Walking Poles as a Clothes Line Support?

When you're on a multi-day hiking or backpacking trip, wet gear is an inevitable reality. Whether it's rain-soaked clothing, a damp towel, or a sweaty shirt, the ability to properly dry items is crucial for comfort, hygiene, and safety. While many specialized gadgets exist, one of the most ingenious and simple solutions is already in your hands: your trekking poles. Transforming them into a sturdy clothesline support is a classic piece of hiker ingenuity that maximizes the utility of your gear and minimizes what you need to carry.

Why It Works: The Perfect Backcountry Engineering

Trekking poles are uniquely suited for this task due to their fundamental design. They are:

• Strong and Rigid: Made from aluminum or carbon fiber, they can support the weight of wet clothing without bending.
• Adjustable: Their telescopic nature allows you to set the perfect height for your clothesline.
• Portable: You're already carrying them, so they add zero extra weight to your pack for this function.
• Stable: The tips are designed to dig into the ground, and the included baskets can prevent them from sinking too deeply in soft soil.

How to Set Up Your Improvised Clothesline

A successful setup requires a bit of technique to ensure it's stable and effective.

1. Gather Your Materials: You will need your two trekking poles and a length of parachute cord or lightweight utility rope (20-30 feet is ideal). Many hikers always carry a small bundle of paracord for such situations.
2. Choose and Prepare the Site: Select a flat, open area if possible. Clear any sharp rocks or sticks that might damage your gear or the rope. Ideally, find a spot with some afternoon sun and a breeze to aid in drying.
3. Plant the Poles: Extend your poles to their full length or a height that allows you to comfortably hang items without them touching the ground. Plant them firmly in the ground, angled away from each other to form a wide, stable "V" shape. The baskets are particularly useful here, acting like snowshoes to prevent the poles from sinking into soft ground.
4. Secure the Line: Tie one end of your rope securely to one pole, just below the grip. Run the rope to the second pole and tie it off at the same height, pulling the line taut. A simple taut-line hitch is perfect for this, as it allows you to easily tighten the line if it sags later.
5. Hang Your Gear: Use clothespins (a few lightweight ones are a worthy luxury) or simply drape items over the line. For socks and smaller items, you can also hang them directly from the pole's straps or grips.

Advanced Setups and Pro Tips

• The Tripod: For even greater stability in very soft ground or windy conditions, you can create a tripod by using two poles together on one end, splayed out, and a single pole on the other.
• The Single-Pole "T": If you only have one pole available, you can still create a serviceable line by tying one end of the rope to a tree and using your single pole as the other support, creating a "T" shape.
• The Lean-To Dryer: In camp, you can also lean your poles against a tree or rock wall and hang items directly from the grips, baskets, and straps to create a multi-level drying rack.
• Avoid Damage: Be mindful not to put excessive lateral force on the poles, as this could stress the locking mechanisms. The load should be primarily vertical.

A Testament to Multi-Use Gear

This simple hack embodies the core philosophy of lightweight backpacking: every item should serve multiple purposes. Your trekking poles are no longer just tools for stability and propulsion; they are the structural framework of your camp's utility system. By mastering this skill, you not only solve a practical problem but also deepen your self-reliance in the wilderness. The next time you pull into camp with damp gear, look at your poles not just as walking aids, but as the key to a warmer, drier, and more comfortable night under the stars.