Central pole for Ultamid 2 – CNOC trekking pole

I often (almost every time) use an additional rock to add height and a more stable base for my poles in my mid tarp. Pole straps would be more annoying than a pole jack or just grabbing a rock, imo.

I’ve had an Ultamid 4 for years. In my opinion, you want pretty stout trekking poles for the support. I’ve used two BD distance carbon poles strapped together and it was not confidence inspiring. If you were going to use a single pole, I think you want it to be a very stout one. Most trekking poles get flimsier when you use them at their max extended length.

My advice: unless you plan to only camp in fair weather with little wind exposure, I’d use two fairly stout hiking poles and figure out your preferred method for strapping them together so that you get some overlap between the poles to add strength.

These work well if you have the right size and type of trekking poles.  Basically an extension piece that fits in your pole.  One type links two poles and the other will extend one pole. I use them for a two pole setup for my mid tent.

https://luxe-hiking-gear.com/products/trekking-pole-extension-section

A UK backpacking site sells them

https://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/shelter-accessories/YA113.html

https://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/shelter-accessories/YA112.html

Look around on the site, I think they sell a narrower extension piece as well if you have thinner poles.

https://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/shelter-accessories.html

I had a Duomid XL for a short while and felt like it was capable of putting some heavy loads on the trekking pole. I decided to use two Voile ski straps to lash my BD Alpine Carbon Cork poles together. They felt very strong when strapped together. I also experimented with ~10’ of 3mm cord with a couple of loops about 1/3 of the way from each end to capture the tips. Then the tails were used to lash the poles together. This was lighter but I liked the simplicity of the straps.   Send me a PM if you want to go this route Mauricio. I might have the straps around still.

I’ve read that the peak stress on a pole supporting a mono-peak mid is about 1/3 down from the top, so you might consider that when lashing.

Overall, it depends on how much weather you are preparing for. Moderate winds and two poles lashed together should suffice. Strong winds (35+ or so mph) and you might want a thick, dedicated pole. In the UK, guys that use the 135cm-tall Hexpeak will put two trekking poles side to side during gales.

I actually prefer an A-Frame pole configuration with a mono-peak mid. If you’re traveling with another person also using poles, you can lash 2+2 and connect them at the peak with a DPTE-type connector. This opens the space tremendously and, I think, offers a stronger setup than if you’d just put two lashed poles up the center. The A-Frame stiffens the structure a great deal, from two sides anyway. The legs of one side of the A should be angled into the wind, if that is an option. If you have apex guys, the two perpendicular to the A should be deployed. Stabilizing the apex (poles in two directions, guys in the other two) like this takes some stress off the perimeter stakes and should reduce panel deflection where the wind is strongest.