The original article can be found in the March/April 1997 issue (of Dual Sport News), for your perusal and review. I will here embark on Things I Learned at the Rally, and other addenda.
I think it was Bogdan Swider who had an interesting sleep system; it used air pressure to regulate the insulation value - pretty fascinating. When we camped the first night near Newspaper Rock, it was neither windy nor threatening rain, so a few of us elected not to erect our shelters. Sinjin Eberle spread his shelter half out full size, creating a kind of "sand raft", and thus the contents of his pack, his bag, boots, and all stayed clean. I even saw a couple of folding chairs - I started out using a compact tripod stool later in the summer; finding it not so handy in sand, I'm now trying a loop-style Lafuma stool.
Everybody seemed to use different cookstoves; Our Leader was particularly proud of his, a system that allows the cook top to share the fuel bottle with a compact lantern head. Everyone there did it differently; no struggles or complaints were heard.
Mike Connors and I spent a night at Goblin Valley, and he showed me the wisdom of Using A Tent. I've always favored a shelter half and a bag cover to keep things clean and dry; we experienced an overnight wind that donated a small amount of sand to my endeavor. He remained clean and cozy in his tent, thanks in part to a rainfly that comes down to the ground; we live and learn. On later rides over to Escalante I used my tent, rejoicing in my cleaner and insect-free slumber. I cut a piece of plastic sheet a few feet longer than the tent, creating a kind of clean porch for getting out of my boots before I crawl sand inside, making sure it slopes away from the door.
As soon as I turn the ignition off, my KLR becomes a kind of workbench and hanger rack. If rain and wind don't threaten, I drape coat, helmet, food bag, and all sorts of stuff on it. In the morning I try to break down the tent first, so I can throw it and the ground sheet over nearby brush to dry before I shake it out & pack it.
One product I tried and enjoy, is Platypus water bags. They pack light and flat when empty, and stand up straight when full.
Finally, I carry a spiral notebook and a microcasette recorder to save my experiences and acts of folly: the difference between dumb and stupid, is stupid makes the same mistake twice.
