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Tent pegs and hard ground
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2022 1:22 pm
by belugabob
Just a quick query, to see how you folks deal with this.
If I'm car camping, with the big tent, then I just take the big tent pegs and a rubber mallet.
When bikepacking and backpacking, however, weight and space suggest that lighter pegs , and no hammer are the order of the day.
Suggestions welcome.
Re: Tent pegs and hard ground
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2022 1:30 pm
by Lazarus
Find rock use as hammer, bend pegs decide to get sturdier ones when home but don't as it saves 4 g per peg)
This is my approach to it .
I have mixed v ones and pins i try to get the pins in on hard ground with mixed results
Re: Tent pegs and hard ground
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2022 1:45 pm
by woodsmith
I've found MSR groundhogs to be almost unbreakable and stand up well to being hit with rocks.
Re: Tent pegs and hard ground
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:06 pm
by RIP
woodsmith wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 1:45 pm
I've found MSR groundhogs to be almost unbreakable and stand up well to being hit with rocks.
Would they stand up to being hit
into rock?
9g Ti V pegs and no hammer all the way for this ditch dweller.
Ground too hard? Roll on a bit and try another spot

Re: Tent pegs and hard ground
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:07 pm
by ScotRoutes
A short loop of guyline through the pegging hole/loop might give enough flexibility of placement so as to find a softer spot of ground.
Re: Tent pegs and hard ground
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:10 pm
by RIP
I like to keep one peg in a stemcell (*). On arrival at a potential spot, very first thing I do is whip it out and do a bunch of high speed test probes. Depending on results, accept or reject the spot on offer.
(*) yes obviously there's other gear in there as well not
just one peg. Mildly inefficient spacewise that would be

.
Re: Tent pegs and hard ground
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:35 pm
by woodsmith
RIP wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:10 pm
I like to keep one peg in a stemcell (*). On arrival at a potential spot, very first thing I do is whip it out and do a bunch of high speed test probes. Depending on results, accept or reject the spot on offer.
(*) yes obviously there's other gear in there as well not just one peg. Mildly inefficient spacewise that would be

.
I'm just releived to hear its not being dangled

#resistthedangle

Re: Tent pegs and hard ground
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:36 pm
by psling
RIP wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:10 pm
... first thing I do is whip it out and do a bunch of high speed test probes. Depending on results, accept or reject the spot on offer.
Fnnaaah fnaaahh
The double entendre is alive and well at BBBP

Re: Tent pegs and hard ground
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:39 pm
by psling
Nails. Or pegs like nails plus an improvised hammer.
Or wrap the guyline around a rock / lump of wood / bike / anything convenient.
Re: Tent pegs and hard ground
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:39 pm
by woodsmith
RIP wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:06 pm
woodsmith wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 1:45 pm
I've found MSR groundhogs to be almost unbreakable and stand up well to being hit with rocks.
Would they stand up to being hit
into rock?
9g Ti V pegs and no hammer all the way for this ditch dweller.
Ground too hard? Roll on a bit and try another spot
Not had any problems in very rocky ground in the mountains but I'd draw the line at using them as pitons

. I did manage to break one once after hammering into what was probably a tree rot. Repeated kicking to and fro trying to loosen it eventually sheared it off.
Re: Tent pegs and hard ground
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:40 pm
by woodsmith
woodsmith wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:39 pm
RIP wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:06 pm
woodsmith wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 1:45 pm
I've found MSR groundhogs to be almost unbreakable and stand up well to being hit with rocks.
Would they stand up to being hit
into rock?
9g Ti V pegs and no hammer all the way for this ditch dweller.
Ground too hard? Roll on a bit and try another spot
Not had any problems in very rocky ground in the mountains but I'd draw the line at using them as pitons

. I did manage to break one once after hammering into what was probably a tree root. Repeated kicking to and fro trying to loosen it eventually sheared it off.
Re: Tent pegs and hard ground
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:43 pm
by RIP
woodsmith wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:35 pm
RIP wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:10 pm
I like to keep one peg in a stemcell (*). On arrival at a potential spot, very first thing I do is whip it out and do a bunch of high speed test probes. Depending on results, accept or reject the spot on offer.
(*) yes obviously there's other gear in there as well not just one peg. Mildly inefficient spacewise that would be

.
I'm just releived to hear its not being dangled

#resistthedangle
Plainly it's our duty to add additional pushes to help this thread on its rapidly spiralling downward trajectory, so yes it would be most ungentlemanly to whip out my dangler in front of any innocent Normals passing by. Best keep it hidden until there's someone worth impressing.
Re: Tent pegs and hard ground
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2022 3:51 pm
by Linkpin
RIP wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:43 pm
woodsmith wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:35 pm
RIP wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:10 pm
I like to keep one peg in a stemcell (*). On arrival at a potential spot, very first thing I do is whip it out and do a bunch of high speed test probes. Depending on results, accept or reject the spot on offer.
(*) yes obviously there's other gear in there as well not just one peg. Mildly inefficient spacewise that would be

.
I'm just releived to hear its not being dangled

#resistthedangle
Plainly it's our duty to add additional pushes to help this thread on its rapidly spiralling downward trajectory, so yes it would be most ungentlemanly to whip out my dangler in front of any innocent Normals passing by. Best keep it hidden until there's someone worth impressing.
Although on that note if you're pushing it in so hard you risk snapping it you might want to consider easing off a bit.
Re: Tent pegs and hard ground
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2022 4:50 pm
by Boab
Shirley we all just use the other side of our axe head to batter in our truculent tent pegs, no...?

