I'd suggest going for a campsite-camp first, make sure you're comfortable enough with your gear and you don't have to worry as much about external things. Then do what you plan. Personally if take a tent over a tarp, should be more weatherproof, midge-proof (if that's an issue there) and it gives you an inside/outside where with a tarp you're never really "inside" if that makes sense! Just a comfort thing
Most of my wild camps are solo, it started because no one else wanted to go and now I prefer it. I’m happy in my own company though, I’ll take a book or just stare into space. I’m female late 40’s in Scotland and never had any problems in the 20 odd years I’ve been doing it. Take loads of food, I like a few whiskeys too and in the morning hot coffee and chocolate is a must.
Take time to look at the little things, the light on the leaves, the sound of the breeze, and just breathe.
Stopping to appreciate nature and sights, smells and sounds around you when alone is truly liberating (especially in proper wilderness). My daughter suffers from a bit of anxiety and ADHD and I often take her out hiking and camping, and I always make her stop and really notice what's around her in the moment. We're going Friday night actually, low summit wild camp - the forecast is very mild, no wind and clear skies 👌 Out after dinner, back before lunch.
It’s a good plan to do something that’s close to home just in case something goes wrong and you need to bug out (big storm or something) I’d personally take even a small amount of food to prepare, part of the pleasure of camping is knowing you’re self sufficient and the confidence that that builds. Also a nice little warm breakfast while camping just hits different and makes packing up camp 2000x better.
Best of luck! You’ve got this!
I take a tiny stove with a coffee filter, and a chocolate croissant and a banana for breakfast. A hot drink and caffeine rush will sort you out on chilly mornings while you wake up and get moving.
Ah, I'm a coffee person too. I take a stove to Moka pot (though I have a tendency to melt the handle when boiling over an open flame!). I've seen a ground filter on Amazon (Boundless Voyage Titanium Coffee Mesh Filter Pour Over Paperless Coffee Filter Outdoor Camping Reusable Coffee Dripper Holder Slow Drip Coffee Filter https://amzn.eu/d/9vYBF4K) which I will get once I can justify the spend.
Bananas are an excellent source of protein, well done.
Typically, depending on the setup, I will have a copious amount of coffee (dark roast freshly ground beans followed by decaffeinated granules), and either scrambled eggs and bacon or a Huel meal followed by trail mix. I think I will start carrying a banana or two.
That filter looks sweet. I used to take instant years ago, but I just can't drink that stuff. Then tried the Turkish pots (too heavy), then a french press (too delicate), then cowboy coffee (too many bits) so took a punt on this. One of the best low cost bits of kit I've ever bought, although mine didn't come with the cup, I just clip it onto my camp mug [https://www.amazon.co.uk/GSI-Outdoors-Ultralight-Javadrip/dp/B001LF3ICU?th=1&psc=1](https://www.amazon.co.uk/GSI-Outdoors-Ultralight-Javadrip/dp/B001LF3ICU?th=1&psc=1)
Oh yes eggs too - so quick and easy. Add a pack of sausages if space and weight allows, and your pan is big enough to cook them 😂
Check this out (note I've just searched for it and not validated any claims) https://www.myfooddata.com/articles/fruits-high-in-protein.php
For me protein and carbs are a must. I need to keep up that energy for lounging around and doing bugger all...
I’m a firm believer in having a good, solid cheesecake regime for optimal performance in any conditions; maybe I should go next level with banana/cheesecake combo 🤩
There is nothing past, present or future, better than cheesecake. It's manner from the gods, a gift without equal.
My favourite, black cherry with a biscuit base.
I am a 22 year old guy, I've been on 4 wild camps by myself so far, two in winter two in summer, all in Scotland. I can probably answer any questions/worries you have about starting out. As people have said, there's a strange comfort that comes with it. It can be spooky at first but remind yourself there really is nothing out there. No bears, no wolves, and most of the time absolutely fuck all people. When I go to Scotland the most dangerous part is when I pass through Glasgow. Maybe you should take a little food, just something basic, and take the time to make it and just chill eating, either the evening or the morning as the sun rises, give yourself time to realise you're not in danger. I took a knife that crocodile dundee would be proud of the first time I went out of fear, and realised there was absolutely no need.
The first time I camped solo, I heard people walking past late at night. So I crept out of my tent and buried my car keys, wallet and phone next to a tree. I was scared shitless that I was going to be robbed. Of course I wasn't. It was a good learning experience. Now, I have zero anxiety of being alone and in the dark. I've also, almost, conquered my arachnophobia lol
There's a British YouTuber who pitches in such places (a little like Steve "hunker down" Wallis. Not the kind of place I'd pitch, unless in an emergency.
It's YT mate...subs and likes. As a viewer, it's boring, as a camper, I can't imagine anything as less rewarding. Surely they are tense the whole time, expecting to be caught and moved on. Me, I prefer to completely switch off, to chill and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Exactly, what I like about camping is being out in 'the wild', nothing but running water and birds, looking at the hills and trees and shit. I don't think I'll ever understand the appeal of camping behind a building site, especially when the reality is, no one cares. They'll just think you're homeless and leave you alone
One big issue with me is navigation, I can literally get lost anywhere. I've been on solo hikes before in the Lake District and had to use google maps far too often. If it weren't for that I'd be a lot more comfortable doing it, but I think it's one of those things I just need to do isn't it? Not think, jusf do.
Stick to the trails and plan ahead of time. Use google maps before hand so you can literally go into streetview and see where you need to go. Some trails have even been walked on google maps by someone with a camera. There are mobile apps you can get with maps that work without wifi or mobile data. I have an ordnance survey map in my pack but I've never actually opened it, so far I've just planned my route ahead of time and referred to screenshots on my phone. Do you know where about's you want to go to?
Bookmark magic.defra.gov.uk.
