[Evans, Marv]

I have always loved being on my own in the mountains. I suppose the feeling of freedom has something to do with it. I quit carryiing a tent a long time ago in favor of a tarp. I have bought a few tarps over the past decades from Campmor. I go for the 10'X20', waterproof, ripstop nylon. For me it's lighter and more flexible in usage than a tent. Tarps have grommets around the edges where I tie on maybe 15' of cord. This allows setting it up in lots of different configurations. The only thing you have to do is dig drainage trenches around them under the drip line if it rains. You can use it for shelter or just a sun shade. I want to spend 2 weeks in the Sierras duriing late summer/early fall if I can handle it. My age might intervene and it might well be my last if I do go. It sucks to get to that point in life.