Solo camping
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Come along to the amazing Summer Moot (21st July - 2nd August), a festival of bushcrafting and camping in a beautiful woodland PLEASE CLICK HERE for more information.
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For me probably equally divided by time being spent in splendid isolation, taking time out to unwind, collecting wood for carving or general foraging, and that spent with swmbo just enjoying nature.
LOL , My boys are all City sissy's, sure they all want me to keep bring the fresh fish and Venison, and the Wife is a hiker and campground camper only, so i tend to spend much of my WILD time alone.
totally agree, not sure which is best but for me it just depends how i`m feeling. and even when camping with friends i can find find time for my own silitude
Just got back from a four-day solo deer hunting trip. Saw a very nice buck, but couldn't get a clean shot, and a huge bear turd that had me laying awake nights contemplating how slow and tender I am.
I personally feel far safer alone in the woods at night than in a city or town. I have very good night vision and if I am still I can hear everything that is going on around me. I remember a quote from Andy McNab (I think) saying that his father took him into the woods at night because he was frightened of the dark and made him settle down quietly to listen. He could clearly hear wildlife moving around but could not be seen - i.e. nobody would be able to get near them without them knowing and if they stayed still, quiet and hidden then they would be perfectly safe.
OK - I'm not sure about sleeping out in the woods alone, but if I'm awake then nobody and nothing is going to get anywhere near my without me knowing.u
I remember going out for my first night alone in the woods. I'm not particularly afraid of the dark, but I did wonder how I would cope with it. I tried to mentally prepare myself for being scared. Something woke me up, snuffling around close to me in the pitch darkness. Being British, I made a polite cough to let whatever it was know I was there! This was followed by a manic scuffling sound as the poore creature scarpered... scared out of its wits. I couldn't help chuckling!
Whatever is out there in the woods is a lot more scared of you and me than we could possible be of it. Mind you, this is Britain - don't think I'd feel the same way if there were Bears, cougars, tigers or suchlike around!
OK - I'm not sure about sleeping out in the woods alone, but if I'm awake then nobody and nothing is going to get anywhere near my without me knowing.u
I remember going out for my first night alone in the woods. I'm not particularly afraid of the dark, but I did wonder how I would cope with it. I tried to mentally prepare myself for being scared. Something woke me up, snuffling around close to me in the pitch darkness. Being British, I made a polite cough to let whatever it was know I was there! This was followed by a manic scuffling sound as the poore creature scarpered... scared out of its wits. I couldn't help chuckling!
Whatever is out there in the woods is a lot more scared of you and me than we could possible be of it. Mind you, this is Britain - don't think I'd feel the same way if there were Bears, cougars, tigers or suchlike around!
It changes over the years,when I first went into the bush it was alone,I didnt even think to ask if anyone would like to go,it was something I wanted to do on my own(I was 13).As I got older my mates started to tag along,but things changed and it just turned into us sitting arround a fire drinking(dont get me wrong I like a drink)but being in wild places to me is more then waking up with a hangover.Now I have a family,we have been on campsites but the wife would not go wild,but I have taken 2 of my children who are aged 16 and 12 now,and they love going it wild.And now wife has decided that she would like to try it,actually she has even stated that she would like to attend a moot.
I have camped out alone in the UK quite a few times. Basically, there's nothing here that's going to cause a problem. The only difference between settling down in the daytime and the darkness of night is that it is dark (but even "dark" isn't that dark).
The first time for me was in 1978, just after my dad passed away. I just felt like getting away from it all for a while, and so I loaded up the car and set off for Scotland for a month. I stayed the first few nights on camp sites, but then travelling somewhere way north of Ullapool I found a lovely area of closely cropped grass right beside a little road. A tiny burbling stream beside it, which ran into a lake about 100 yards accross. There wasn't a tree in sight! I had just bought a few supplies in Ullapool, and so I decided just to set up the tent and stay a while.
That was my first night out totally alone in the middle of nowhere. I stayed there in that spot for three nights. In my car was a trout fly rod and line, and the little lake (10 paces away) supplied me with enough little native brown trout for breakfast, lunch and dinner each day. The little stream supplied my water. It didn't even occur to me to be worried about being alone, I suppose because that's what I wanted to be.