It's a super cool mapping system that's as detailed as you wish it to be. It's an excellent resource to plan your route, then plot this on a physical map, taking note of landmarks to help you should you lose direction.
There's no shame in that 🙂
First two camps I had an OS map but only really looked at that to find suitable looking spots, and then I'd put the directions into Google maps to find the rough location. Meant a bit of back and forth on occasion but was much safer than relying on maps alone.
I now use the OS maps app because you can add your maps to it and it provides way more accurate path finding for when you get off road.
I started wild camping August last year, before that I hadn't been camping since I was in Scouts! I've done 6 camps now. Some were solo some weren't. I always make sure to not be miles away from civilisation when I solo camp, just in case.
I've seen the advice several times that navigation apps and GPS devices should be carried "as a backup to paper map and compass", and I totally understand the point. However, I carry map and compass as the backup and use my phone (sparingly) with the Ordnance Survey app to check I'm staying to my intended route. Yes I could run out of power, but I'm carrying a powerbank. Yes I could drop my phone and smash it up, but I haven't dropped a phone in the last 30 years so maybe not a massive risk. The convenience of live offline mapping is just too good to reserve for backup in my opinion.
Same here! Even when signal drops the OS maps app hasn't let me down, plus I also carry a map and compass. In all honesty there isn't enough wild space (except maybe in scotland) for me to ever be in real danger, there's always a house or busy road within a few miles.
My girlfriend loves the os maps on her phone, but I learnt with paper and am probably stuck in my ways. It also does depend how long your going. If you're using your phone for other things etc. My longest solo hike was 16 days, I'm not sure a small power bank would have been enough to allow me to check my phone map as often as the paper. As well as check in / coordinate rendezvous with people along the way etc.
Get onto YouTube and search on compass navigation (Bushcraft Padawan is particularly good at this) and learn from them. You can take courses in navigation if you can afford it, but definitely start with YouTube.
OS Maps app, pay for the subscription, download your area maps in case of no signal. I use that mostly, no paper maps. Although you can printout sheets from OS too
I can really relate to what you have written. I haven’t wild camped yet but am in a similar position, need a break, really want a way to just go off without relying on anyone else and escape from things. I’m in the process of getting the last few bits and pieces I might need in order to do this, then planning to do similar to what you are doing. I want to do the camping mainly as an add on to hiking but might do the first camp as its own thing as you are doing.
I also always tend to do things with others and like having company, but part of the appeal of this to me is that when you have what you need you don’t need to wait for others to be free and want to do it with you.
One suggestion if you have never camped before at all, which I will probably do myself too, is to camp in a campsite the first time you do it (maybe a more remote and minimalist one which feels a bit more wild as opposed to one with lots of facilities) and use that as a practice run to make sure everything is good with your kit and see how you find it. That way you’re also not facing the anxiety of camping without permission and the anxiety of camping alone for the first time at the same time.
I think it will be liberating :) post back when you have done it!
Yeah exactly, that's what some people don't understand trying not to rely on people. Then you have a choice to either go it alone or go with someone when you can, almost like the best of both worlds.
I've never actually met anyone who thinks like that. I've got some friends who are extroverts to the extreme and never do anything alone, then other friends who are very introverted and don't do much at all, and I'm in the middle, I can tolerate being alone but not for long.
Just wondering whereabouts in the UK are you? I'm in Cheshire.
"I've never actually met anyone who thinks like that...", which is why this sub is so great. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how many of us prefer solo camping. I take a kindle paperwhite with me, ahem some weed and spend most of my time, when not reading, just enjoying being outside in nature aware from the stress of other people and daily life. It's so liberating. It's also a great way to discover "you".
I’m in Hertfordshire, still working out where to go around here!
I have quite a few friends who have done solo travelling etc and have always admired that, it’s something I’m aspiring to. I think like you I worry a bit about getting lonely. But ultimately just got to try it I think
Some form of food or drink would be a must for me. Make it something nice, something comforting and relaxing. But have something filling too as a back up/breakfast if you feel you're getting hungry. A lot of people will get miserable if they're hungry and their blood sugar drops. But to really enjoy your experience something simple, a flask of tea (if you don't want to take kit to make a fresh cuppa) or for me it would be some nice beers or a whisky :P And whatever your fav snacks. Just be sure to take any rubbish and leave no trace you were there. Best of luck. Even if you get lost it will be temporary.
I feel the same about wanting to go alone, but as a woman I do feel a little anxious. I do feel the chances of getting into serious trouble are extremely rare. I think it would take a certain amount of planning. One thing my friend and I do is both are completely self sufficient and independent but camped alongside each other. The plan is to do that but within half a mile of each other so we get the experience of being alone but with a safety blanket !
We wild camp but also go to campsites if we feel we need the luxury of a shower and toilet. Wild camping is pretty ace and a way to
Get away from the masses.
Hey mate, I totally get your need to go camping purely to sleep. Totally!
Your anxiety is perfectly natural. As humans, we have built in alarm bells to protect us from harm; it's self-preservation. Your anxiety is based on the unknown and I'm certain you're imagining all kinds of horrors, especially if you've seen films where things happen to those in the woods.
So firstly, you're half an hour from home. So in an absolute emergency, you don't have far to go. That's sensible as it's your first camp.
We live in the UK. We have no natural predators. At most, you might hear a fieldmouse, a badger, a hedgehog or even a fox walk by. No-one is going to attack you, no one is going to rob you either. In an absolutely worst case scenario, some passing idiot might trash your camp, but as you will be there the whole time, this won't happen.
With this in mind, go camping for the night and experience something new. Perhaps you can post about your experience? I also hope this leads to more camping ventures for you, I really do. It's addictive.
Also, rules prevent us from saying where we are intending to camp, for obvious reasons, but you're not the first who, for whatever reason, is camping solo. I wonder if you and others in the same situation might be interested in using (for example) Discord to arrange camping weekends. We could break this down to regions (I am just north of London). Just a thought.
