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HMG UltaMid2 Center Pole

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Jorge Falcon BPL Member
PostedMay 20, 2014 at 11:36 am

I have a HMG UltaMid2 and so far I've done well dealing with intermediate weather conditions, a little snow and moderate winds. I've got a question for experts in mid&tarp-shelters with respect to the center pole, which option would you prefer if faced with high winds? (Note: the UltaMid requires a height of about 160cm)

1) Tie two UL trekking poles (eg. Yana, LT4) .
     Pros: super light.
     Cons: may break in high winds (or on the trail).

2) Take an aluminum pole (method suggested by Andrew Skurka) .
     Pros: very sturdy (and will not break on-trail, ever).
     Cons: heavy, not re-using your gear.

3) Use stronger trekking poles (eg. Apine Crock) .
     Pros: lighter than #2 more resistant than #1, multiple-use gear.
     Cons: not as strong as #2, heavier than #1.
    
Personally I'm in now at #1 because I use my Diamond UltraDistance trekking poles. However, I find myself reflecting on the possible risks that could run in the event of a major storm and thinking to turn to option #2. (Note : I will not take my mid to Alaska or Patagonia, so by storm I do not mean really extreme conditions, just high winds and maybe some snow).

Thanks for your suggestions!

Derrick Whit.e BPL Member
PostedMay 20, 2014 at 12:01 pm

Hi Jorge,

I used 2 rutlocura poles – note you do not need to strap these together. The top section of one inserts into the tops section of the other to create a longer mid pole. It worked very well, but regrettably they did not hold up to backcountry hiking. I broke both off in one trip.

My solution was to have RL build me a single pole which can also be used as a river crossing staff and of course a tenkara fishing rod.

Please see this link for details: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=85049

Derrick

Jorge Falcon BPL Member
PostedMay 24, 2014 at 11:22 am

Thanks Derrick!

Yeah i've heard a lot of stories of people breaking their super lightweight poles… never happened to me but perhaps I don't hike that much. How did you manage to sleep once you broke them?

Derrick Whit.e BPL Member
PostedMay 27, 2014 at 3:10 pm

Hey Jorge,

Once I broke them I suspended the apex of the tent from a line tied between two trees. It worked so well, that's what I did for the rest of the trip. The trees can be very far apart. Simply thread the line through the suspension hoop and tie to 2 trees, about 6 feet up each one you can adjust the height very precisely It also gives a great taught pitch.

With that said, whenever I can I prefer to camp on a river bed with view so still need a stick or pole of some type. The great hing about a mid is you can easily cut a pole the height you need to act as a pole. or at least you can in the backcountry – likely not a public trail.

Derrick

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