A snow fluke is an anchoring device used in mountaineering. It is used both for climbing and for securing tents and other camping gear, designed for use in sand and snow. A fluke is a bent square or rectangle, approximately 8" by 10", and is made of aluminium or other metal, with a cable attached at two points on the upper surface.[1]
A fluke correctly used is buried in the snow, tip pointed down, approximately 40° from the angle of the mountain slope.[2] Flukes can deflect or dislodge in harder-packed or dry snow, and are therefore more reliably used in heavy, moist snow.[3]