Who cares about a tent peg?

[Peter_pan]

Who cares about a tent peg?

A lot of folks do, judging from the often posed question, “What is the best peg?” Frequently, the better question is asked. “What kind of peg(s) do you recommend?”

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” and, “The devil is in the details” point out the frivolity of any answer. Normally when asked this question I respond with questions.

What is most important to you? (Saving weight, ease of use, holding power)
What size and shape tent or tarp to secure? (Large flat surfaces or low wind shedding wedge or domes)
What degree of site exposure is expected? (Protected wooded draws or wind battered ridges)
What type of soil or ground is likely? (Forest loam, sandy, or hard pack and rocky, or even snow).

The answers are found in the range of options and the tradeoffs of each option.

The ubiquitous aluminum Sheppard’s Hook peg is the most common selection. It is the least costly averaging $ 0.50 to $1.00, weighs approximately 0.5 ounce, has reasonable holding power and generally woks in most non frozen conditions, though subject to bending in hard, rocky or rooted ground.

The often sought Titanium Ultra Light Sheppard’s Hook peg is popular. It is two to three times more costly at $2.00 to $3.00, weighs considerably less at approximately 0.2 ounce, but has mediocre to poor holding power. Its slender diameter is the beauty for just popping them in to loamy or loose soil. It is also the Achilles heel as its slender diameter has greatly reduced surface area when holding power is need.

The current class of “Y” shaped pegs, sometime referred to as “ground hog pegs” are a good compromise of cost and holding power at the expense of lightness. There cost in the mid range $1.75-$2.50, weight is generally 0.5- 0.6 ounce. The shape provides 3-6 times the surface area for increased holding power. A bonus is that as a straight peg design they hammer into harder ground with little to no bending risk. There side notches are minimal for those application where you want to use the on a ground pegged loop.

Specialty pegs often based on “V” shapes some with cut-out and sometimes in titanium seek a mid point in holding power and weight reduction. Again they are costly at approximately $3.00, weigh approximately 0.3-0.4 ounces. They suffer the side notch trade-off of the Y peg and are more prone to bending.

Plastic stake although often inexpensive, but not always, relative to simple shepherd hook aluminum pegs, are normally bulkier to pack and often slightly heavier. They vary in brittle nature and often worsen in brittleness in cold/freezing temperatures. A major plus is their broader size; for increased holding power and ease of use in sandy or beach conditions.

Bottom line, when asked,” What is the best peg?” ; my short answer is carry a mix of aluminum and ti Sheppard Hooks and sufficient aluminum “Y’” pegs for likely windward corner requirements. Thus you will optimize cost, weight, and holding power for a broad range of conditions.

Hope that pegs it for you.;)

Pan

[G...Hawk]

Thank you.

You have confirmed the good logic of packing 3 various types ( 5 pegs ).



.

[OutandBack]

Very good explanation of how ground conditions really determines the best peg to use.

[mattblick]

I have been using MSR Groundhog stakes for ages. Bought about a dozen of them a long while ago and have been using them since. I've replaced the cord on a few of them.

I was thinking about MSR Needles to save weight, but the holding power of the Groundhog is too awesome to risk having to re-insert stakes to save a few grams. I would use the Needles with their squared edges before going to Ti stakes with their smooth rounded profile.

[fred1diver]

WOW
great article and a great answer to the age old question :)

[Shug]

I'm a mix 'n match guy....bring some Ti Shepards and a groundhog or two....trip and tarp dependent. Sticks for tarp flaps often.
Shug

[DuctTape]

I make what I need on-site with sticks. In many cases all I need is one or two because there are other trees, etc... to tie off to.

[lubbockhammockguy]

I am mostly a car camper, with the boy scouts, and I use these academy 16'' stakes for my diy hammock stand (its not going anywhere).

http://assets.academy.com/mgen/59/10042659.jpg?is=500,500


They were the biggest ones that I could find, so that my butt doesn't meet the ground at night, unless I trip getting out of my hammock.

[Shewie]

I swap between a few too, ti v stakes (http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16259&category_id=253) most of the time but also ally 9" beasts (http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16258&category_id=253) if it's going to be soft ground.

[Bondo]

Like everybody here I have managed to collect a plethora of tent stakes. But when it comes to backpacking I carry 8 MSR GroundHog'S. total 4.4 oz's. They get me by in most situations.

[dragon360]

Mix and match guy myself - groundhogs, ti round-eyes from Lawson equipment, some shepherd hooks, needles (whatever hits my fancy!).

