Sil -tarp with center pole-securing wrap...

[cynhikr]

I remember seeing online a tarp made by a cottage co. that offered a center pole securing system that used crossed velcro straps (or something similar) to hold a hiking pole in place in the center of the tarp. For the life of me I cannot locate the details now.
Can anyone shed some light on my quest please?

Thanks,
Kurt

[Snowleopard]

http://owareusa.com/images/poleconnectorweb05.JPG
I think I've seen somebody else with the same idea.

[cynhikr]

Thanks!
What I am referring to, though, is a method where the handle end of the hiking pole is secured to the center of the tarp (with the pointy end on the ground)- the velcro mounting straps were/are fastened to the tarp and basically wrapped around the butt end of the handle, securing it in place. Kinda like a four-legged octopus.

[Snowleopard]

Oops, I should read better. Velcro to fasten the hiking pole to the tarp I haven't seen. Post it if you find it, so we can see why it's worth doing that way.

[grayfox]

Kurt, I think you might find that this http://www.cookecustomsewing.com/images/tundratarpsetup.pdf site from Cook Custom Sewing will show you how to do a center pole attachment for your tarp. This is made with webbing though so maybe it is not quite what you want. I did this on my homemade tarp and it works well. I tie the loops together around the polewith a long line and then stake the line down so that the tarp and pole are both anchored to the ground together. This is very good security in windy conditions. Hope this helps.

[cynhikr]

Thanks, Grayfox - that's the method I had seen. I must have 'googled' every imaginable combination of words to try and pin it down, to no avail.
By the way....
Do you feel that using velcro to sort of 'wrap' the head of the hiking pole would be advantagous, or do like the method you used?

Thanks again! I owe you a beer!
kurt

[grayfox]

Well, I will take you up on that beer if our trails ever cross.

I'm not sure that velcro on the pole would help much and might just be a pain to use. But you could attach it to the loops and just wrap it onto itself once the pole is in place. I learned about this method of tarp support from Cliff Jacobson. It works well when you use a canoe paddle because it keeps the paddle from landing on your head when the wind gets under the tarp. That is where the long line to a stake in the ground comes in handy.

I make two loops of 1" gross grain ribbon, fold them in half, and sew them at right angles to a 6" square of fabric. 20" ribbons make about 5" octopus(quatropus?)legs. I seam seal the stitching on the back of the square and then sew the square to the tarp and seam seal the stitching on the outside of the tarp. You can just sew the loops to the tarp if you sew them at a seam. With the patch you can sew the loops anywhere without damaging the tarp. I use a small tarp so I offset the patch to give me more usable space on one side of the tarp rather than having the pole in the middle. This also gives me a bit more head room to sit up comfortably.

Another easy way to do this is to use a small stuff sack, like a stake bag or travel umbrella case, that is large enough to fit over the hiking pole handle, and sew it to your tarp by the bottom edge. So you just tighten the cinch cord and you are done.

[cynhikr]

Grayfox,
Thanks for the input.
My dad, a Marquette grad, spoke highly of your area.
If you can't wait until you get to Arizona for that beer, my rafting buddy Paul owns Central Waters Brewing up in Amherst - if you're ever going up that way, let me know, I'll give him a call and get you hooked up.

[Wags]

there's been talk of a pole spreader for a tarp going on over at www.hammockforums.net (http://www.hammockforums.net)

you may find more info there

[cynhikr]

there's been talk of a pole spreader for a tarp going on over at www.hammockforums.net (http://www.hammockforums.net)

you may find more info there

Thanks Wags! I used the 'search' feature there but was unable to find the discussion,. Can you help?

Thanks,
kurt

[Wags]

cyn i saw bits of it on here:

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=14157&page=3

but that's not the full picture. i'm sure if you inquire about it you'll get some feedback. there's quite a few elite tarp makers on that site who definitely do special orders