This is the question that bothers all good outdoor adventure people in the universe. We all love camping, we live for the weekend and usually sleep better in our tent under the stars then in our house. Camping is what we don on the weekend. But, there is one question that haunts us all.

What in the world is the best way to setup a tent?

This question has plagued the human race since caveman were setting up sticks and leaves to sleep under.

There are a thousand different kinds of camping tents, all shapes and sizes, with tent poles made this way and that way, but it all comes down to the same thing. How do you setup a tent to avoid the most sweet, blood, and tears. And yes, there will be tears.

How many times have you been the first poor sap to show up at the campsite well before all your buddies, only to look like a fool for and hour while you desperatly try in vain try to setup the camping tent gracefully.

To manage this feat by yourself takes courage and willpower rivaled only by climbing K2 and Everest.

So, what is the best way to setup a camping tent?

Is it to insert all the rods at once and then try to weirdly raise the beast into the air at once, hoping for the best? Is it to stick in that one pole alone, while you hold it up with your foot and try to insert that next one? No my friend, the best way to put up a tent is in between those two.

I found in my years of frustration and agony putting up the tent, that the key to success is two poles. Most camping tents have a minimum of four poles, usually more. Inserting two poles while the tent is on the ground, one fully clipped in, and the other only semi clipped in, is a recipe for glory.

Only inserting one pole first usually leaves you in a balancing act, with no good way to get a second one in place. But, the idea is half right.

The only difference is placing another pole (after the first is fully intact on the ground) , inserting and clipping it into only one corner, leaving the other free.

This time when you raise the beast from its' grave, all you have to do is grab the second poles' end that is flopping around and clip it into it's proper place. Bam! You have a semi stable and upright camping tent all on your own. And your pride is still intact.

It's time for us all to grab our destiny and with courage be the first to show up at the campsite, and proudly conquer that tent in front of all those strangers.