Planning on going to the French River at the end of the month (Georgian Bay) and paddle it's tributary the Pickeral to get to the outside and camp in Fox bay.

It has occurred to me that I will likely be using rocks to anchor my tent. I am not keen on tying rope directly due to fraying concerns. My thinking is to perhaps use some mesh bags to put the rocks into. Any thoughts :question

You could tie a loop of rope onto the webbing where your stakes would normally go, and then place a rock on top of that.

One thing that I often do when I camp on rock is put the stakes through the webbing, and then lay them flat on the rock/ground.  Then I put a heavy rock on top of each stake.  Works like a charm.

Being from Florida, I'm surprised that you've not run into   (You need to Login or Register  I just use the anchor loops to tie on to an appropriate spot on my tent ... and then weigh almost nothing.

While advertised for use with sand or snow, they work just as effectively when loaded with a sizable rock.  I used mine several times on a recent trip to WCPP, where the amount of dirt over the rocks is sometimes very minimal.

I've even used them in Quetico a few times when my vestibule stake out point was over the lip of a ledge.  I just popped a rock in the anchor and lowered it over the ledge-viola!

This, coupled with the rock on a cross stake, will generally get you by on any reasonable tent pad (and some unreasonable ones as well).

dd

DD,
In the twenty years I've lived in Florida the only "camping" out I've done here is in the bottom of my boat a few times.

I like your suggestion very much. I especially like the flexibility offered. If only small rocks are available they will certainly work. Like you I might have to include one or two when I go to the Q as well.

Thanks Arctic for "weighing" in..........Sorry, I just couldn't help myself  ::)  

You could use a stick of firewood like the tent stake and with the rocks.  I have never had much of an issue with my tie ropes fraying, even when tieing to rocks.  I also tie to small shrubs, trees, branches nearby.  I use a clove hitch near the base of the plant, it seldom slips and even small brush has a firm footing in the soil and generally doesn't pull out.  If you have a free standing tent you often don't have to tie it down at all.  I throw my gear inside to hold mine down on a windy point and run one tether-tie to something solid to make sure it doesn't actually start to cartwheel across the campsite.   ;)

All sound advice MT; never frayed a rope either.

Unless you use particularly crappy guy-lines it shouldn't be a problem.  

I use 2nd rate parachute cord for some of mine and they haven't frayed in over 5 years.  I want to replace them with the 3M reflective cord, but can't bring myself to throw out what ain't broke yet.

For tying to rocks I like the 2 rock method.  Tie to one rock, use the other to hold the first rock in place.  Don't over tighten, in fact this is where having a loop of bungie on your tie-points can help.  If "O" is the rock and "\" & "/" is the rope, tie to the rock on the left, 2nd rock goes over the rope:  O\O/tent.  I think this is illustrated in a Bill Mason book.

Thanks all for the thoughts. I have been in huge blows while away from my tent....daytripping as it were. During one especially memorable event I remember I could lean forward into the wind and not fall. My chief concern was wether my tent along with my sleeping bag would still be there when I got back. Fortunately not only did I stake the tent out but I had used the additional guy line attachment points as well (something I don't ordinarily do).

There are many unknowns when one has to depend on rocks to tie off to. If they are especially smooth and rounded or oval (as I suspect I will encounter in Georgian Bay) I would not trust the lines to stay secure during a big blow. Perhaps I am not acquainted with the right methodology.  

All good ideas.
I'll throw this out. Have done it more than once when conditions warranted.
Nothing says the rocks have too be just on the outside of the tent ;)
4 large smooth edge rocks, one in each corner can give you a little extra layer of security.

If it is anything like the last time I was there the piles of dried bear dung should be plentiful. Maybe those would work to stake down your little fabric shelter.

I was staying in a lodge and using in a power boat at the time and saw so many bears I wondered how the canoe campers were making out.

Yea, I know there is a pile of bears there. There are also quite a few rattle snakes about.  :o

Just have to keep my wits about me. No fish frys at camp and hopefully my chota muckluks will have enough stopping power to handle any ornery snakes. So far it's a go labor day weekend (going in before.....coming out after)

Wondering about a snakebite kit. Anybody know if they are worthwhile?

If you see a rattlesnake, consider yourself lucky.  Been in that territory many many times over the past 40 years.  Saw one rattlesnake 25 years ago.  Only saw it because I flipped the piece of wood it was hiding under.

Walk hard.  Heavy footsteps scare the snakes away.

mastertangler wrote on Aug 12^th, 2010 at 5:25pm:

Wondering about a snakebite kit. Anybody know if they are worthwhile?

Yes!  It makes the person administering the treatment feel better.   ;D

dd

DentonDoc wrote on Aug 12^th, 2010 at 6:04pm:

mastertangler wrote on Aug 12th, 2010 at 5:25pm: Wondering about a snakebite kit. Anybody know if they are worthwhile? Yes!  It makes the person administering the treatment feel better.   ;D dd

Reminds me of the old snakebite story of the two cowboys working the range. I'll PG it for the QJ ;)

One of the cowboys was relieving himself when a rattler bit him in a " delicate" place  :'(
His partner was less than reassuring and so they decided the best option was riding into town and getting the doctor.

When he arrived the doc was busy with a birth, but gave him instructions that made him grimace. Seems like he had to cut the bite and suck out the poison, standard treatment for that day and age.

He rode back at a full gallop and arrived to find his partner barely holding on. As he dismounted and approached his friend raised his head and barely audible, asked what the doctor said?

" He said, your going to DIE"   ;D ;D

I read somewhere that more people died from infections brought on by that old technique, than were saved.  My sister who lived in CA and  AZ now, has had 2 Rottweiler bitten by rattlers. Both dogs affected areas swelled up 2x the size and they were sick as hell, but survived. Vet told her most adults in good health will survive but should seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

No poisonous snake in QJ country.

Old Salt wrote on Aug 13^th, 2010 at 3:33pm:

No poisonous snake in QJ country.

I don’t know I have met some characters up there.