[BlazeAway]

Groundhog.
Blaze

[Cannibal]

Living and doing most of my playing here in the Rocky Mountains, the stakes that bend easily, or kind of easily, get removed from the list in a hurry. For that matter, I usually bend at least one Groundhog for every 3-4 camp sites. Stupid rocks!

Nice write-up Pan! Stake selection can be a daunting part of our hobby. Hope this helps some of the stake-challenged out there from amassing the stake collection some of us have in our gear storage. :cool:

[Knotty]

Lately I've been trying to use Ti shepherd hooks, like all the cool kids. But agree that having some Y's or V's as backup is needed. There's just no one size fits all solution.

[born2roam]

Had some lousy alu ones with a DD tarp, they really are useless.

Normally I just use sticks or trees, lately toying with stainless chopsticks. Ran into them, for € 0,30 a piece and 9 gram worth a try....

Always worried with international flight and carry on: stakes are okay I read on US websites, UK a big no no, Dutch and other websites not clear so will find out soon.... I just have my mind set on carry on (several different non ham mocking reasons)...

Thanks for some more info on pegs anyway!

Grtz Johan

[body942]

My Nemo Losi 3P tent :eek: that I bought about three years ago came with a set of eight "X" style stakes that are lighter than groundhogs, and haven't even flinched when I've hammered them at full strength into very stoney creekside soil. The tops are battered but they are still straight and true. I tried to buy more, but they've switched out styles. Honestly, I usually only take three anyway as I have one Evernew Ti "V" stake I use as a trowel in my toiletries kit. I often end up tying off to some type of root or branch or making a "deadman" in between some rocks anyway.


(ps: i love my tent)
:eek:Blasphemy!:eek:

[Serevince]

I swap between a few too, ti v stakes (http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16259&category_id=253) most of the time but also ally 9" beasts (http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16258&category_id=253) if it's going to be soft ground.

AHhhh! Ti is like kryptonite to my wallet! Every time I see some I MUST HAVE IT:boggle:

Thanks

Vince

[Leffe357]

Nice article, but you missed the easton stakes, I would guess that the hold as a V or Y stake. the 7075 T9 aluminum has the same strength as titanium by weight. at .35 to .5 oz (6-8") they are tuff and will not bend.

All stakes are good it all depends on the ground condition what you will need.
I normally use Easton and V shaped stakes, will work where I normally hang.

[TeeDee]

I finally had to make some pegs.

Had some Ti alloy 1/4" rods left over from another project. That stuff is so hard even the carborundum wheel had trouble with it.

Cut some 6" lengths and sharpened one end. Now when I get some place with ground hard as rocks (or actual rocks), I pull out one of these, pound into whatever passes for ground, pull and insert a different peg into the hole. I have actually split a rock or two with one of these pegs. I swear I don't think it even scratch the peg. Not the lightest peg around, but for the use and strength, it is the lightest available.

[Bannerstone]

I finally had to make some pegs.

Had some Ti alloy 1/4" rods left over from another project. That stuff is so hard even the carborundum wheel had trouble with it.

Cut some 6" lengths and sharpened one end. Now when I get some place with ground hard as rocks (or actual rocks), I pull out one of these, pound into whatever passes for ground, pull and insert a different peg into the hole. I have actually split a rock or two with one of these pegs. I swear I don't think it even scratch the peg. Not the lightest peg around, but for the use and strength, it is the lightest available.

Sounds like great, what does something like that wind up weight wise?

David

[KAW]

Ti hooks for me, I can normally find some good sized rocks to hold them down when more hold is required.

[TeeDee]

Sounds like great, what does something like that wind up weight wise?

David

Mine are 0.70 oz and 0.71 oz.

Heavier than some and less than others :laugh:

But then they are indestructible and will last for many generations.

[Arson]

I'm loving my MSR Groundhogs..... I haven't had one problem yet with them. I'm very hard on my equipment, and I should have bent some up by now, but I haven't.

WSHC-QJAFAA

[DuctTape]

Wow. I cannot believe I am the only person who doesn't carry pegs at all.

[AmericasHammock]

Wow. I cannot believe I am the only person who doesn't carry pegs at all.

I stopped after you showed me the way. Bringing them on our last trip only reiterated that. A few good sticks are never far away in the adirondacks.

[rjcress]

Wow. I cannot believe I am the only person who doesn't carry pegs at all.

I've tried a variety of pegs and concluded that there are always sticks around that hold just as well, and add zero weight to my pack.

