Spent 4 hours trying to set up my tent in the dark on my first trip to Big Bend and now I swear by headlamps over lanterns

Which side are you on when it comes to setting up camp after sunset: do you think lanterns give better light coverage or are headlamps the only way to go to avoid fumbling with poles for 45 minutes?

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juliagonzalez8d ago

Managed to trip over my own guyline and faceplant into a mesquite bush during a moonless setup in the Coconino. Headlamps all the way for me now. Being able to aim the light exactly where my fumbling hands are trying to wrangle pole tips into grommets is a game changer. Plus, lanterns just make me feel like I'm attracting every bug within a mile radius. Ever tried threading a rainfly in the dark with only a lantern lighting up your whole campsite but not the actual task at hand?