WILD CAMPING TRAIL’S 16-STEP BEGINNER’S GUIDE
1
First things first – is there anything to be scared of? There aren’t any (or should that be many?) axe-wielding maniacs roaming the British hills after dark. Bogey monsters don’t exist and werewolves are fictional. If you’re scared of things that go bump in the night, please don’t let that put you off wild camping forever – the stark truth is you’re far safer out in the hills than you are walking home from the pub at 11pm on a Friday night.
2
What if you get caught or told off? This is highly unlikely, if you’re sensible and wild camp responsibly. I’ve slept wild over 100 times in the British mountains and never once been berated by a landowner, told to move on, or handcuffed and thrown in jail. Even on the occasion I got caught in the act by James Dyson’s gamekeeper (long story), he simply said “Don’t disturb the pheasants” and let me stay for the night. You’ll be fine. BONUS TIP In the unlikely event you do get asked to leave, do so quickly and apologetically.
3
How can you build up experience before your first wild camp? It’s a great idea to grow your confidence by camping on official campsites first. Learn to set up your tent quickly and correctly, get used to your sleeping system, and practice cooking hearty meals on your stove. You could also do a test run in your garden, or if you’re feeling particularly nervous take a friend on your first outing for moral support.
4
Now you’re psychologically ready, it’s time to decide where to wild camp – but how do you choose? To avoid rushed, last-minute decisions that could prove disastrous, it’s always best to have a rough idea of where you want to camp in advance. Pore over maps at home and try to pick out a suitable location. Look for somewhere flat and secluded, with access to water. Next to a mountain tarn is a common choice and a good bet for your first outing. Alternatively try a col, ridge or summit – but these exposed spots are best saved for good weather days with no rain and winds below 10mph. Always aim to camp high up, above the ‘in-take wall’ – the wall at the highest elevation, which separates farmland and grazing pastures from the wild, uncultivated mountainside. Land above the in-take wall is usually open access land, which is shaded yellow(ish) on OS Explorer (1:25k) maps. BONUS TIP Scout out your desired wild camp spot in advance during a day walk – knowing exactly where you plan to pitch will give you added confidence.
5
Where is best to pitch your tent? You want to find a patch of flat, soft and dry grass, devoid of any rocks or puddles of water. This’ll give you the best chance of a comfy night. One trick is to lie down on the ground before you pitch your tent to check your chosen spot is sufficiently flat and dry, without any annoying grassy lumps or spiky rocks below your body. If the weather is very gusty, some shelter from the wind – perhaps in the lee of a hill or shielded by a crag – is important too.
6
How do you pitch a tent correctly? Obviously you’ve read the manufacturer’s instructions, watched YouTube tutorials and practised in the garden already, so you’re familiar with the quirks of your tent. But a few generic tips can help ensure you get yours pitched to perfection: fine-tune the flysheet’s tension to maximise clearance between the fly and inner; open the door and any vents to aid circulation and reduce the chance of condensation; use guy ropes for added stability; and carefully position your tent over the flat ground you’ve already identified before pegging out (it’s annoyingly easy to get it wrong).
BONUS TIP Carry a range of differentsized pegs, so you’ve always got one to meet your needs.
7
If it’s windy, which direction should you pitch your tent in? Pitch your tent incorrectly and it’ll be buffeted all night by the wind. To avoid this problem, check the prevailing wind direction by throwing a tuft of grass in the air, and then orientate your tent accordingly. This usually means your tent should be parallel to the wind direction, with the lowest and narrowest part facing into the wind, ensuring gusts flow aerodynamically over your flysheet. The worst thing you can do is pitch perpendicular to the wind, which will mean the body of your tent catches the brunt of every single squall.
8
What’s the best way to set up your sleep system? Nothing too complicated here. Simply inflate your sleeping mat and lay it in the centre of your tent. Place your sleeping bag over it and slide your sleeping bag liner (if you