[4 dog knight]

With winter seemingly over in most of the U.S. I suppose I'm a bit of a Johnny-come-lately on winter tent pegs for camping on a frozen lake of even on frozen ground. We do an annual BWCA winter trip and this year the weather was predicted to go to -20 F. and I simply don't have the right UQ to handle that in my hammock...so we took my TeePee. I went to my local Ace and got some 4 in. long 1/4" GRK self-drilling screws with flanged washer type heads and hex bolt like drive heads. I also brought along a speed wrench (think good ol' brace and bit) fitted with a 1/4inch socket so I could use a spade wood bit to auger a hole into the ice so the self drilling screws wouldn't just crack and pop the ice out as they screwed their way into the ice. I tested all of this stuff on the frozen river that runs thru our property before we left.

I also needed to cable out my dog sled team, so here's what I did. I took some 3/8" lag bolts about 6 inches long and used a metal cutting blade in my 4.5" grinder to cut a slot across the threads on the lags so they would cut their way into the ice. Then I welded onto the hex heads some threaded chain repair couplings so I could connect and disconnect the cable leads that I hook to the dogs. They will chew thru anything less and be gone!

Both "staking strategies" worked really well and none pulled out. In fact, when we broke camp we actually broke off a couple of the 3/8ths lags in the ice. The grooves that I cut in the threads most have filled with water from the sun shining on the metal and they were completely frozen in. Hope this helps some of you next winter!

[sctroutin]

I am with Duct Tape on this one-I have camped with tarps for years both on the ground and lately with hammock and never brought stakes. A little ingenuity saves a little weight and I have never had any trouble with finding what I need on site.

[Trout]

I use the alum. nails for gutters. Cheap, light, and strong. Also, easily found in the local hardware store if you don't life near an REI.

[Black Wolf]

I make my own ..

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/files/1/0/6/9/6/cimg1516_thumb.jpg (http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=16923&c=member&orderby=title&direction=ASC&imageuser=10696&cutoffdate=-1)

[L.D. Cakes]

I stopped after you showed me the way. Bringing them on our last trip only reiterated that. A few good sticks are never far away in the adirondacks.

I have to concur. Last week in Linville Gorge I only used 1 peg (a gutter nail). The rest of my lines were tied off to trees, roots, and I even drug a log over & tied off to that. Prob. could have done the same for where I used that single peg. :rolleyes:

[Shnick]

I use 1/2" dia rebar about 12" long
Those and the 3 lb mini sledge i carry never has a problem with rocks...
Shnick

[2Tall]

Ive been packin way too many...between a 4s tarp and a BB your looking at 10! Ive been experimenting wit lighter configurations...ti hools, groundhogs etc. Think Ill go back to 4 groundhog style and try out the "stick movement"

[pizza]

Currently use a mix of GroundHogs and AL shepherd hook stakes. I've bent/broken two groundhogs and bent a couple shepherd hook stakes over the years. I've also whittled my own from sticks when I've forgot to bring mine and it worked just fine.

[lanack]

I have to agree with this. In as much as your personal opinion would still be the major force in choosing which to get, the ground conditions will still be important to consider when thinking about getting the best peg you are going to use.

In as much as you would always want them portable, there are just times that you would have to go with the one that will hold strength the most, or the strongest.

[Trout]

Black Wolf - what did you do to make those? Very sweet looking.

You always want to have a variety at home and take the best for the situation, i.e. snow versus dirt.

[Great White]

I make my own ..

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/files/1/0/6/9/6/cimg1516_thumb.jpg (http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=16923&c=member&orderby=title&direction=ASC&imageuser=10696&cutoffdate=-1)

Those are nice looking. I also make my own, but they are not as sophisticated as yours. I purchase 1/8" steel rods from home depot and cut them to 7" lengths. Place a 90 degree bend 1" in from one end and then file the other end to as near as a point as I can. They weigh about 0.5 ounces each. So far I have not had any issues with them. Although I have not had to deal with hard ground.

[Walking Dead]

I love my groundhogs as well but I've also seen these at MLH Wilderness (http://www.ebay.com/itm/MLH-Wilderness-Supply-Ultralight-Needle-Tent-Stakes-Pegs-New-4-Piece-Set-/251032391021?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a72b24d6d) and think that they might be a nice light option. They sell them in bundles of 4 or 25. I've bought the line locs from them and consider them reliable sellers.

[Spikemaulmaster]

MSR groundhog's get my vote. Heavy? Yes. Tough? Indeed. In a rush to get my tarp up on a cold, windy night I became very frustrated not being able to drive my last peg. Thinking i was hitting a rock or other buried something or other, I grabbed the biggest, nastiest rock I could find and proceded to beat the snot out of it. Thinking to myself that the peg would work around whatever it was or said object would displace in the soil. I eventually got it driven and had a great night in the ole' HH.

