Tips for wild camps: a guide for beginners

Tips for wild camps: a guide for beginners

Are you ready for your first wild camping trip, but don't know where to start? Here are some wildcamping tips that help you come to nature

Recently, when I prepared myself for a hike and a wild camping trip to Dartmoor, I wrote a post about the layer system and how to prepare for the moody weather, which is associated with spring in Great Britain. How satisfied was I that I had prepared well? Very.

I found myself in a threatening moor landscape when Storm Katie arrived in Great Britain and plunged large parts of the country into chaos. Within two hours of hike I found myself in the middle of strong wind, torrential downpours and hailstorms.

When lightning flashed over me and the third hailstorm hit me head -on, I decided that I would not get much progress on that day, and hastily opened my tent at the most protected area I could find.

I didn't sleep much that night, which has to do with the howling winds and the constant rain and hail, but the journey was anything but a failure, as the weather was slowly improved in the coming days.

I have been in Dartmoor several times as well as in many other parts of Great Britain and Europe. I love wild camping, even if it is cold, wet and windy (which is quite often the case in Great Britain). For me this is the draw. I love the wilderness, the seclusion and the challenge that wild camps brings.

Over the years I have perfected my preparation, so I am ready for you when a storm strikes Katie. For beginners, however, wild camps can be intimidating. If you are interested in trying it out, but are not sure where to start, use these wild camping tips to get you away from the campsite and to bring them to real nature.

Wildcamping label

One of the most important wild camping tips is to pay attention to the right etiquette.

Do not leave any traces: this is the most important rule in wild camps. The reality is that, wherever I tent in Great Britain, I am probably in the country of someone.

It is important not only for the relationships between landowners and campers, but also for the environment, the wildlife and the future of the wild camp that camper leave their campsites exactly as they found them. It goes without saying that you should take all the garbage home with you and bring it behind.

Arrive late and leave early: This is an important part of your route planning. Ideally, you should arrive at your campsite shortly before dark.

Take enough time to open up and make yourself comfortable before the darkness breaks. You should also try to pack as early as possible the next morning.

Do not light open fire: Without the express permission of the landowner, this rule must not be broken. Apart from the fact that campfires leave unsightly traces on the floor, they damage ecosystems and have the potential to destroy hectares of landscape.

If you intend to make a campfire, you should spend the night at a campsite with the right facilities.

Alt = “Wildcamping tips Dartmoor-13 ″ I spent my last night at a campsite to enjoy a campfire

Take wild animals into account: Do not camp in a place that disturbs local cattle or wild animals. There are local wild animals at the best wild camping places in the world - this is one of the biggest attractions of the wildcamp.

Make sure that your presence does not worry or bothers animals - whether wild or not.

Think of others: If you camp in the country of someone else, you should first try to get permission. Realistically, this is often impractical and unnecessary as long as they do not leave any traces and do not worry. In addition, you should also take other outdoor users into account.

Avoid camping near footpaths and paths and make sure that you set up at least 60 m (200 feet) of water sources to avoid any contamination.

Choose your toilet carefully: Find a protected place that is at least 60 m (200 feet) of water sources, footpaths and other campsites. Also try to ensure that you are downstream from popular campsites.

Dig either with your hands or with a trowel, an approximately 15-20 cm deep hole if you are a little more civilized. Replace the earth when you're done and carry all the toilet papers with you.

For a little more comfort, try to choose a spot with a slight slope and position yourself uphill in front of you - that helps with, uh, execution. Finally not be arrested!

Where camping wild

The regulations change from country to country and locally, depending on who the country has or is responsible for care. Always research your travel destination to find the best local wild camping tips.

Dartmoor: Dartmoor is the only area in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, in which wild camps are officially legal, and is an ideal place for the first wild campers.

The Dartmoor National Park is located in the southwest of England in Devon and offers a unique landscape from hilly Moorland, granite rocks, forested valleys with winding rivers and wide, open areas-perfect for wild camps.

There is an excellent network of hiking trails, including the popular and challenging Two Moars Way.

Alt = “Tips for wild camps Dartmoor-7 ″ The Dartmoor National Park is the only place in the United Kingdom outside Scotland, where wild camps are legal

Scotland: Scotland and its public access to land and water rights offer excellent outdoor options. The mountains around Glen Coe are the easiest accessible and are full of history, natural beauty and wilderness.

Norway: My first wild camping trip outside of Great Britain was in the Jotunheim National Park in Norway. Like Scotland, Norway has very liberal laws for public access and some of the most impressive landscapes in the world. In addition, the national parks offer excellent hiking trails that are well supported by protective huts and campsites if they fancy something (relative) luxury.

Wall over where

Finding a good parking space for your tent is the difference between a pleasant and a miserable experience. The following wildcamping tips to search for a decent parking space should ensure that you enjoy a good night's sleep under tarpaulins. For more detailed breakdown, take a look at our guide on how to find a good campsite.

Alt = “Wildcamping tips Dartmoor-2 ″ the only shelter that I could find-the best of a bad situation

• Try to choose a flat floor.
• Check the surface for stones, branches or other things that disturb your sleep or, worse, could tear your ground tarpaulin.
• Try to find natural shelter or wind protection.
• Store near a water supply, but at least 60 m (200 feet) from water sources to avoid any contamination.
• Avoid compacted soil or depressions - these can easily flood.
• Pay attention to dangers such as rockfall, flood floods, floods or avalanches.
• Good campsites are found, not made - always pay attention to your surroundings and try to leave them exactly as you find them.

What to take

When it comes to packing, the most important wild camping tips that I can give are to try to find a balance between taking the most important things you need and holding your backpack as easy as possible. Go to packing with the assumption that you will get dirty and smell, so go as easy as possible as possible! Here is what I take:

• Tent or bivouac bag
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad
• Sleeping roller
• Primus stove and gas
• Waterproof pack bags
• Water bottle
• Survival bag
• Pot and cup
• Cutlery
• Freezing -dried food (usually couscous)
• Energy seal (breakfast and lunch)
• 3-in-1 coffee bag
• Hiking boots
• Waterproof jacket and pants
• 2 x trouser zipper
• fleece
• Base, mid and top layers
• 2/3 thick socks
• Thermal underwear
• Hut, glove, buff
• Compass, map, pocket knife
• First aid and basic toilet items

Alt = “Tips for wild camps Dartmoor - 1 ″ dry food such as couscous is ideal for keeping weight

Read our ultimate camping checklist for a more detailed camping list for longer trips.

Learn to deal with compass and map

Last but not least, this is the most important of all wild camping tips that I can offer and could save your life. Wherever you decide, you have to make sure that you have a good compass and a detailed card with you.

GPS and hiking apps are great, but they are dependent on batteries and satellite reception. We have written comprehensive instructions for using a compass and a card that should be sufficient to make it easier for you to get started. I swear by Ordnance Survey Explorer cards (1: 25,000) for Great Britain. And of course, as with any outdoor activity, make sure that you tell someone where you go, your expected route and when you will probably return.

Look at how the weather will be

I play a bit here the devil's lawyers, because even if I know that the weather gets terrible (Sturm Katie?), I go anyway! But as I said, that is the tie for me. As with many of these wild camping tips, however, it is a good idea to be prepared as much as possible.

Before you get into the wilderness, check the current weather forecast and try to stay up to date during your expedition about changes - there are numerous apps for smartphones that can help. Our favorite is Weather Live (iOS, Android).

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Main picture: Pexels

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