Top 5 tips for wild camping

Wild camping is the art of camping without a campsite - and not a bed tv show of campers on spring break. 

That means no toilets, no power and probably no other person for miles around.

Wild camping is hard work but a very rewarding thing to do. It's get back to nature reality and the best way to find a little peace in an all too hectic world. 

It isn't without risk though so be careful, be a boyscout, be prepared.

5. Research

4. Equipment

3. Food and Water

2. Location

1. Direction

5. Research

So, you want to wild camp, but where can you do it? The easiest way to find out is to visit one of the many useful websites out there - a quick Google search will enable you to find one for your location. 

 Make sure you find out about the laws relating to wild camping for your area and abide by them. 

4. Equipment

You will need a tent (or bivvy if you're hardcore!) a good backpack (preferably with rain cover), sturdy water-proof boots, possibly with gaiters to stop your trousers getting wet, a change of clothes, trowel or small shovel, pocket knife, 2m of string and a torch. 

3. Food and Water

Ample food is important and the meal in a bag variety that you get from camping shops is perfect for the job (which is probably why camping shops sell them!).

 Energy bars or beef jerky style products are ideal for snacking on during the long days of hiking so take plenty - and don't eat them all at once! 

 Water is most important. Don't rely on there being water where you go even if you know the area as things sometimes change. Take more than you think you'll need and make sure any companions do the same - thinking you have enough and then having to share with others is demoralising.

4. Location

It's wise , for your first few trips at least, to chose a path someone has trodden before. Find information for a route from the internet and if possible pick a 2 or 3 day maximum route. Make sure you have the relevant maps with contour detailing and go over your route carefully. 

1. Direction

Take a GPS, some may feel it's cheating but it really isn't and is a godsend in an emergency. Make sure you take spare batteries. Take a compass too, and know how to use it. It's no use knowing where north is if you can't work out where you are.

Top 5 tips for camping

Just a quick list of things I find useful when camping on campsites. I'll post some tips on extreme camping soon. But for now, here they are;

5. Entertainment

4. Tent

3. Illumination

2. Food

1. Essentials

5. Entertainment

Make sure you have plenty with you because there will doubtless be a few days where you're stuck on a campsite with nothing to do. Books are great, as are puzzle books. You can't go wrong with a deck of cards either both for games and also for building card houses (not good as alternatives to tents). 

4. Tent

Don't be fooled by the makers claims; a two man tent is not a two man tent - unless you happen to be on very good terms with the other man... so much so that you don't mind his elbow in your face all night.

So, unless you are hardcore camping then two people should be looking at four man tents at minimum, and so on. This will allow enough room for everyone and your things too. A preferred technique when camping with a smelly person or unwanted midnight spooner is to place your belongings down the centre of the tent.

3. Illumination

An LED lamp is a must. Most will last for well over 24 hours of continuous use, so you shouldn't have to worry about it crapping out on you. It also advisable to take a torch or two for night time trips to the bathroom and reading without annoying your friends too much.

2. Food

Fry ups and barbeques are the main stay of the camping world so don't forget an ice box to keep meat in. For a quick breakfast I recommend ready made pancake mix to keep you going until lunch. 

1. String

Always carry 2 metres of string or rope when camping in the bush. It has a multitude of uses and  it is always reassuring to have with you. 

Things you need when stuck up a hill

The full title of this top 5 tips article should read - things you need when stuck up a remote hill somewhere surrounded by fog for 2 days running... and no idea where you are - but I felt this wasn't pithy enough so I shortened it a little. AS you can probably tell, this article is based on my own experiences so may not be all that useful, but I hope to write a few articles that will apply to more generic camping situations at a later date. Anyway, here are the tips;

 

5. Entertainment

4. Don't look outside

3. Conserve energy

2. Take a GPS

1. String

5. Entertainment

The wind is howling and you have nothing to do until daybreak so you may as well catch up on a good book or listen to your favourite M.C Hammer song on mp3.

 

4. Don't look outside

Once you have erected your tent, get inside. Your bleak surroundings will only depress you.

 

3. Conserve energy

Try not to eat all the energy bars and beef jerky you brought along on the first day. These are excellent camping foods btw as they boost your energy, fill you up a little and you can fit loads in your bag.

 

2. Take a GPS

It's all well and good being able to read maps but if you can't see your hand in front of your face there's no way of knowing where you are. So consult your beautiful GPS (hardcore GPS only please - no mobile phone based systems) and pray that some country hasn't invaded and forced the defence department to shut down the satellites - or possibly worse, alter them to give false readings.

 

1. Essentials

Always carry  two metres of string. I didn't use it in my experience but it's always comforting to have when camping.

If you have any suggestions for tips for this subject then leave them in the comments section and the best 5 (in my opinion) will  get added to a Users tips section to appear here.