The next morning I realized I had spent my time driving my stake into a 6" diameter root! Believe me it was much, much harder to yank that sucker out! When it did finally come free, there was essentially zero damage other than some scuffing of the pretty red anodizing. That rock was in the 8-10lb range and the root was a toughie. A winner in my book!

[Spikemaulmaster]

Gotta add that as many of you have said, I often use 1-2 or 0 pegs because I can usually tie off to trees, roots etc. Craftiness seems to shed pounds faster than $$$ sometimes.

[J.Andersons]

MSR groundhog's get my vote. Heavy? Yes. Tough? Indeed. In a rush to get my tarp up on a cold, windy night I became very frustrated not being able to drive my last peg. Thinking i was hitting a rock or other buried something or other, I grabbed the biggest, nastiest rock I could find and proceded to beat the snot out of it. Thinking to myself that the peg would work around whatever it was or said object would displace in the soil. I eventually got it driven and had a great night in the ole' HH.

The next morning I realized I had spent my time driving my stake into a 6" diameter root! Believe me it was much, much harder to yank that sucker out! When it did finally come free, there was essentially zero damage other than some scuffing of the pretty red anodizing. That rock was in the 8-10lb range and the root was a toughie. A winner in my book!
After this post MSR groundhogs are writen in my notepad.

[RootCause]

I use 1/2" dia rebar about 12" long
Those and the 3 lb mini sledge i carry never has a problem with rocks...
Shnick

So, what's your total pack weight on that setup? I no longer feel like a "pound hog!" :lol:

[AmericasHammock]

Gotta add that as many of you have said, I often use 1-2 or 0 pegs because I can usually tie off to trees, roots etc. Craftiness seems to shed pounds faster than $$$ sometimes.

Work smart not hard! If there's not sticks or other trees around to tie off to than you might have more problems than just that, like maybe finding a spot for a hammock.:lol:

[Shnick]

So, what's your total pack weight on that setup? I no longer feel like a "pound hog!" :lol:

LOL
Had you replied to that post on 1 April, I'd have said April Fool's Day!

But truth be told, I fell asleep on the couch... :D

Shnick

[AT4ever]

I've been using Al shepherds hooks for a good while, but like many, I usually end up bending a few each trip. I take at least 4 per trip just in case the weather turns ugly and I'm too lazy to make some on site. So a few weeks ago I noticed WallyWorld sold a facsimilie of the MSR Groundhog 4 for $3. Don't know how they'll do but I'll post the results when they're in.

[SkyPainter]

Interesting thread......I "lost" my stakes at the last NEHHA two weeks ago (found them again misplaced in the bottom of my pack when breaking camp down), so I MADE some from tree branches to use. I generally use ten - 8 for my Superfly with doors, and 2 for the WBBB tie-outs. Was fun carving them using my hatchet and a bushcrafting knife. They worked just fine in the duff of Boreal forest in New England.

I left them there in a neat pile for the next campers through. Especially once I located my stake bag! LOL!

I am thinking that for an extended backpacking trip, the stakes may not be necessary at all after this experience! Just carve em up! One advantage would be to manufacture longer ones for the softer ground, and flatter ones for beter 'holding power'.

Disadvantage would be setting-up in the rain, so that might be a decision point to take them or not.

Weight saved is distance earned.

~ Sky

[Manchego]

After this post MSR groundhogs are writen in my notepad.

I replace every stake of anything I get with groundhogs. I beat the crap out of them, driven them through the stone surface hardpan at the MD state campgrounds (really made to back an RV into), with everything from a hammer to rock to lumber laying about. I've tied them and use them as deadmen bury stakes in sand and snow both, used them as an impromptu trowel and pot lifter. I wouldn't think of anything else, really.

Need to get them out of your notepad, and try them. You'll be hooked.

[J.Andersons]

I'll look for them in local shops.

[SkyPainter]

MSR Groundhogs rock, as do the Easton Aluminum stakes - I use both. I have more Easton than MSRs, but that may change soon. Most plastic stakes are a joke, and not worth considering. But these two really do the jobs they were designed for, with a very little weight penalty!

One note:: After having left several behind in the woods a few times, I am painting them bright blue. Studies have shown that that color catches the human eye quickest in the woods, as it rarely occurs in nature, unlike the red of the MSRs, or even the gold of the Easton stakes. Bright blue it will be. Hopefully save some lost stakes!

~ Sky

[J.Andersons]

Thanks for all the great info here:)

[Manchego]

One note:: After having left several behind in the woods a few times, I am painting them bright blue. Studies have shown that that color catches the human eye quickest in the woods, as it rarely occurs in nature, unlike the red of the MSRs, or even the gold of the Easton stakes. Bright blue it will be. Hopefully save some lost stakes!

