SNOW ANCHORS

Snowpig

Snowpigs are an original Aspiring Enterprises snow anchor design incorporating a wire cable fixed at the centre, first released in 1984. They are not merely expensive snowstakes, but a high quality all-purpose snow anchor which suits almost any snow conditions. Snowpigs serve as snowstakes in hard snow conditions, but in soft snow a snowpig operates as a "deadman", though is probably more stable. Snowpigs are the most versatile snow protection available for New Zealand snow conditions.

The aluminium used is 6261 T6, a special high-strength angle section, and stainless steel driving caps are fitted to ensure durability of the head under hard conditions.

The point design has varied over the years, but is now a W shape, with a small point for each face. This gives the bite of the double-point inverted-V previously used, without the weakness of the points, which sometimes caused them to bend. The surface is anodised for maximum durability and the colour is gold. Effective in hard or soft snow.

can be used in soft ice
anodised surface
reinforced driving head
cable strength of 11 kN
eight holes for holding power
aggressive double point
karabiner holes at top
high tensile 6261 T6 angle
compact - 55cm long
lightweight - 460 grams
made in New Zealand

Snowstakes

Our plain snowstake is a simple snow anchor made from high tensile 50mm aluminium angle with holes punched along it. In recent years the aluminium used in the snowstake has been upgraded to 6261 T6, which is a much stronger alloy than those normally available from aluminium warehouses. Angle extrusions made from high strength alloys such as 6261 are usually distinguishable from lower tensile alloy angle sections because they have a small radius on the inside corner. This gives the extrusion slightly more strength in the angle, and also prevents the angle from splitting down the centre following pounding with a hammer.

The plain snowstake is an inexpensive option, but without the versatility of the snowpig, or its holding power in soft snow.

The reinforced snowstake is the same except for the addition of two small stainless steel driving caps, as used on the Snowpig. This gives the snowstake a lot more resistance to driving into hard snow with a hammer.

The cabled snowstake is another variation on the plain snowstake, which has a small loop of 4 mm wire cable through the karabiner holes at the top. The provides a connection point without having to clip a karabiner through the holes themselves - which can be difficult to do with certain shapes of karabiner. We have noticed that often a loop of webbing or cord is fitted through the holes, but because of the sharp edges of the aluminium, the webbing or cord would have much less than its usual strength when used in this way.

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Copyright Aspiring Enterprises, revised 10 October 2003.
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