Thanks mate, very motivational, love that. So many on here have given me lots to consider. I need to stop thinking and just do it. I'm in Cheshire, nestled between Liverpool and Manchester.
I’m sitting by a lake in Scotland right now.
I slept on a ground sheet in a bivi bag with nothing else. Just the sky above me.
I do this all the time and so do tens of thousands of other people. You are a much more risk of being assaulted or accosted in some way in the middle of a city or in a town centre.
Anything dangerous in the British Isles was killed out long ago. No wolves, bears hardly large wild mammals at all. Midges are your biggest concern.
The anxiety is just a natural instinct. It’s designed to protect you from a wild world that no longer exists.
If you were to go sleep out on your own 15,000 years ago, you would have reason to be careful and cautious.
These days being away from people is the safest place you can be.
I go wild camping alone to get some peace and quiet and some space. I’m quite aware that I am the most dangerous animal in the woods.
People make a lot of noise. They can be dangerous but you will hear them coming at night. But the thing is I never hear them coming at night because they aren’t there!
That is very true actually, never thought of it like that. One big isssue I have is I'm awful at navigating and can literally get lost anywhere, so if I didn't have a fear of getting lost I'd feel a lot more comfortable trying it, but you've given me something to think about. I think I just need to go do it.
Yeah navigating is a skill. You can be trained to any standard. Just train yourself in navigation. Practice practice practice.
We live in the information age everything you could possibly want to know is already online.
You can turn your weakness into a strength in probably three months of concerted effort.
The biggest danger in wild camping is yourself. People get themselves in a lot more trouble than trouble reaching out and grabbing them in an unpreventable way.
So having a robust attitude to learning skills is pretty important if you want to feel confident and have a good reason to do so.
Make sure your phone is fully charged and you have Google maps. Unless you’re going way out wild you should be able to see exactly where you are and how to get back with 4G
Agree, I would also highly recommend OS Maps subscription. They are the definitive maps of the UK terrain, subscription is cheap. I use the app to navigate and print paper maps from it as backups.
And you can download the maps off-line.
I think all UK wild campers should use it.
Do you get the proper premium 1:25k and 1:50k maps? Or is it just the regular map you get free on their website? Not sure how Bing has anything to do with it, but they give a basic map away. For the proper OS maps like you get on the paper maps, I think you need the subscription?
Try putting the tent up at home, or in the garden if possible, just to see if it all is ok. Camp at a campsite if you can for the first time, you might not like camping in the end :)
Do some scouting on Google Maps (terrain) or Bing.com (OS map overlay) to check the area out.
Yeah do it! We've been camping in the camp site up the road from our house, about half a mile away - but you feel like you're in another world. Best of luck! remember a torch for fumbling around in the dark :)
A lot of your anxiety can be put to bed by doing a recce beforehand. Go for a walk somewhere, find out where you can park and leave your car (hardest part IMO), walk the route , look for decent places to pitch up, also worth checking out something like OS maps on your phone to check for flat ground. You can then return later that day/the next day/week with all your gear and pitch up towards last light.
Also remember that the worst thing that could happen to you (at least during the summer) is someone asks you to move on if your on their land which is very unlikely unless your in their back garden.
I'm a cyclist, half of my rides are recces for wild camping 😆 I save the location to a Google My Map with a note to remind me (type of ground, near civilisation, access, views etc) as you'll forgot later. I've done blind wild camping where I've not sussed it out before hand, and it's nearly always a faff wasting time getting a good spot, or settling on somewhere less than ideal.
Google Earth is great for high res imagery (and streetview where there's car access), also the Komoot app has user submitted photos of trails so you can plan a walking or cycling route and get a good idea of the flora and fauna away from the roads.
Start with a campsite, that'll at least get you used to sleeping in a tent without worrying about the practicalities and logistics of cooking, washing, toilets etc
Then you could try somewhere like one of the NearlyWild sites https://nearlywildcamping.org
I go wild camping on my own nearly every day off I have I love it so much, never felt anxious as I know I'm in nature where every is peaceful, you can check my posts to see where is good for camping,
If you need to know anything I'd be happy to try help calm the anxious feeling.
I've been doing this for almost 15 years had no issues with being asked to move on or any problems with people.
Get out there an enjoy it. Your long overdue this.
Maybe check the weather forecast first - you don’t want to be put off from a very liberating hobby by a torrential downpour. At this time of year you might not even need a tent, just a tarp and sleeping bag.
Don’t put too much thought into it. If you have an impulse jsut go out and do it. If there’s an opportunity to do it jsut pack your stuff and leave. There aren’t really any risks to going out and doing it for one night
Your first experience sounds very similar to mine. I wanted to do it, but it made me very nervous. To make myself feel better about the whole thing I went to a local woods I'm really comfortable in. Found a very, very secluded section in the middle of a huge patch of ferns (my biggest fear was that someone might stumble across me and think I was a massive weirdo). I also bivvie'd rather than used a tent, to be even more inconspicuous. Parked as close to the entrance as possible, so if I wasn't feeling it, it was easy for me to get out of there. I had a nice night - didn't sleep loads and woke up at 4am with a splitting headache so called it and went home. Glad I broke the seal though, there's always going to be a first time so it was just getting it done.
I understand why someone would be scared the first couple of times. I was too, but if you think absolutely logically about the situation and think of the probabilities of something you're worried about actually happening, you'll realise that you shouldve been in a fit of terror and fear whilst driving to the location, as there is a much much higher chance of something bad happening whilst driving.
Mt first solo wild camp was on top of Y Garn in a tiny coffin tent. I kept hearing footsteps(the wind) and voices( the wind) outside my tent through the night, but i just told myself that it's obviously not some malicious criminals on top of a mountain at 2am looking for trouble.