~ Sky

Reflective on cords on them, squat and shine a light, they'll jump right into the field of view.

[mountain_man_mike]

+1 to Duct Tape. I stopped using stakes a few years ago and have yet to be in a place that didn't have a stick or rock to tie onto. The pullouts get tied to my DIY trekking poles.

[flailer]

i carry 1 peg, maybe (big maybe) 2. i do my best to never use it, preferring to find the *perfectly snobbish* tie-down rocks.... or.... anything remotely adequate. :mellow:

[rustinroy]

I have the MSR groundhogs. Overall I love them, but was thinking about switching to Ti stakes for the weight. How durable are they? My concern is trying to use them when the ground is pretty tough.

[cwbybld]

I carry MSR groundHogs. Usually 4. And when in the mountains 2 of the good old fashioned 10" steel stakes. Heavy but will pound thru rocks or ground that laughs at lighter pegs. Also handy for deadman ties tween rocks or closeset trees.

[Comet_Seeker]

Not gonna lie, I use old school big yellow stakes. So far I've done mostly car camping or camping on the beach. Weight isn't an issue for me and I have no worries about pounding them deep into the ground for a good hold past the loose sand. That, and I inherited all them when my dad got rid of camping gear from the 70's and 80's. I have an old army bag with probably 20+ stakes lying in my garage lol.... This is what happens when you hear camping gear being given away and you just say sure without looking!

[sojourn]

I use aluminum gutter nails,light ,if they get bent straighten W/vise.Most of the time yoy can press them in W/shoe toe.

[Das Toe]

I carry a mix of MSR groundhogs and ti shepherds. In the BWCA it gets near impossible to get anything into the granite cracks other than ti shepherds. In piney duff Dolly Sodds the groundhogs are the best. Not to much of a weight penalty and I still remain really light.

[ibgary]

I went trough my stakes a week or two back. About half of the collection was found while camping. I probably had around 50. I ran a nagnet through and tosses everything that stuck. Great article, thanks.

[Chris48559]

I carry a mix of MSR groundhogs and ti shepherds. In the BWCA it gets near impossible to get anything into the granite cracks other than ti shepherds. In piney duff Dolly Sodds the groundhogs are the best. Not to much of a weight penalty and I still remain really light.

I do the same, used to only carry groundhogs until I hit some granite once and ended up having to tie out to rocks :rolleyes:

[lvnv1212]

The lighter the better! I use zpacks http://zpacks.com/accessories/stakes.shtml

[Fishfood]

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.

[anvil440]

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.

[blackd]

I guess ive been lucky enough to almost always use the surrounding materials (rocks tree branches end of my canoe) to tie off to.

[NickoftheWoods]

With winter on its way I recommend these steal spikes. http://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/fasteners/nails/common/grip-fast-reg-10-common-spike-nail-4-pieces/p-1459100-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.

[halfastronomical]

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.

[Softouch333]

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.

[vwgerald]

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:lol:

[Risk]

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:lol:

+1

I was checking the thread to make sure that someone said it.

[DuctTape]

The no stake revolution is gaining traction!

[AmericasHammock]

The no stake revolution is gaining traction!

Viva no stakes

[Sirkyi]

Thanks that was very helpful!

[Nevada Hammocker]

Im thinking about buying some carbon core stakes they weigh .2 ounces per stake according to website.

[Jazilla]

Im thinking about buying some carbon core stakes they weigh .2 ounces per stake according to website.

Oh thats gonna suck if you forget one of those puppies stuck in the ground.

[HammockDreamer]

Thought I would just mention I ordered 10 "groundhog" type stakes off Ebay awhile ago. They are stated as being a aluminum alloy and they were $7.00 including delivery from China!

Anyone have any experience with them?
I will follow up with a review when they turn up.

:)

[alpineLounger]

In the BWCA it gets near impossible to get anything into the granite cracks other than ti shepherds.

Try MSR needle stakes I always seem to find a crack or crevasse to jam them in.

[chimpac]

http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv297/chimpac/pegs.jpghttp:/http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv297/chimpac/pegs.jpg/

[chimpac]

http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv297/chimpac/pegs.jpg

Aluminium gutter nails have been mentioned and they work fine but fragile if the ground is rocky or frozen.

A 7" ring nail, pole barn nail, high tensile, works for me in any seasons all terain even sand or deep soft snow.

I always carry a small vise grip to use on other things and to pull the ring nails.

[Rune]

I make what I need on-site with sticks. In many cases all I need is one or two because there are other trees, etc... to tie off to.

With you on that one. The lightest pegs are the one you don't have to carry in :-)

[Rune]

In snow I just take say a 1 meter long dead branch, tie the guy line to the middle and bury it in snow. It won't come out unless I want it to.

