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  • Overview
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    • Climber / Victoria Flanagan
    • Climber / Will Butierez
    • Dancer / Leah Drew
    • Fisherman / San Juanico
    • Mapmaker / Aleisha Nelson
    • Muralist / Ian Ross
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    • Shaper / Ryan Lynch
    • Shaper / Tyler Locus
    • Skater / Ricky Conway
    • Surfer / Austin Smith Ford
    • Woodworker / Casey Chandler
    • Yogi / Ciara
    • Yogi / Hailey
    • Yogi / Rebecca
  • ▸ Brandwork
    • BF Goodrich / 21
    • Buff / Surfrider Foundation Collab 25
    • Chums / 23
    • Chums / 24
    • Dermatone / Glacial Kayak
    • Dermatone / Surf
    • Ford Bronco / Andrew Muse
    • Ford Bronco / Outward Bound Baltimore
    • Ford Bronco / Outward Bound California
    • Gregory Mountain Product
    • MiiR / San Francisco
    • MiiR / Seltzer Coozie
    • MiiR / Sustainable Surfing
    • Oru Kayak / Beach Sport
    • Oru Kayak / Lake
    • Polaris Adventures
    • Rivian Motors / Fall 24
    • Rocky Talkie
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    • Swiftwick / Holiday 22
    • Swiftwick / Hike Spring 23
    • Swiftwick / Hike Fall 23
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    • Tamron / Lake Tahoe
    • Tamron / Venice
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    • Expedition / Sawatch 14ers
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    • Road Trip / Arizona
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    • Road Trip / HWY 395
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    • Road Trip / Wyoming
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    • Surfing / Mavericks
    • Surfing / Santa Cruz
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    • Castle Hot Springs / 23
    • Experience Scottsdale / Spring 25
    • Frontier's North x Visit Manitoba / Northern Lights
    • Rancho Santana Nicaragua
    • Star Clippers / Greece & Turkey
    • Stillpoint Lodge Alaska
    • Turneffe Island Resort / Belize
  • Books & Prints
  • The Travel Journal
  • Northern Colorado Road Trip
  • Media Kit
  • About Dalton
  • Contact

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There's Nothing Better Than Cowboy Camping With Friends

May 06, 2024 in Uncategorized

Shlepping our packs over our shoulders, we headed out for a night of cowboy camping under the Utah sky. As a group, we only had a single night together, so we wanted to make the most of our time together. For us, that meant sleeping under the stars.

Packing only the essentials, sleeping bag, ground sheet, sleeping pad, some snacks, coffee, and water, we headed for our spot while the expected barrage of silly jokes and friendly banter that comes with old friends reuniting. 

Feeling like daredevils, which we really are not, we tossed on harnesses, roped up, and blasted to the top of a remote arch in the Utah desert. Clipping a handful of bolts along the way, we simul-climbed the 5.2 terrain towards the summit. Our approach shoes served us well, as we stood on top of the arch within the hour of leaving our cars.

Soaking in the 360 views, we tossed down the ground sheets, emptied our breath time and time again to fill up our sleeping pads, played some practical jokes on each other, and watched the sunset from our sleeping bags.

A Handful of Cowboy Camping Tips:

  • Check the weather before you head out
  • Always bring a ground tarp that is waterproof, this can act as an impromptu tent if the weather changes on you
  • Learn about the stars, this will give you something to do as you lay awake, looking toward the cosmos
  • Don't forget your stove if you plan on cooking a meal
  • Without a tent, you can get colder, so bring a warmer sleeping bag
  • If you get cold, slide inside your backpack, this acts like a bivvy sack

As the sun rose, we woke up. Most of us were groggy and had a runny nose, a common occurrence while sleeping without a tent, but the coffee was almost ready. 

Holding a warm cup of joe in our hands, we cheered the warmth of the sun and started packing up our gear. One double-rope rappel and we were ready for a thrilling rope swing before saying, "Until next time, besties."

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