GoLite Hex 3

The single Fibraplex .292 pole will not work for a Mid. -Way to flimsy.

I stopped selling even the short 42" ones for solo sized tarps.

-Ron

See ya'll at TrailDays Thur- Sun

Agreed. The Fibraplex poles are great when curved but not stiff enough for a long, straight support- certainly not for a Hex.

Doug

I had Josh at Ti-Goat make me an adjustable CF pole for my Hex 3. Comes in at 4 oz and is very nice.

Ed

What did that set you back?

The pole that comes with the Hex3 weighs more like 14 oz. It's pretty beefy.

In addition to the pole above, the Hex also comes with a short aluminum pole extension piece that is about 16 inches long that fits in the end of a trekking pole and works really good. It weighs about 1.5 to 2.0 oz if I recall correctly. That might be what you are thinking about. You can of course link two trekking poles together but the extension piece works a little better in my opinion.

Finaly, if you have overhead trees you can suspend the hex from a line tied to a branch overhead. I have not tried this myself but various tests I've seen indicate it is not as strong of a setup if there will be really strong winds.

I saw the Aluminum extension that Golite sells on their website. Obviously that would get the job done, but I'm still wondering if there is something lighter. Anyone seen this in titanium, or carbon fiber? I was also thinking of buying the windscreen type titanium foil and rolling a piece just big enough to catch the end of a hiking pole then sealing it with JB Weld or something. Can I get an additional 16" or so out of that contraption?

I have a Hex 3. I've also rigged up my trekking poles so that I can use them instead.

It's important to realize that the load on the pole can be enormous. Roughly 11 times the average tension on each of the tie-downs if everything is tight. I put a very impressive bend in my trekking poles one time.

I also have a Hex 3 and have set it up with Leki Ultralight Ti poles just to see what would happen. The load on them is indeed enornmous but it looks like the system will work. I will try it in the field. The review of the Hex on this site used it with that setup.

I'm right in the middle of making my new Cuben Mid and now I'm concerned that my 2.5 oz carbon poles won't be able to hold up to the increased loads on the strapped together poles.
Anyone else using ultralite carbon poles on there mids?
I think Ryan's group used some 2.7 to 3.0 oz poles on there mid during the big hike if I'm not mistaken ?

After seeing the awkward angles which my heavy aluminum Black Diamond pole bent to while staking down a Hex 3, and again seeing it contort and twist under heavy wind loading, I'm not sure I would advise a carbon pole for such a purpose. If I'm not mistaken carbon tends to be stronger than aluminum, but also more brittle, especially in cold temperatures. I would hate to be sleeping under my Hex 3 in the middle of winter and have the pole shatter due to a higher than expected wind load. Just due to the design characteristics of a mid, the center pole will be under considerable load (much more, I expect, than would be generated while using a pole for walking). I'm sure pitching the Hex over a carbon pole is possible, but you would probably want to go easy on the guy out tension and set it up behind a wind break if at all possible.

That's why the 'mid can work out so well for snow camping—-you can dig in the tent and build wind deflecting walls (good for a cooking area, as well). It can be a much stronger shelter in Winter. I actually have never used a 'mid (a mega light) for anything but multi-day backcountry ski trips. I've used the BD pole link converter adaptor w/ my BD Traverse Poles. This is an item that could be improved by the avid MYOG'er.

In any case, site selection for the 'mid is very important—it's not a freestanding mtneering tent—and not nearly as forgiving.

The Ti-Goat pole was $65. I would trust it easily as much as the factoy pole. Much more stable than using the extension and a treking pole.
I sewed a fiberglass stove boot into my Hex 3 for a wood stove, so wanted something bomber but lighter than the origional.

Ed

The extender weighs in at 1.7ounces on my scale. I use it with a Leki Makalu Titanium Pole with no issues.

Ed,
How is the stove in the Hex 3? I have wanted to do the stove boot and Ti Goat small stove in it, but have been chicken to do so. Is there still room for 2 and gear when you have the stove in there? Would you care to share some insight based on your experience(s) with this? It would be much appreciated.

-Chris

Kevin,

Is it possible to post a picture of your cuben "Mid?"

Dave, email me.
Doc Wallenburg
bwallenburg@yahoo.com