Wild camping

Author
Discussion

mikeiow

5,366 posts

130 months

Wednesday 10th November 2021
quotequote all
12dan34 said:
It's probably getting a bit late in the year for this (for me anyway!) but can anyone recommend a bikepacking tent please, 1 man? I can see lots of great value stuff on decathlon but they don't often pack down as small as they could for carrying on a bike.

Anyone have any suggestions / pictures please?
So on my LEJoG this year, for 1/3rd of it, I took my 2-person Force Ten Xenon 2+ Ultralight Tent - big porch, weight under 2.5kg.....but I see the price is now way over what I paid (£225 2 years back)
...but if Alpkit had created this in time, it would have (IMHO) been a cheaper & lighter option, whilst taking advantage of having no poles and using your pump to put up!

That said, the Force Ten has a big porch, room to sit up or get changed undercover, and *loads* of space for one person - worked great for me!

In the BTR bag on the bike:


Up:


& inside with nice airmat: I'd say snug for 2, but luxurious for 1:


FWIW, I'd never get a tent designed for 1 and hope to be comfy in it!


i4got

5,654 posts

78 months

Wednesday 10th November 2021
quotequote all
Don't think I've posted any of these. Couple of shots from a multi day walk in the Brecon Beacons with my daughter. One night on a hill above Talybont reservoir where we woke to cloud inversion over the water. Another night on the top of Craig Cerrig-Gleisaid near the Storey Arms.










Greshamst

2,059 posts

120 months

Wednesday 10th November 2021
quotequote all
Those clouds over the water are very cool, what a great thing to wake up to!

DannyScene

6,624 posts

155 months

Wednesday 10th November 2021
quotequote all
Gretchen said:
We had a BBQ and friend over to the boat at the weekend. With the trusty fire pit. This piece of kit really is a good investment. Lots of dead fallen wood around at the moment too which thankfully is still dry.



Finally used my firepit based on your recommendation the other week, brilliant bit of kit, many thanks for the heads up

No pics I'm afraid, recently discovered Northern Monk and had a few too many!

DannyScene

6,624 posts

155 months

Wednesday 12th January 2022
quotequote all
Got a night planned at a 'bushcraft campsite' next week, not usually my thing but I'm taking a couple of mates who want to try it but don't want to go too far a field for their first trip

I've got a whole heap of new gear I'm looking forward to trying out, trekology ul80 pad, trekology pillow, flextailgear mini pump some revolution race trousers and a new zebra cooking pot

Hoping it's a good one and doesn't rain the whole time!

anonymous-user

54 months

Wednesday 12th January 2022
quotequote all
DannyScene said:
Got a night planned at a 'bushcraft campsite' next week, not usually my thing but I'm taking a couple of mates who want to try it but don't want to go too far a field for their first trip

I've got a whole heap of new gear I'm looking forward to trying out, trekology ul80 pad, trekology pillow, flextailgear mini pump some revolution race trousers and a new zebra cooking pot

Hoping it's a good one and doesn't rain the whole time!
sounds great fun

Gretchen

19,036 posts

216 months

Wednesday 12th January 2022
quotequote all
MonkeyMatt said:
DannyScene said:
Got a night planned at a 'bushcraft campsite' next week, not usually my thing but I'm taking a couple of mates who want to try it but don't want to go too far a field for their first trip

I've got a whole heap of new gear I'm looking forward to trying out, trekology ul80 pad, trekology pillow, flextailgear mini pump some revolution race trousers and a new zebra cooking pot

Hoping it's a good one and doesn't rain the whole time!
sounds great fun
Seconded. I like the sound of that. As long as it’s not too pretentious.

amongst new gear over Christmas was a Scotch Auger. I’ve already made a start on a ladder (for my cats) but can’t wait to make all manner of chairs, tables, stools and more ladders hehe I’ve also suggested finding some decent trees and making peg steps for a high hammock camp. We shall see.
Hoping for a weekend away end of this month but will be in the van.

anonymous-user

54 months

Wednesday 12th January 2022
quotequote all
Gretchen said:
MonkeyMatt said:
DannyScene said:
Got a night planned at a 'bushcraft campsite' next week, not usually my thing but I'm taking a couple of mates who want to try it but don't want to go too far a field for their first trip

I've got a whole heap of new gear I'm looking forward to trying out, trekology ul80 pad, trekology pillow, flextailgear mini pump some revolution race trousers and a new zebra cooking pot

Hoping it's a good one and doesn't rain the whole time!
sounds great fun
Seconded. I like the sound of that. As long as it’s not too pretentious.

amongst new gear over Christmas was a Scotch Auger. I’ve already made a start on a ladder (for my cats) but can’t wait to make all manner of chairs, tables, stools and more ladders hehe I’ve also suggested finding some decent trees and making peg steps for a high hammock camp. We shall see.
Hoping for a weekend away end of this month but will be in the van.
got any info on peg steps?

Gretchen

19,036 posts

216 months

Wednesday 12th January 2022
quotequote all
As in using the auger to make peg steps up the tree. Not a technical description so I found some photos. It’s all just an interesting idea to be honest.





Obviously not wilfully damaging random trees without permission etc. we have an area with trees we can use.


anonymous-user

54 months

Thursday 13th January 2022
quotequote all
Gretchen said:
As in using the auger to make peg steps up the tree. Not a technical description so I found some photos. It’s all just an interesting idea to be honest.





Obviously not wilfully damaging random trees without permission etc. we have an area with trees we can use.

just been googling them, looks to be some interesting products available. Some look like they would cause very little issue for the trees. Giving me some good ideas

Evanivitch

20,074 posts

122 months

Thursday 13th January 2022
quotequote all
Gretchen said:
As in using the auger to make peg steps up the tree. Not a technical description so I found some photos. It’s all just an interesting idea to be honest.
Just put a bungee around the tree FFS.

