Wild camping

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Discussion

LordHaveMurci

Original Poster:

12,034 posts

168 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
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Any wild campers on here?

Done a couple so far, being a bit wussy but waiting for the weather to improve slightly before heading back out, we are fortunate living next door to Dartmoor.

blindswelledrat

25,257 posts

231 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
Always fancied it with the kids but in the SE there aren't many places.

LordHaveMurci

Original Poster:

12,034 posts

168 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
Dartmoor is the only place in England it's legal without specific permission, turns out there is a very active wild camping community out there that work on 'arrive late, leave early & leave no trace' & find spots to camp all over the country.

Done a camp with each of my two kids so far, my daughters friends are keen to go this year. There is something great about camping in the middle of nowhere, fetching water from a river & cooking in the outdoors then chatting & having a drink under the stars before an early night.


blindswelledrat

25,257 posts

231 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
Yes I can imagine.
SO whilst you say Dartmoor is the only place it is legal, is the reality that it is okay in other places despite theoretically not being allowed? Presumably there aren't wild-camping police running through the night over all our green-belt land?

LordHaveMurci

Original Poster:

12,034 posts

168 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
blindswelledrat said:
Yes I can imagine.
SO whilst you say Dartmoor is the only place it is legal, is the reality that it is okay in other places despite theoretically not being allowed? Presumably there aren't wild-camping police running through the night over all our green-belt land?
Arrive late, leave early & leave no trace and who's ever going to know? Use common sense, don't camp in a farmers field or in sight of anybodys property or a road & you should be Ok. If you have a huge family tent that's a bright colour it may not be a good idea, we use green backpacking tents that are low profile & blend in well.

battered

4,088 posts

146 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
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I've done it. It's great. Within Lake District NP it is generally tolerated away from the roads, uncultivated land, leave no trace, etc. Same in Snowdonia. Legal in Scotland of course, subject to above constraints.

I very often bivouac, it's no different, just ultra light camping.

blindswelledrat

25,257 posts

231 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
battered said:
I very often bivouac, it's no different, just ultra light camping.
For reasons I can't adequately explain - that crosses the line from wild camping to tramp/army wanabee

SpeckledJim

31,608 posts

252 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
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I would imagine if anyone complained you could say something like "we'll be gone by 9am and you'd never know we were here, but if the police want to come all the way out here and move us on, then we'll go without complaint"

The police surely wouldn't give a toss?

BoRED S2upid

19,643 posts

239 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
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Gruffy your thread has arrived! Doesn't get more wild than his experiences.

I've stated in some pretty wild hotels.

battered

4,088 posts

146 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
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blindswelledrat said:
For reasons I can't adequately explain - that crosses the line from wild camping to tramp/army wanabee
Neither of the above. I'm a mountaineer. It can be planned or not, fortunately I've never had to do an unplanned one other than stretching 2 days out/1 night to 3 days/2 nights. The food got a bit thin on Day 3.

LordHaveMurci

Original Poster:

12,034 posts

168 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
battered said:
blindswelledrat said:
For reasons I can't adequately explain - that crosses the line from wild camping to tramp/army wanabee
Neither of the above. I'm a mountaineer. It can be planned or not, fortunately I've never had to do an unplanned one other than stretching 2 days out/1 night to 3 days/2 nights. The food got a bit thin on Day 3.
I have an ex forces bivvy bag, it's on my list of things to do - camp under the stars without tent fabric blocking that wonderful view!

C0ffin D0dger

3,440 posts

144 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
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LordHaveMurci said:
camp under the stars without tent fabric blocking that wonderful view!
Not strictly wild camping but I used to do a bit of night fishing when I was younger. Had a few sessions on warm summer's evenings where I wouldn't bother with any shelter just the bed chair and sleeping bag. Wonderful thing to do and still brings back happy memories.

I too would like to try some wild camps when my kids are a bit older (unless the wife will let me disappear off on my own!).

GreatGranny

9,097 posts

225 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
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Did it years ago in the lakes.

Few beers then walk to somewhere remote by torchlight.

Best was here

https://goo.gl/maps/UXhKYbKfTVL2

Bit of a walk when a little pissed but worth it for the view in the morning.
A morning swim in the tarn is a great cure for a hangover.

battered

4,088 posts

146 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
LordHaveMurci said:
I have an ex forces bivvy bag, it's on my list of things to do - camp under the stars without tent fabric blocking that wonderful view!
Go for it, it's great. You could call some of them mini-adventures, a mate and I once lugged MTBs up Ingleborough, slept on the top and then rode off at first light. Yeah, yeah, it's not legal, but we didn't damage the trails or get in anyone's way at that time so it's a victimless crime. What I like about it is the bag is light and you can sleep absolutely anywhere. Take some nice tasty food, it doesn't have to be dehydrated hand knitted porridge, there are loads of tasty things you can take up. When you wake up you are already in situ. and you can bash on for the next leg. Make a penny stove and take some meths, or take a hexi stove or a pocket rocket, you can brew up with virtually no weight penalty.

mikal83

5,340 posts

251 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
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Did quite a bit of wildcamping in SE OZ 4 yrs ago.....was fun and would really really recommend it.

LordHaveMurci

Original Poster:

12,034 posts

168 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
battered said:
Go for it, it's great. You could call some of them mini-adventures, a mate and I once lugged MTBs up Ingleborough, slept on the top and then rode off at first light. Yeah, yeah, it's not legal, but we didn't damage the trails or get in anyone's way at that time so it's a victimless crime. What I like about it is the bag is light and you can sleep absolutely anywhere. Take some nice tasty food, it doesn't have to be dehydrated hand knitted porridge, there are loads of tasty things you can take up. When you wake up you are already in situ. and you can bash on for the next leg. Make a penny stove and take some meths, or take a hexi stove or a pocket rocket, you can brew up with virtually no weight penalty.
I've wild camped but with a tent rather than a bivvy. Bivvy is on my list though smile

Chicken Chaser

7,744 posts

223 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
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Does wild vanning count? I'm planning to do many of these to avoid a daily 100 mile commute. Looking a pub car parks, gyms, quiet residential roads and the odd lay-by!

lucido grigio

44,044 posts

162 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
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Done it in Nordic countries where it's perfectly legal ,subject to common sense.

tenohfive

6,276 posts

181 months

Wednesday 15th February 2017
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I've done a reasonable amount of bivvying in the Lake District, up high in various places. Simply put, a bivvy bag and decent tarp (an Alpkit camping tarp - not a B&Q builders jobby) is the cheapest route into lightweight camping. And when you're carrying your gear (including camera gear) up mountains the reduced weight makes a lot of difference to the whole experience.

Wouldn't have got these shots if I weren't willing to bivvy:


850m closer by tenohfive^, on Flickr



Morning light on Lingmell by tenohfive^, on Flickr



Sunrise over Great End by tenohfive^, on Flickr



Sunset over the Western Fells by tenohfive^, on Flickr



blindswelledrat

25,257 posts

231 months

Wednesday 15th February 2017
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Beautiful pictures.