Ran into an old timer at Glacier Basin who made me question my whole tent setup

I was at Glacier Basin campground last weekend and this guy in his 70s walks over while I'm struggling with my fancy new 4-season tent. He just says "son, I've slept under a tarp for 40 years and never woke up wet once." Made me wonder if I'm overcomplicating things with all this gear. Has anyone else had a veteran camper make them rethink their whole kit?

2 comments

2 Comments

gibson.elizabeth12d ago

Wait that guy has been sleeping under just a tarp for 40 years? Like no tent, no bivy sack, nothing but a piece of fabric over his head? I can't even wrap my head around that. I'd be scared a bear would just walk right up and sniff my face while I'm lying there.

abby_black12d ago

Forty years under a tarp with no walls at all, that's insane honestly. I'd be convinced every rustle in the leaves was something coming to get me before I even fell asleep. Can't imagine waking up with a raccoon just staring at you from two feet away.