Sunset camp setup left me with a crooked tent

I was too tired to wait for daylight, so I set up my tent in the dark. Woke up sliding down a slope because I didn't notice the hill. How do you handle setting up camp after dark?

4 comments

4 Comments

lucas3891mo ago

My old headlamp saved me from a crooked tent once.

the_ruby1mo ago

Honestly it's just a crooked tent, not like the whole thing collapsed. Unless you're waking up halfway down the mountain, maybe it's not that big a deal. Even @lucas389 with his headlamp probably just fixed a pole, it's not some major survival fail. Sometimes you just have to accept a lopsided night's sleep and sort it in the morning. Idk, maybe it's just me but I'd rather sleep than fuss with perfect corners in the dark.

averyshah1mo ago

What's the point of a perfect tent if you're too tired to enjoy it? I used to be the guy checking every stake and guylines with a flashlight, even at midnight. But after a few trips where I was just wiped, I get it now. Why lose sleep over a little slope when you can just fix it with the sun?

evan4891mo ago

Feel the ground with your feet before laying the tent out, slopes are obvious if you pay attention. Clear rocks and sticks with a quick sweep to avoid punctures and discomfort. A dim headlamp helps see the big picture without ruining your night vision. Sometimes you just have to accept a lopsided setup and deal with it at dawn.