I realized I was tying my tent down wrong after a windy night in Shenandoah

Woke up at 3am with my fly flapping like crazy and a puddle forming inside. Turns out I had been using the wrong knots on the guylines for 3 years, and some random hiker at the next site showed me a truckers hitch in 20 seconds. Anyone else learn a basic skill way later than they should have?

2 comments

2 Comments

emery9659d ago

Well, I'll be. I learned how to properly sharpen a knife last year after 15 years of dull frustration and one too many broken tips. A guy at a campsite pulled out a simple stone and showed me the angle and rhythm in about two minutes. It just goes to show you that the little tricks can really make a difference.

gavinhunt9d ago

Learned that same lesson with a hatchet about five years back. Always thought you just whack away until it works, then wondered why my arm was sore and the wood still looked like a beaver chewed it. Some old timer at a state park showed me how to let the tool do the work, just a steady swing and a clean hit. Took maybe ten swings to feel what he meant. Now I spend more time setting up the cut than actually swinging. Makes a world of difference with anything sharp, really.