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Remembering a guy I met at a campsite in Oregon who changed how I think about gear
This was maybe eight years ago, up near Mount Hood. I was setting up a brand new, fancy two person tent I'd just bought, feeling pretty good about it. An older guy from the next site over wandered by, watched for a minute, and just said, 'Looks complicated.' He invited me over to see his setup, which was this ancient, faded green canvas tent, probably from the 70s. He showed me how the simple pole structure went together in about a minute flat. He said, 'All that matters is that it keeps the rain off and you can get in and out of it.' I still think about that when I look at new gear with a dozen extra features. Has anyone else had a simple piece of old gear completely outshine something new you bought?
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sanchez.lucas2mo ago
Oh, that hits home. We get sold on the idea that newer must be better, but that extra stuff just adds more points of failure. My dad's old canvas pack taught me the same lesson. It had one big pocket and thick straps, nothing more. Watching him pack it was a masterclass in taking only what you truly need. That simplicity forces a different, better mindset that fancy compartments just erase.
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foster.mary1mo ago
Miles is spot on, there's something about those simple old bags that just works better. You ever find yourself missing that straightforward design when dealing with all these newfangled packs?
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