I tried all of these methods. Tracks monopod w/replacement shart point for pushing into the ground. It worked for a D70w/18-70 for an Alaskan backpack trip.
Turned a framed backpack w/third detatchable pole leg + small ball head into stable base. Trouble is it is difficult to fine tune a composition.
After many experiments I am back to a real tripod & bearing the weight.