Ice Anchors

[andercee]

For those of you who have portables, how do you keep your house from flying away?   I know there are many ways to skin this cat but I wanted to hear about the different options.  I have yet to test the system I devised.  I have a two straps that I attached to ice screws, and I super glued two strap cam buckle on to the sled.  I don't think the super glue will last but in theory I think it's pretty slick. 

[Rio252]

I simply drill holes in the plastic and slip a 12 in piece of small diameter rope in and tie an over hand knot so it doesnt slip out and then a loop knot to attach to the ice anchor. Keep the anchor ropes short! The best screws I have found were tapered point and had a t-bar handle coated with red rubber. I found them at Big Bear.

[Bullelk34]

Gamedog-

Great avatar! Those audio clips are the best!

"Laterz"

[frozengator]

please put pictures in. I use a screw right now but the pvc one sounds quicker just would like to see to make sure what I am doing.   

[NONYA]

MY 700 LB 4 WHEELER MAKES A PRETTY GOOD ANCHOR...

[wirehairman]

I bought the anchors with the nylon straps and plastic "snap buckles" that screw to the sled.  A couple of seasons ago, a wind with 30 to 40 mph gusts snapped one nylon strap off the screw on the sled and broke the buckle on the other.  Led me on a merry chase across the lake.  Fortunately, it was just Castle Rock and not Fort Peck or Tongue River.

Anyway, I still use the anhors as they are self tapping and seem to hold in the ice really well.  However, I drilled two holes in the back lip of the sled and then ran a rope with two loops in it up through one hole, across the back of the sled, and down through the other hole.  I screw the anchors in, put the loops on the anchors, and push the sled to remove the slack before freezing the sled down.  I have had no problems since going this route.

If that is too confusing, I will try to get pictures sometime.

[copperjohn]

I also use the clam anchor screws and strap/buckle system.  My pak shak III withstood 60mph straight winds on Holter New Years Eve Day.  Well, at least the anchors held, the tent was really scary.  I do predrill with a cordless and a 1/4" bit and they go in pretty good.  I used to use 3/8" x8" Lag bolts with washer and S hook, predrill and drive in easy.
Dave

[Grumpyoldman]

A true ice anchor that won't ever let you down is made thus: Cut pieces of 2"x2" (2"x4" or whatever) wood that are wider than your holes. Get a 3' piece of (nylon)rope. Drill a hole in the wood to accomodate the diameter of the rope. Pass an end of the rope through the hole and tie it off. Go fishing. Drill a hole. Push the piece of wood lengthwise down the hole, and then turn it horizonal under the ice. You should now have a piece of rope that comes up through the ice that you can tie off to, that is attached to a piece of wood that is wedged under the ice. The hole will freeze which means that you will have to cut the rope (cut it as short as possible, so you aren't leaving extra on the ice). Cheap, one-time use, no fail.
You don't need these for all your tie off points. Just the crucial ones. Use ice screws for the rest.
I usually make a batch of these and keep two in the sled for those real bad days.
               

[frozengator]

that sounds like a quick easy one.
 

[Neptune]

A true ice anchor that won't ever let you down is made thus: Cut pieces of 2"x2" (2"x4" or whatever) wood that are wider than your holes. Get a 3' piece of (nylon)rope. Drill a hole in the wood to accomodate the diameter of the rope. Pass an end of the rope through the hole and tie it off. Go fishing. Drill a hole. Push the piece of wood lengthwise down the hole, and then turn it horizonal under the ice. You should now have a piece of rope that comes up through the ice that you can tie off to, that is attached to a piece of wood that is wedged under the ice. The hole will freeze which means that you will have to cut the rope (cut it as short as possible, so you aren't leaving extra on the ice). Cheap, one-time use, no fail.
You don't need these for all your tie off points. Just the crucial ones. Use ice screws for the rest.
I usually make a batch of these and keep two in the sled for those real bad days.
               

I think this idea is simmiliar to what Gamedog does with PVC pipe except I think he retrieves his completely and it can be reused...

[BojiHawk]

lol...you better have a Shaquille Oneill wingspan to do that in Iowa.....30" of ice...almost need an extension.

[Grumpyoldman]

I think this idea is simmiliar to what Gamedog does with PVC pipe except I think he retrieves his completely and it can be reused...

Trust me. If its at all cold, you're not getting it back. Its frozen in.

[Grumpyoldman]

lol...you better have a Shaquille Oneill wingspan to do that in Iowa.....30" of ice...almost need an extension.

Use you're auger to shove it down the hole. A little jiggle and she flattens out underneath. Hold on to the rope.

[Seedtree]

I would avoid the glue route - no way this will hold in any kind of wind.  Even with solid ice anchors you must be vigilant - I saw my screwin-type ice anchors bend under a heavy Eastern MT wind a few years ago.  Never heard of screwin-type ice anchors bend before (they are made to rappell from), until I actually saw it happen. 

[Grumpyoldman]

Never happened yet
If you can get a tip-up out after being out overnite, these are no different.

I hereby retract my statement then.

[Ice Freek]

I need to get some of those, I went surfing on Beaver Creek last week setting up the shack I bet I went 20 or more yards while trying to set it up! had to put the 4-wheeler in front of it to get set up and froze in!