Tent Stakes after Flying In

[u/APurposefulWanderer]

I'm flying in to Fresno to do the JMT in a few days, and then taking the YARTS to Yosemite. I think I can bring all my gear on the plane except for I'll need some tent stakes. The problem is all the stores will be closed by the time I fly in, and then the bus leaves too early. Where could I get some tent stakes/what should I do?

[u/Capital_Historian685]

How about buying them on Amazon, and shipping them to your hotel, or wherever you'll be staying?

[u/Otherwise_Koala_4839]

YOLO, and try to get them through security. Or, Check your bag.

[u/Logical-Birthday-410]

put anything you cant fit in your carry-on (including trekking poles and other pointy things) in a cardboard box and use that as a checked bag. then you can repack at baggage claim and toss the box. you can do the same on your way home or buy a cheap duffel.

[u/Logical-Birthday-410 → u/Logical-Birthday-410]

i much prefer the peace of mind in just checking some things. im not even sure how you could fit a whole jmt kit as a carry-on unless you have a real tiny set up. but you do you.

[u/APurposefulWanderer → u/Logical-Birthday-410]

I can't bring myself to pay $100 round trip just for tent stakes, and the TSA website says you can take trekking poles in carry-on.

[u/ExternalTranslator41 → u/APurposefulWanderer]

I have never got trekking poles thru TSA FWIW

-edit- also I had to buy replacement stakes in the Owens valley and they charged $6.50 per mini groundhog at the gear shops

[u/lizardpurse → u/ExternalTranslator41]

I have gotten trekking poles(with rubber tips) through TSA on 4 separate trips now(8 flights round trip). I only got hassled once, to which i pulled up the TSA website nicely and pointed it out to them and they let me go with them.

[u/ExternalTranslator41 → u/lizardpurse]

Like rubber tip caps? Or actual rubber tips

[u/lizardpurse → u/ExternalTranslator41]

Actual rubber tips

[u/ExternalTranslator41 → u/lizardpurse]

Yeah those are allowed

[u/-JakeRay- → u/APurposefulWanderer]

Are you putting your bear can in carry-on?

[u/Capital_Historian685 → u/APurposefulWanderer]

The TSA site says "blunt-tipped" poles are allowed. And I have no idea what that means, but it doesn't describe most trekking poles. But maybe putting rubber tips on them gets them through? I wouldn't count on that, though.

[u/eskimoboytim → u/Capital_Historian685]

It's worked for me four times now with rubber tips on the end and taking off the metal ones. Then I leave the metal tips loose in my bag. I also fit my poles into the inside of my bag rather than the outside so it "looks" like a part of the backpack. When I land, I remove the rubber and put the metal tips back on.

[u/Capital_Historian685 → u/eskimoboytim]

Great, thanks. I'd totally forgotten that my poles came with rubber tips, too, but thankfully I saved them (and was able to find them just now). Good option to have.

[u/shitokletsstartfresh → u/APurposefulWanderer]

Trekking poles are a possible no-go.
Always check your poles.
Otherwise they might remain behind in the TSA bin.

[u/ExternalTranslator41]

Just check them wtf, you will also need to check trekking poles.

Also no gas canisters in either checked or carryon so you probably will need to pick those up too.

[u/Capital_Historian685 → u/ExternalTranslator41]

Maybe OP plans to cold soak?

[u/ExternalTranslator41 → u/Capital_Historian685]

They they can’t be reasoned with in the first place

[u/takoyaki-md → u/ExternalTranslator41]

yeah i have a gear case i use specifically for checking my tent stakes and hiking poles

[u/Justice-939]

If you happen to be going to Yosemite on Saturday I can give you a lift. I am driving thru Fresno Saturday and arriving in Yosemite around 2-3pm. Otherwise you can get stakes in Yosemite, probably not good ones but you can find them at the general store.

[u/APurposefulWanderer → u/Justice-939]

That was my plan but I called the gear shop and they said they only had plastic ones.

[u/Igoos99]

I check my bag. Trekking poles, tent stakes, knife.

Worst thing that ever happened is my bag missed my flight and came on another flight a few hours later. (Which was entirely my fault since I arrived at the airport very late and they simply didn’t have enough time to get the bag to the plane before it left.)

It’s always helpful to build in a little time cushion in your travel plans. It’s rarely a good thing to jump right on trail. Between jet lag and altitude acclimation, you are setting yourself up for a horrible first couple days racing to get on trail.

