|
|
| Post Number: 1
|
DaveG 
Group: Members
Posts: 300
Joined: Apr. 2005
|
 |
Posted on: Feb. 24 2013, 3:53 pm |
|
   |
I decided to try and make some fabric sand/snow stakes. After an Internet search, I settled on something like the Sierra Designs sand/snow stake (center in the pic below). I made a prototype -- basically a stuff sack with a webbing bridle (left in the pic below). Another common variation is like the REI fabric stake (right in the pic below).
But I have no experience with fabric stakes and couldn't find any specifications online. If anyone has one, can you give me any information about the dimensions and type of fabric?
The one I made has an 8" diameter and is 12" tall. The bridle is 3/4" webbing 15" long with a D-ring at the end. The fabric is 1.9 oz PU coated ripstop nylon. Total weight is 1.5 oz.
I tried it out in the snow and it seems to work okay. But the "sack" seems like it may be taller than necessary. And maybe the diameter should be bigger. I also have no idea whether the fabric is strong enough. And I wonder how good the style I chose is compared to other variations.
Just looking for feedback before I make another. Thanks.
Attached Image
|
 |
|
|
| Post Number: 2
|
Franco
Group: Members
Posts: 2708
Joined: Feb. 2005
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 24 2013, 4:20 pm |
|
 |
my Exped sand anchors are 8" square, made from coated nylon.
I have used them on snow and sand and yes they work.
The trick is to bury them deep enough so that the snow or sand on top has enough weight to keep them buried.
That is how a "dead man" anchor works.
Just in case you use them on snow, you stomp on the snow after you bury them but you need to make sure you have a tool to dig them out with the next morning .
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 3
|
|
|
| Post Number: 4
|
DaveG
Group: Members
Posts: 300
Joined: Apr. 2005
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 24 2013, 9:29 pm |
|
|
Well, it looks like the anchor I made is a bit of overkill, at least for a backpacking tent.
Franco and big load -- can you descibe how you set your anchors? Any general rule as to how deep is deep enough in sand and snow? I assume you want the anchor to remain as flat as possible. Do you use a bridle between the anchor and tent guy line/stake loop to prevent the anchor from folding up?
Thanks.
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 5
|
|
|
| Post Number: 6
|
big_load
Group: Members
Posts: 21963
Joined: Jun. 2004
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 24 2013, 10:08 pm |
|
|
I've only used them in sand. I buried them 10"-12" deep. They seemed secure enough, although they weren't tested by any major winds. You'll probably get a feel for it pretty quickly.
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 7
|
highpeakdrifter
Group: Members
Posts: 838
Joined: Jul. 2006
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 27 2013, 11:48 pm |
|
|
I used to carry various bag-contraptions around for snow-sand anchors, but It got to be too much trouble, (like digging a 1 foot deep hole for each stake,) so I tied an 8" diameter nylon loop into each of my shelter's stakeloops, and now I just put a piece of driftwood or firewood through each nylon loop, and stack rocks on top of the wood.
For the extremely rare instances when there is no wood or rocks available, I carry a few high-quality gallon zip-lock bags, which I loosely pack with sand or snow, roll them up tight, insert them into the nylon loops, and twist many times until they are tightly bound, then bury them.
I'm a mountain climber, and this simple arrangment has worked fine countless times for me in high winds above treeline.
Don't overengineer it...your not climbing K-2.
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 8
|
Tigger
Woods Pouncer
Group: Members
Posts: 10640
Joined: Apr. 2005
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 28 2013, 12:30 am |
|
|
If the snow is deep enough to put a snow anchor in, I find you can simply tie off some parachute cord to a block of snow and use it alone. I also bury sticks (a one foot stick buried underground is amazing). I don't even bring stakes in winter anymore at all. I just rely on rocks, snow blocks and sticks. I've used these methods in relatively extreme conditions (100 +mph winds last spring). The shelter in my avatar was in 40+ mph winds with 60 mph gusts just using sticks shoved in the snow.
--------------
If I'm going to be lost, in the woods is where I want to be...
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 9
|
big_load
Group: Members
Posts: 21963
Joined: Jun. 2004
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 28 2013, 12:30 am |
|
|
I would rather use wood or rocks, too, when they are available, which for me is most of the time. I don't carry sand anchors very often.
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 10
|
Montanalonewolf
Group: Members
Posts: 4888
Joined: Mar. 2010
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 28 2013, 7:13 am |
|
|
I just have several 8" stuff sacks that I put other stuff in* while packed and hiking but empty in camp. Loop the pull cord through a tent loop, fill with snow or sand and bury. Or add a length of cord between the 2 to get deeper. It's worked fine for years.
*Although not all get used and they're light and compact enough (and cheap) to just bundle the "extras" together in an outside pocket.
--------------
Ignorance is curable with education. Stupidity is refusing to be educated.
Those who don't read have no advantage over those who can't.
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 11
|
DaveG
Group: Members
Posts: 300
Joined: Apr. 2005
|
|
Posted on: Mar. 01 2013, 3:51 pm |
|
|
Thanks for the replies.
Yeah, I have a tendency to over engineer/over think things.
I made three versions of a fabric sand/snow anchor. Tried them out in the snow. All seemed to hold about the same and about the same as a 15" chunk of split wood. If anything, the flat version (far right in the photo) worked a bit better.
So, an informative experiment. I can see how making do with something found at the campsite or something less intricate would work just as well.
Attached Image
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 12
|
Tigger
Woods Pouncer
Group: Members
Posts: 10640
Joined: Apr. 2005
|
|
Posted on: Mar. 01 2013, 4:19 pm |
|
|
Well, it's still cool that you made the comparisons. If we don't experiment, we'll never discover new things. Thanks for sharing!
--------------
If I'm going to be lost, in the woods is where I want to be...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Survival Skills 101 • Eat Better
