tent stakes

neeltje

Dear all,

In my guide book there is nothing mentioned on the quality of tent stakes one needs for camping in the Himalaya/Himachal pradesh/Ladakh. I expect the ground to be hard and rocky, and that I should have a bit stronger stakes than I possess at the moment. Am I right, are simple/cheap tent stakes not good enough, or won't they be a problem (i.e. bend...)?

Alchemy

Ladakh is rather rocky, unless you're camping around villages.

If stakes don't hold, use stones to hold your guylines instead.

AvidTrekker

Lots of grassy meadows where the stakes will go in without fuss. Else, as Alchemy says, use stones.

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dhananjay

Hi,
Tenting is not a problem anywhere ... The ground is always moist and pitching tents is an easy job ... however be aware that the thermals can be very agonising at some places so your tents have to be of essentially good quality ... which comes down to the stakes being of great quality to stand the wind pressures ... I have actually seen tents getting unhooked and flying in Losar in Spiti ... Also I would come to mattresses ... As the ground is usually very cold .... coming to you are pitching tents late in the evening during a trek or a road trip the mats should be good quality ... Carry double mats with good insulation ... air mattreses are a good option ...

Cheers,
Dhananjay

cliffhanger

Hi dhananjay,
try not to put the stakes perfectely vertically, try to put it in an inclined position, it will help u a lot. and if ur are using a ridge tent in high altitude take extra precotion because high wind can easily take the stakes off.