Dayhiking versus camping

[Commissionpoint]

This thread has been created by splitting off the discussion on dayhiking versus camping and backpacking from this thread.
-Neil

Originally Posted by DSettahr

If you're in good shape, with an early enough start, you should have no problem doing all three of these peaks in a single day- no need to worry about camping, legally or otherwise.

Some folks like to camp. I do. You do, or if not you spend a lot of time doing it anyways.

Sometimes I get a little aggro on the modern focus on dayhiking. FFS. Folks spend an eternity running to trailheads at the crack of crazy to rush up some hill, possibly taking some pictures on the way (As a token of proof you were there? Is ther some kinda contest I havent seen the flyer for?), only to turn around and rush back out before it gets dark.

Sooo...... Whats the deal? Why don't people camp anymore? Scared of the dark? Animals? Only 'In Love' with the 'Daks' during daylight hours? Spent the wad on the daypack and too broke to buy a tent now? Only in shape insofar as to carry a daypack, but not to carry an overnighter? No more fires means no more whiskey fueled impromtu boxing matches at 3am, so its just not any fun anymore?

I don't get it. Considering how far some folks drive and what it continually costs them to do so I would figure people would try to do whatever they could to extend thier stay on the trail. Camping seems like a natural choice.

Folks get all into it and ask about what trail runners and daypack do you reccomend until the cows come home. I'd like to hear more discussion on things like whats in your dehydrator, or whats Nido and how can it improve my breakfast options. Maybe then we could get into things like 'When Nature Calls: Your Friend The Plastic Trowel', or, 'Backpacking and Staying Regular: A Guide to Black Raspberries, Blueberries, and Other Things (Which Keep The Mail Moving)'

On the otherhand, theres always: "How fast do you think I can bag the Sewards with a 14 ounce pack, barefoot, in my underwear?".