Using a tent on the Overland Track

[leeharrison]

Hi everyone, I'm about to walk the track in a weeks time and was wondering in how to attach my tent to the platforms on the track. I read some where that you need some form of rope to attach to your guide lines to the platforms (and now can not find where I read this), if anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Snowzone]

There is usually adjustable steel cables attached to the platforms that you rig to your tent where you would normally put a peg in. Some tents sit really well on platforms and others not so well and some platforms have attachment points just where you want them others dont. So its a good idea to have a few pieces of cord with you to be able to loop through cables that may not stretch far enough etc. I've often found nails driven in along the sides of platforms that are good to loop something over as well.
Enjoy the walk.

[gayet]

Another option is to take a few cup hooks with you. Screw them into the gap between planks (does less damage) and hook your guys onto them. Remove them when you leave obviously, to use at the next platform. Negligable weight penalty, but easy to lose in the pack so keep them with the tent in its stuff sack.

[leeharrison]

Thanks people that helps a lot!

[frank]

Hi. I have found a combination of using the nails provided along the platform edge and tent pegs (squeezed into the gaps between the planks) works well. I haven't needed to struggle with the adjustable steel cables. I carry a couple 'c shaped' skinny pegs to wedge the normal-sized tent peg. Fast, easy.

[Nuts]

Big split pins (bent to suit) work well.. or cuphooks. The first thing i'd do is tuck all those wires out of the way they can be a real hazard.

[Bubbalouie]

Another option is to take a few cup hooks with you. Screw them into the gap between planks (does less damage) and hook your guys onto them. Remove them when you leave obviously, to use at the next platform. Negligable weight penalty, but easy to lose in the pack so keep them with the tent in its stuff sack.

What size if you don't mind my asking (as in what diameter/size thread, I'm heading out next week and this sounds like a good option but cup hooks come in a few sizes.

(First time on the OLT)

[gayet]

I have a few sizes - roughly 3.0cm diameter hook with 15mm long screw thread and 3mm dia thread, or slightly smaller in all dimensions (about 2.5cm dia hook). Large enough to fit between planks but not so large as to be unable to screw into the gap. Strong enough to tension the tent. I just bought a couple of packets at the hardware shop.

Hope that helps. You still need tent pegs as cup hooks don't hold well in boggy ground

[Bubbalouie]

I have a few sizes - roughly 3.0cm diameter hook with 15mm long screw thread and 3mm dia thread, or slightly smaller in all dimensions (about 2.5cm dia hook). Large enough to fit between planks but not so large as to be unable to screw into the gap. Strong enough to tension the tent. I just bought a couple of packets at the hardware shop.

Hope that helps. You still need tent pegs as cup hooks don't hold well in boggy ground

Thanks, I'll be sure to pack regular pegs too :p

[norts]

I tried fairly small ones that I can screw into any crack in the timber. Worked fairly well.
Hardly ever use them as it is nearly always possible to play around with the cables to make them work, sometimes you just think outside the box to the way you use the cables.

Roger