Unexpected Space Launch...

**Ramblinrev** · 02-20-2009, 13:59

I knew it "could" happen. But it hadn't happened yet. Until now. Yep... I launched a total of 5 tarp stakes.

Two went into high orbit landing maybe twenty feet away. The others were not near where they were set but did not reach escape velocity upon launch.

I was using full shock cord, which frankly I thought would be safest... (I know... I should the threads more closely.) But I figure the cord would absorb the movement best and I'd be safe from the countdown syndrome. Alas... such was not the case. It seems the shock cord merely propelled said projectile with greater force. Oh well... No harm done to anything except my pride.

My new winter tarp is going to take some getting used to. I think it behaves very differently than the plain Hex tarp it used to be.

**Rushthezeppelin** · 02-20-2009, 14:29

Least you actually had ground to stake to. I had to weigh my asym pull outs with rocks last night when I went car camping

**KMACK** · 02-20-2009, 14:32

You'll poke your eye out...!

**Cannibal** · 02-20-2009, 15:02

Originally Posted by Ramblinrev

I was using full shock cord, which frankly I thought would be safest... (I know... I should the threads more closely.) But I figure the cord would absorb the movement best and I'd be safe from the countdown syndrome. Alas... such was not the case. It seems the shock cord merely propelled said projectile with greater force.

What, no slingshots when you were a kid?

Just kidding; glad you didn't get hit by anything. What kind of stakes were you using? I haven't had this happen to me yet, but I've sure held my breath a few times when I hear that wind howling.

**Ramblinrev** · 02-20-2009, 15:12

I usually use textured gutter spikes. But last night I thought I would some smooth aircraft aluminum stakes. (at least that's what I think they are. ) Shepard hook kind of things. I don't know if that made a difference or not. I thought with the ground somewhat but not completely frozen they would be easier to set than the gutter spikes.

Yeah I had both slingshots and rubberband guns as a kid. That's why I have always felt safe with the full shock cord. The force is absorbed by the cord and so (in theory) less is transferred to the stake so it stays in the ground and everything is fine.

Maybe it is a matter of the winter tarp being a larger target for the wind, but these beauties were set at the proper angle in the proper direction and they flew baby... I mean airborne. I wish I had been out there to see it happen. It's been gusting real hard today.

**Mustardman** · 02-20-2009, 19:49

I recently switched from

these:

to these:

specifically because the shepherds hook style weren't holding well enough in serious wind.

**Youngblood** · 02-21-2009, 07:16

Originally Posted by Mustardman

I recently switched from

these:

to these:

specifically because the shepherds hook style weren't holding well enough in serious wind.

They have shepherd hood style stakes with a thicker diameter that will have different properties in how they work. I consider those a mid range stake for tarps. You have holding ability and ground penetration issues with stakes and different styles have advantages/disadvantages with soft soil, forest duff, dirt, clay, rocky, water soaked, etc. I run in to a wide variety so I like the mid range that isn't too much of a problem with most of it.

Another thing I do is use a clove hitch that stays attached to the stake until I slide it off the smooth shaft. When I get into real soft stuff I can pound the stake below the surface with the heal of my shoe, often a few inches and pack the soil a little at the same time. Then I can pull the stake out with the free end of the guyline.

**Mustardman** · 02-21-2009, 09:47

Originally Posted by Youngblood

You have holding ability and ground penetration issues with stakes and different styles have advantages/disadvantages with soft soil, forest duff, dirt, clay, rocky, water soaked, etc. I run in to a wide variety so I like the mid range that isn't too much of a problem with most of it.

Yeah, the shepherds hook style stakes I have are the Vargo titanium ones, so I usually keep a couple of them in a spare pocket on my pack, since they essentially weigh nothing. If I get into that heavy, rocky soil where my MSR ground hogs won't go in, the hooks are a nice backup to have. I can also use them to make a stand for my stove or similar stuff, so they serve multiple purposes.

**Rushthezeppelin** · 02-20-2009, 19:57

I love my groundhogs : ) Never had a problem with them as long as I could get them into the ground (super dry hard packed rocky desert ground can be tough sometimes).