HEST Nest: Campfire Ranch

2022-08-15T09:51:14-07:00

HEST just teamed up with Campfire Ranch where campers can rent HEST mattresses and pads during their stay at the brand new Campfire Ranch outside of Crested Butte, Colorado located on the beautiful Taylor River.

We talked to Campfire Ranch founder, Sam Degenhard about his HEST Nest at Campfire Ranch.

Your name: Sam Degenhard

Home Base: Crested Butte, Colorado

Camping Set Up: The North Face ECO Trail tent, The North Face Inferno 20 degree sleeping bag, HEST Foamy mattress & pillow, YETI Trailhead camp chair, Camp Chef Everest 2 camp stove & Camp Chef camp kitchen table

Favorite Camp Spot: Campfire Ranch

HEST products: HEST Camp Pillows, HEST Foamy Wide.

Most beautiful place you’ve ever woken up?
The peak of American Flag mountain near Crested Butte, CO!

Advice for first time campers?
Plan ahead to be comfortable, not hangry and ready to embrace whatever mother nature throws your way. And don’t worry about what other people think, we’re all novices at something!

On your average weekend adventure, what is the gear set up you bring with you? What do you like most about your set up?
My go-to setup starts with my truck “Sweet Melissa” a grey 2017 Tacoma and includes: a YETI Tundra Haul cooler full of taco supplies & Mountain Time beer, The North Face ECO Trail tent, The North Face Inferno 20 degree sleeping bag, HEST Foamy mattress & pillow, YETI Trailhead camp chair, Camp Chef Everest 2 camp stove & Camp Chef camp kitchen table. My favorite thing about my setup is the colors – when everything is out, all my gear looks like a party waiting to happen!

What’s the one creature comfort you can’t camp without?
Hands-down, my HEST Foamy mattress. If I leave home without it on accident, I’m turning around immediately.

Best camp meal?
Elk tacos! Pair with raw jalepenos, onions, radishes and Marie Sharps hot sauce from Belize!

Worst night of sleep while camping?
When I was about 11 years old and I woke up to 4 inches of water in my tent! My dad warned me not to set my tent up in the creek bottom…

Any special camp traditions?
Where to start! Probably when everyone in the crew gets only one match to start the fire, if you fail, the next person gets to rebuild the fire and try their hand at it.

What’s your next camping adventure?
I can’t wait to get out to Moab this Fall. As we start to see snow here in my home in Gunnison-Crested Butte, I try to sneak out to the desert for some climbing, biking and canyoneering before it’s ski season!