Yea they take awhile to get use to all right, and I agree placing the poles together and sliding them in can be a royal pain, wish I could offer you some nifty tip. But alas I still cuss a little putting them in especially when its windy and raining.

You do have to be careful of the fabric tubes the poles slide in, as they will tear if get frustrated and force them..................Nay I never did that right.

They are great in the fact you can erect them in a nice open area, then just lift it up and move it to where you want it. They also are amazing in windy situations, none of that flapping of lose tent material, or worse tent collapsing.

Hey a handy item I always carry with me for any fabric, boot, back-pack repairs is a Sewing Awl USA link http://www.buckshotscamp.com/Sewing-Awl-Speedy-Stitcher-Sales.htm

Don't want to let this thread die off just yet. Hiking's one of my favorite topics.

This is a hike we're planning this coming April (you have to cut and paste the whole URL)
http://bunnypancakes.stanford.edu/photos/2004-09-Kauai/16-Nu'aloloTrailLoop/event.html

That's the exact same route we'll be taking, along the three trails (total of around 9 miles). That's actually one mile short of the longest hike we've done on that island near the same area.

If we ever do all of Kalalau Trail (also on Kauai), that'll be 24 miles RT. So far we've only hiked 2 miles of it, and another 2 inland. I hope to do a bit more this trip, maybe 6 or 8 miles RT.

Those are stunning views John. What a magnificent area of our planet That path looks really treacherous up there.

Here's some pics of a trail that reminds me of...the Otter trail. It's a five day walk over relatively short distances each day (about 5 or 8 miles a day) but over fairly steep terrain. I've walked it 3 or 4 times and combined it with the Tsitsikama forest trail...which then makes a circular walk of 10 days when combined. Although there are little cabins to overnight in (see the second pic) I've sometimes carried a tent and done it over 3 days when I've had a fit companion and then 3 days for the Tsitsikama...just saves time and gets one to some incredible spots. Besides, the bungalows sleep a total of 10 folk (5 each) and it can real noisy there





This waterfall falls right into the sea and is a great tea or lunch stop





Interesting thing about the Otter trail is that there's an underwater trail marked out in the ocean alongside the hiking trail, for scuba divers. It's much shorter obviously and there's no overnight huts for them so it's a "day trail" really.

Wow, that's a beauty.