Are You Ever Afraid To Tent?

[harmony]

I'm not usually afraid to camp in a tent, but it is a little hard to fall asleep sometimes. I've been camping a few times when the campers in the next space were a little scary, though!

[Sagebrusher]

Originally Posted by hummingbirdee

Sometimes when I tent, I can hear every little sound. I can hear coyotes off in the distance and twigs crackling. I have one eye opened all night long. I worry about a wild animal approaching the tent and trying to get in. Are you ever afraid to camp in a tent and what do you do to calm your fears?

Try camping at the Sagecreek campground in Badlands NP. The last time I camped there was on the night of 9-11, so no airplanes. There was NO sound for long periods of time. The only noises were the occasional buffalo grunt and possibly some highway noise, although the nearest highway is over 5 miles away.

Badlands National Park - Badlands National Park

Google Maps

[ponderosa]

I'll admit to laying awake in grizzly country once in a while, trying to decide whether that rock clanking and brush rustling could be a bear. It doesn't stop me from tenting though.
The only time I've been really nervous in a tent, was at a big crowded outdoor music festival venue, when the drunks camped 3 feet away kept talking about the cute girls in that weird tiny little tent (my friend and me in my backpacking tent).

[Pathfinder1]

ponderosa;

I'll admit to laying awake in grizzly country once in a while, trying to decide whether that rock clanking and brush rustling could be a bear. It doesn't stop me from tenting though.

The only time I've been really nervous in a tent, was at a big crowded outdoor music festival venue, when the drunks camped 3 feet away kept talking about the cute girls in that weird tiny little tent (my friend and me in my backpacking tent.




Hi...


Now, that's about time for the bear spray, eh?

[eyebp]

I have on solo trips. Just kinda mildly freak for a minute. Nothing real bad though.

[Theosus]

Two benadryl before turning in should solve the scare problem.

[Grandpa]

would this tent help ease your fears?

Portaledges Hanging Tents Give A Beautiful Setting « Randommization

[Sagebrusher]

Originally Posted by Grandpa

would this tent help ease your fears?

Portaledges Hanging Tents Give A Beautiful Setting « Randommization

I wouldn't like that...
I have seen too many trees and branches fall in my lifetime

[mariaandrea]

Not normally. I grew up in the country so I'm used to the night noises in the trees, and coyotes don't bother people. The only time I was ever nervous was camping in a campground on the Washington coast and being up at about midnight with my fire dying, kids asleep in the tent, reading a book with my booklight, campground very quiet, when there was very loud rustling in the trees about 20 yards away - very thick trees and undergrowth and it was too loud to be a smaller mammal like a raccoon. I sat quietly and it didn't stop, just kept moving, but it didn't seem like it was getting closer. So I made sure the food was locked away, cleaned up a few crumbs, smothered the fire and went to bed in the tent. I figured, oh well, did the best I could, we'll just see. The next morning there were flyers all around the campground about the black bear seen onsite telling people to be careful. That's the closest I've ever been and it wasn't very close.

[TroyS]

Originally Posted by ponderosa

The only time I've been really nervous in a tent, was at a big crowded outdoor music festival venue, when the drunks camped 3 feet away kept talking about the cute girls in that weird tiny little tent (my friend and me in my backpacking tent).

I have to agree with you on that ponderosa. Between the cracks and noises made by animals at night and shady people, I'd be actually more comfortable with the first situation, especially since I have a 8-year-old daughter.