to sleep, and sometimes I want to lay in a direction that is slightly off the axis pole-to-pole. If you suspend it with an external pole or ridge line, you have a ton more freedom at your foot end.