I've noticed that pickets come in 2 foot or 3 foot lengths. What is the optimal length? And why?

thanks

For example: http://www.rei.com/product/474241

24 inches. Ever tried to carry a 36" picket?

24 inches. Ever tried to carry a 36" picket?

Thanks, why is 24 better, just because of less weight?

And snagging on stuff, assuming you have something of an approach.

vanman798 wrote:

24 inches. Ever tried to carry a 36" picket?

Thanks, why is 24 better, just because of less weight?

I believe a 24" picket will act as a sufficient anchor in most situations. Also it's short enough that you can clip it to your harness at times or secure it to the side of you pack without it catching on things.

Here is a really worthwhile analysis of snow anchors. Lots of factors are much more important than the length of the picket

http://www.mra.org/drupal2/sites/default/files/documents/grants/FortiniSNOWANCHORS3B.pdf

thanks, the 24 incher seems like the way to go.

Norris, thanks for the link. It was interesting to learn that both the horizontal and the sierra pickets are 3 times as strong as the traditional vertical picket.

Michael Scott wrote:

vanman798 wrote:the 24 incher seems like the way to go.

That's what SHE said!

+1