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I am going to do my first winter hang at the end of the month. Not sure how much snow will be on the ground then, but if there is a lot, do you just dig through the snow to get to the ground to place a tarp peg? I mean, that sounds reasonable, but maybe there are other methods used in winter that you've tried/have experience with that you can share? I generally use MSR needle stakes for my tarp and hammock stake out.
You can use your method or use snow stakes right in the snow. I try to tie off to branches and trees as much as possible.
Tie your cord to the center of the stake and bury sideways.
You can also purchase snow stakes or parachute type stakes that you fill with snow.
Good suggestion. If stakes are not holding I like to use 3-4' sticks tied in the middle and buried.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tendertoe
Loop around the stick twice and make your knot above the snow in case it all freezes up.
If you're expecting deep snow a back packers/snow skiers shovel is really handy.
Even the cheap plastic autoparts store snow shovels will work great.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8220/8...80dbb7e5_z.jpg
I'm not sure how well those needle stakes will work, even buried sideways: you might need something with a little more surface area, like the groundhog stake. Sticks work great if you have access to dead wood. Bury them sideways and stomp the snow. In a few minutes it will be consolidated enough to hold your stakes. In the morning you will definitely need something to dig them out with. I like SnowClaws.
David
Thanks! Great suggestions! I will definitely have a shovel on my trips and I will look into the options for stakes. Not sure how much ground wood will be available at the campsite for the first trip, so may make some up from srap wood prior to the trip
Just be careful if you use your knife... Totally unrelated, but I need new guy lines for my tarp after a trip in the snow two weeks ago. :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by adkphoto
I've heard plastic grocery bags can be filled with snow and used, not tried it myself yet but hoping to in a couple of weeks.
I would think that grocery bags should work. I also use the commercial parachute thingies - these work very well.
David
I wonder about a handful of paint stir sticks... ;-)
I was going to suggest this also as a back up. Another thread a few months back was started about this subject. Just fill the bags and shallow bury.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shewie
The bag weight isn't an issue and packs small. You can also use them in sand or soft ground and they are handy to use as a bag, I hear. A true multitasker.
Remember to take pics and a trip report when your back. Good luck and have fun.
The trouble with grocery bags is that you may not be able to get them out in the morning if the snow freezes solid.
I do dead man anchors and just learned to tie knots. Then the only thing I need to get out of the ground is my cord and I leave everything buried in the snow.
Fronkey
So what about snow on the tarp? Will the sil shed it OK? Or do I need to worry, and spend the night waking up and shaking my.....tarp.
The reason I ask is, several years ago, on a camp out with the scouts, it started to snow early one morning, and snowed the whole day. We were knocking snow off the t**ts every few hours. They were the big canvas ones, and not sil. The top also doesn't have the sharp angle like a tarp will either.
Thanks......RR
Stuff sacks work well for deadman anchors as well. I use a mx of commercial parachute type anchors, snow stakes and burried trail sticks. Stomp out and area where you will pitch your set up and let it harden a bit before you set your anchors. No need to dig too deep.
In just about any kind of shelter you are going to have knock snow off just depends on the pitch angle and make up of the snow.
S
This is my favorite method, no need to carry extra or buy special snow stakes.Quote:
Originally Posted by OutandBack
In a foot or less I will just pick my hang and kick/stomp the area down. Then I just use my normal stakes. Lately I've been using some GoLite UL V-stakes but I have some MSR needles and those things are awesome.
Don't they are a huge pain in the backside to dig back out of frozen snow.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shewie
I am going to use some snow stakes I fashioned out of a 5 gal bucket this weekend. Will let you know hbow to make them if they work.