Rocky, loose, sandy soil in many alpine areas. What stakes do you use? Right now I have the aluminum Easton stakes for my TT stratospire but I need something better that is not heavier.

What do you use?

Depends on your shelter type. For example, tarps need longer stakes for the ridgline tieouts but can use shorter stakes for the edges. Free-standing tents can use short, lightweight shepherd's hooks since the tension is taken up by the poles, not the stakes.

I've hiked the Rockies and Cascades for years with my SMD Gatewood Cape. My stake bag contains the required number of the old 6 inch MSR Groundhogs plus two titanium nails (for really hard-packed or extremely rocky sites or to make pilot holes for the Groundhogs). The Ti nails also serve as spares should I lose a Grounhog or need a couple of extra guy-out points.

I don't use a bivy, but if I did, I'd carry 4 of the lightest Ti pegs i could find. There's no real tension on them; they're just holding the thing lightly in place.

Edited by wandering_bob on 01/23/2013 22:23:52 MST.

I hike 90% in the sierra and for my Hexamid i use 3 vargo ascent V shape ti stakes for the main center and 2 front

http://www.campsaver.com/media/catalog/product/v/a/vargo_ascent_1.jpg

and then vargo ti sheppard stakes for the rest(6).

what the problem with your easton stakes? that is what I typically use. If you are looking for more holding power, than I would recommend msr groundhog style stakes.

DAC V stakes are lighter than groundhogs and hold exceptionally.

+1 groundhogs

I find ground hogs work best in most situations. Some times in the desert I bring a couple snow stakes for my main lines.

I've been using the ti shepherds hook type stakes for years in the summer, moving to SMC in the winter depending. A rock is usually mandatory also.
Duane

I use Ti Shepard stakes supplemented with rocks occasionally since there is no lack of them in the sierras. I find I can get the Ti's in the rocky Sierra soil a lot easier than those I've seen using larger diameter stakes. A number of years ago I was using the Easton stakes and had a tough time getting them in the ground- even broke a few.

"...aluminum Easton..."
"...but I need something better..."

Define "Better".

What issues are you encountering?

Can't drive them in?
Won't hold?
To short?
Heads pop off?

If you are not in a hurry to set up, the Ti sheppard hooks are the lightest out there and the lowest volume. Add pile of rocks and you're good to go. (Terra Nova Needles are 1 gram.)

Not in a hurry and don't want to pile rocks? The new Easton Nano's. But care Is required.

Pressed for time and just "drive'em in"? Ground Hogs. Heavier. Bulkier. Bombproof.



Everything is a trade-off. Light, Stiff, Wide. Pick any two.

Edited by greg23 on 01/24/2013 10:54:45 MST.

FWIW, I've destroyed more than one Easton stake in the Sierra. Those hollow aluminum stakes can split apart at the point if they hit a rock directly - usually when being driven in with another rock.

I've never had a head pop off, but Eastons - at least the older ones - had a reputation for that.

I save my Eastons for low elevation hikes where it's relatively easy to just shove them into the ground. They do hold well in soft dirt, less so in sand.

Thanks for the ideas.

When I say better, I mean less prone to bending, able to be driven into very hard ground, stay put, end caps not coming off.

Those are the issues I've had with the eastons.

Where can I buy a Vargo titanium nail stake? The T-103 I believe?

I agree that MSR ground hogs will be the easiest, no nonsense stake. That said, I've used Ti Shepard Hooks + some rocks + patience all over the Sierra with no issue.

Edited by Konrad1013 on 01/24/2013 16:21:38 MST.

Around town, I'm usually serving very lean elk or caribou steaks. To the point that I'll coat them in olive oil so they are less dry, but still healthful. They are tasty, hormone-free, sustainably harvested, nominally free and oh such much better than moose.

But for a High Sierra BPing trip, I might go with a ribeye for all the extra fat / calories.

Ti wires, every time.
Alpine soil - the grass is tough enough to hold the wires just fine.
Rocky country: pile rocks on top of the wires.

Cheers

I had a Caribou burger in Alaska once. It was good.

Edited by justin_baker on 01/24/2013 17:30:27 MST.

AND... you might take an SMC snow stake for a potty trowel and use it in a particularly loose soil area.

Then there are the new (& heavier) MSR twisted Groundhogs.

If they don't hold tie on to a big rock. After all, extra cord is lighter than bigger stakes.

Edited by Danepacker on 01/25/2013 18:48:58 MST.

3-4 ft of light cord on each tie-out and a big rock :)

"I hike 90% in the sierra and for my Hexamid i use 3 vargo ascent V shape ti stakes for the main center and 2 front"

Jason - Out of curiosity, what determines which stakes you use for what purpose? (So three Ti Vargo in the front of the Hexamid, five Ti Shepard in the rear?)