Brian,

I've been going the opposite way on my camping. My gear has increased enough so that I can just barely fit the dog, the wife, and all the gear into my Accord Wagon. I'm thinking of getting a mini-van.

I've been on a lot of canoe trips with just a canoe, a wife, and two duluth packs. I had a trip a few years ago where I got extraordinarily uncomforable, because it rained for 3 days straight. Now I get claustrophobic in a tent when it rains. I've found a campground that has campsites almost as beautiful, and I can take short day trips into the BWCA (properly equipped for the unexpected, of course). We bought a 6 person tent this year, and this time I didn't get claustrophobic when a rainstorm came through.

But this also helps me realize how much attitude can play a part in survival. What happens if I have to "land out" with a plane, and it's raining and I'm having trouble staying dry? Am I going to panic? I just don't know.