I remember when I could finally afford a plastic tube tent and some nylon cord. I still think tube tents are pretty awesome, the simplicity was too cool and for all of the $150 tarps, the $7 tube tent was nearly as good. I sat out the worst electrical rain storm I ever saw with 2 other people and a dog huddled in a tube tent.

For you old guys. Didn't Dick Kelty invent the big padded waist belt in 71 or 72? I remember buying one in 72 and attaching it to my pack frame, WOW.
Jim