When I have time I may go into this with more details in a different thread.Originally Posted by BoSox
I hardly read this thread but somehow I read your post here because I seen Ozzy posted last.
I like reading all Ozzy Posts.
I noticed yours when I scrolled down.
Read it because of the opening.
Anyways...
It will take about 10 weeks before I get my Wall Tent and Gear for that Tent.
I've did a bunch of shopping for Camping Equipment since.
I had some coupon for my Bass Pro Shop Credit Card so I used it.
Probably wouldn't have but my Duel Fuel Colman Lantern was seized up because of no use for years and never aired it out or cleaned it.
Not easy to find them these days and I wouldn't doubt they discontinue them in the future.
Love them because they can run off of unleaded gas and my father always had one that was a different model.
It really brings back the memories seeing that glow and hearing that hiss.
I bought two and plan to buy more for storage just incase they do discontinue them.
So I bought a couple tents.
One was a tent that goes in the bed of the truck.
Napier Sportz Tent.
Have not even opened it out of the bag yet.
The other was a Coleman 6 Person Dark Technology Tent that was pretty cheap at around 160 dollars.
Not terrible but more of a Summer Camping Tent.
Not super easy to set up the first time but we figured it out.
A little bit drafty at night when the wind starts to blow.
It took me about an hour or so to pack my entire truck up with some help from the wife.
It took me about an hour and a half to set up the camp but only unload about 50% of the Truck.
I went out to Lake Mead but camped in the middle of the desert where you need a 4x4 and I found a decent spot away from the somewhat maintained gravel/sand road.
I made a few mistakes.
I camped for about 40 hours.
I figure it cost me about 17 dollars an hour for this run that includes items like the tent that can be re-used again bringing the hourly cost down over time.
I only burned a small amount of wood because trying to learn how to conserve supplies.
I used far too much water because the temperature was a bout 100 F in the daytime.
The Canopy Tent saved us but I forgot the canopy lol... had to use some blankets.
Still very hot and nothing to do but sit and wait it out.
We drank a ton of water.
I ended up using about 7 gallons per day.
I took two showers, my uncle took one.
Had to use dish soap because I got cute bringing this huge bar of soap that is meant for washing clothes.
My wife had it for over 10 years and never used it and I wanted to try it.
Turns out it leaves something on your skin/hands that would need hot water to wash it off.
Didn't like it.
Dish Soap actually worked good but not sure how good for you it is lol.
I used a butane one burner stove top to do the cooking.
Wife has it for shabu shabu but never uses it.
Worked good for boiling some water, cooking steaks, sausages and mushrooms.
We didn't eat very much.
All the other food/supplies were not used.
Over Prepared/Packed.
The whole point of this story/breakdown is that through dry camping you really find out how soft you are.
I'm obviously Very Soft Tofu.
Need to toughen up.
I'm not sure I can even classify myself as a Man anymore.
Modern Society and Conveniences has turned me into something worse than a little girl.
Now for some of the good.
Quiet.
Amazingly Quiet.
I had a perfect view for the Sunrise with a beautiful Red Stone Mountain View.
I camped up against a large Rock Wall blocking the sunset.
Good for blocking the wind though.
40 hours was enough time to realize how old, soft and dependent I am on TV, AC, Hot Showers... etc etc.
It is clear Men have been emasculated by these things.
That's a good thing to find out about yourself.
Some more good...
Fire is always nice and great to stare at while reflecting or having conversation with friends/family.
No TV or Radio/Music forces you to communicate with the people you are with.
Very Good Thing.
If you do this alone it forces you to talk to God or Yourself and Reflect.
I gambled too much with this first excursion.
Dry Camping far away from the road and deep into the wilderness not such a great idea.
Anything could of gone wrong like my Truck not starting or other things completely screwing us.
My uncle can't really navigate or operate that Truck.
In an Emergency... perhaps but not easy for him.
Let's say I had a stroke or heart attack or some other fatality.
He would be up shits creek.
I have to reassess this.
It's also true that if I die he is up shits creek.
I think its good to learn this but bad to gamble as much as I did.
Yes, very tiny odds but still far too much as I can find better situations.
I guess that is about it for now.
I'll be heading back out again in an area that is a bit cooler.
Obviously, I need more experience and time learning.
Trial and Error is the best/only way IMO.
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