Warning: I used to pack a huge 6-person tent for solo trips, now I'm all about a 1-person bivy.

For years, I thought more space was always better, so I'd haul my old Kelty Trail Ridge 6 even when I was alone in the White Mountains. The change came after a windy night on Mount Washington where setup was a nightmare. Now my Alps Mountaineering bivy takes two minutes and I sleep just as well. Anyone else make a big switch from comfort to speed and simplicity?

3 comments

3 Comments

rivershah21d agoMost Upvoted

Yeah, that setup sounds familiar... I had a big tent blow over on me once and that was it for me. Now if it takes more than five minutes, I'm not interested.

jennyh3321d ago

Big tent blow over? I mean, my air mattress once deflated mid-sleep, so I get it.

henry_hernandez3d ago

Was that a family-sized tent or something? I read a blog post where a guy had his big cabin tent collapse in a storm, and he said it felt like being in a laundry bag with poles. @jennyh33, your air mattress story plus that sounds like a full night of bad luck. After hearing stuff like that, I totally get the five-minute rule for setup now.