[pct-l] Tarp poles

[Diane Soini]

There's not much of So Cal that is barren of sticks. But your chances of finding the perfect stick aren't 100% either. I believe the Ray Jardine way was to begin searching for sticks in the late afternoon. Many people sleep out under the stars most of the time in So Cal so your need for a stick will not be 100% of the nights.

The carbon fiber tarp poles you are considering are probably adequate.

And in case anyone is thinking there's no rain in the desert, my personal history goes against that idea:

- 2008 San Felipe Hills, before and after Wrightwood. 
- 2009 Mojave Desert floor, Jawbone Canyon, Spanish Needle area and Kennedy Meadows. 
- 2010 near San Francisquito canyon. 
- 2010 or 2011 San Jacinto. 
- 2012 Deep creek and Mojave dam area.

On Mar 16, 2014, at 10:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

> Message: 1
> Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 12:05:02 -0600
> From: Landy Figueroa <landykf at gmail.com>
> Subject: [pct-l] Tarp poles
> 
> Hi group,
> I have a question.  I have been setting up my tarp at home with old ski
> poles, but will definitely not be carrying these for my trip, and hiking
> poles KILL my wrists, so I'm not carrying those either.  I anticipate being
> able to find sticks once we get into pinyon/juniper habitat types, then
> throughout the Sierras and beyond, but am not sure about the desert.  Is
> there a way to improvise tarp poles in the desert (stiff agave leaves?), or
> should I bite the bullet and get some carbon fiber tarp poles from Zpacks?
> I don't think I order and  receive poles from Fibraplex soon enough for my
> start date.  Thanks!
> Landy