Camping in Greenland's Arctic Circle presents unique challenges, especially when it comes to securing your tent. Traditional tent stakes often fail to penetrate the permafrost, leaving you vulnerable to the harsh elements. This article recounts a firsthand experience grappling with this very problem during a recent expedition, detailing the successes and failures of various stake types, from standard snow stakes and MSR Cyclones to robust Hilberg titanium pegs. The author's struggles highlight the crucial need for careful gear selection when facing unpredictable, extreme conditions.The narrative follows a journey of trial and error, culminating in the creation of a DIY ice peg solution. From failed prototypes using wood and early iterations of aluminum tubing, the author meticulously documents the evolution of this ingenious design. Ultimately, the article offers valuable insights into choosing the right equipment for Arctic camping and provides a practical, cost-effective alternative for those seeking secure tent anchoring in challenging permafrost and icy conditions.
Pros And Cons
- Worked fine
- Thicker diameter, came out quicker
- Only had six, insufficient for guying out tent
- Very strong due to x-shape
- Potentially able to handle sideways hammering
- Fit perfectly into ice holes
- Relatively inexpensive to make
- May need longer ice screw for adequate depth
- Original prototype used nylon screws which are brittle in cold weather
- Easy to hammer into frozen ground
- Difficult to remove from frozen ground
- Broke several loops trying to remove them
- Wasted hot water trying to remove them
Read more: 5 Best Tent Stakes with Loops for Secure Camping
Tent Stake Failures on Permafrost
My initial choices for tent stakes proved disastrous on the Greenland permafrost. Classic snow stakes were useless due to the thin, icy snow cover. MSR Cyclone stakes, typically reliable, were too long for the frozen ground, offering excessive leverage and failing to provide secure anchoring.
The incredibly hard permafrost made it almost impossible to drive traditional stakes into the ground. This experience highlighted the critical need for specialized gear when dealing with such challenging terrain. The failure of both types of stakes emphasized the importance of careful gear selection for specific conditions.
Titanium Pegs: A Partial Success
Hilberg titanium pegs proved surprisingly effective for penetrating the frozen ground. Their rugged construction allowed for secure placement. However, removal proved exceptionally difficult, leading to broken loops and wasted hot water trying to extract them.
While these pegs offered superior penetration, their difficulty in removal became a serious issue. The excessive force required to extract them resulted in significant wear and tear on the gear, rendering some unusable. The trade-off between secure placement and easy removal is a critical factor to consider.
Alternative Anchoring Methods
Lake ice provided a surprisingly reliable alternative anchoring point for my tent. Its flat, predictable surface offered secure placement for ice screws, providing a stable base even in windy conditions.
While the lake ice offered a reliable solution, it limited the flexibility of campsite selection. The ice screws, while effective, were still limited in number, necessitating creative solutions for additional anchoring points using existing guy lines and runners.
DIY Ice Peg Prototypes
Frustrated with commercially available options, I decided to design my own ice pegs. The first prototype, utilizing a wood drill bit, failed completely due to its inability to effectively penetrate the ice.
The second iteration involved aluminum tubing, inspired by the dimensions of blue ice screws. Two prototypes were created: one pointed and one with a flattened end for improved grip. Nylon screws were initially used to secure guy wires but were later deemed impractical due to cold weather brittleness.
DIY Ice Peg Testing and Conclusion
Testing the aluminum prototypes in a frozen block of ice proved successful. While the pegs didn't penetrate as deeply as ice screws, they provided a strong enough hold for my purposes. Improvements such as longer aluminum pegs and standard screws are planned.
The homemade ice pegs, while a work in progress, offer a cost-effective and lightweight alternative to purchasing numerous expensive ice screws. While the initial design requires refinement, the concept shows promise for future Arctic expeditions.
Overall Conclusion and Recommendations
This Greenland camping trip highlighted the crucial need for selecting the right tent stakes for specific conditions. While Hilberg titanium pegs offered good penetration, removal proved problematic. Lake ice provided a reliable alternative but limited campsite choice.
The DIY aluminum ice pegs present a promising cost-effective solution, but further refinement is needed. Depending on the conditions, choosing snow stakes, titanium pegs supplemented with Hilberg XCS stakes or steel nails, or utilizing lake ice as an anchor point with ice screws are viable options. Choosing the right solution demands careful consideration of the specific conditions and available resources.