It’s a while since I’ve wild camped so not sure if the status has changed. When I did it was more ‘accepted’ than ‘permitted’. Also, the good spots are closely guarded secrets, so you’re mostly on your own there!
I don’t know you’re experience, but for anyone else thinking about wild camping:
You want water relatively accessible and depending on the weather, some shelter. (I’ve always drunk from fast flowing streams, never pools and survived without treating the water. You also want seclusion as you really don’t want to be getting any attention from walkers or land owners.
This time of year you won’t be getting much sleep, so decide if you want the evening or morning sun - I prefer the morning sun as it dries any dew off my kit. Looking at the map you should be able to plan a route and spot some quite nice spots if you think about the above. Only spend one night in a location.
I used to leave work early, drive down, get half a walk in, a night camp, finish the walk and be back to work for 9AM. One memorable morning was waking up on top of one of the Carnedds.
My preference was always to bivvi rather than tent as it was easier to carry and far easier to find a hidden spot. - The pleasure, as with most bivvying is generally retrospecive, but great fun. Pitch up at dusk and leave at first light, leave no trace bar some flattened grass and all is good. - Just make sure you pack enough calories and water.
The first wild camp I ever did was on the side of Tryfan in just my sleeping bag on a clump of heather. It would had been perfect if I hadn’t put my hand in goat muck earlier in the evening. - Took two days to wash the stink out.
“The pleasure, as with most bivvying is generally retrospecive” - from the couple of times I’ve spent the night in a bivvy bag, that’s very true! I don’t think I got too much sleep.
I’ve also not wild camped in years, but I agree with all the above. We would do the same in terms of starting out late - you can then get away from the roads and crowds before you pitch up.
Try to stay away from the most well known hills and walks, and if you’ve never wild camped before, maybe go on a recce walk first , to see if the ground matches your map reading, before committing to it.
We’re planning to make a little camp somewhere hiddin in a woodland hopefully, and do some walks from there, but not too much walking. Good point about the sleep… I had forgotten that.
It’s a while since I’ve wild camped so not sure if the status has changed. When I did it was more ‘accepted’ than ‘permitted’. Also, the good spots are closely guarded secrets, so you’re mostly on your own there! I don’t know you’re experience, but for anyone else thinking about wild camping: You want water relatively accessible and depending on the weather, some shelter. (I’ve always drunk from fast flowing streams, never pools and survived without treating the water. You also want seclusion as you really don’t want to be getting any attention from walkers or land owners.
This time of year you won’t be getting much sleep, so decide if you want the evening or morning sun - I prefer the morning sun as it dries any dew off my kit. Looking at the map you should be able to plan a route and spot some quite nice spots if you think about the above. Only spend one night in a location.
I used to leave work early, drive down, get half a walk in, a night camp, finish the walk and be back to work for 9AM. One memorable morning was waking up on top of one of the Carnedds.
My preference was always to bivvi rather than tent as it was easier to carry and far easier to find a hidden spot. - The pleasure, as with most bivvying is generally retrospecive, but great fun. Pitch up at dusk and leave at first light, leave no trace bar some flattened grass and all is good. - Just make sure you pack enough calories and water.
The first wild camp I ever did was on the side of Tryfan in just my sleeping bag on a clump of heather. It would had been perfect if I hadn’t put my hand in goat muck earlier in the evening. - Took two days to wash the stink out.
Happy days. Have fun.
“The pleasure, as with most bivvying is generally retrospecive” - from the couple of times I’ve spent the night in a bivvy bag, that’s very true! I don’t think I got too much sleep. I’ve also not wild camped in years, but I agree with all the above. We would do the same in terms of starting out late - you can then get away from the roads and crowds before you pitch up. Try to stay away from the most well known hills and walks, and if you’ve never wild camped before, maybe go on a recce walk first , to see if the ground matches your map reading, before committing to it.
Also, I found this site very interesting when I started.
Very good site, thanks
Yea, more about the thought of it and the fact that you can be anywhere. Although generally I still feel well rested when I get up.
Haha thanks for the tips :)
We’re planning to make a little camp somewhere hiddin in a woodland hopefully, and do some walks from there, but not too much walking. Good point about the sleep… I had forgotten that.