Planning a Wild Camp in Dartmoor - Sleeping Gear Questions!

[Ethan Hodge]

Hi Everyone,

I'm finally planning my first wild camping trip to Dartmoor National Park for a two-day, one-night adventure, and I'd love to get some advice from those who know it well.

I've been kitting myself out on a budget and after a friend's recommendation, I picked up the Tent from Geertop. The reviews were stellar, the price was right, and I've got to say, I'm seriously impressed after testing it in my local field. It was straightforward to pitch and felt incredibly sturdy. The plan is to put it through its paces on the moor.

But I have a few questions for those who've spent a night out there:
The Weather: I've heard the legends about Dartmoor's weather changing in a heartbeat. Is it reallyas dramatic as they say? I'm expecting wind and rain, but should I be prepared for four seasons in one afternoon?

Sleeping Bag: This is my big one. A tent is one thing, but I know I'll need a good sleep bag. I was looking at the same brand sleeping bags as they're very affordable, but I want to make sure I'm making the right choice. Is a 3-season bag sufficient for summer, or should I be looking for something warmer? If anyone has any specific recommendations for bags that won't break the bank but will keep me warm in a Dartmoor summer, I'd be all ears. I'm happy to look at other brands to compare.

Any Tips? Beyond the obvious "leave no trace" principles, is there anything specific I should know about wild camping in Dartmoor? Best areas to aim for? Common mistakes first-timers make?

Thanks in advance for your help! I can't wait to get out there and will report back on how the tent handles a proper adventure.

PS:
Okay, quick thing on the tent (non-Amazon, I promise!) but I'll leave the post as it is now. Seriously though, massive thanks for the Dartmoor tips – really helpful.

Cheers,
Ethan

 

[Pupers]

Please check out the DNPA camping map, and only camp in the permitted areas.

 

[Harold Godwinson]

Where are you planning to camp? Hike in?

Dartmoor my usual stomping ground but it has a reputation for being unforgiving for a reason.

This time of year you can expect cold winds, damp ground, shortish days.

One good thing is we usually get a little mini warm spell this time of year before the proper cold sets in so you might be lucky.

One of Dartmoors saving graces is water is never a problem. Use common sense when gathering it etc but from the leat etc is generally safe.

If you have any spectic questions just ask and I'll do my best to help.

Oh and it goes without saying if your near the ranges and the red flags are flying steer well clear!!

 

[C_Claycomb]

Can you clarify, when are you planning to go on this camping trip? You make it sound like you are planning to go soon, as in late October or November, but then ask about sleeping bags for summer (twice).
In a tent, with a basic insulation mat, a 3 season bag should be fine in summer. Not what I would choose for late autumn on the moors though.

Tip. You don’t mention your sleeping mat. If you want to stay warm, don’t ignore your mat. Compare R values. R2.5 for me was summer only. And warm summer at that. I tried a gen1 NeoAir and and a RidgeRest, and was often cool, despite a down bag. A better mat and a lesser bag have kept me warmer than the other way around.

Eat fats at dinner for longer calorie burn.

 

[Broch]

You won't die over one night, but you might be very uncomfortable. We've all suffered cold nights whilst learning. In the 70's I slept in sub zero (white out on the Pennines) on a traditional Karrimat (1cm closed foam) in a 3 season Black's sleeping bag.

The reality is some of us sleep warm, others cold. If you've got plenty of decent clothing with you, just wrap up warm inside your bag if you find it less than warm enough. Save on buying an expensive bag just yet and get a decent set of thermals.

Learn by trying but not taking high risk. In this country, staying dry is as important, if not more so, than staying warm. Part of the fun is your own journey.

 

[TeeDee]

You won't die over one night, but you might be very uncomfortable. We've all suffered cold nights whilst learning

Au contraire mon ami






< Just kidding , fill yer boots. >

 

[Pupers]

An ideal starter location is Great Mis Tor, easy parking, simple hike and not far if you do need to bug out……..But great views!

I live in the Dartmoor National Park, worked on the Moor for 30 years and hike it every week at least twice.

 

[Harold Godwinson]

While I agree with the above words of caution from my learned brothers above, and not knowing el lados skill or experience leave I can, from experience, tell you that I sleep on said moors all year round under a poncho with a grabber sheet as my ground mat and don't even own anything warmer than a 2-3 season sleeping bag.

Personally i love minimalism and 90% of the time I sleep on the moors in either a jungle bag or swagman but I do dress appropriately.

My point as said above is if you have a tent and a sleeping bag no matter of uncomfortable your night you'll survive and some of the best ways to learn is the school of hard knocks, to many bushcrafters these days are really just glampers with axes.

 

[Foogs]

Please run me out of town for being a bitter cynic, but this reads a tiny bit like an AI bot trying to stealth upsell Amazon wares via a forum post.

If Ethan is a genuine human being, then I apologise in advance.

 

[C_Claycomb]

Please run me out of town for being a bitter cynic, but this reads a tiny bit like an AI bot trying to stealth upsell Amazon wares via a forum post.

If Ethan is a genuine human being, then I apologise in advance.

Good point. The use of multiple VPNs used by itself to be enough to know someone was up to no good, but recent events in the UK have made that much less of an indicator. However, I have edited the original post. Let’s see where it goes.

