OM, if you lived farther south, you would not have to spend 12 hours in a tent for late season hiking. I can sympathize, however, because I grew up in Spokane WA and remember going to school in the dark, coming home and it being dark by 4PM.

I have also had to retreat to the tent in the summer- due to swarms of mosquitoes! Just as bad!

It really helps to go with a good group of people when you have to spend more time in the tent. Conversation helps.