Not sure if this has been covered here before, but anyone have any experience with either the Vargo Ascent or Vargo Crevice stakes?

http://www.vargooutdoors.com/Titanium-Vargo-Ascent-Tent-Stake-%28ultralight%29

http://www.vargooutdoors.com/Titanium-Crevice-Stake

http://zpacks.com/accessories/stakes.shtml

I have had poor luck in Southwestern soils with really skinny titanium stakes and even regular aluminum shepherd hook stakes. With my tarp tent, I usually use Shepherd Hook stakes for the less load bearing points, and MSR groundhog-style Y stakes for the guy lines and other tensioned points. Still, I'd like something lighter. Has anyone tried these? Comments?

Thanks!

PS - I have also broken the heads off of Easton Nano stakes, so I'm not the most gentle stake user.

Edited by six2 on 10/19/2011 15:03:42 MDT.

I usually carry an assortment Vargo Ascent, 8" ti-eye hooks and 6" tie-shephard hooks.

All are durable. The Ascents hold well, like any V stake. They are tough and reasonably light. The groves make them lighter, but also seem to make them grip better.

I was scarred of using the skinny ti-eye and t-shephard hooks until I got use to them.

I found that they do quite well in soft ground when combined with found objects and they especially work well when wedged in cracks and in rocky areas.

Thanks, this is very helpful.

I ordered a set of Vargo's Ascent stakes and quickly abandoned using them.
The top part, above the notch for the guy line, bends over with the slightest pressure used to push the stake into the ground. After a couple of events like this, it breaks off from fatigue failure.

Yes they are light, but useless.

Good to know, I wonder if the Crevice are any better? If not I may just go with some heavier aluminum Y-stakes for the most tensioned points.