I still worry about the wear on the kite with that method. I have been using the 18" camping stake
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/st...berId=12500226
with carabineers attached. This has worked well so far...even in a way overpowered self-landing. The only problem I have found with this method in general is that gusts will yank the chicken loop, which will pull it off whatever you have it attached to. The carabineers stop this from happening. I figure with my GK Sonics sitting on their edge depowered a gust maybe could pull the chicken loop with (maybe at most) 30-50 Lbs of force. I figure these stakes can hold 175-200+Lbs...so it should work for most conditions.