DIY: Snow Stakes / Anchor - What do you use?

[G.G.]

DIY Snow Stakes / Anchor... I'm curious of what people are using. I've lucked out with ground hogs and plastic shopping bags as well as natural features but there's got to be better systems out there for DIY snow use.

What are you using?


Thx,
GG

[mudsocks]

There are some good ideas in this thread. AHE sells snow anchors.

[OutandBack]

DIY Snow Stakes / Anchor... I'm curious of what people are using. I've lucked out with ground hogs and plastic shopping bags as well as natural features but there's got to be better systems out there for DIY snow use.

What are you using?


Thx,
GG

In really deep snow (4'-12') I like making 1/2" dia x 30" tarp stakes(Pins) from Spruce limbs.
They hold much better than MSR snow stakes or bag type anchors should the wind really pickup.

The best thing is they add nothing to the pack other than the weight of the tool required to cut them.

-O&B

[TZBrown]

In really deep snow (4'-12') I like making 1/2" dia x 30" tarp stakes(Pins) from Spruce limbs.
They hold much better than MSR snow stakes or bag type anchors should the wind really pickup.

The best thing is they add nothing to the pack other than the weight of the tool required to cut them.

-O&B

+1 on buried limbs or sticks, if you do a single loop you just pull your lines free.
No "unnatural" debris left behind.

They hold extremely well. Try taking a 30 inch 1 inch stick, loop your line around it and step it into the snow laying parallel to the ground.
Kick more snow on top and let it freeze about an hour, then tension your tarp.
After overnight I can tell you you probably cannot pull the stick through the snow at all

[DuctTape]

Use natural tie offs, or the buried stick method.

<---Stake free since '03 (well really since 2010 but that doesn't rhyme)

[turnerminator]

As above, always.

A buried stick and the adjustable guyline knot works for me in the winter.

I tie a variation of it but both work.

[Ravenslair]

+1 on buried sticks. Quick and easy and less to haul in and out.

[gargoyle]

There are some good ideas in this thread. AHE sells snow anchors.

First time I've seen Pauls fingers and they werent holding a fish!!

[TZBrown]

First time I've seen Pauls fingers and they werent holding a fish!!

That was funny

[Mumbles]

For years I used plastic shopping bags and clipped light biners to the handle and my tent guy lines.

This snowy weekend, I used these with much satisfaction.
http://m.rei.com/mt/www.rei.com/prod...d-tent-anchors