As you say Simon work backwards from your erection procedure. The canopy pole has to be the last to allow you to get out of the tent. We take all the pegs out first (except the central canopy webbing belt, unzip the tent poles and drop them one by one. Not sure on the best order to drop the poles as we have only 2 in our 320, but as you said reverse what you did for erecting.
The hard part is folding the tent for packing. We have done it many times and it always seems different. Try to get the tent in as square a shape as possible (not that easy with the porch, but it does help when you fold it.
Some years ago we were in the Ardeche with our old Cabanon frame tent and were packing and being watched by a Geordie from another pitch. I commented about never seeming to pack it the same way. He said "Lad I've seen more divorces from packing tents than anything. Take a tip and dont talk to each other!" It seems to work.
Good luck with the packing.
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So its the front pole first, i do remember this debate before. Although it sounds trivial its not, another member managed to damage his tent by putting the wrong one up first due to the weight of the canvas on the single pole while pushing it into place.
Francais - the poles are 1mm, however many times I measured them they still came back the same. It's very strange having poles so light having camped in a Monty 6 for 5 years. No1 son is now making use of my antiquated Wild Country Quasar which has ali poles so brings back memories of lightweight poles albeit MUCH lighter!
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Hi GS.
Thanks for that, the 1mm Poles have proved fine for the Biscaya apart from some very early reported issues, which may have been from user pitching error, rather than the Poles not being upto the job.
The 1.5mm thick Poles used for the Awaya range is of course due to the extra weight of the "Cotton" canvas, especialy in the wet.
The Poles of the Biscaya are at there most vunerable when pitching, even the Steel Poles of my "Cotton" Biscaya are not immune, it's just a case of taking your time, and pitching as per instructions, and all will be well, as I am sure you have found.
Just a word of warning on the poles. Be careful when you are depitching and removing the canopy pole, especially if it is wet, that you don't twist the pole as you are pulling it through the canvas. I don't know how but we must have inadvertanly done it and the steel button tore the aluminium of the pole and created a jagged edge which made a small tear in the canvas before we realised what was happening. Luckily it wasn't too bad and I have filed the jagged bit and put black electrical tape around so now its fine.
Enjoy your lovely new tent.
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