Alternatives to Snow Stakes?

**mcallaghan** · 03-27-2014, 10:37

Got a foot of snow over the last 24hours and I am going on my first Winter Hang tomorrow night.

I ordered some Snow Takes from Amazon (lost my own) so that I can peg out my tarp but they were not delivered yesterday despite the status saying they were. I may just run into the local outdoors shop and hope they have some, but what are your alternates to snow stakes?

I don't think sticks will be an option - all Aspen trees out here and everything is buried under a few feet of snow where I plan on going. Rocks are out too.

**berk** · 03-27-2014, 10:44

I use stout sticks as deadman anchors. Available everywhere (except where it sounds like you're going). Otherwise, plastic Walmart bags filled with snow. Rope thru the handles. Just be sure to pick them up when you leave.

**mcallaghan** · 03-27-2014, 11:14

Plastic bags will be hard to come by too. Local grocery stores switched over to paper over (and charge you for them!) about a year ago. No WallyWorld either. With some luck, I may be able to find one or two around the house.

With the bags - I assume you dig a hole, but the bag-full-o-snow in the hole, then fill in the hole with more snow?

Certainly going to the outdoors store today, but incase they don't have anything that would work I will keep an eye out for alternatives.

While on the subject - I imagine it would be wise to pile snow up on the edges of the hammock as well? Keep any sort of draft out (at least on the sides, just have a hex-tarp so no doors)? Or is it not worth it with a hexfly?

**Two Tents** · 03-27-2014, 11:22

Bread bags work too. If the snow is abundent I pile it up where needed for windblocks and furniture. It depends on the snow too as to what is easily done around camp. Close off one end of the tarp with whatever you have extra plus snow.

**MAD777** · 03-27-2014, 11:38

If you have something similar to nylon fabric around (even an old sheet or shop rags) you can make snow parachutes. Fill them with snow, bury them upside-down and stomp the snow. Wait until the snow sets up again before putting tension on the tie-out.

**berk** · 03-27-2014, 11:53

Could also buy cheap plastic stakes, bury them sideways & tie off. You probably have something laying around the house that can be used for deadman anchors in snow...