MSR Mini Ground Hog stakes? Anyone?

[Downhill Trucker]

Been using them extensively for a while. Seem to hold as well as original groundhogs but placement is a bit more important. For the most part, you can still bang them in wherever you want. For me, they seem like the perfect stake.

[Atlas918]

I almost bought some on impulse at REI last time I was in there. Then I thought to myself "Dude...you have plenty of tent stakes ".

happens every time I am in REI. I play a game called "Do you really need that?" lol

[Chris K]

I use the mini groundhogs and like them, but they are not my go-to stakes. I think the regular groundhogs are my go-to.

Here is a comparison photos of the mini groundhog compared to the regular groundhog, a hammock forum Y-stake, and a standard alum sheperd hook.

MSR Groundhog stake are 7 1/2 inches
Hammock Forum stake are about 7 1/16 inches
MSR Mini Groundhogs are about 6 inches

[alpineLounger]

I've had a couple issues with them. I've had one pull out under tension. Angle seems to be very important with these shorter models. I'd leave them at home and go with the larger GH, if you needed something bombproof. I've also had good luck with the MSR needle stakes in rocky hard ground.

Mike

[Bubba]

Thanks for all the continues input. I've never used stakes this short I will definitley take the advice given in this thread. I looked at them in the store and just thought hey why not. At least if I use them I can discover their pros and cons and I would always find somewhere to use them if I don't take them backpacking. I also thought when I saw them that they would be a good MSH toggle that can replace a lost or broken stake in a pinch.

[sandyaker]

If you're like me (and I'm sure a lot of us on the forum), you'll eventually end up with a huge collection of different types and lengths of stakes that will have you questioning your sanity. ;-)
Take it easy,
desmobob

A truer statement has never been said.
I actually just bought ANOTHER pack of tent stakes simply because there were on clearance and they were Glow In The Dark. They were pretty light so I figured "What the heck?"
I'm not REALLY crazy am I?

[CheezeBallz]

Dangit! I have almost a dozen mini hogs I was using with my ultralight tent and hoped i could use them with my new blackbird. Whats a good stake for deluxe size tarps? I am a hammock noob and still trying to figure this out before hammock arrives.

[Gunnerfan]

+1 on the Mini Ground Hogs. I have used them for my blackbird extensively, and never had a problem.

[Black Wolf]

I have been experimenting with shorter stakes for a bit now, I'm using the Easton 6" nano's and what I did to help with the holding ability was on the loop of cord I put a Dutch Ti hook and if the ground was soft I now have the ability to bury that sucker as far in as I can as I hook my tarp line to the hook instead of the stake.

So far it has worked perfectly, only a few times have I had a issue, but I feel if I would have had 8"er's I would have still had a problem (really thick duff). But a log and some rocks fixed that right up.

That's a great idea. Another use for Dutchware!

I use Dutch's Flyz ..