No need to haul stakes.

[chimpac]

In snow I just take say a 1 meter long dead branch, tie the guy line to the middle and bury it in snow. It won't come out unless I want it to.

No need to haul stakes.

Try a wood stake in rocky or frozen ground. The rocky part you may be able to avoid but If its frozen its all frozen.

[Rune]

Try a wood stake in rocky or frozen ground. The rocky part you may be able to avoid but If its frozen its all frozen.

I live at 68*N. I think I know about frozen ground. When it's frozen here it's covered in ice and pegs are useless no matter what they are made from. So I tie off on trees, bushes, saplings, stones whatever is at hand. I have never needed pegs to get a tarp up.

As for rocky ground. If the ground is rocky there are stones. Also in snow you don't use it as a stake, that you drive into the ground. I just lay it flat on the ground and cover it with snow. That will hold it plenty good enough if you use a meter or more length of it. I used it in Blizzard conditions and gale force winds last weekend. Held nicely.

[chimpac]

Quote Rune. I live at 68*N. I think I know about frozen ground. When it's frozen here it's covered in ice and pegs are useless no matter what they are made from. As for rocky ground. If the ground is rocky there are stones. Also in snow you don't use it as a stake, that you drive into the ground. I just lay it flat on the ground and cover it with snow. That will hold it plenty good enough if you use a meter or more length of it. I used it in Blizzard conditions and gale force winds last weekend. Held nicely.. quote

The ring nails I have mentioned and use work very well in concrete hard frozen ground and hold well in the ice of a lake. I use the same nails in snow but I do not nail to the ground that might be a meter below the snow surface.

[Scout620]

Ionly use Groundhog's as well.

[laziboie]

Some more great info, thanks!

[G.L.P.]

Very good read Pan ;)

[DuctTape]

Try a wood stake in rocky or frozen ground. The rocky part you may be able to avoid but If its frozen its all frozen.

Frozen is easier that rocky, I freeze the stick to the ground and tie off to it. easy peasy. But mostly I find other trees, etc to tie off to already.

[Fixxr5]

I use 1/4 aluminum round stock bent into a 8" tent spike. Very DIY. Our ground is always soft. Price????????? :D FREE. :D
The best for me. HYOH:thumbup:

[swoody126]

ALMOST ALL situations have been covered

the solutions, to those, have been enumerated

i found a situation where my bag of stakes didn't have anything that could be driven to the surface of MOTHER EARTH, even w/ the backside of a hefty hatchet

the hatchet just bounced back at my face

there weren't ANY rocks or limbs to tie off to

the breeze was fresh & my stuff didn't want to stay put

KEY WEST, FLORIDA

that piece of earth is SOLID CORAL and laughs at normal tent stakes

when i showed up at the campground office, the lady/manager just laughed at ME

DUH!!!

they had a 100# box of 12" GALVANIZED BRIDGE NAILS which they sell for a meezly $1.19/ea

and since i bought a hand full of them, the lady loaned me the campground's 5# hammer to make insertion process easier

i still keep a few in my m/c camping kit

just an old man's experiences...

sw

[Rune]

Quote Rune. I live at 68*N. I think I know about frozen ground. When it's frozen here it's covered in ice and pegs are useless no matter what they are made from. As for rocky ground. If the ground is rocky there are stones. Also in snow you don't use it as a stake, that you drive into the ground. I just lay it flat on the ground and cover it with snow. That will hold it plenty good enough if you use a meter or more length of it. I used it in Blizzard conditions and gale force winds last weekend. Held nicely.. quote

The ring nails I have mentioned and use work very well in concrete hard frozen ground and hold well in the ice of a lake. I use the same nails in snow but I do not nail to the ground that might be a meter below the snow surface.


Well, snow is mostly the problem. This year we got it before the ground froze. Then we had rain and then a freeze that lasted for a couple of months, before we had a new thaw and rain, and then it froze again. Covering the ground witha 20 cm thick layer of solid ice. Which now have your meter of snow on top of it. Much easier to tie off to trees, saplings and rocks, and where none is at hand, bury a branch in the snow and tie off to that. Many times I've used my skis and skipoles.

In the summer I just make one or two on the spot for that one corner that has nthing within reach.

[chimpac]

Quote:
Originally Posted by chimpac
Quote Rune. I live at 68*N. I think I know about frozen ground. When it's frozen here it's covered in ice and pegs are useless no matter what they are made from. As for rocky ground. If the ground is rocky there are stones. Also in snow you don't use it as a stake, that you drive into the ground. I just lay it flat on the ground and cover it with snow. That will hold it plenty good enough if you use a meter or more length of it. I used it in Blizzard conditions and gale force winds last weekend. Held nicely.. quote

The ring nails I have mentioned and use work very well in concrete hard frozen ground and hold well in the ice of a lake. I use the same nails in snow but I do not nail to the ground that might be a meter below the snow surface.



