PSA: My trekking pole snapped on the second day of a trip in the Sawtooths

I was coming down a steep section near Alice Lake when the lower section just gave way. It was a carbon fiber pole from a brand I trusted, but it must have had a hidden crack. I had to use my backup tent stake and some duct tape to make a splint just to get through the next 15 miles. Has anyone else had a pole fail like that, and what's a good temporary fix that actually holds up?

3 comments

3 Comments

stellas561mo ago

Saw a guy on YouTube use a tent stake and zip ties for a field repair, looked pretty solid.

reed.terry1mo ago

That tent stake trick is a classic. I've used a big nail and paracord to fix a broken pack frame before. The key is to make a strong triangle shape to stop things from bending. You can even use a stick and duct tape for a quick splint on a tent pole. It's all about using what you have on hand to get you back to camp.

masontorres28d ago

My buddy once fixed a broken kayak paddle with a roll of gorilla tape and a plastic spoon. He wrapped the whole thing up like a mummy. It got him down the river, but the spoon snapped about an hour later. We had to paddle back using just our hands.

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