I plan on watching the video of this in the previously mentioned thread.
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Lot of good tips already mentioned, but my favorite, when possible: use no stakes. I tie to bushes, trees,roots or logs if I can reach them and if they will allow my tarp to be pitched in storm pitch when needed. I always have the stakes with me, but use as few as possible. The strength of these anchors almost always beats the pants off anything I can do with UL stakes. I often carry some extra line to enable me to reach some natural anchors.
What Billybob said
Once the roots start coming loose, its time to bail. :scared:
I found nothings perfect .. the right (or wrong) gusts .. the right ( or wrong) angle .. something is subject to failure .. I've had stakes pulled and thrown ..to a point where I couldn't find them .. rocks picked up and heaved .. lines break just from the one spot where it's in contact with a rock and vibrating at super sonic speeds .. a corner tear out .. If you're fighting Mother Nature .. she's gonna win a few bouts .. but then that why we go on adventures .. seems the wildest storms and craziest nights are the memorable ..
As gibson indicated... snow stakes work great, I have used these for years to hold tarps, flies, tents and anything else I need to nail down.