Well, snow is mostly the problem. This year we got it before the ground froze. Then we had rain and then a freeze that lasted for a couple of months, before we had a new thaw and rain, and then it froze again. Covering the ground witha 20 cm thick layer of solid ice. Which now have your meter of snow on top of it. Much easier to tie off to trees, saplings and rocks, and where none is at hand, bury a branch in the snow and tie off to that. Many times I've used my skis and skipoles.

In the summer I just make one or two on the spot for that one corner that has nthing within reach.

In deep sand and snow I bury a piece of fire wood where I need it and nail to that. I did not think I had to put in every detail.

[LakeSuperior777]

I carry 4 groundhog knockoffs and three ti DIY shepard hooks. I tried the no stake thing but found it worth it to carry a few extra ounces. Find myself setting up in the dark, in the rain, in a campsite/park where you can't find any dead wood or in a forest with nothing but punky birch or poular.

[chimpac]

Quote:
Originally Posted by chimpac
In deep sand and snow I bury a piece of fire wood where I need it and nail to that. I did not think I had to put in every detail.

I got the order wrong here. First I put the nails thru grommets in my tent then I drive each nail into a piece of fire wood, then I bury each piece of fire wood as I pitch the tarp. The nail goes in better if the firewood is against something solid.

[Scout620]

I carry a mix as well. Thanks the info!

[laziboie]

Walmart has what appears to be an awesome set of ultralight tent stakes, Y style, for less than $5 for a set of 4 - 9" stakes.

I picked a pair up and they seems like they will work great. I believe they are aluminum.

Walmart link, only available in-store (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Coghlan-s-Ultralight-Tent-Pegs-9-4ct/20638662)

[Bill_Mead]

I was going to pick up some Groundhogs but decided to give the stakes sold on the Hammock Forums store a shot. Should have them in a few days.

[bigroof]

After the elections I harvest political signs made with steel wire. This is an important community service (unless there is a run off election; don't take any still in use). Some have heavier wire than others; I take what I want and leave the rest.

Then I cut the heavy wire into appropriate lengths and bend them in a "shepherd's hook" configuration. The "hook" configuration is important to prevent the tent cord from pulling the stake around and coming off. The reason I know this is because I read a lot of books; it is not because I took a bunch of mal-formed tent pegs camping and had to use alternatives in front of my friends that I had bragged to about my "free" tent pegs. Don't let that happen to you.

Thank you Mr. Oboma, for your contribution to my camping experience.

[pizza]

The lighter the better! I use zpacks http://zpacks.com/accessories/stakes.shtml

And the easier they bend and don't hold. Just my experience. Mine are relegated to the junk drawer.

[57hop]

Using sticks helps justify the weight of a Real Knife (Mora , in my case)
Then I can feel all bush-crafty whittling points on them!

[Lastczarnian]

After the elections I harvest political signs made with steel wire. This is an important community service (unless there is a run off election; don't take any still in use). Some have heavier wire than others; I take what I want and leave the rest.

Then I cut the heavy wire into appropriate lengths and bend them in a "shepherd's hook" configuration. The "hook" configuration is important to prevent the tent cord from pulling the stake around and coming off. The reason I know this is because I read a lot of books; it is not because I took a bunch of mal-formed tent pegs camping and had to use alternatives in front of my friends that I had bragged to about my "free" tent pegs. Don't let that happen to you.

Thank you Mr. Oboma, for your contribution to my camping experience.

:laugh: I use political sign as target stands. Just staple on your favorite target and let the lead fly. Good see they have more uses than just blocking the scenery.

[Bobbinheadlodge]

I make my own ..

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/files/1/0/6/9/6/cimg1516_thumb.jpg (http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=16923&c=member&orderby=title&direction=ASC&imageuser=10696&cutoffdate=-1)

Those are beautiful, nice addition with the figure nines.

[chapmage]

Thank you for the great writeup

[Search]

Thought I would just mention I ordered 10 "groundhog" type stakes off Ebay awhile ago. They are stated as being a aluminum alloy and they were $7.00 including delivery from China!

Anyone have any experience with them?
I will follow up with a review when they turn up.

:)
How did they work out? If you liked them, which eBay seller did you buy from?

[ferrulewax]

I use msr groundhogs as well, I love them. The reflective cordage is especially useful, and the shape of the spikes seems to grip well, and go in easily enough.

