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My old tent finally gave up after a wet weekend in the Cascades.
I had to pick between a new three-season tent or a cheaper tarp and bivy setup. I went with the tent, a basic two-person model that cost about $180. It held up fine in a light rain last month, but the real test was a windy night near Mount Rainier. Has anyone else tried the tarp route for saving weight and money?
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sage2862mo ago
Mount Rainier wind is a different beast, my guy. I tried the tarp life once to save like thirty bucks. Woke up at 2 AM with a face full of wet nylon and a bug in my ear. My sleeping bag looked like it took a shower. The weight savings are real, but so is sleeping in a puddle.
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ivanl762mo ago
Sounds like that tarp saved you thirty bucks but cost you your dignity. Nothing like a surprise bug bath to make you rethink your gear choices. Guess some lessons come with a free shower.
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Honestly, that whole "save a little now, pay a lot later" thing is everywhere. I bought a cheap coffee maker that flooded my counter, and my friend got a discount phone charger that fried his port. It feels like we're all just choosing which kind of hassle we want to deal with.
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