[pct-l] Stakes (not meat)

[Bill Batchelor]

The recent note on using your tarp in high winds in the desert sand made me
think of this question.  Is there a resounding support for one type of
tent/tarp stake over another.  I have a few varieties and see pro/con on
all.

1.  I have those super thin Titanium numbers that are basically the shape of
a candy cane and about the diameter of ... A bit thicker than a wire clothes
hanger.  Remarkably resistant to bending considering their diameter.  Very
light weight.  However, I am concerned that their "surface area" in any sort
of loose dirt or sand would not hold - at all.  I know I could always use
rocks and logs as back-up.

2. I have some stakes I got with my Henry Shires - they are aluminum,
hollow, thicker with a nice head on them for banging!  Have not weighed them
next to option one, but I am sure collectively they are an ounce.  You can
see these here
http://www.tarptent.com/cgi-bin/surfshop/shop.cgi?ud=BAcHBg8ADAMCBRQVEhYTFwI
EBwMHAAcDBgIREAAA&t=main.htm&storeid=1&sortby=categories,itemid&cols=3&&c=de
tail.htm&itemid=99

3. Those sort of Y-shaped (when looking straight down at them) stakes that
look like they may be a good choice too.  I think I got these with a
Mountain Hardware tent.

Thanks, BillB