Gretchen

19,036 posts

216 months

Thursday 13th January 2022
quotequote all
Evanivitch said:
Just put a bungee around the tree FFS.
Where’s the hard work and woman survival skills fun in that!




Imagine the views.

Evanivitch

20,074 posts

122 months

Thursday 13th January 2022
quotequote all
Gretchen said:
Where’s the hard work and woman survival skills fun in that!

Imagine the views.
I know plenty of lads that use hammocks, none see the need to damage a tree in the process.

Gretchen

19,036 posts

216 months

Thursday 13th January 2022
quotequote all
MonkeyMatt said:
ust been googling them, looks to be some interesting products available. Some look like they would cause very little issue for the trees. Giving me some good ideas
From what I read there could be a risk of disease to a tree (basically creating a wound) but a pruning paint can be applied and the tree would compartmentalize to protect itself. Plenty of trees with nest boxes attached that haven’t died.


Evanivitch said:
I know plenty of lads that use hammocks, none see the need to damage a tree in the process.
See above.




Edited by Gretchen on Thursday 13th January 17:05

Jim on the hill

5,072 posts

190 months

Thursday 13th January 2022
quotequote all
Evanivitch said:
Gretchen said:
Where’s the hard work and woman survival skills fun in that!

Imagine the views.
I know plenty of lads that use hammocks, none see the need to damage a tree in the process.
+1

Gretchen

19,036 posts

216 months

Thursday 13th January 2022
quotequote all
Jim on the hill said:
Evanivitch said:
Gretchen said:
Where’s the hard work and woman survival skills fun in that!

Imagine the views.
I know plenty of lads that use hammocks, none see the need to damage a tree in the process.
+1
Gretchen said:
Obviously not wilfully damaging random trees without permission etc. we have an area with trees we can use
Me too. As I stated. I thought it would be an interesting experiment IF I used my own trees and wasn’t scared of heights!


anonymous-user

54 months

Thursday 13th January 2022
quotequote all
Gretchen said:
MonkeyMatt said:
ust been googling them, looks to be some interesting products available. Some look like they would cause very little issue for the trees. Giving me some good ideas
From what I read there could be a risk of disease to a tree (basically creating a wound) but a pruning paint can be applied and the tree would compartmentalize to protect itself. Plenty of trees with nest boxes attached that haven’t died.
Trees can be very resilient, personally I wouldn't want to drill such a large hole into one for this purpose, but then again I've also seen trees consume, bikes, tree guards and benches. Trees can take quite brutal treatment and remain healthy, think about pollarding, coppicing, pruning and crown lifts. Preventing pest and diseases entering the tree wounds and stopping bleeding of the sap if it is flowing is the main consideration, amongsta few others (sure you know all that anyway).

I can definitely see the appeal of hammock camping in the canopy, its something I've been considering for a while and looking at ways of using ratchet straps and removable hand holds to get up into a good safe spot.

Gretchen

19,036 posts

216 months

Thursday 13th January 2022
quotequote all
MonkeyMatt said:
rees can be very resilient, personally I wouldn't want to drill such a large hole into one for this purpose, but then again I've also seen trees consume, bikes, tree guards and benches. Trees can take quite brutal treatment and remain healthy, think about pollarding, coppicing, pruning and crown lifts. Preventing pest and diseases entering the tree wounds and stopping bleeding of the sap if it is flowing is the main consideration, amongsta few others (sure you know all that anyway).

I can definitely see the appeal of hammock camping in the canopy, its something I've been considering for a while and looking at ways of using ratchet straps and removable hand holds to get up into a good safe spot.
Absolutely. One of my best mates/neighbour is a professional arborist so we’ve talked about it. His climbing skills are awesome but he has the gear. Slightly different to wild bush skills.
To be honest as I’ve said I’ve developed a fear of heights over past few years and despite it being a daydream and imagine it would be a fantastic ‘sleep’ I don’t actually think I could go through with it!



Evanivitch

20,074 posts

122 months

Thursday 13th January 2022
quotequote all
Gretchen said:
MonkeyMatt said:
ust been googling them, looks to be some interesting products available. Some look like they would cause very little issue for the trees. Giving me some good ideas
From what I read there could be a risk of disease to a tree (basically creating a wound) but a pruning paint can be applied and the tree would compartmentalize to protect itself. Plenty of trees with nest boxes attached that haven’t died.

Evanivitch said:
I know plenty of lads that use hammocks, none see the need to damage a tree in the process.
See above.

Edited by Gretchen on Thursday 13th January 17:05
Applying a pruning paint seems a bit like using a plaster to fix a bullet hole. And a rather strange thing to carry with you...

anonymous-user

54 months

Thursday 13th January 2022
quotequote all
Evanivitch said:
Gretchen said:
MonkeyMatt said:
ust been googling them, looks to be some interesting products available. Some look like they would cause very little issue for the trees. Giving me some good ideas
From what I read there could be a risk of disease to a tree (basically creating a wound) but a pruning paint can be applied and the tree would compartmentalize to protect itself. Plenty of trees with nest boxes attached that haven’t died.

Evanivitch said:
I know plenty of lads that use hammocks, none see the need to damage a tree in the process.
See above.

Edited by Gretchen on Thursday 13th January 17:05
Applying a pruning paint seems a bit like using a plaster to fix a bullet hole. And a rather strange thing to carry with you...
Maybe slightly different but after tapping trees (small drill hole to harvest sap for syrup) I use a wooden plug