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  1. #1
    Senior Member jnelson871's Avatar
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    Stakeless?

    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

  2. #2
    Senior Member Bubba's Avatar
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    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.

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    Senior Member FLRider's Avatar
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    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!

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    Senior Member Teegs's Avatar
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    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.

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    Member JWinNC's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by FLRider View Post
    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
    ^^^Ditto

    That said, it's almost always easy to find something lying around that will work; sticks, rocks, other objects.

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    Senior Member Manchego's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JWinNC View Post
    ^^^Ditto

    That said, it's almost always easy to find something lying around that will work; sticks, rocks, other objects.
    Yep. And with a multitool you'd be carrying anyway, with a saw blade, you can cut a branch to length and sharpen a couple stakes in minimal time.

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    To each their own but if I'm not confident of being able to tie to other branches I don't mind carrying just one extra ounce. That's easier than looking for rocks or carving stakes. Maybe okay if it's a short hike and we're just enjoying being outdoors, but usually I'm beat by the time we get to camp.

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    Senior Member Scottybdiving's Avatar
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    I carry stakes but some times they just are not as usefule. I use everything, bushes, branches, sticks, boulders, and chock stones. If you are on a river, it seems like there is no end to the possibilities. My favorite is to find a small stone with a shape that easy to tie off to and wedge it behind a couple larger stones. then stack more stones on top to hold it in position.
    We are now ready to start our way down the Great Unknown.We are three quarters of a mile in the depth of the earth.We have an unknown distance yet to run, an unknow river yet to explore.What falls there are, we know not; what rocks beset the channel, we know not; what walls rise over the river, we know not. Ah, well! We may conjecture many things. The men talk as cheerfully as ever; jests are bandied about freely this morning; but to me the cheer is somber and the jests are ghastly. Powell 1869

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    Senior Member millergear's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jnelson871 View Post
    Anyone go stakeless on trips? I'm.contemplating trying to use natural materials instead of stakes. What have you used?
    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.

  10. #10
    Senior Member jnelson871's Avatar
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    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

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