What else can I use for ‘walking pole’ to prop up my shelter?

There are too many to list. Fiberglass, Graphite (carbon fiber), aluminum (easton) Do a search on “carbon fiber tent poles”(about the best for a straight pole)…you will get a LOT of different options. Ends, connectors, shock cord, are also available.

I had a 450 pole from Ruta Locura that came with a mid I purchased on BPL a while back. I was impressed with the rigidity and weight of the pole. If I were in your situation, I’d probably go this route.

Another option might be using a single trekking pole with all the extraneous bits removed (handle, strap, baskets) to get the weight as low as possible. This might give you really easy adjustability and you could retain the functionality of a pole for water crossings or a descent with a twisted ankle.

I tried the carbon poles for the Zpacks Duplex. They were so flimsy, a light breeze would make the whole tent shake.  Be sure you get something stout.

https://seekoutside.com/carbon-pole-for-trekking-pole-tents/

Two shear lashings turn two shorter sticks into one longer stick.  It also lets you pick the height without having to cut the sticks to length.  25 feet of 130-pound-test braided Dacron line is 6 grams and would be more than enough to join two such sticks together.

Not many of you are going for the elnatural finding a stick….

Mik, Yes, if you are in an area where such sticks are easily found. I have used stuff up to 3″ around, depending on what I find. It seems funny to see such a solid piece of wood holding up a relatively flimsy tarp…
On many western mountains, this is not a real possibility. You would have to find a stick before krummholz and carry it the rest of the way. An average stick is around 8oz. Hauling it up the hill is about the same as hauling a 4oz pole (what my hiking staff weighs) the entire hike.

Tie it up to a tree, or find a stick or two.

Above tree line, I commonly use a rock face and wedge a chockstone into a crack, or pile some rocks tall enough to attach a cord to it.

David’s suggestion of two sticks is a good one and can be made into a bipod which is often the slickest, since it is strong and on many types of shelters it can be set up outside or spread to give more interior space.

A trekking pole doesn’t have to be carried in the hand all the time. You might carry it on your pack most of the time but pull it out for long downhills, setting up your shelter, or fending off wild dogs.