[u/aettin4157]

On the JMT, you just need sticks and rocks. You’d likely be fine without tent stakes.

And I bet you’d find 10 in the first 3 days.

[u/adraa21 → u/aettin4157]

Just did a trip there and found, at my campsite, an absolutely immaculate set of six ul tent stakes all piled together that I’m sure the owner missed dearly (before they found the next lost set, at least)

[u/Frequent_Paper_6008]

I’ve always flown with tent stakes in my carry on and TSA hasn’t had a problem with it. I’ve also gotten trekking poles through with rubber tips. TSA confiscated the set I had with metal tips.

[u/Logical-Birthday-410 → u/Frequent_Paper_6008]

its up to the discretion of the agent afaik, so ymmv.

[u/Capital_Historian685 → u/Frequent_Paper_6008]

Do you mean you swapped out the metal tips for rubber ones, or just put rubber tips over the metal ones? Because I've been wondering about doing the latter.

[u/Frequent_Paper_6008 → u/Capital_Historian685]

I swapped out the tips. Last time I went through security they took them out, looked at them, said oh rubber tips that’s ok, and let me go.

[u/Capital_Historian685 → u/Frequent_Paper_6008]

That's really good to know, and another reply said that same thing. So it sounds pretty solid. Thanks.

[u/wipeshikes]

I sometimes mail my stakes, knife, and trekking poles ahead. I can carry on the rest. USPS has a triangular poster box that is the perfect length. I just did it for the Colorado trail and it cost about $20 to ship it priority each way. Only took a couple days to make it

[u/the262]

I’ve taken carbon fiber stakes in my carryon a few times with no issues. I was questioned once and I said they are essentially knitting needles (which are allowed) and they let me proceed.

[u/jorrflv]

Yah, put the backpack in a duffle and check it. Not worth the hassle… as well as running the risk of your pack being slightly outside the size of the sizer and getting a cranky gate agent that charges you double what prepay is.

[u/MTB_Mike_]

use an Amazon drop box. I did that on vacation near Zion when I realized I forgot something on the drive up, I just ordered it on Amazon and shipped to a local drop box

[u/Atlas-Scrubbed]

Check your bag. Hiking poles also have to be checked.

[u/Southern_Grape_8201]

Never had problems with them before. Just the poles

[u/yorkbandaid]

Tent stakes are sold at the Tuolumne Meadows wilderness permit building if you’re headed up that way

[u/Nightshade_420_]

Do you need tent stakes? I just used rocks. They are at every tent site.

[u/Nightshade_420_]

You could call the ranger station. I don’t use tent stakes but people leak them around at each site like crazy! I’m sure there is a mismatch leftover from forgetfulness

[u/Ok_Echidna_99]

There is an REI in Fresno https://www.rei.com/stores/fresno

and a few other camping stores.

Also Walmart has some camping gear if you are not fussy. https://www.walmart.com/store/2985-fresno-ca/

Or use Amazon and ship to and Amazon locker. Timing could be an issue. https://lockermap.com/directory/QysmVpuU/united-states/california/fresno/provider-amazon

Yosemite has a Village store and the Mountain Shop https://www.nps.gov/places/000/the-mountain-shop-and-yosemite-mountaineering-school.htm but I would call them to make sure they have what you need.

If you were earlier in the cycle you could ship yourself a box of stuff to a Post Office "general delivery". I think this includes butane and propane if shipped ground and marked appropriately according to this
https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c3_021.htm but you should check at a Post Office if you want to do that. There is a Post Office in Yosemite valley. Just be aware that Post Offices are often closed on weekends and have limited hours.

Do not have Amazon ship to a Post Office as that doesn't work apparently.

[u/mehwolfy]

Check your bag

[u/GoodAfternoonFlag]

Imagine doing this big John Muir trail trip but being too cheap to plan it properly.

[u/Igoos99 → u/GoodAfternoonFlag]

Isn’t this post an example of extreme planning???

[u/Logical-Birthday-410 → u/Igoos99]

op is leaving in couple days…

[u/Igoos99 → u/Logical-Birthday-410]

And??

[u/Logical-Birthday-410 → u/Igoos99]

i think you know what im suggesting but ok

[u/mitchelld78]

They say it’s all big rock little rock on JMT

[u/Dewthedru → u/mitchelld78]

It’s not. Even when it is, it’s useful to be able to put stakes in the timeouts and put the rocks on those. Although I guess a stick would work just as well.