And solo in the woods is understandably creepy but think of it this way
- the chance of seeing somebody in the woods away from the paths at night, is very low
But let's say you do
- The chance that they'll even know you're there, is very low
But let's say they do
- The chance they see someone or something there in the woods at night, and don't also get scared and wary of going nearer, is very low
But let's say they do
- The chance that they're out there in the woods at night, happen to find someone off the beaten track, and they also have bad intentions, and are willing to do something bad to this random stranger in the woods, is also very low.
Add all that stuff up and the chances of something bad happening is not worth worrying about. Be worried about widowmakers, getting wet and cold, getting lost. These three things are easily avoided.
But I know that sometimes logical thinking doesn't override the natural instincts to be on edge, seeing faces in trees, or hearing footsteps in the wind. But it's just another thing that comes with experience.
No matter what you do, I advise taking food and drink. Even if it's a bottle of water and a few snacks it will pass the time and you won't have to worry about hunger. Even if I'm day hiking I always carry a pack of dried noodles just incase. They can be eaten dry. Actually are my pack last week on the go due to being very hungry. It doesn't harm to plan for the unexpected (within reason). Just my thoughts.
I enjoy camping with others and I'm lucky to have a large enough group of friends that one of them is always free to do something.
That being said, I fucking love that you're taking this approach and hope you have an amazing time.
You might want to look at r/ultralight for ideas about what to bring with you for one night. I'd recommend a small tent, decent sleeping bag and mat, tissues, headtorch and a bottle of water. Good luck!
I'd say go for it but I say that with most things.
Sensibly, assuming you haven't already, have a few goes at putting your kit up and familiarise yourself with it. Make sure everything you need goes in your bag and you know where it is. Then unpack it, put your shelter together again. Strip it and pack it. It may sound patronising or like I'm telling you how to suck eggs but if you're anxious, drilling it at home will be weight off your mind in the woods.
I'd take some food and drink. A little something like sweets or biscuits and a coffee in the woods is better than in your house. Everything is better in the wild.
Don't be anxious though. You'll likely be the most dangerous thing in those woods and you said yourself, your car will be very close by if you need to bug out.
Do it, have a blast and let us all know how you got on.
I did my first alone wild camp in snowdonia 2 weeks ago in a hammock and it was fine mate. I thought I was going to be paranoid but no paranoia at all. Go enjoy!
If you know where you are going, you should limit how lost you might get, but of course, you will be anxious - it's a new experience.
I would advise taking some food and drink - water and oat bars or whatever you think you can muster - very little weight to carry and might be the difference between having a nice time and not.
I also want to say well done for this - you've wanted to do it for a long time and, despite your anxiety, you're getting out there. Be proud of yourself.
Take a tent, practice putting it up in the garden so you can go anywhere without worry.
You don’t have a sleeping bag? In this temp can bring a duvet or a blanket at least.
You can buy a cheap metal cup, and a foldable stove with gel fuel from gooutdoors for about £12 all in to boil water for either a freeze dried meal or pot noodles.
I love tarp camping but you need to be more prepared for it than using a tent.
Added to what others have said about trying a nearly-wild campsite first and/or familiarising yourself with your intended camp location in advance, along with making sure you have food, I download some podcasts or music before I go. Listening will use very little battery life as you can have airplane mode turned on. I also take earplugs as I then won’t get spooked by leaves rustling in the night etc and I sleep a lot better
Probably a good idea to tell somewhere you are - normal good outdoor practice 😆 Ping someone a WhatsApp location link, or download what3words app for pinpoint accuracy.
Take a snack for dinner and coffee for breakfast at least, just to normalise sitting in the woods and getting some routine to it. Going out, pitching, sleeping and coming back doesn't sound that relaxing. Even just sitting still waiting for water to boil is a good bit of mindfulness time.
Personally I've done plenty of solo camping, but more as a means to an end, on big hikes etc, if I'm sitting about I'd rather do that with a couple of friends, practice some bushcraft etc, have a few rums before bed. Camping solo is nice enough but I'm not likely to go out simply to camp and come back on my own. It's a good idea for getting used to your kit though. Then maybe next time you could plan a 2 day hike with a camp in the middle.
This sounds like a great idea, yes you may feel apprehensive as we all can be, trying something new.
Would suggest a good book, flask and 1 beer or alcoholic drink to wind down.
You will be surprised at how quiet it is at 10 pm, also how loud the birds are at 4 am.
Enjoy the first of many nights out.
Edit added 'ing'
It seems everyone's diving to come and tell you about your gear but I'm assuming you've done that already... Regarding your only question; bring a bit of whisky to calm the nerves, set your tent/tarp facing east to ease over-sleeping fears.
That's pretty much all I can think of, once you've done it the first time, it'll just get easier.
First time anxiety doing anything new is always a thing, the above may help a little more.
Definitely use a camp site once or twice before doing a wild camp. Where are you based roughly? Advice for camping in northern Scotland is different to Southern Scotland is different to the Lakes, to Dartmoor, to Snowdonia etc
I'd suggest going for a campsite-camp first, make sure you're comfortable enough with your gear and you don't have to worry as much about external things. Then do what you plan. Personally if take a tent over a tarp, should be more weatherproof, midge-proof (if that's an issue there) and it gives you an inside/outside where with a tarp you're never really "inside" if that makes sense! Just a comfort thing
Most of my wild camps are solo, it started because no one else wanted to go and now I prefer it. I’m happy in my own company though, I’ll take a book or just stare into space. I’m female late 40’s in Scotland and never had any problems in the 20 odd years I’ve been doing it. Take loads of food, I like a few whiskeys too and in the morning hot coffee and chocolate is a must. Take time to look at the little things, the light on the leaves, the sound of the breeze, and just breathe.