Camping out alone in the wilds after that presented no problem. I have now done it many times, including all around Europe from North of the Arctic circle in Norway in winter, down into the Italian Alps in summer. I have yet to try it in Africa (Kenya), but I might well do that in the new year, and for the first time I will probably get off the ground in a hammock & mosquito net under a tarp, if for no other reason than getting up high and off the ground away from snakes. (I hate snakes!!)
Rod
The first time for me was in 1978, just after my dad passed away. I just felt like getting away from it all for a while, and so I loaded up the car and set off for Scotland for a month. I stayed the first few nights on camp sites, but then travelling somewhere way north of Ullapool I found a lovely area of closely cropped grass right beside a little road. A tiny burbling stream beside it, which ran into a lake about 100 yards accross. There wasn't a tree in sight! I had just bought a few supplies in Ullapool, and so I decided just to set up the tent and stay a while.
That was my first night out totally alone in the middle of nowhere. I stayed there in that spot for three nights. In my car was a trout fly rod and line, and the little lake (10 paces away) supplied me with enough little native brown trout for breakfast, lunch and dinner each day. The little stream supplied my water. It didn't even occur to me to be worried about being alone, I suppose because that's what I wanted to be.
Camping out alone in the wilds after that presented no problem. I have now done it many times, including all around Europe from North of the Arctic circle in Norway in winter, down into the Italian Alps in summer. I have yet to try it in Africa (Kenya), but I might well do that in the new year, and for the first time I will probably get off the ground in a hammock & mosquito net under a tarp, if for no other reason than getting up high and off the ground away from snakes. (I hate snakes!!)
Rod
Camping out alone in the wilds after that presented no problem. I have now done it many times, including all around Europe from North of the Arctic circle in Norway in winter, down into the Italian Alps in summer. I have yet to try it in Africa (Kenya), but I might well do that in the new year, and for the first time I will probably get off the ground in a hammock & mosquito net under a tarp, if for no other reason than getting up high and off the ground away from snakes. (I hate snakes!!)
Rod
I would recommend a guide in Africa unless you have a lot of local experience
It's not the snakes you need to worry about (I hate snakes too) as they don't eat people...much. There are plenty other things in rural Africa that just might fancy a bite of you!! 
i put with a group of friends, because camping is most enjoyable that way, and so is making shelters because it is easier in groups. i also prefer fishing with another couple of people in case i fall in or need help landing a large fish (some day...), but of course everyone likes having a few hours to themselves to sit and read a book or whittle a spoon and just be relaxed. so a bit of both really.
I voted with friends but only because there wasn't a both options. If someone comes with me great if not great. I have no preference so long as it is me out there. In fact I'm itching to get out there again but unfortunately I am a wimpy fair weather camper. I don't mind the cold but any risk of snow and I know my tarp or single skin is not the best thing to be out in on the open fells no matter how well you pitch them or how much shelter you have found.
BTW I found a good bivvy spot just south of Seathwaite fell top on way to sprinkling tarn. Someone had taken the time to build an excellent dry stone wall between two hillocks / rocky outcrops. Tucked out of the way and with excellent shelter. Now I just need to find it again. Of course, shhh! keep it to yourself.
BTW I found a good bivvy spot just south of Seathwaite fell top on way to sprinkling tarn. Someone had taken the time to build an excellent dry stone wall between two hillocks / rocky outcrops. Tucked out of the way and with excellent shelter. Now I just need to find it again. Of course, shhh! keep it to yourself.
Only ever done it with friends, planning on going solo in the spring, not a fan of cold wet nights.
My girlfriend is a seasoned wilderness veteran and my favourite
paddling partner. We spend most of our summer doing wilderness canoe trips;
two summers ago a bear came up to within 5 feet of her, but she stood
her ground and waited for me to grab a canoe paddle and scare him off
.....very impressed by her nerve... the incident didn't affect her willingness
to keep camping out in bear country.... more trips to come this summer....
can't wait!
paddling partner. We spend most of our summer doing wilderness canoe trips;
two summers ago a bear came up to within 5 feet of her, but she stood
her ground and waited for me to grab a canoe paddle and scare him off
.....very impressed by her nerve... the incident didn't affect her willingness
to keep camping out in bear country.... more trips to come this summer....
can't wait!
Must be true love... id be thinking "ill get a good head start while it eats her!"
Well, there is that old saying about being in bear country....
Always travel in a group that includes at least one person who is slower than you.
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