Desert Camping In A Storm, With Haversack Only!

Did you have fun, learn something and didn’t die? Then it’s not a fail.

Like this very much, still a large amount of the population that do not realize thunderstorms do happen in the desert.

The biggest failure is not even trying. Kudos to you for actually going out there and giving it a shot. Especially recording it all for our entertainment. Keep up the good work.

This is exactly why I watch your channel. I camp, but I'm not an adventurous person. For most of my life, I have been saying, "I can't do that." You are teaching all of us how to say, "Yes, I can do that." Thank you!

Not a fail, James. Powerful lessons learned. You just learned lessons that are taught in the hardest military survival schools. You were prepared and used the water that was given to you. Huge score! You even made time to eat a hot meal, that is a huge morale booster. Remember that you can use the poncho to protect yourself as you walk/march to a target location and that moving will help keep you warm. This was no fail, my friend. Build on this. You did great. I would never have touched that carpet but you made it work for you. Amazing.

Im not going to lie, I love your camping trips. I laughed so hard when you missed the water going in the canteen.

We always seem to learn the most from our fails. You did push your boundaries, no need in staying to the point of it being dangerous. I think I change my pack around after every experiment. Thanks for sharing another great video, keep them coming.

definitely not a fail bro! You learned a lot, taught everyone some lessons to boot! Chin up and be as proud as we are grateful for your contributions!

LOVE that opening thunder and wind shot. And Cuervo’s music is so good. Awesome. You gotta tie up that poncho hood and get a stick to prop up your poncho.

20:33 Ranger stations to gas stations all over the wilderness regions of America are full of bulletin board pictures of those who failed to exercise a humble heart & take weather seriously. You absolutely did the right thing brother 👊🏼💥Live to venture another

As someone that lives in the AZ desert I can relate. What would be considered minimalist gear in the woods just doesn't work the same in the open desert where there is no trees to break up the wind and rain, nor to act as anchor points for shelter. I've seen poncho's get ripped to shreds from high winds and the accompanying sand and dirt that gets thrown around in it.

That tarp configuration is the best to colect water in the center of it. You could put a taller stick into the hood to make it higer, or hang it in a branch. That was a miracle to survive the hypothermia

That bedding looked very uncomfortable. I'm glad you chose not to tuff it out, it would have been a very uncomfortable night. I would have used an A-frame tarp shelter, better for shedding off water and you can use one of the corners to drip the rain water directly into a container. I hope your camera and equipment survived! Thanks again for sharing another great video! 👍

Definitely not a fail by any means. U made the attempt & it may not have had the desired outcome, u still went out there, learned/had fun. Really enjoyed it sir, thanks for sharing 😎

Awesome video, James. Cuervo's tracks were on point! I've experienced that very situation camping in Georgia. The rain was MUCH heavier though. I think one of the differences also was the fact that I used a trekking pole to angle my tarp so the water collection was directed to a more specific area. I was able to use a stone to twist/tie off the hood, thereby preventing leakage. Though the video was a technical failure, the endeavor was practical and educational. Keep 'em coming, bro! Great job!

Good learning experience. Battling the elements is always tough. Nice job, you gained nads of steel on this one.

This was a great video. I think it was great to learn along with you. Yes, a different tarp might have helped but maybe different configurations with that tarp would have worked as well. The other thing I learned on this video was time management, looking back it might have been better to ditch the noodles and use that time to bombproof the shelter then just munch on the clif bar and jerky before bed. Please make more of these videos as they are really valuable, especially since you’re honest and show us the wins and the fails.

Great learning experience. I imagine someone has said this in the comments. But you can tie off the hood on the poncho. The bed probably should of been folded in half. And you can use sticks to form a ridge line with rope. Which would cause a better slope for water rain off. Or you could of wore the poncho. And just had a candle to keep you warm. One of those eco lanterns for safety. And maybe in the EDC haversack, maybe an emergency bivy.

What a great example of how being unprepared or even 'under' prepared will beat you! Without the overcast and rain I doubt James would have considered staying the night with no water. That's the reality of the desert. There are a minimum of bush craft skills that apply to the desert - no freakin' trees, very little wood and what are you going to tie a 'ridgeline' to? This is a really good video even though it wasn't what James had in mind! 👍

I loved the rainbow that God gave the video show perfect touch. I love your videos. I learn a lot