Bored on Sunday morning, and this post came about because I just read one about a first-timer who cobbled together a UQ for his second night in a hammock... right out there in the wild!
I am one of those crazies who thinks jury-rigging or bushcraft solutions to what you encounter out in the backwoods is exactly why you go there in the first place.
I seems to me around here lately all we do is suggest folks spend money on better, funkier equipment.
We seem to have gotten really effete and self-satisfied about how comfy camping [of whatever nature] is supposed to be.
I know I am not the only one of my age on the boards, and I can actually remember times when going camping meant being less comfy than staying at home, and probably meant you were gonna get wet. Tents were canvas, as were packs. Tents leaked [Duh!], packs and boots were heavy. Nothing was freeze-dried... dinner was a the BIG can of Dinty-Moore[26oz. right there!]. Rope was hemp or that evil, stretchy paracord, and we carried 40-50 lb packs without complaint. We wore cotton and wool and didn't die. You went out in the woods to tough it out, and toughen up.
I know newer tech is lighter, arguably better etc. I know there is no reason to make yourself uncomfortable if you don't have to.
But what happened to us all to make us think you can only have a good outdoors experience if you've got ALL the latest, greatest, lightest, bestest, and that we shouldn't leave home with more than a 15lb "base-weight"?
3...2...1... GO!
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