Why Wildcamping?
Why wildcamping? Why not. I’m the kind of person to look for the reason to do something rather than the reason not to. I look for the opportunity, not the excuse. I try to think what might be, not what if.
There’s a chance I might not get the best sunset ever, or the best night’s sleep ever, or the best sunrise ever – but one thing is for sure, I definitely won’t get it at home, if I’m thinking ‘what if’ or ‘what could’ve been’. I’d rather be disappointed, than regret not going!
As mentioned in my previous blog post, wildcamping is just an encapsulation of the things I love most; sunsets, hiking, camping & sunrises. These are the things that make me feel alive. So, why not?
More to the point – this heatwave is taking its toll across the UK! Wildcamping is the perfect way to sleep outside and cool down!
Think isolation, think wilderness, think remote, think tranquillity, think freedom, off-grid, stunning views, glorious sunrise, idyllic camp locations. All 15 minutes from your front door – what better way to spent a beautiful summers evening.
Wildcamping, whilst technically illegal*, offers the perfect getaway from the busy-bodying of campsites, no distractions, just you and the great outdoors. It’s simple living for me.
Having read a few blogs & seeing a few Instagram pictures, I felt inspired. Whilst I’ve wildcamped some pretty sketchy places in my campervan before – tenting is very different, you can’t just hop into the front and drive off! That said, I’ve picked up a couple of tips along the way!
Being outside allows me to gather my thoughts, allows my mind to go wild with ideas and creativity. I spend my evenings with hot chocolate, scribbling down blog ideas, travel destinations and adventure ideas in my notepad. A brew and adventure fuels my adventurous spirit – I get the best and wackiest ideas this way!
Once I have idea down in my notepad, I can work around it, start to make things happen, formulate travel/adventure plans – and create my blog content. This is my method of organisation & getting things done; peace and quiet & a notepad!
Wildcamping is a new dimension to my adventures – allowing me to get out and stay out for longer, prolong my adventure, go further & see more. It’s the perfect way to get outside and clear your mind – fresh air is best cure for just about anything! (Insert medical disclaimer here!!)
I pack light, taking stuff to sleep, stuff to eat, stuff to make a brew and hygiene stuff, as well as other camp/hiking essentials. My gear isn’t the lightest/best gear ever, but its practical. I sleep well & eat well. What more do you need?!
At the end of the day, you forget the luxuries of 5 star home living, when you have a 5 star view!
I do also take whichever book I’m currently reading (or trying to read!), right now that’s Icefall, by Alex Staniforth. I fantastic read all about his fascinating journey to Everest, the roof of the world!
So my first wild camp happened on the summer solstice – the longest day of the year. My first thoughts…
- Thoroughly enjoyed the remoteness and isolation. Being out on the hills alone was quite daunting at first, but in the end, I found myself to thrive off being alone and isolated.
- Quiet & peaceful; no neighbours moving the lawn, no mother pecking your head to do jobs you haven’t done, no TV or other modern day encumbrance preventing you from being productive – you get the idea, I like peace and quiet!
- Stunning views. Firstly, of the sunset – then enjoyed watching the fading orange light over the Ribble Valley with a brew. Perfect sunrise before heading home.
- I was surprisingly effortless to make it happen, packing minimalistic as I knew I had to carry it! So if I didn’t need it, it didn’t come. Left work, went home, had food, watch some world cup. Impromptu pack up and off I went.
- Just meant an early morning to see the sunrise, get packed up, get off the mountain and into work for 7.15.
- Saw the sunset, saw the sunrise, drank hot chocolate, got a blog post uploaded & got to sleep – what more can you ask for?!
- Can’t wait for the next one!
My main focus in life right now is living a healthy lifestyle, whilst I’m feeling absolutely brilliant, I am still on the road to recovery and a healthy lifestyle has been crucial to my recovery. Wildcamping and being outdoors is a main part of this lifestyle change, so spending as much time outside as possible is brilliant for me!
A big thing for me & many young people, being in full time employment, part time education & trying to have a social life, is finding that balance. It’s all well and good being busy 9-5, but what do you do with your 5-9? What do you do that really gets you going? Work/study is necessary & important, but what really sets your heart on fire?!
I’m not actually sure it is a thing or not, I’m a becoming a big advocate that #WildcampWednesday definitely should be a thing! Why? Midweek adventure to break up week. You’re over the hump of the week – awesome chance to relax, unwind and forget the stress and problems of daily life. Re-focus, re-energise and focus on the challenges remaining in the week.
Those of you who read my Cycle to Work blog will know I’ve developed a huge thrill out of getting to my destination under my own steam – hiking and wildcamping is giving me this same feeling! It’s hard to describe – but I can’t encourage people enough to get outside and give it a try!
Ultimately in the long run, I’d like to turn these local wildcamps into longer multi-day treks – covering large distances, self-sufficient and completely under my steam. I recently saw an adventurer I look up to in Rory Southworth trek across Scotland in the TGO challenge – I found this incredibly inspiring & look forward to planning my own similar adventures!
- One I’m already thinking up involves the 214 Wainwright Fells in the Lake District!
My final point on wildcamping is that this is another means of inspiring other to get outside and pursue adventures! Wildcamping is very accessible, with the right gear & mind-set – it just takes that little kick out the door and your practically there! I hope between this article and my previous Top Tips article, you find the information useful, informative & motivational – let me know how you get on! I’d love to hear in the comments!
Thanks as always for reading! Please feel free to like, comment and share!
*I wouldn’t want to publicly advertise where I wild camped – as technically it is illegal. But I feel the general acceptable consensus is that as long as you go late and are gone early, are out of sight & leave no trace then, nobody seems to fuss.
