A GUIDE TO WILD CAMPING
Is there a better feeling than being alone in the wilderness? Being somewhere, where all you can hear is the sound of nature and nothing else. Do you like the idea of packing a bag, driving to a location and just getting away from it all?
There is something special about spending a night in the wild, under the stars. The sounds of the modern world being completely muted is simply bliss. For me, its a great space for mental health, a time for me to contemplate life, release worries and have some time to myself. I believe that we all need that.
A lot of people may see wild camping (or backpack camping) as something that they wouldn’t be able to do, that it’s scary or a little bit daunting. People generally have the same questions like; What do I pack? What if the weather turns bad? Where can I camp?
Hopefully this blog will answer some of those questions for you.
MY BASIC KIT FOR WILD CAMPING
ESSENTIALS:
Tent
Sleeping bag
Camping Mat
Stove
Food & Water
Head Torch
Backpack
Waterproof jacket
Map & Compass
First Aid Kit
Walking Boots & Fresh Socks
Dry Bags (essential for keeping clothing and kit dry)
Other items may include a powerbank for your phone, water filter kit…….
WHERE IS IT LEGAL TO GO WILD CAMPING IN THE UK?
Most parts of the UK are privately owned, so wild camping is technically illegal. Therefore you will actually need to seek permission to camp from the landowner, otherwise you may be asked to leave. This being said, Scotland (right to roam laws) and Dartmoor have local laws to allow wild camping. Dartmoor has a handy website to show you where you can camp, which can be found here >> https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/about-us/about-us-maps/new-camping-map.
Wild camping is generally accepted in unenclosed fells (say the Lake District) when done responsibly, and there is an unwritten rule that you must camp higher than the highest fell wall.
RULES FOR WILD CAMPING
LEAVE NO TRACE - it is VITAL that you leave nothing except memories and at worse, some flattened grass.
Arrive late and leave early in the morning
Use a camp stove if possible.
If you do need to go for a number 2, make sure that you do it well away from paths and waterways. Bury it 6 inches below the surface and TAKE YOUR TOILET PAPER AWAY WITH YOU.
Don't be a visual disturbance - pitch out of sight, don’t be loud and camp at least 100m away from the road
Don't disturb any wildlife or livestock – in fact, don't camp anywhere near them.
MY MAIN WILD CAMPING EQUIPMENT
My Tent - Vango Banshee Pro 200 - Not the lightest tent at 2.4kg, but this badboy is bomb proof 3 season tent.
My Sleeping bag - Snugpak Softie Solstice 3
Sleeping Mat - Antur Camping Mat 2.0
Stove - Jetboil 2.0
Food & Water - Wayfayer camping food is my wild camping food of choice. Although heavier than the freeze dried foods, my God is it tasty. I will also carry a flapjack or some jelly babies just in case, the sugar will help if on longer hikes.
Head Torch - Black Diamond Storm 375
Backpack - Osprey Atmos 65
Waterproof Jacket - The North Face Apex Flex 2.0
Walking Boots - The North Face Hedgehog Fastpack II