 

[Chris]

Good point. The use of multiple VPNs used by itself to be enough to know someone was up to no good, but recent events in the UK have made that much less of an indicator. However, I have edited the original post. Let’s see where it goes.

If it helps, I am still on a VPN as well as being up to no good.

 

[Woody girl]

A good r value mat is more important than anything after your tent. If I'm hiking, a 3 season down bag is usualy warm enough and saves on bulk and weight.
Use your water bottle wrapped in a sock for a hot water bottle, or a couple of those cheap handwarmers, can warm the bag up nicely before you get in.
Wear thermals as pj's as a bag needs your body heat to warm it. Wrapping yourself in multiple layers inside your bag keeps your body heat from warming your bag, and if not natural materials will make you sweaty, and cold. Take some wool bedsocks. Cold feet will keep you awake. And empty your bladder before settling down. Nothing worse than needing to get out for a pee when it's dark cold and windy, take a pee bottle, just in case.

 

[Pattree]

There is, within my former profession, a phenomenon known as: “The paralysis of analysis.”

Most campers my age knew very little of what we were about in our earliest experiments. There was no forum of advice and we were of an age that probably wouldn’t have taken it anyway. Books were full of stuff we couldn’t afford.

Get your bum out on the moor.
You won’t die.
You will learn a lot.
What you learn will be specific to you.







Edited to add:
Take a spade!

 

[gibson 175]

a good insulated sleeping pad is a must. the cold ground will suck the heat out of you no matter how good many clothes you wear or how good your sleeping bag- even on a May spring night. If you can't get a thermarest then then 1 or 2 cloised cell foam mats MAY?? protect you from the cold ground but won't be that comfortable and soft-but better than nothing between you and the ground. Just some quick thoughts for you. Am willing to be proved wrong. Good luck

 

[Ethan Hodge]

Good point. The use of multiple VPNs used by itself to be enough to know someone was up to no good, but recent events in the UK have made that much less of an indicator. However, I have edited the original post. Let’s see where it goes.

Please check out the DNPA camping map, and only camp in the permitted areas.

Yes, I am considering the high moors in the north and middle of the park. I know Dartmoor National Park has a lot of rules. Thanks for your advice.

 

[Ethan Hodge]

Please check out the DNPA camping map, and only camp in the permitted areas.

Please check out the DNPA camping map, and only camp in the permitted areas.

Thanks for your advice

 

[Ethan Hodge]

Where are you planning to camp? Hike in?

Dartmoor my usual stomping ground but it has a reputation for being unforgiving for a reason.

This time of year you can expect cold winds, damp ground, shortish days.

One good thing is we usually get a little mini warm spell this time of year before the proper cold sets in so you might be lucky.

One of Dartmoors saving graces is water is never a problem. Use common sense when gathering it etc but from the leat etc is generally safe.

If you have any spectic questions just ask and I'll do my best to help.

Oh and it goes without saying if your near the ranges and the red flags are flying steer well clear!!

Brilliant, thanks for this! Exactly the kind of local intel I was hoping for.
Yep, planning a proper hike-in with all the gear. Fully expecting the famous Dartmoor "welcome" (wind and rain!), so hearing about a potential warm spell is a massive morale booster!
And don't worry, the red flags are burned into my brain from all the research. I'll give the ranges a very wide berth!

 

[Ethan Hodge]

Yes, I'm actually not considering bringing a sleeping pad. I bought one from Amazon before, but it didn't feel very warm, so I didn't consider it.

I was originally planning to leave soon, but I've had some work issues recently, so I might have to delay.

Can you clarify, when are you planning to go on this camping trip? You make it sound like you are planning to go soon, as in late October or November, but then ask about sleeping bags for summer (twice).
In a tent, with a basic insulation mat, a 3 season bag should be fine in summer. Not what I would choose for late autumn on the moors though.

Tip. You don’t mention your sleeping mat. If you want to stay warm, don’t ignore your mat. Compare R values. R2.5 for me was summer only. And warm summer at that. I tried a gen1 NeoAir and and a RidgeRest, and was often cool, despite a down bag. A better mat and a lesser bag have kept me warmer than the other way around.

Eat fats at dinner for longer calorie burn.

 

[Ethan Hodge]

You won't die over one night, but you might be very uncomfortable. We've all suffered cold nights whilst learning. In the 70's I slept in sub zero (white out on the Pennines) on a traditional Karrimat (1cm closed foam) in a 3 season Black's sleeping bag.

The reality is some of us sleep warm, others cold. If you've got plenty of decent clothing with you, just wrap up warm inside your bag if you find it less than warm enough. Save on buying an expensive bag just yet and get a decent set of thermals.

Learn by trying but not taking high risk. In this country, staying dry is as important, if not more so, than staying warm. Part of the fun is your own journey.

I actually have an MSR 3 season sleeping bag, but I'm not sure if it's warm enough. I'm interested in a Geertop flannel sleeping bag; it's affordable and has great reviews. But if my 3 season bag is enough to keep me warm, I don't want to spend the money buy new one.

 

[Ethan Hodge]

Au contraire mon ami


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< Just kidding , fill yer boots. >

Hahaha~