Best tent stake for frozen ground ?

[pizza]

I like SMC snow stakes (providing there is snow )

I attach a bright cord to the top so you can find them later, and when used as an anchor, tie the loose end to the pointy end of the stake.

Bury them horizontally and pank the snow down over it. Let them sit for a short while so the snow can consolidate. Attach the guyline as shown. after a day or so, you may need a shovel to get them out!



Shown in vertical mode:


High wind test with shallow snow depth:

Wow, I learned something. I never thought of tying a separate loop of line to the stake that comes up out of the snow and then connecting the tarp line to that. I'm gonna have to try that. I always tied the tarp line directly to the stake and burying it. That works but your idea seems much better. I use prussics to tension my tarp at the tarp end of the line.

[OutandBack]

I think I'll try a set of the MSR Groundhog stakes. Thanks everyone for your input and ideas.

[Barefoot Child]

Good luck with the groundhog stakes. If the ground really is frozen then other options are probably the better way to go. HYOH

[optimator]

Something else that works great in snow are the small plastic grocery bags. Tie off to the handles, fill with snow & bury them. They don't weigh much and have lots of other uses.

[Barefoot Child]

The plastic grocery bag trick is a very good one to remember, and to use IMHO.
Have used it for years, very economical, and good multi-purpose use of an item.
Just remember to practice LNT and be sure to not let any of those plastics get away in the woods,
and pack them out with your other trash.

[BurningCedar]

I always carry a single titanium nail peg in my collection of stakes. You can use it to create a starter-hole for your preferred stakes. Works pretty well in frozen or rocky earth as you can hammer the heck out of it without it bending.

[Greg Dunlap]

i use a rock or heavy downed tree branch, or a tree trunk, when the ground is frozen

I stay home and use Jack Daniel's to keep my blood flowing when the ground is frozen.

[MAD777]

I always carry a single titanium nail peg in my collection of stakes. You can use it to create a starter-hole for your preferred stakes. Works pretty well in frozen or rocky earth as you can hammer the heck out of it without it bending.

+1 on the ti nail peg. At least one is always in my kit, no matter what the season.

[BrianWillan]

I always carry a single titanium nail peg in my collection of stakes. You can use it to create a starter-hole for your preferred stakes. Works pretty well in frozen or rocky earth as you can hammer the heck out of it without it bending.

Greetings

This is the exact technique that was suggest by the instructor at the winter camping course I took this weekend.

When I asked why not just use the nails as your tent stakes, they said that getting them back out would be a problem due to the ice and snow that would accumulate on them.

Cheers

Brian