The lighter the better! I use zpacks http://zpacks.com/accessories/stakes.shtml
The lighter the better! I use zpacks http://zpacks.com/accessories/stakes.shtml
I have many types of stakes onhand, but the ones I've been using the most are cheap aluminum gutter nails. Light, relatively strong, cheap and easily found at your local building supply store. I'm sold on them.
You know those cheap little 6" yellow ABS stakes are lighter than the aluminum stakes. They are also cheap, which means if you break one, you don't feel so dejected at the thought of having spent so much on something so trivial.
I guess ive been lucky enough to almost always use the surrounding materials (rocks tree branches end of my canoe) to tie off to.
Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.
Mark Twain
With winter on its way I recommend these steal spikes. http://www.menards.com/main/tools-ha...100-c-8759.htm
4 stakes for less that 2.50 and they will pound through snow and ice with ease and hold great. They weigh quite a bit 8 oz each but wont bend easily or break. I use a pulk to pull my gear in the snow so the weight is not as much of a problem. As for all other warm weather backpacking I prefer sharpened sticks, or roots and branches to anchor too.
Owner and guide at nowoutdoors.org
www.meetup.com/Wilderness-Adventure-Group/
https://www.facebook.com/NickAtNowOutdoors/
I like at least 2 groundhogs and I like my new titanium sheps too. I have bent a lot of those aluminum sheps in my days.
Still using cheap ABS. Very light and visible. Carry one bigger one which goes to the most strained corner and doubles as spool for winding on my ridgeline.
One little trick in getting stakes out. If you carry a plastic trowel, hook the trowel handle under the hook of the stake and pull. Quick work.
I have pretty much stopped carrying any and just use surrounding materials. a little ingenuity and a big rock or a sharp knife and a stick usually solves the problem. plus one less thing to carry and lose. plus it seemed like every time i would bring some they would be the wrong ones
Rick (Risk) Website: http://www.imrisk.com
I cook. I sew. I walk. I lead. I hang. I write. I play.
Author of "A Wildly Successful 200-Mile Hike"
http://www.amazon.com/Wildly-Success.../dp/B00COCI5HW
The no stake revolution is gaining traction!
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