r/wildcampingintheuk • u/SnooBeans5901 • 16h ago
Trip Report First night wild camping
Thank you! Have been lurking for a month of so. Finally acquired the courage and the tent to try solo wild camping for the first time.
Thank you to everyone for providing lots of details and examples that helped plan it all out (this was especially helpful since I am London based)
Train from London arrived at 715. Quick stop at tesco to buy dinner and breakfast. I was at location at 815, and was able to set up my tent in less than 15 (second time ever so very proud), 30 min or so before sundown.
Most stressful experience was when some cows came to say hi and started licking my tent. They can be scared off but took me a lot of googling to figure out how (Noises, “HEY” etc). Internet ensured me that they would loose interest quickly, and they did.
I slept quite poorly, and I don’t honestly know why. Had earplugs and mask and I was definitely comfortably warm. My only two Hps are that 1) I was just too excited 2) my head was cold (it didn’t feel like it but I ended up putting the hood of the sleeping bag on during the night and slept better after that - will bring a hat next time)
Helpful tips to anyone new:
- I really enjoyed not having to cook dinner for my first time. That will be the next mission.
- having phone reception was key to feel safe and ask questions about cows
- apparently it’s ok/inevitable to store a “wet” tent with some dew on it. Just make sure to air it out when home (veterans please correct me if wrong)
Very excited for the next one. I am eyeing Wales which will be very exciting!
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u/myfanmail_uk 16h ago
Well done, I too am looking to do my first camp and wilive be using public transport to get to my first location. I am also wondering about random wild cows (dartmoor wild camping areas) and if I need to worry about guy ropes etc. Did you bring a roll mat? Phone reception and charge are big issues for me (my phone battery is a bit sketchy). Lots of dartmoor has no phone signal what-so-ever.
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u/SnooBeans5901 15h ago
Had an old inflatable mat that I purchased for a guided camping trip where we slept in tent set up by rifugios. Definitely recommend some sort of mat.
Honestly now that I know cows are just curious I will no longer worry. However the connection is nice so you can google that stuff.
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u/WildGeorgeKnight 16h ago
It’s normal to sleep poorly the first night. I’ve heard plenty of people say that.
I use a merino wool buff over my head at nights.
Congrats !!
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u/The_stru66le 15h ago
Well done on getting out and hopefully you’ve gotten the bug.
I never sleep great when camping either, but then again I don’t sleep great at home. Rather not sleep great but have epic views. 😃
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u/Ok-Sir-601 7h ago
Just posted that for me to get any meaningful sleep I need to have climbed a mountain & I was referring to wildcamping, but the truth is, it's generally the same if just out for a day hike which I've done far more of, but in daily life I generally live off 4 hours. I might occasionally get 5 & on very rare occasions 6 hours, but that happens maybe twice a month.. i just think it's an age thing, writing this with just 7 hours of my 40s left 😭 But it's just a number, as long as I can get out & do what I enjoy who cares!!
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u/Ok-Sir-601 7h ago
Well done OP! I struggle for sleep more often than I don't, & I have a very comfy & warm sleep system. It usually takes climbing a mountain for me to get any meaningful sleep
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u/davemcl37 16h ago
Sounds great, apart from the cows. I still have trauma many years later from waking up on my Duke of Edinburgh expedition and seeing a cows head poking into the tent after my tent buddy went off for an early morning wee and left the front door open.
Anyway, don’t sweat the cooking it’s a breeze. Dehydrated meals are probably the easiest bet but just remember to take some oil if you are planning to cook something fresh in a little camping pan. I picked up a little naturehike camping seasoning bag which has 6 to 8 bottles/ shakers for oils and spices which dramatically ups what you can cook and saves you having to nick salt and pepper sachets from McDonald’s. They are £22 on amazon but only about £9 on AliExpress, but check delivery times.
One other tip I found quite useful initially is considering booking yourself into a proper campsite or a youth hostel where you can camp for the last night before you return home. Gives you a chance to get a shower and feel a bit more refreshed before you head back. The YHA Brecon Beacons is accessible with a couple of trains and a bus from Paddington and there are loads of places you could go in and around the Black Mountains that would avoid the crowds heading to Pen Y’fan.
If you really wanted to do PY’F it can be done as a day trip with only a small backpack from the hostel. It’s hard enough work without carrying all your gear. A bus outside the hostel, same one as you get from Aberystwyth train station drops you off at the start of the trail.