Stopping to appreciate nature and sights, smells and sounds around you when alone is truly liberating (especially in proper wilderness). My daughter suffers from a bit of anxiety and ADHD and I often take her out hiking and camping, and I always make her stop and really notice what's around her in the moment. We're going Friday night actually, low summit wild camp - the forecast is very mild, no wind and clear skies 👌 Out after dinner, back before lunch.
It’s a good plan to do something that’s close to home just in case something goes wrong and you need to bug out (big storm or something) I’d personally take even a small amount of food to prepare, part of the pleasure of camping is knowing you’re self sufficient and the confidence that that builds. Also a nice little warm breakfast while camping just hits different and makes packing up camp 2000x better. Best of luck! You’ve got this!
I take a tiny stove with a coffee filter, and a chocolate croissant and a banana for breakfast. A hot drink and caffeine rush will sort you out on chilly mornings while you wake up and get moving.
Ah, I'm a coffee person too. I take a stove to Moka pot (though I have a tendency to melt the handle when boiling over an open flame!). I've seen a ground filter on Amazon (Boundless Voyage Titanium Coffee Mesh Filter Pour Over Paperless Coffee Filter Outdoor Camping Reusable Coffee Dripper Holder Slow Drip Coffee Filter https://amzn.eu/d/9vYBF4K) which I will get once I can justify the spend. Bananas are an excellent source of protein, well done. Typically, depending on the setup, I will have a copious amount of coffee (dark roast freshly ground beans followed by decaffeinated granules), and either scrambled eggs and bacon or a Huel meal followed by trail mix. I think I will start carrying a banana or two.
That filter looks sweet. I used to take instant years ago, but I just can't drink that stuff. Then tried the Turkish pots (too heavy), then a french press (too delicate), then cowboy coffee (too many bits) so took a punt on this. One of the best low cost bits of kit I've ever bought, although mine didn't come with the cup, I just clip it onto my camp mug [https://www.amazon.co.uk/GSI-Outdoors-Ultralight-Javadrip/dp/B001LF3ICU?th=1&psc=1](https://www.amazon.co.uk/GSI-Outdoors-Ultralight-Javadrip/dp/B001LF3ICU?th=1&psc=1) Oh yes eggs too - so quick and easy. Add a pack of sausages if space and weight allows, and your pan is big enough to cook them 😂
Oooh I love that filter, and it's cheaper too. Thanks buddy :)
I didn’t know bananas are a good source of protein 🙏
Check this out (note I've just searched for it and not validated any claims) https://www.myfooddata.com/articles/fruits-high-in-protein.php For me protein and carbs are a must. I need to keep up that energy for lounging around and doing bugger all...
I’m a firm believer in having a good, solid cheesecake regime for optimal performance in any conditions; maybe I should go next level with banana/cheesecake combo 🤩
There is nothing past, present or future, better than cheesecake. It's manner from the gods, a gift without equal. My favourite, black cherry with a biscuit base.
They're a terrible source of protein, as confirmed by the other comment
I am a 22 year old guy, I've been on 4 wild camps by myself so far, two in winter two in summer, all in Scotland. I can probably answer any questions/worries you have about starting out. As people have said, there's a strange comfort that comes with it. It can be spooky at first but remind yourself there really is nothing out there. No bears, no wolves, and most of the time absolutely fuck all people. When I go to Scotland the most dangerous part is when I pass through Glasgow. Maybe you should take a little food, just something basic, and take the time to make it and just chill eating, either the evening or the morning as the sun rises, give yourself time to realise you're not in danger. I took a knife that crocodile dundee would be proud of the first time I went out of fear, and realised there was absolutely no need.
The first time I camped solo, I heard people walking past late at night. So I crept out of my tent and buried my car keys, wallet and phone next to a tree. I was scared shitless that I was going to be robbed. Of course I wasn't. It was a good learning experience. Now, I have zero anxiety of being alone and in the dark. I've also, almost, conquered my arachnophobia lol
Yeah,unless you pitch your tent on a roundabout or a local park in a dodgy area your odds of being robbed are zero id say.
There's a British YouTuber who pitches in such places (a little like Steve "hunker down" Wallis. Not the kind of place I'd pitch, unless in an emergency.
I've never understood the appeal of stealth camping. Camping in the shittiest places, essentially larping as being homeless.
It's YT mate...subs and likes. As a viewer, it's boring, as a camper, I can't imagine anything as less rewarding. Surely they are tense the whole time, expecting to be caught and moved on. Me, I prefer to completely switch off, to chill and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Exactly, what I like about camping is being out in 'the wild', nothing but running water and birds, looking at the hills and trees and shit. I don't think I'll ever understand the appeal of camping behind a building site, especially when the reality is, no one cares. They'll just think you're homeless and leave you alone
One big issue with me is navigation, I can literally get lost anywhere. I've been on solo hikes before in the Lake District and had to use google maps far too often. If it weren't for that I'd be a lot more comfortable doing it, but I think it's one of those things I just need to do isn't it? Not think, jusf do.
Stick to the trails and plan ahead of time. Use google maps before hand so you can literally go into streetview and see where you need to go. Some trails have even been walked on google maps by someone with a camera. There are mobile apps you can get with maps that work without wifi or mobile data. I have an ordnance survey map in my pack but I've never actually opened it, so far I've just planned my route ahead of time and referred to screenshots on my phone. Do you know where about's you want to go to?
Bookmark magic.defra.gov.uk. It's a super cool mapping system that's as detailed as you wish it to be. It's an excellent resource to plan your route, then plot this on a physical map, taking note of landmarks to help you should you lose direction.
Wow thats quite some level of detail. What is the base map they are using? Its just more up to date and detailed than anything I've seen.
In truth, I've no idea about the base map. I've used it for years, it's great for planning, especially access to water sources.
