Silly tarp and pole question...

[InspiredRamblings]

I have a SilTarp2, which has quite sizeable tieout loops (rather than gromits). I can see how these tieouts would fit over the thin end of a walking pole and hold tight against the foot, but this wouldn't work with a tarp pole as there is no wider foot for the loop to hold tight against. So for a tarp like this, how do people attach their poles? The same question goes for placing the pole 'inside' the tarp - the pole ends are pretty narrow and I'd be worried that they'd damage the tarp if the pole was just pushed up inside the tarp with no protection. Is there some kind of sleeve or end cap that I can get to protect the tarp from the end of the pole?

Thanks

[Bearbonesnorm]

Sock, hat, etc over the pole end will protect the tarp if the pole's inside.

The poles I've been making feature this set up:

Guyline clips to hook - loop on tarp goes over pole - hook/line stops loop on tarp slipping or moving.

[InspiredRamblings]

Ok cool. I thought there might be some bit of kit everyone had that I was missing...!

What do you reckon the timescale on your poles is Stu? Was looking at the Gossamer Gear ones you mentioned in your tarp article...

[Bearbonesnorm]

What do you reckon the timescale on your poles is Stu? Was looking at the Gossamer Gear ones you mentioned in your tarp article...

We're still having a few computer issues which means I'm stil unable to add stuff (inc poles) to the shop. I'm really hoping it's all sorted by this time next week.

[chris n]

I've used one of the plastic caps that comes with some threaded gas canisters - open up the vent hole and push it over the tip of my tent pole, then put the loop on the tarp over the top. You can also use them to stop the pole sinking into soft ground. Plastic bottle tops work just as well.