Re: Tent pegs and hard ground
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2022 4:56 pm
by Bearbonesnorm
Good job that ^ doesn't have suspension forks.
Re: Tent pegs and hard ground
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2022 8:01 pm
by belugabob
Boab wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 4:50 pm
Shirley we all just use the other side of our axe head to batter in our truculent tent pegs, no...?
OCD not severe enough to put orange squash in those bottles?
Re: Tent pegs and hard ground
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2022 8:17 pm
by ledburner
belugabob wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 8:01 pm
Boab wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 4:50 pm
Shirley we all just use the other side of our axe head to batter in our truculent tent pegs, no...?
OCD not severe enough to put orange squash in those bottles?
so they don't have
Sunny Delight
Re: Tent pegs and hard ground
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2022 8:18 pm
by ledburner
belugabob wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 8:01 pm
Boab wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 4:50 pm
Shirley we all just use the other side of our axe head to batter in our truculent tent pegs, no...?
OCD not severe enough to put orange squash in those bottles?
so they don't have...
Sunny Delight?
Re: Tent pegs and hard ground
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2022 8:29 pm
by Rob S
Linkpin wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 3:51 pm
RIP wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:43 pm
woodsmith wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:35 pm
RIP wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:10 pm
I like to keep one peg in a stemcell (*). On arrival at a potential spot, very first thing I do is whip it out and do a bunch of high speed test probes. Depending on results, accept or reject the spot on offer.
(*) yes obviously there's other gear in there as well not just one peg. Mildly inefficient spacewise that would be

.
I'm just releived to hear its not being dangled

#resistthedangle
Plainly it's our duty to add additional pushes to help this thread on its rapidly spiralling downward trajectory, so yes it would be most ungentlemanly to whip out my dangler in front of any innocent Normals passing by. Best keep it hidden until there's someone worth impressing.
Although on that note if you're pushing it in so hard you risk snapping it you might want to consider easing off a bit.
Maybe move it two inches and try again?
Re: Tent pegs and hard ground
Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2022 11:09 pm
by ledburner
woodsmith wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:39 pm
RIP wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:06 pm
woodsmith wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 1:45 pm
I've found MSR groundhogs to be almost unbreakable and stand up well to being hit with rocks.
Would they stand up to being hit
into rock?
9g Ti V pegs and no hammer all the way for this ditch dweller.
Ground too hard? Roll on a bit and try another spot
Not had any problems in very rocky ground in the mountains but I'd draw the line at using them as pitons

. I did manage to break one once after hammering into what was probably a tree root. Repeated kicking to and fro trying to loosen it eventually sheared it off.
You could carry a
1 steel pin

(runs for cover)
use it just to break into tough ground.
then you have a choice.
withdraw it and replace a light peg/pin.
Use the steel to place other peg if they are stubborn...
20g it save breaking expensive a less durable alloy (and other exotica.)
portable shelter ultra light ground fixtures ..
or pegs...
Re: Tent pegs and hard ground
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2022 12:34 pm
by Alpinum
belugabob wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 1:22 pm
When bikepacking and backpacking, however, weight and space suggest that lighter pegs , and no hammer are the order of the day.
Some countries/areas can be tricky, since you must expect sandy, turf/grassy and rock solid grounds.
In such cases I've a mix of MSR Groundhogs, V stakes and pins, both in titanium, with me.
Often, when you're on rocky grounds you'll find rocks to help with a solid pitch. Remember to relocate the rocks once you're breaking camp.
The original Groundhogs are indeed pretty amazing.
V stakes come in many different shapes/types. I've had pretty strong one eg from Alpkit (couple of years back though) and some really weak ones (no idea where those where from). Same goes for pins.
ledburner wrote: ↑Tue Feb 22, 2022 11:09 pm1 steel pin
Or simply replace it with enough trust in your luck and skills

Re: Tent pegs and hard ground
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2022 12:52 pm
by belugabob
You could carry a 1 steel pin

(runs for cover)
Is that a hand grenade reference?
Re: Tent pegs and hard ground
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2022 12:56 pm
by ScotRoutes
I've occasionally packed one of the Easton alloy pegs. They are very robust. Hammering one of these with a rock then replacing it with a lightweight peg should do the trick.
Re: Tent pegs and hard ground
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2022 8:26 pm
by ledburner
belugabob wrote: ↑Wed Feb 23, 2022 12:52 pm
You could carry a 1 steel pin

(runs for cover)
Is that a hand grenade reference?
yes, you can the bivi In the hole...out of the wind..

ScotRoutes wrote: ↑Wed Feb 23, 2022 12:56 pm
I've occasionally packed one of the Easton alloy pegs. They are very robust. Hammering one of these with a rock then replacing it with a lightweight peg should do the trick.
Thanks the is a better and sensible suggestion. I just have a spare steel so my budget option, 10g heavier but no expense!
Re: Tent pegs and hard ground
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2022 8:42 pm
by RIP
The steel one looks like it could double as a max/min thermometer
