Brett asked about trekking pole connectors.
Josh mentioned combining AGP poles by placing the bottom of one pole into the top of the other.
This reminded me to do some simple tests.
On a recent evening in the Wind River Range I measured 36 mph gusts outside my DuoMid. That was before the front hit. I don't know what the max got to, I didn't want to go out into the sleet, but the DuoMid and my AGPs were really dancing.
It made me wonder how much force is coming down through the pole. So today I set up the 'Mid, placed the pole on a bathroom scale, and tried to keep things plumb with a weighted string.
I set up like I usually do, used Joshes' suggestion, set the poles to 56", noted that the scale read 20#, and took Photo #1.
Then I leaned on the Mid a bit, not much, watched the deflection of the pole, and noted the scale read 40#. I believe the deflections I experienced in the Winds were much more than I applied today.
I re-set the tension on the Mid to match the 40# and took photo #2.
Note the deflection.
In the Winds I actually added my second pole for support just because things were getting a little wild and I was getting a little nervous.
I don't know what any of this Really means, but it does make me think about the limits of trekking poles in large shelters and the consequences of pole failure.
Anyone want to test to destruction?
