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10 Ideas for tent staking (Read 6742 times)
mastertangler
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Ideas for tent staking
Aug 7th, 2010 at 11:40am
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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
  
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Arctic
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Re: Ideas for tent staking
Reply #1 - Aug 7th, 2010 at 1:25pm
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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.
  
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DentonDoc
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Re: Ideas for tent staking
Reply #2 - Aug 7th, 2010 at 2:22pm
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Being from Florida, I'm surprised that you've not run into (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)  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
  
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mastertangler
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Re: Ideas for tent staking
Reply #3 - Aug 7th, 2010 at 5:22pm
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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  Roll Eyes
  
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intrepid_camper
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Re: Ideas for tent staking
Reply #4 - Aug 8th, 2010 at 12:35am
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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.   Wink
  
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marlin55388
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Re: Ideas for tent staking
Reply #5 - Aug 9th, 2010 at 3:39am
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All sound advice MT; never frayed a rope either.
  
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Preacher
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Re: Ideas for tent staking
Reply #6 - Aug 9th, 2010 at 3:15pm
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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.
  
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mastertangler
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Re: Ideas for tent staking
Reply #7 - Aug 11th, 2010 at 11:01pm
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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.
  
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solotripper
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Re: Ideas for tent staking
Reply #8 - Aug 12th, 2010 at 3:07pm
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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 Wink
4 large smooth edge rocks, one in each corner can give you a little extra layer of security.
  
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jimmar
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Re: Ideas for tent staking
Reply #9 - Aug 12th, 2010 at 4:46pm
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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.
  
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