[Ragabash]

I, too, think trees make the best tie-offs. By tying a large loop around the tree, I can raise it up or lower it easily to suit the moment. A chunk of recently fallen large branch is my second choice. If I really needed to reduce weight. I would probably forgo stakes altogether.

[MissileMan]

My stakes are pretty minimal... MSR Needle stakes I got with the last tent I ever bought (MSR Zoid 2). Now I just use the stakes. It they are not enough to do the job, I set a rock on top of the stake or tie to a tree.

[Silvertip47203]

Im going to throw a few groundhogs in my stake bag as well. Thanks for the feedback and information.

[mitchellisdumb]

BackpackingLight did an empirical test (http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/tent_stakes.html#.U8ySkIBdVmk) of 11 types of stakes in two types of ground (compacted campsite and moist sod). I think you need to be a member to read it but the gist is that the Easton 9-inch tubular aluminum stakes come out on top in total holding power. The 7-inch titanium shepherd's hook did surprisingly well, especially in compacted campsites but with a respectable showing in the moist sod as well. Shorter shepherd's hooks didn't do so well—a small drop to 6" resulted in a significant drop in holding power.

More details and stake types in the article, of course. It's one of those data-driven ones that makes BPL really shine.

[will_j]

I make what I need on-site with sticks. In many cases all I need is one or two because there are other trees, etc... to tie off to.

Yep I do the same.

[Spevas]

[QUOTE=lubbockhammockguy;666142]I am mostly a car camper, with the boy scouts, and I use these academy 16'' stakes for my diy hammock stand (its not going anywhere).

I bought 4 11" pegs similar to this one for $2 each at Home Depot to anchor my 10'x10' canopy. I was as interested in visibility as I was in holding power because the canopy is always in a high traffic area, and frankly didn't expect them to last long. I use a rubber mallet to pound them into the ground, but they've still taken a beating getting them into hard, rocky ground and show no damage. On one camping trip we had gusty 25+mph winds come up, and the stakes didn't budge. A friend who used 6" aluminum V stakes had his shelter blow into the woods after all the stakes pulled out.

I also made sand anchors out of the 15" pegs by drilling a small hole near the pointy end and threading a bicycle brake cable through the hole; I made a loop in the loose end of the cable and crimped it closed with an aluminum ferrule from Home Depot that is made for that purpose. I clip my guylines to the looped end sticking out of the sand. Instead of the wind pulling against the protruding top of the stake and eventually wiggling the stake free, it pulls against the bottom end that is held in place by the weight of sand.

[Bigc3031]

While new to camping I've been tenting for over twenty years. It's hard to beat the MSR griundhogs, I carry a mixture of 6 groundhogs and 6 ti pegs.

I'm going to use the same mix with my blackbird xlc w superfly.

[thierict]

Is it strange that I've only used stones and sticks I find around the campsite?

[sliggins1483]

ti shepherd stakes are best for kabobs in camp :lol: but carry a mixture for setting up the shelter

[kettlehill]

106907

Easton aluminum 9* pegs, surplus Marine tent/shelter. Light weight and strong holding ability. My choice when you tarp absolutely, positively, needs to stay in place.

[muckypops]

Sticks carved to spec have always done it for me. Part of the fun is carvin em out. That's just me.

[muckypops]

Is it strange that I've only used stones and sticks I find around the campsite?

No. It's not strange. That's how it's supposed to be done.

[Martyn]

Sticks carved to spec have always done it for me. Part of the fun is carvin em out. That's just me.

I think a lot depends on the weather. There are times when whittling sticks is fun and there are times when that's the last thing you want to do.

[JEF989]

One of my favorite things to do is set around my wood pile, and carve out ground stakes with my Gransfors bruks wildlife hatchet. It just don't get no better than that. Well maybee a nap in my hammock afterwards.

[AlanH]

Just received my groundhogs today and thank goodness. My other stakes would of never held in this wind and muddy conditions. Like the reflective ties on the ends. Had Eastern stakes that I purchased with my tarp. They were pretty much worthless the times I tried to use them. My Kelty tarp came with some generic aluminum ones and they work pretty well. To me the length of the stake seems to be as important as the type. Of course I'm just a newbie at this. I've used trees, rocks and whatever else worked at the time in the past. We all have one thing in common. We just want to have fun. Headed out to hang now. Hopefully the wind dies down. Like to hear the coyotes.

[jlara]

+1 for MSR Groundhogs. Easy to find, hold in almost all conditions I've thrown at them on the trail, strong enough to pound with a rock if needed :-)

[Windtech]

All I ever do is break a stick and drive it into the ground. Lol why carry something when it's already there