tent stakes

[Zed]

... Now I'm wondering if the stakes will survive without shattering...

I got the carbon fiber stakes with my altaplex for my Colorado Trail hike. On the first night out, I absent-mindedly picked up a rock to drive a stake... It splintered immediately.

[poolskaterx]

I have the carbon stakes but bring 3 regular ground hogs for my ridge line and to pre-poke holes for the carbon if needed. Do not pound on the carbon!!! You can beat on the ground hogs reliably!

[rocketsocks]

I have a couple long knitting needles for snow stakes

[MuddyWaters]

I have the carbon stakes but bring 3 regular ground hogs for my ridge line and to pre-poke holes for the carbon if needed. Do not pound on the carbon!!! You can beat on the ground hogs reliably!

I take it one step further, dont pound on any stake. Push into ground with toe of shoe if necessary. If it dont go in, just put a rock on it. Stakes hammered in, dont always come out easy. Rocks chip when used as hammers and can get in someones eye potentially if others around.

[Rhughesnc]

Good info. Thanks for the post

[Pollt]

I use Coleman 10-In. Steel Nail Tent Stakes! They are good

[Deacon]

I've always used the 6.5" shepherds stakes (like pins) but have never hammered/pounded them in. If I can't push them in the ground, I don't use them. In that cast I'll tie off to a rock or branch.

[cmoulder]

I agree that Ti shepherd hooks shouldn't be hammered or pounded, but you can tap them with a rock and see what happens, and then tap maybe a bit more vigorously just to get a feel for their limits. If you're in an area with shale, oftentimes a little bit of tapping will actually split the rock and the stake will go in all the way. Or if you poke around and find a crack, tapping on the stake can open the crack a bit more and permit the stake to go in.

If you do happen to bend a Ti stake, they can be straightened out surprisingly easily by hand (along the length, not the hook part!)

I find that the Lawson Ti stakes (same ones I linked above) are really superior due to the slight increase in diameter and the much smaller radius of the hook part.

[Bansko]

There is no magic stake; carry a variety.

[lonehiker]

I don't know what type of stake I use (MSR?). They are all the same length, are not particularly light, but they are sturdy. I've used them in about every type of environment (AT, PCT, Rocky Mountains). I've found that a good sized rock shores up any poorly anchored stake.

[Tipi Walter]

Get a free standing tent that doesn't require stakes or has minimal need(for the fly). They set up easier you don't have to worry about the ground as much. There are plenty of UL options out there.

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All tents require stakes. Free standing is a misnomer. One good gust as you go off to dig a cathole and the tent is upside down in a briar patch or in the creek.

[Venchka]

Get a free standing tent that doesn't require stakes or has minimal need(for the fly). They set up easier you don't have to worry about the ground as much. There are plenty of UL options out there.

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What planet are you from?
No tent is free staying.
Wayne


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[jefals]

Hey, if you've hit rock-hard soil - and not actual rock- you can pour a little water, dig a little with the stake, a little more water, a little more digging -- should work. Obviously, you gotta be somewhere where you can afford to use your water this way...

[Venchka]

Hey, if you've hit rock-hard soil - and not actual rock- you can pour a little water, dig a little with the stake, a little more water, a little more digging -- should work. Obviously, you gotta be somewhere where you can afford to use your water this way...

Thanks for figuring that out Jeff. We didn't use enough water to make it a problem.
Wayne


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[jefals]

right. not to mention the fact that we were also 3 feet away from a faucet.?

[Venchka]

Picky.
Wayne


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[SusanLeo]

I'm planning on using my Zpacks duplex tent on my attempt at a thruhike next year. Setting up in the soft/sandy soil of Florida where I live shows me that my 6" to 8" v shaped stakes don't hold in heavy wind nor even if I'm just adjusting lines. Anyone have any suggestions for soft ground stakes, or will I probably not have to worry about this on the AT?

Hello, greensleep

You can use TNH Outdoors Aluminum stakes for soft soil. Or, Vargo Titanium stake for all soil conditions.

[Franco]

no need for stinking stakes
Flying-Tents.jpg

[Franco]

BTW, freestanding tents are more fun
TentFlying 2.jpg

[Elaikases]

There's soft ground on the AT? It may be there somewhere but that isn't something I was planning for.

I've only done a few section hikes so far, but haven't found any myself.