Wild Camping: What We Need to Know as Beginners

Following our caravan trip last Summer Millie-Mae and Toby came to us and said “mum, dad, we want to go camping … proper camping”. My visions of a luxury glamping tent vanished in a puff of smoke. “We want to go wild camping”, they said.

Truth is, initially I wasn’t particularly keen. The thought of sleeping on very cold and rough ground didn’t appeal but I said I’d look into it … Now, in general wild camping is illegal in England and Wales but you’re generally ok in Scotland. I looked into the possibility of investing in some small tents and hiking to some smaller off the beaten track campsites. While I applaud their enthusiasm for camping, I cannot actually see them going without some necessary facilities, like a bathroom. I then asked the two of them to plan the trip. Find somewhere to go and make a list of lightweight kit we’d need to take.

The Destination

Surprisingly Millie came up with a brilliant plan. The Galloway Forest Park, where we could wild camp legally in Scotland in the lochans just over the Scottish border. But the icing on the cake is the Dark Sky Reserve, meaning that we can do some great star gazing because it’s so far from light pollution.

The plan is to head to Loch Enoch beneath the slopes of The Merrick and then move around over several days to find a decent camp site each night or use the national park facilities. I spotted Glentrool Camping and Caravan site, which would make a fabulous base.

The Kit List

Most of our existing camping equipment is caravan-based and therefore too heavy to carry. We based our trip on two x two-man tents; we were particularly drawn to the Arch 2 from Robens tents. It gives some decent space and a bit of head height at the front for sheltering or storing kit. Tracey and the children like the cone-shaped ones, so this needs some discussion! Also, we need some sort of camping stove, such as the Lixada 3000, some dixies to cook in, lightweight and warm sleeping bags and camping mats (the pump-up ones are good).

Essentials

For a true wild experience, we could light a fire and set up a tripod to cook in a large dixie like the 3.5 litre Ottawa pot. We might do that anyway and keep the petrol/gas stove for wet weather. Good head torches, warm clothing and some strong boots are essential. I will take my custom-made Brasher boots, which I have had for years. However, Millie and Toby have more modern trainer style walking boots.

Obviously, kit has to be kept light. Another important addition to the list is a water filtration water bottle so that you can take water from the river to drink. Alternatively, if you are into hiking, a LifeStraw personal water filtration system is a great piece of kit. I also suggest storing water in a 2 litre Platypus water bladder for hydration on the move. Also, there is a need for plenty of plastic bags for storing wet clothes and maybe some paracord to set up a line to dry clothes on.

Rations or food should be kept light and in packets so things like noodles, rice, packet mash and Bean Feast are great. However, it might also be good to take some tins to make some really good camp stew. I might also take my GPS and a really good map. I don’t want to get lost in the woods! Here’s a story about a walker seriously injured on Castle Crag in the Lake District.

How will Wild Camping Pan Out?

I think this trip, planned for when the weather is better, will be a sort of dry run with the Glentrool campsite as a base and some forays into the forest to try out some navigation, map reading, and survival skills. For the camping we could do one or two nights in the wilderness and then come back to base to regroup and dry out (if it rains, and it WILL rain!) I might also take my old Trangia stove to see how that works out as it’s got all the cookware built in.

What have I forgotten? Let me know!

Disclaimer

I am working with simplyhike and have been compensated for my time. All words and opinions are, as always, my own.