Wild camping is one of the best ways to connect with nature. It may not be the most relaxing form of a break as you need to plan well in order to optimise what you carry and utilise, and you won't have access to a nice bathroom or warm shower. But all in all it is truly invigorating and a great way to escape it all.
We would like to share 10 things to consider and remember when going wild camping. We'll stick to basics and cover the essentials and give a few tips of items that have worked well for us. Some of the things we've done and bought also haven't worked so well, so hopefully you can learn from our mistakes!
1. Have a back-to-basics mindset
Wild camping is really all about going back to basics and taking only the absolute essentials, as you won't want to be carrying a heavy backpack around you for no good reason. List and write down only the absolute essentials, such as the tent and sleeping bag, water and water filtering equipment, high calorie snacks and packed meal(s), and possibly a couple of spare clothes. In general this is a good exercise as you need ask yourself "what do I really need?" This shouldn't include your iPad… We admit we occasionally pack a couple of refreshing beers or a warming bottle of brandy (depending on the weather), which of course aren't essential but if you've got a bit of space it may be nice to enjoy in the evening once you've pitched up.
2. Invest in a good tent
After trying out a wide range of tents, this 3-person Sierra Designs tent has been one of the best ones we've had - and it's still going after at least 100 nights. Normally after some five camping trips we've had to buy a new one, probably because of wanting to keep costs low we've hesitated to invest in a decent tent. This to be fair turns out more expensive than spending that extra £100 on a tent that lasts and can handle most weather conditions, and that is actually comfortable to sleep in! This tent fits two adults (and a happy dog) and is quick to set up - it can be done in less than 20 minutes.
3. Sort out your water filtering equipment
If you're wild camping for one night you might be able to carry all your water needs for the night and the morning. However staying any longer than that and you will definitely need to plan your trip to ensure that there will be sources of clean water. You can for example use Google maps and what we tend to do is look for places or sites located near streams. We've tried a few different types of water filtering equipment and there are pros and cons for each. We tend to have two one litre bottles where clean water is filtered to, as well as a water tank in both backpacks. To filter water, simply fill up one of these water filtering bottles, stick the filtering tube in, and squeeze the water into the tanks and bottles. It'll take a few minutes but it's a good moment to appreciate and listen to the flow of water. Keep all your water filtering equipment in an enclosed watertight bag.
4. Take waterproofs
One of the last things you want to happen is that you get wet (and therefore cold), therefore take waterproofs with you! Waterproofs are useful not only when it's raining but also when the wind is blowing or if you need an extra layer of clothing in the evening. Something that has worked very well for us is a large-sized poncho, as this can also cover your backpack when you're walking. We even lay it on the floor under the mattresses, it brings another layer of insulation if the ground is very cold. Waterproof trousers will be essential too and many of these can squeeze into a very small space. If you have a dog they might need a waterproof outfit too, as it's not really ideal to have a wet dog in a tent - it smells! Inca has worn this one sometimes, although it did take her some time to get used to…
5. Create a handy kit for unexpected needs
Get a small bag or organiser for things like plasters, disinfectant wipes, small scissors, batteries, emergency blanket, clips, money, torch, and any repair materials for potential tent maintenance. Don't forget a first aid kit/materials for your dog, such as a tick remover! You can fit a lot of things in a small bag and the kit might turn out to be more important than you expect.
6. Plan your trip in advance
This one isn't always necessary, especially if you want to have that taste of adventure and exploring the unknown. But if you're going wild camping for more than one day, or you know you need to fill up with water, it's essential you plan your trip so that you can get your water needs fulfilled from a stream or other clean source. When planning your trip think about what you want to achieve. Is it to get into a very quiet environment with no possibility of seeing other people, or is it more about getting some fresh air and exploring our beautiful nature? We tend to select a destination of some kind before we leave, such as a waterfall, a lake or an ancient site. If you're camping in the UK, Dartmoor National Park is an excellent and remote place where wild camping is allowed in designated areas. Always check the weather forecast, so that you have extra layers for cold and windy nights!
7. Pack your backpack strategically
Doing this right is essential for having a comfortable walk to your camping spot. With the right organisation you can fit surprisingly a lot in your backpack. Practise a few times and you'll find the best way to arrange all your equipment. Keep important items on top or side zip pockets, and inside it's practical to use compression sacks to categorise what you're bringing into clothes, food, cooking and fire equipment, water filters, toiletries and biodegradable toilet paper, torches and lights, and waterproofs. We intentionally bought these in different colours for easy packing and quick access to what you need. With all your items packed like this in air-tight bags, it'll be easier to take the maximum advantage of your backpack space.
8. Plan and organise your wild camping food
The biggest learning curves we've had are with food, and we really love our food and enjoy cooking outdoors. This is one of the reasons we used to take too much food or ingredients, being completely pointless to carry. So let's say you're going wild camping for one night, you would need one dinner and one breakfast, and perhaps a few high protein and calorie snacks such as nuts, pepperami, jerk and peanut bar - depending on how much you're planning to walk or consume energy. To stop bringing different cooking ingredients, we've tried many versions of ready-made cook-in-the-bag camping meals and we like the food from 'Summit to Eat'. One meal is around 600 calories and they have a wide range of flavours. Another cheaper (but not so tasty) alternative is pasta mugshots or noodles, easily cooked in a 250 ml metal cup. Whatever you're planning to eat, make sure you have the right cooking equipment and tools. Too many times we've forgotten a tin opener - although the multitool has always rescued the situation!
9. Leave no trace!
The single most important thing to remember about wild camping is to leave no trace - in other words, ensure your camping spot and anywhere else you've been looks like it's never been visited. Always double and triple-check that you haven't left anything behind, and also pick any other litter you possibly can. Yes, that means other people's litter too, whenever possible or feasible. Picking up a couple of candy wrappers here and there will go a long way.
10. Have fun and enjoy the experience
Although wild camping requires quite a bit of organising and planning, it is a truly enjoyable and fun experience. Each time you'll learn something new that you can build on next time. And connect with nature and listen to the sounds, rather than fiddle with your phone. If you want to keep your brain occupied you can play a mini travel chess or a card game - with real cards. Sometimes camping can get stressful, such as the tent leaking or pitching it in the dark, or having your dog chase after wild animals, but no matter what try and laugh it off and be prepared for things not to go to plan. And that's of course part of the excitement!
For the dog…
If you're camping with a dog, it may be easiest to reserve them some biscuits, tinned fish (Inca's favourite is mackerel in tomato sauce), small food pouches and high protein treats. Inca tends to eat raw meat only, but keeping that fresh when camping would be a challenge, so we try to pack light with dried food. A flashy collar at night might be useful, and the long lead will be essential if your dog gets excited about wildlife the same way as Inca. Take any opportunity to fill up your dog's water bottle, so that you don't lose any precious cooking or drinking water from your own bottles. This water bottle (with an attached drinking bowl) has been with us on countless trips, and the best part is that any undrunk water goes right back into the bottle.
In other blogs we are sharing more about water filtering and other useful equipment, as well as good places to wild camp and escape the busyness of life. We hope you enjoy wild camping and exploring nature!