In reply to ben b:
> Distant memories of an article with a picture of dozens of mangled snow stakes, possibly from the US (where stakes are more common than deadmen, much like NZ).
Could it be this one (from guys in NZ)?:
http://arc.lib.montana.edu/snow-science/objects/ISSW_O-061.pdf
> Personally I prefer stakes, as they are more multifunctional and easier to carry (and in NZ shallow depth of snow tends not to be as much as an issue as it can be in the UK); however I don't get out much these days!
Multifunctional as in also useful for running belays, you mean, or as half-kilo tent pegs?
Aside from their use as anchors for fixed ropes in rock hard Himalayan neve, I find it hard to imagine taking them along for an alpine-style climb. I've got a couple, but I'd sooner bring a spare lightweight axe, which barely weighs more. Not sure what the style down in NZ is - perhaps that explains their popularity, along with snow conditions.