I know I made this thread before, but the previous thread were about stakes. I came across an old tip on Backpackers about tying guy-lines to rocks or sticks then burying it a foot under the ground. Thought that would have been interesting if you find yourself on a ridge expose to a hard blowing wind. Anyone tried this?
Digging four (or more) holes a foot deep? No thanks.
"We're the Sultans of Swing."
The bury method works well in sand. It works great in snow, but tie the knot above top of snow to avoid cutting the line when the snow turns into a block of ice.
In general, I would try to get off the ridge line, instead of camping in the wind.
Rick (Risk) Website: http://www.imrisk.com
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i would personally not camp on a exposed ridge, but thats just me
What if it was the only choice?Originally Posted by A.Bottoms
A lot of my trips in the Smokies are near ridges and mountain tops, and you can only camp at designated campsites. Normally I'd carry a tent, but with investment in hammock I'd like get more usage out of it.
good point but where i live the closest thing to an "exposed ridge" is a highway over pass lolWhat if it was the only choice?
Where I'm at, if you're on a ridge, you need a jackhammer to get a foot deep!
Will definitely keep the tip in mind if I find myself in that situation, thanks for passing it along.
The mountains are calling
and I must go...
-John Muir
+1 to the jackhammer. I have used this technique in snow. Also have tied guylines to large rocks that have enough weight to not require burying but never have dug 1' holes in the dirt/rock.
I did 2 yrs of almost non stop hiking. There were many nights I could not get a weather report on my weather radio. So, I always would find large rocks and place them on the 4 corners of my tarp. On the AT, they're easy to find. I'm talking about rocks maybe 10 to 20 pounds at the most. It took me 10 to 15 mins each night at the most. I guess it's the ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, way of thinking for me.
Last edited by OneThing; 03-03-2013 at 03:50. Reason: Spelling
You know, I've spent a few nights on exposed ridges w/pretty major storms/wind going through and never had a problem w/stakes being pulled out. I've been known to place some heavy rocks on top of my stakes for extra reinforcement, but I'd never in a million years dig holes and bury them, at least not on AT-like terrain. You'd be there a while, especially if it's rocky or if the Earth has a very shallow dirt layer on top of rock. I suppose it makes sense for sand and high wind though.
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