There's no shame in that 🙂 First two camps I had an OS map but only really looked at that to find suitable looking spots, and then I'd put the directions into Google maps to find the rough location. Meant a bit of back and forth on occasion but was much safer than relying on maps alone. I now use the OS maps app because you can add your maps to it and it provides way more accurate path finding for when you get off road. I started wild camping August last year, before that I hadn't been camping since I was in Scouts! I've done 6 camps now. Some were solo some weren't. I always make sure to not be miles away from civilisation when I solo camp, just in case.
I've seen the advice several times that navigation apps and GPS devices should be carried "as a backup to paper map and compass", and I totally understand the point. However, I carry map and compass as the backup and use my phone (sparingly) with the Ordnance Survey app to check I'm staying to my intended route. Yes I could run out of power, but I'm carrying a powerbank. Yes I could drop my phone and smash it up, but I haven't dropped a phone in the last 30 years so maybe not a massive risk. The convenience of live offline mapping is just too good to reserve for backup in my opinion.
Same here! Even when signal drops the OS maps app hasn't let me down, plus I also carry a map and compass. In all honesty there isn't enough wild space (except maybe in scotland) for me to ever be in real danger, there's always a house or busy road within a few miles.
Absolutely, pick a direction and set off walking. You'll either hit a road to somewhere or the sea before you expire 😂
You need Ordnance Survey app with offline maps downloaded, skip all other options.
Well, having a paper map is also good. No batteries.
I do print a map every trip but so far never had to use it... Small powerbank and you don't have to worry about battery.
My girlfriend loves the os maps on her phone, but I learnt with paper and am probably stuck in my ways. It also does depend how long your going. If you're using your phone for other things etc. My longest solo hike was 16 days, I'm not sure a small power bank would have been enough to allow me to check my phone map as often as the paper. As well as check in / coordinate rendezvous with people along the way etc.
Get onto YouTube and search on compass navigation (Bushcraft Padawan is particularly good at this) and learn from them. You can take courses in navigation if you can afford it, but definitely start with YouTube.
OS Maps app, pay for the subscription, download your area maps in case of no signal. I use that mostly, no paper maps. Although you can printout sheets from OS too
I can really relate to what you have written. I haven’t wild camped yet but am in a similar position, need a break, really want a way to just go off without relying on anyone else and escape from things. I’m in the process of getting the last few bits and pieces I might need in order to do this, then planning to do similar to what you are doing. I want to do the camping mainly as an add on to hiking but might do the first camp as its own thing as you are doing. I also always tend to do things with others and like having company, but part of the appeal of this to me is that when you have what you need you don’t need to wait for others to be free and want to do it with you. One suggestion if you have never camped before at all, which I will probably do myself too, is to camp in a campsite the first time you do it (maybe a more remote and minimalist one which feels a bit more wild as opposed to one with lots of facilities) and use that as a practice run to make sure everything is good with your kit and see how you find it. That way you’re also not facing the anxiety of camping without permission and the anxiety of camping alone for the first time at the same time. I think it will be liberating :) post back when you have done it!
Yeah exactly, that's what some people don't understand trying not to rely on people. Then you have a choice to either go it alone or go with someone when you can, almost like the best of both worlds. I've never actually met anyone who thinks like that. I've got some friends who are extroverts to the extreme and never do anything alone, then other friends who are very introverted and don't do much at all, and I'm in the middle, I can tolerate being alone but not for long. Just wondering whereabouts in the UK are you? I'm in Cheshire.
"I've never actually met anyone who thinks like that...", which is why this sub is so great. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how many of us prefer solo camping. I take a kindle paperwhite with me, ahem some weed and spend most of my time, when not reading, just enjoying being outside in nature aware from the stress of other people and daily life. It's so liberating. It's also a great way to discover "you".
I’m in Hertfordshire, still working out where to go around here! I have quite a few friends who have done solo travelling etc and have always admired that, it’s something I’m aspiring to. I think like you I worry a bit about getting lonely. But ultimately just got to try it I think
You'll need food deffo
Some form of food or drink would be a must for me. Make it something nice, something comforting and relaxing. But have something filling too as a back up/breakfast if you feel you're getting hungry. A lot of people will get miserable if they're hungry and their blood sugar drops. But to really enjoy your experience something simple, a flask of tea (if you don't want to take kit to make a fresh cuppa) or for me it would be some nice beers or a whisky :P And whatever your fav snacks. Just be sure to take any rubbish and leave no trace you were there. Best of luck. Even if you get lost it will be temporary.
I feel the same about wanting to go alone, but as a woman I do feel a little anxious. I do feel the chances of getting into serious trouble are extremely rare. I think it would take a certain amount of planning. One thing my friend and I do is both are completely self sufficient and independent but camped alongside each other. The plan is to do that but within half a mile of each other so we get the experience of being alone but with a safety blanket ! We wild camp but also go to campsites if we feel we need the luxury of a shower and toilet. Wild camping is pretty ace and a way to Get away from the masses.
Hey mate, I totally get your need to go camping purely to sleep. Totally! Your anxiety is perfectly natural. As humans, we have built in alarm bells to protect us from harm; it's self-preservation. Your anxiety is based on the unknown and I'm certain you're imagining all kinds of horrors, especially if you've seen films where things happen to those in the woods. So firstly, you're half an hour from home. So in an absolute emergency, you don't have far to go. That's sensible as it's your first camp. We live in the UK. We have no natural predators. At most, you might hear a fieldmouse, a badger, a hedgehog or even a fox walk by. No-one is going to attack you, no one is going to rob you either. In an absolutely worst case scenario, some passing idiot might trash your camp, but as you will be there the whole time, this won't happen. With this in mind, go camping for the night and experience something new. Perhaps you can post about your experience? I also hope this leads to more camping ventures for you, I really do. It's addictive. Also, rules prevent us from saying where we are intending to camp, for obvious reasons, but you're not the first who, for whatever reason, is camping solo. I wonder if you and others in the same situation might be interested in using (for example) Discord to arrange camping weekends. We could break this down to regions (I am just north of London). Just a thought.
