Aluminum gutter nails are good to start your stake holes. They come is bags with the furrel that goes in the top of the rain gutter to space it apart. You can also use them for stakes.
I prefer the Gerber back paxe axe. It weighs 17 oz and works well. I saw my bp'ing buddy using a rock and slipped of the stake hitting the tent. Lucky for me it did not tear the tent.
That's pretty heavy just to pound in tent stakes (I know, you mayy use it for other things, but this is a lightweight backpacking site). And where would your tent be if your buddy had slipped using an axe to pound in tent stakes?
Be realistic. I use my hiking partners sledge hammer. Before each trip I give him a list of the 'essential' tools.....shedge, chain saw, cordless drill, sawzall, generator.... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
I never leave home without one of these. It's not nearly as heavy as it looks. The struts are carbon fiber and the whole thing fits into a 4"x9" silnylon stuff sack. Works great on everything from Easton aluminum to Ti needles. For lightweight fastpacking I cut the crew back to 3 or 4.
Trailrunner, Isn't that one o'them military hammers? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
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These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.
Using short lengths of guy line may allow for changing your placement. I almost never beat them in because that could make them hard to retrieve. I use short lengths of guy line and start poking holes until the stake goes in. Then I use a knot, or here recently I have been using line tightners, and pull her tight. If i just can't get the stake in, I find a log, rock or combination of both to tie to. Here is yesterdays setup. Note the log to the right. Actually I tied to the trees around there as well.
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