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#83534 - 11/25/07 10:15 PM what do you use to hammer in your tent stakes?
Cesar Offline
member

Registered: 11/06/07
Posts: 217
Loc: El Paso, TX
I was just curious what everyone uses to hammer in their stakes and is also lightweight? Or do you just look for a rock around your campsite. Thanks.
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#83535 - 11/25/07 10:31 PM Re: what do you use to hammer in your tent stakes? [Re: Cesar]
Niles Offline
member

Registered: 09/04/07
Posts: 39
I haven't had too many instances where I couldn't just push the stakes in. Even in really rocky ground. But if I have to, I'll use a rock...they're resiliant little suckers.

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#83536 - 11/25/07 11:02 PM Re: what do you use to hammer in your tent stakes? [Re: Cesar]
billk Offline
member

Registered: 08/20/03
Posts: 1196
Loc: Portland, Oregon
Usually they'll just push in with a bit of effort. Otherwise, use a rock. Too big a rock, though, and the stake may bend or break. I actually broke one of those MSR Groundhog stakes that way last summer. Apparently, there was a large rock at the other end of the stake, too.

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#83537 - 11/26/07 07:19 AM Re: what do you use to hammer in your tent stakes? [Re: Cesar]
finallyME Offline
member

Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 2710
Loc: Utah
Rock. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
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#83538 - 11/26/07 07:35 AM Re: what do you use to hammer in your tent stakes? [Re: Cesar]
Dryer Offline

Moderator

Registered: 12/05/02
Posts: 3591
Loc: Texas
Local rock. Large stick. Both double as "camp trowels" as well. Primarily as a hammock or 'under the stars' camper, stakes rarely make it in the pack.
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paul, texas KD5IVP

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#83539 - 11/26/07 09:12 AM Re: what do you use to hammer in your tent stakes? [Re: Niles]
frenchie Offline
member

Registered: 10/05/05
Posts: 461
Loc: Lyon, France
Hand, or fist.
If not, boot.
If still not, stone or log.
Heavy swearing helps. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

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#83540 - 11/26/07 09:48 AM Re: what do you use to hammer in your tent stakes? [Re: frenchie]
billstephenson Offline
Moderator

Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 3917
Loc: Ozark Mountains in SW Missouri
Here in the Ozarks you'd need a hammer drill and sledge in most places. Dirt deep enough to push in all the stakes for a tent is pretty rare. I've got buddies that spend lots of time getting their tent in just the right spot so they can use all their stakes and when they're finished their tents look like they're ready for a photo shoot. They all use rocks. I converted mine to a free standing tent.

Bill

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#83541 - 11/26/07 09:53 AM Re: what do you use to hammer in your tent stakes? [Re: Cesar]
Eric Offline
member

Registered: 09/23/02
Posts: 294
Loc: The State of Jefferson
Note: When using a rock as a hammer pay careful attention to the placement of you fingers to prevent them coming between the rock and the stake.
Well unless you like dancing around clutching your hand and screaming.

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#83542 - 11/26/07 12:30 PM Re: what do you use to hammer in your tent stakes? [Re: billstephenson]
aroth87 Offline
member

Registered: 02/28/06
Posts: 193
Loc: Olathe, KS
Quote:
Here in the Ozarks you'd need a hammer drill and sledge in most places.

That's the truth. I usually spend a little time fishing around in the dirt before I find a place where my stake will go most of the way in. I rarely ever put my stakes where I really want them <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />. Anyway, I use rocks when I feel the need to pound anything. There's plenty of them here.

Adam

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#83543 - 11/28/07 07:59 AM Re: what do you use to hammer in your tent stakes? [Re: aroth87]
bulrush Offline
member

Registered: 04/19/07
Posts: 132
Loc: Michigan
I have just resumed camping after a long absence. Out of the 2 camping weekends I have gone to I have not found any rocks large enough to pound a difficult stake in. Luckily the Boyscout tents use the thin metal pegs which are easily pushed in. And both campsites suffered from soil that was way too soft (pegs tended to pull out).

And all the wood was quite rotten or soft, no good for pounding.

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#83544 - 11/28/07 09:19 AM Re: what do you use to hammer in your tent stakes? [Re: bulrush]
GrumpyGord Online   content
member

Registered: 01/05/02
Posts: 945
Loc: Michigan
When you find a good pounding rock you can put it in you pack and take it along with you. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

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#83545 - 11/28/07 09:22 AM Re: what do you use to hammer in your tent stakes? [Re: GrumpyGord]
finallyME Offline
member

Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 2710
Loc: Utah
Quote:
When you find a good pounding rock you can put it in you pack and take it along with you. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />


Can I do the same if I find a good bunch of rocks to make a fire ring? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />
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#83546 - 11/28/07 09:59 AM Re: what do you use to hammer in your tent stakes? [Re: bulrush]
oldranger Offline
member

Registered: 02/23/07
Posts: 1735
Loc: California (southern)
Actually, I have several favorite rocks lying around the house. I can airmail them express collect <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

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#83547 - 11/28/07 11:38 AM Re: what do you use to hammer in your tent stakes? [Re: finallyME]
GrumpyGord Online   content
member

Registered: 01/05/02
Posts: 945
Loc: Michigan
Taking one rock would be against the leave no trace and taking a whole bunch would really be bad. Maybe you could take them from home.

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#83548 - 11/28/07 12:02 PM Re: what do you use to hammer in your tent stakes? [Re: GrumpyGord]
Dryer Offline

Moderator

Registered: 12/05/02
Posts: 3591
Loc: Texas
"Maybe you could take them from home."