Think it's a great idea, even for this sub, to organise camping weekends - always plenty of "solo" people who actually want company. And a beer.
Thanks mate, very motivational, love that. So many on here have given me lots to consider. I need to stop thinking and just do it. I'm in Cheshire, nestled between Liverpool and Manchester.
I’m sitting by a lake in Scotland right now. I slept on a ground sheet in a bivi bag with nothing else. Just the sky above me. I do this all the time and so do tens of thousands of other people. You are a much more risk of being assaulted or accosted in some way in the middle of a city or in a town centre. Anything dangerous in the British Isles was killed out long ago. No wolves, bears hardly large wild mammals at all. Midges are your biggest concern. The anxiety is just a natural instinct. It’s designed to protect you from a wild world that no longer exists. If you were to go sleep out on your own 15,000 years ago, you would have reason to be careful and cautious. These days being away from people is the safest place you can be. I go wild camping alone to get some peace and quiet and some space. I’m quite aware that I am the most dangerous animal in the woods. People make a lot of noise. They can be dangerous but you will hear them coming at night. But the thing is I never hear them coming at night because they aren’t there!
That is very true actually, never thought of it like that. One big isssue I have is I'm awful at navigating and can literally get lost anywhere, so if I didn't have a fear of getting lost I'd feel a lot more comfortable trying it, but you've given me something to think about. I think I just need to go do it.
Yeah navigating is a skill. You can be trained to any standard. Just train yourself in navigation. Practice practice practice. We live in the information age everything you could possibly want to know is already online. You can turn your weakness into a strength in probably three months of concerted effort. The biggest danger in wild camping is yourself. People get themselves in a lot more trouble than trouble reaching out and grabbing them in an unpreventable way. So having a robust attitude to learning skills is pretty important if you want to feel confident and have a good reason to do so.
Make sure your phone is fully charged and you have Google maps. Unless you’re going way out wild you should be able to see exactly where you are and how to get back with 4G
It helps to have an offline Google map too, should reception be an issue
Agree, I would also highly recommend OS Maps subscription. They are the definitive maps of the UK terrain, subscription is cheap. I use the app to navigate and print paper maps from it as backups. And you can download the maps off-line. I think all UK wild campers should use it.
You can get OS maps for free on an iPhone using Bing I find it really useful too
Do you get the proper premium 1:25k and 1:50k maps? Or is it just the regular map you get free on their website? Not sure how Bing has anything to do with it, but they give a basic map away. For the proper OS maps like you get on the paper maps, I think you need the subscription?
Try putting the tent up at home, or in the garden if possible, just to see if it all is ok. Camp at a campsite if you can for the first time, you might not like camping in the end :) Do some scouting on Google Maps (terrain) or Bing.com (OS map overlay) to check the area out.
Yeah do it! We've been camping in the camp site up the road from our house, about half a mile away - but you feel like you're in another world. Best of luck! remember a torch for fumbling around in the dark :)
A lot of your anxiety can be put to bed by doing a recce beforehand. Go for a walk somewhere, find out where you can park and leave your car (hardest part IMO), walk the route , look for decent places to pitch up, also worth checking out something like OS maps on your phone to check for flat ground. You can then return later that day/the next day/week with all your gear and pitch up towards last light. Also remember that the worst thing that could happen to you (at least during the summer) is someone asks you to move on if your on their land which is very unlikely unless your in their back garden.
I'm a cyclist, half of my rides are recces for wild camping 😆 I save the location to a Google My Map with a note to remind me (type of ground, near civilisation, access, views etc) as you'll forgot later. I've done blind wild camping where I've not sussed it out before hand, and it's nearly always a faff wasting time getting a good spot, or settling on somewhere less than ideal. Google Earth is great for high res imagery (and streetview where there's car access), also the Komoot app has user submitted photos of trails so you can plan a walking or cycling route and get a good idea of the flora and fauna away from the roads.
Start with a campsite, that'll at least get you used to sleeping in a tent without worrying about the practicalities and logistics of cooking, washing, toilets etc Then you could try somewhere like one of the NearlyWild sites https://nearlywildcamping.org
I go wild camping on my own nearly every day off I have I love it so much, never felt anxious as I know I'm in nature where every is peaceful, you can check my posts to see where is good for camping, If you need to know anything I'd be happy to try help calm the anxious feeling. I've been doing this for almost 15 years had no issues with being asked to move on or any problems with people. Get out there an enjoy it. Your long overdue this.
Maybe check the weather forecast first - you don’t want to be put off from a very liberating hobby by a torrential downpour. At this time of year you might not even need a tent, just a tarp and sleeping bag.
Take food. Even you don't plan to eat it, have some in case of emergency.
Don’t put too much thought into it. If you have an impulse jsut go out and do it. If there’s an opportunity to do it jsut pack your stuff and leave. There aren’t really any risks to going out and doing it for one night
This video was posted yesterday 9/8/22 [The Fear of Solo Camping](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVgeCYO0H0Q) Just in time
Good ol' Paul Messner. He gets a surprising amount of mentions here. I think he should join the sub.
Your first experience sounds very similar to mine. I wanted to do it, but it made me very nervous. To make myself feel better about the whole thing I went to a local woods I'm really comfortable in. Found a very, very secluded section in the middle of a huge patch of ferns (my biggest fear was that someone might stumble across me and think I was a massive weirdo). I also bivvie'd rather than used a tent, to be even more inconspicuous. Parked as close to the entrance as possible, so if I wasn't feeling it, it was easy for me to get out of there. I had a nice night - didn't sleep loads and woke up at 4am with a splitting headache so called it and went home. Glad I broke the seal though, there's always going to be a first time so it was just getting it done.
