Anyone go stakeless on trips? I'm.contemplating trying to use natural materials instead of stakes. What have you used?
Anyone go stakeless on trips? I'm.contemplating trying to use natural materials instead of stakes. What have you used?
Ground=Cold+Hard+Wet
Solution!!!! Sleep in a TREE
Besides carving stakes and well places trees, I've tried big rocks, big fallen branches, exposed roots.
Don't let life get in the way of living.
I've never gone completely stakeless (the annoyance of exerting energy at the end of a tiring day looking for stake substitutes is more than the annoyance of carrying the stakes, for me, at least), but I have used several different things in lieu of stakes when they were convenient.
Small bushes near to the hammock, fallen widowmakers, and the occasional sapling have all been pressed into service now and again. Heck, I even tied off the tarp's corner to a picnic table once.
Hope it helps!
50/60 years ago we carried axes and once in awhile cut stakes on site from green saplings (and they weren't very good). With LNT that's not an option, you will need to search out dead and down branches, and have an axe, saw or large knife to shape stakes. And it'd hard to find anything strong enough. With the advent of Ti stakes any weight savings would be neglible. Then picture setting up in a heavy rain and searching for stake material!!
I THOUGHT GETTING OLDER WOULD TAKE MUCH LONGER.
When you don't want stakes, or the ground is unsuitable for stakes, i.e. its too soft, or hard - make a cam out of a rock or stick & something else heavy.
Typically I tie a slip knot around a stick, or small rock and then set a larger rock over the top of the line BETWEEN the tied piece and the tarp.
The pros: Convenient way to set up a tarp when you don't have anywhere to place stakes. Quick and easy to do.
Cons: Increased wear on guy lines, you need heavy objects to hold your tied piece in place. Not terribly heavy, but the heavier the more solid it will be.
Good points all. More a matter of principle for the full DIY kit I'm thinking up. Only will need two stakes
Ground=Cold+Hard+Wet
Solution!!!! Sleep in a TREE
I haven't carried stakes for years. Easy to find sticks on the ground. Usually the act of breaking it will create a sharp enough point to easily push into the ground, if not a few swipes with ones pocketknife is all that is needed. A larger stick or rock can be used as a hammer too if pushing it in with ones foot isn't enough. Usually I need only two since there are enough saplings nearby to tie off to instead.
I usually think about it when I'm setting up my tarp based on the ground and what's available nearby. Thats about as far as I've gotten.
What I have done is reduce the number of stakes I carry and vary the types.
David
I am completely stakeless. I have only had to make a wood stake once or twice in the last two years. I guess it depends on where you go camping. In northern Minnesota there is always something to tie to. As an added bonus, springy branches keep your tarp tight.
"what do you suppose will satisfy the soul, except to walk free and own no superior" Walt Whitman
I have yet to not find suitable rocks in my area. YMMV
That is one reason that I'm hanging, too dang many rocks on the ground.
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