Maybe for a traditional backpacker. Ultralighters might consider some of the freeze dried or rock mixes on the market to save weight.
http://www.quikrete.com/ProductLines/ConcreteMix.asp
You could set your stakes in your new 'camp-made' rocks, and carry them with you when you move on. Leave no trace, ya know.





<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> silly me.....i was only kidding about setting stakes in the rocks....they'd be really hard to pull out when you get home.
_________________________
paul, texas KD5IVP

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#83549 - 11/28/07 08:29 PM Re: what do you use to hammer in your tent stakes? [Re: Dryer]
kevonionia Offline
member

Registered: 04/17/06
Posts: 1322
Loc: Dallas, TX
Paul:

You wrote:

Local rock. Large stick. Both double as "camp trowels" as well.

Please tell me that if that favorite found stick doubles as both a a hammer and is used in lieu -- or should I say, "in loo" of a hand trowel, that you're not taking it with you on a multi-day hike. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
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- kevon

(avatar: raptor, Lake Dillon)


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#83550 - 11/29/07 09:01 AM Re: what do you use to hammer in your tent stakes? [Re: GrumpyGord]
billstephenson Offline
Moderator

Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 3917
Loc: Ozark Mountains in SW Missouri
Quote:

When you find a good pounding rock you can put it in you pack and take it along with you.


That works, but I've improved that technique by putting the rock in my hiking partner's pack. This way you can use a bigger rock and even have a spare on hand if you need one.

Bill

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#83551 - 11/29/07 05:49 PM Re: what do you use to hammer in your tent stakes? [Re: Cesar]
aimless Online   content
Moderator

Registered: 02/05/03
Posts: 3292
Loc: Portland, OR
I start out trying to push the stake in by hand. If that fails, I move the stake a few inches and try again. If I need to use a rock, I rarely use it to pound. I use it to push as much as possible. The rock just saves my hand from bruising by spreading out the pressure point on my hand.

Pounding only seems to work in material that is packed hard together, but not solid, such as close-packed gravel. If your stake has met a solid rock or a big root, pounding it will only bend or break it.

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#83552 - 11/29/07 07:23 PM Re: what do you use to hammer in your tent stakes? [Re: Dryer]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada
Quote:
Ultralighters might consider some of the freeze dried or rock mixes on the market to save weight.


Pah.. All this freeze dried sarbar stuff.. just take some extra fuel for your svea and solder the buggers to the ground.

Don't forget to budget for extra fuel to melt the solder points to take them up in the morning

and for only a little more gas, you won't need to take any of that freezer bag stuff or cozies. just simmer the rocks till they're tender.. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
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Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
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#83553 - 11/29/07 08:05 PM Re: what do you use to hammer in your tent stakes? [Re: Cesar]
wandering_daisy Offline
member

Registered: 01/11/06
Posts: 2865
Loc: California
You cannot always get stakes into the ground (shallow rock slabs). So be sure to carry some extra tent cord so you can tie the corner down to a big rock or log. I just leave about 3 feet of thin tent cord tied to each corner. I also manage to loose at least one tent peg each long trip so it is wise to practice setting up the tent with fewer stakes! With a bit of creativity, I have always managed.

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#83554 - 12/03/07 10:37 AM Re: what do you use to hammer in your tent stakes? [Re: Cesar]
Earthling Offline
member

Registered: 02/22/03
Posts: 3228
Loc: USA
Quote:
I was just curious what everyone uses to hammer in their stakes and is also lightweight? Or do you just look for a rock around your campsite. Thanks.


Your backpacking companion's new Titanium mug, 'cause, heck, they're supposed to be built tougher than nails <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
PEPPER SPRAY AIN'T BRAINS IN A CAN!

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#83555 - 12/03/07 10:47 AM Re: what do you use to hammer in your tent stakes? [Re: Earthling]
Earthling Offline
member

Registered: 02/22/03
Posts: 3228
Loc: USA
Oh, in a serious note <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> you can place tent pegs as you would a golf tee and pushing it gently into the ground with your palm. If you meet resistance, rock, ledge, etc; then remove and try a few inches in another direction. Now if you're trying to place stakes in known hardpack then carry one of the large Ti stakes that look like a nail and make the hole with that then use your tent stake. I was in a hardware store the other day and saw some HUGE nail spikes on the order of 60D <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> like 10" long and 1/4" diameter! All the way down to 16 penny nails which in my youth I thought were for Paul Bunyan's cabin <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

When using a rock or tool to load stakes be careful to be out of the line of strike so as not to recieve the 'blow back' if the tool richocets <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> and or chips <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> a rock chip in the eye can be serious <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> and a hatchet blade in the forehead is, well, a hillbilly libodomy <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
PEPPER SPRAY AIN'T BRAINS IN A CAN!

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#83556 - 12/03/07 07:26 PM Re: what do you use to hammer in your tent stakes? [Re: Earthling]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada
Quote:
a hatchet blade in the forehead is, well, a hillbilly libidomy <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />


Libidomy? No no Earthling - I don't think it's the forehead for that <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
Browse my pictures


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#83557 - 12/03/07 07:35 PM Re: what do you use to hammer in your tent stakes? [Re: phat]
midnightsun03 Offline
member

Registered: 08/06/03
Posts: 2936
Loc: Alaska
I guess it depends on where you think the brains lie?

ROFLROFLROFLROFLRFOLROFLROFLROFLROFLROFLRFOLRFOL

MNS
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YMMV. Viewer discretion is advised.

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#83558 - 12/04/07 10:33 AM Re: what do you use to hammer in your tent stakes? [Re: midnightsun03]
Earthling Offline
member

Registered: 02/22/03
Posts: 3228
Loc: USA
I figured a few of you would catch the humor in that <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> Especially the one's that need to laugh most like MNS <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> You work too much!
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