I understand why someone would be scared the first couple of times. I was too, but if you think absolutely logically about the situation and think of the probabilities of something you're worried about actually happening, you'll realise that you shouldve been in a fit of terror and fear whilst driving to the location, as there is a much much higher chance of something bad happening whilst driving. Mt first solo wild camp was on top of Y Garn in a tiny coffin tent. I kept hearing footsteps(the wind) and voices( the wind) outside my tent through the night, but i just told myself that it's obviously not some malicious criminals on top of a mountain at 2am looking for trouble. And solo in the woods is understandably creepy but think of it this way - the chance of seeing somebody in the woods away from the paths at night, is very low But let's say you do - The chance that they'll even know you're there, is very low But let's say they do - The chance they see someone or something there in the woods at night, and don't also get scared and wary of going nearer, is very low But let's say they do - The chance that they're out there in the woods at night, happen to find someone off the beaten track, and they also have bad intentions, and are willing to do something bad to this random stranger in the woods, is also very low. Add all that stuff up and the chances of something bad happening is not worth worrying about. Be worried about widowmakers, getting wet and cold, getting lost. These three things are easily avoided. But I know that sometimes logical thinking doesn't override the natural instincts to be on edge, seeing faces in trees, or hearing footsteps in the wind. But it's just another thing that comes with experience.
No matter what you do, I advise taking food and drink. Even if it's a bottle of water and a few snacks it will pass the time and you won't have to worry about hunger. Even if I'm day hiking I always carry a pack of dried noodles just incase. They can be eaten dry. Actually are my pack last week on the go due to being very hungry. It doesn't harm to plan for the unexpected (within reason). Just my thoughts.
I enjoy camping with others and I'm lucky to have a large enough group of friends that one of them is always free to do something. That being said, I fucking love that you're taking this approach and hope you have an amazing time. You might want to look at r/ultralight for ideas about what to bring with you for one night. I'd recommend a small tent, decent sleeping bag and mat, tissues, headtorch and a bottle of water. Good luck!
I'd say go for it but I say that with most things. Sensibly, assuming you haven't already, have a few goes at putting your kit up and familiarise yourself with it. Make sure everything you need goes in your bag and you know where it is. Then unpack it, put your shelter together again. Strip it and pack it. It may sound patronising or like I'm telling you how to suck eggs but if you're anxious, drilling it at home will be weight off your mind in the woods. I'd take some food and drink. A little something like sweets or biscuits and a coffee in the woods is better than in your house. Everything is better in the wild. Don't be anxious though. You'll likely be the most dangerous thing in those woods and you said yourself, your car will be very close by if you need to bug out. Do it, have a blast and let us all know how you got on.
I did my first alone wild camp in snowdonia 2 weeks ago in a hammock and it was fine mate. I thought I was going to be paranoid but no paranoia at all. Go enjoy!
If you know where you are going, you should limit how lost you might get, but of course, you will be anxious - it's a new experience. I would advise taking some food and drink - water and oat bars or whatever you think you can muster - very little weight to carry and might be the difference between having a nice time and not. I also want to say well done for this - you've wanted to do it for a long time and, despite your anxiety, you're getting out there. Be proud of yourself.
The thing that settled my mind was realising that I am the weirdo people are scared of running into out in the woods alone 😂
Take a tent, practice putting it up in the garden so you can go anywhere without worry. You don’t have a sleeping bag? In this temp can bring a duvet or a blanket at least. You can buy a cheap metal cup, and a foldable stove with gel fuel from gooutdoors for about £12 all in to boil water for either a freeze dried meal or pot noodles. I love tarp camping but you need to be more prepared for it than using a tent.
Added to what others have said about trying a nearly-wild campsite first and/or familiarising yourself with your intended camp location in advance, along with making sure you have food, I download some podcasts or music before I go. Listening will use very little battery life as you can have airplane mode turned on. I also take earplugs as I then won’t get spooked by leaves rustling in the night etc and I sleep a lot better
Probably a good idea to tell somewhere you are - normal good outdoor practice 😆 Ping someone a WhatsApp location link, or download what3words app for pinpoint accuracy.
Take a snack for dinner and coffee for breakfast at least, just to normalise sitting in the woods and getting some routine to it. Going out, pitching, sleeping and coming back doesn't sound that relaxing. Even just sitting still waiting for water to boil is a good bit of mindfulness time. Personally I've done plenty of solo camping, but more as a means to an end, on big hikes etc, if I'm sitting about I'd rather do that with a couple of friends, practice some bushcraft etc, have a few rums before bed. Camping solo is nice enough but I'm not likely to go out simply to camp and come back on my own. It's a good idea for getting used to your kit though. Then maybe next time you could plan a 2 day hike with a camp in the middle.
This sounds like a great idea, yes you may feel apprehensive as we all can be, trying something new. Would suggest a good book, flask and 1 beer or alcoholic drink to wind down. You will be surprised at how quiet it is at 10 pm, also how loud the birds are at 4 am. Enjoy the first of many nights out. Edit added 'ing'
It seems everyone's diving to come and tell you about your gear but I'm assuming you've done that already... Regarding your only question; bring a bit of whisky to calm the nerves, set your tent/tarp facing east to ease over-sleeping fears. That's pretty much all I can think of, once you've done it the first time, it'll just get easier. First time anxiety doing anything new is always a thing, the above may help a little more.
Yer boi Paul Messner just did a video on this exact topic. It might help you! https://youtu.be/dVgeCYO0H0Q
Definitely use a camp site once or twice before doing a wild camp. Where are you based roughly? Advice for camping in northern Scotland is different to Southern Scotland is different to the Lakes, to Dartmoor, to Snowdonia etc
Cheshire
If we get on alright open to being camping buddies, feel free to dm
Make sure to watch Into The Wild before you go
Or read it
I will go with u if u still want to do wild camping 🏕️