Trip Report A Wet and Autumnal Woodland Wildcamp

[Barney Rubble]

Hi de hi campers,

Thought I'd share a link to my latest video of the weekend camp. This was a relatively simple tarp and bivy camp with some tried and trusted kit. My campcraft was put to the test through the night as I had a lot of rain to deal with, but all's well that ends well.

Autumn is easily the best time of year to get out for a woodland camp. The woods look amazing and I love how the Tawny Owls get so vocal as they search for territory. I also caught a glimpse of some Roe Deer and cooked up some nice Bannock, Bangers and Beans over the fire - a random concoction, but definitely up there amongst my favourite things to cook outdoors.

 

[nigelp]

Great video as always. Great to have somewhere to escape to for a night. I'm amazed at what you got into that rucksack! They look like quality bit of kit - do they carry well with a load?

 

[Barney Rubble]

Great video as always. Great to have somewhere to escape to for a night. I'm amazed at what you got into that rucksack! They look like quality bit of kit - do they carry well with a load?

Thanks, I'm very happy with the rucksack, the build quality is quite exceptional and it has been nice and comfortable to carry. It doesn't have a proper back system though so you do get a bit of a sweaty back. I get a sweaty back with my Osprey pack though so it doesn't seem to make much difference for me!

I particularly love how modular the Savotta kit is and being able to add pouches and strap on the roll mat. Works really well for my needs.

 

[Chris]

Good vid mate, the bannock looks mega.

What's the stove you're using? Looks a good size.

 

[Barney Rubble]

Good vid mate, the bannock looks mega.

What's the stove you're using? Looks a good size.

Thanks Chris. The wood stove was the Honey Stove with the Hive expansion kit. Sadly, I don't think you can buy them anymore as Bob and Rose (from Backpackinglight) retired last year (they made the stove here in the UK). Although you might occasionally find them pop up on here, the bushcraft tradepost (facebook) or ebay. It's a fiddly stove to assemble, but you soon get the knack. It's very light and you can have a decent fire in it.

The spirit burner stove that I used was also from Backpackinglight and is called the Pocket stove.

 

[Nice65]

Thanks, I'm very happy with the rucksack, the build quality is quite exceptional and it has been nice and comfortable to carry.

Firstly, really nice video. Got me googling the Swagman Scarf, but as the owner of both the Swagman roll poncho and the waterproof outer poncho I think I'm ok for poncho gear.

The other thing I have is the Kahakka 25l. An eye watering price, and I don't use it as much as I should, but everytime I load it out and get to appreciate the rock solid build I somehow justify keeping it. It rides so comfortably and is a pleasure to own. My most common usage for a rucksack is as a day bag for long walks and I carry a multitude of bits that unless packed in pouches, simply get lost in the deep, dark Savotta. My day bag is the Direct Action (Helikon) Dragons Egg which is clamshell with organizer pockets.

But when I pack only a stove, water, some food, and extras like the ponchos and extra clothes, then the Savotta is my choice. Haven't stumped up for the pouch...yet

 

[Barney Rubble]

Firstly, really nice video. Got me googling the Swagman Scarf, but as the owner of both the Swagman roll poncho and the waterproof outer poncho I think I'm ok for poncho gear.

The other thing I have is the Kahakka 25l. An eye watering price, and I don't use it as much as I should, but everytime I load it out and get to appreciate the rock solid build I somehow justify keeping it. It rides so comfortably and is a pleasure to own. My most common usage for a rucksack is as a day bag for long walks and I carry a multitude of bits that unless packed in pouches, simply get lost in the deep, dark Savotta. My day bag is the Direct Action (Helikon) Dragons Egg which is clamshell with organizer pockets.

But when I pack only a stove, water, some food, and extras like the ponchos and extra clothes, then the Savotta is my choice. Haven't stumped up for the pouch...yet

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. The thing that struck me with the Swagman scarf is not that it's a poncho per se'. I fear that if I wore it as a poncho, I'd look like a misplaced extra from the next Star Wars film. However, it does work great as a scarf (funnily enough!) and as a nice compact sleeping bag liner. Those were the two purposes in which I used it on this camp and was quite happy with it. In hindsight, I sort of wish that I'd bought the orange version because that might also have made for a useful emergency marker panel when out on the hills.

The Kahakka (and Savotta packs in general) is eye-wateringly expensive, by far the most expensive rucksack that I've ever bought. I used to be one of those people who would criticise Savotta for having such audacity to charge so much for their wares. But, I haven't for one minute regretted spending that much on a rucksack because you quickly learn why it's so expensive when you get hands on with it. The design, production (still made in EU!) and compatibility with the other products in their range is exceptional and very well thought out. The 6ltr side pouch is a really nice addition, as is the Kukkaro waist pack (or the larger Askare waist pack), I'd even like to get the posh sit mat that has been designed to replace the internal frame (and yes I realise how much this makes me sound like a tragic Savotta fan-boy). I was even saving up for the larger Kantamus 60, until opportunity knocks and I was offered a brand new Sabre 75 at a very good price.

 

[Charlieoutdoors]

Hi de hi campers,

Thought I'd share a link to my latest video of the weekend camp. This was a relatively simple tarp and bivy camp with some tried and trusted kit. My campcraft was put to the test through the night as I had a lot of rain to deal with, but all's well that ends well.

Autumn is easily the best time of year to get out for a woodland camp. The woods look amazing and I love how the Tawny Owls get so vocal as they search for territory. I also caught a glimpse of some Roe Deer and cooked up some nice Bannock, Bangers and Beans over the fire - a random concoction, but definitely up there amongst my favourite things to cook outdoors.

I love an autumnal camp, the changing colours are fantastic.