It Was a Cold, Wet, Rainy Night
A few months ago, I went on a weekend camping trip with some friends. The forecast called for mild weather, so we packed light—just basic gear, food, and a small tent.
The first night was perfect, but out of nowhere, a storm rolled in. Heavy rain, crazy winds, and temperatures dropping fast. Our tent wasn’t built for that kind of weather, and before we knew it, we were soaked and freezing. Fortunately, two of us had tarps that we used to cover the tent and a couple of extra air mattresses.
We ended up huddling under a tarp and making a windbreak with some fallen branches, but it was a rough night. It really made me think about how quickly things can go wrong if you don’t plan for the worst.
That's why I always take a tarp, a weather-proof insulated sleeping bag, and an extra air mattress. The tarp and sleeping bag protect me from the weather, and the air mattress protects me from the ground if the tent fails and I have to sleep outside.
What’s your go-to strategy for unexpected weather? Any gear you always bring, even if the forecast looks good?