Lord Ancrum's Wood - "First" time camping in woodland.

[THOaken]

Hello, everyone. Now this might sound a bit strange, but I haven't camped that much. Sure I've volunteered in the countryside, spent time hiking in the Highlands and am now learning rural skills, but I just haven't made camping a priority for some reason. I guess it was because I didn't know how to light a fire. Now I can light fire, with multiple tinders, with the firesteel. I've camped with the family in the Trossachs, but it was very domestic camping, especially the firecraft, but now I'm looking to finally getting into a bit of solitary camping.

Here's a list of my carry.

Firesteel
Tinderbox (cotton, charcloth and birch bark scrapings/peelings)
Knife
Folding saw
Ray Mears Bushcraft
Food: soup, pot

A rather simple approach.

I have permission. The woods are a part of my college and the lecturer is quite aware that I practice Bushcraft.

Is there any advice I should hear before camping? I know what I'm doing, but I'd just like to hear any words of advice.

It's an odd thing to have spent two years learning the outdoors, but never having camped by myself in the woods.

 

[Clouston98]

Are you planning on making a shelter or taking a bivvy or tent etc. also I would probably take an axe.

Hope this helps.

 

[THOaken]

Are you planning on making a shelter or taking a bivvy or tent etc. also I would probably take an axe.

Hope this helps.

I'm planning to just take a one man tent for simplicity's sake. I'll probably be focused on getting the fire started more than anything, so I wouldn't have time. That and I've never actually constructed a woodland shelter before.

I don't have my own Bushcraft axe, but my father might have one in the workshop.

Thanks.

 

[Clouston98]

I would take an axe if you can especially for chopping firewood.

Good luck, hope you have a nice trip .

 

[mountainm]

You won't need an axe if you have a knife and saw. It's a nice to have, but a heavy one at that and the saw is more versatile.

Don't forget your first aid kit.

 

[Greg]

If I was you, I would ditch the tent and take a tarp...doesn't need to be a fancy one..but being in the fresh air and not being closed in a tent will really enhance your experience..and who knows you may find a fox or badger may come to investigate your camp after dark...you wouldn't see that if you're cooped up in a tent.

 

[mountainm]

If I was you, I would ditch the tent and take a tarp...doesn't need to be a fancy one..but being in the fresh air and not being closed in a tent will really enhance your experience..and who knows you may find a fox or badger may come to investigate your camp after dark...you wouldn't see that if you're cooped up in a tent.

Greg's right... Also you'll see the zombies before they can get close enough....

 

[THOaken]

I don't have a tarp so I'll just have to make do with the tent.

First aid kit, of course. Check.

Thanks.

 

[British Red]

Its your first trip

Take it all

Tent, mat, sleeping bag, stove, teddy bear, head torch, favourite book, lantern - the works

Spend a night, be warm, dry, comfortable

Then try to simplify and reduce

You don't have to be "hard core" the first time you sleep alone

 

[THOaken]

Its your first trip

Take it all

Tent, mat, sleeping bag, stove, teddy bear, head torch, favourite book, lantern - the works

Spend a night, be warm, dry, comfortable

Then try to simplify and reduce

You don't have to be "hard core" the first time you sleep alone

Hm, I might've perhaps come across as a little bit too inexperienced than is actually the case. I'm extremely comfortable in the woods. I know you're probably joking about the teddy bear, but I can't read sarcasm well over the internet. I'm 20. Heh.

One bad solitary camping trip won't scare me from this hobby as I'm already deep into it, but I understand that I should probably make it easier for myself.

 

[British Red]

Nothing wrong with a teddy bear! It doesn't have to be boring and stuffy and macho

My youngest is older than you Thoaken - and I'm not embarrassed to take some creature comforts with me. Its not a competition.

A wise man once said "any fool can be uncomfortable" - if you are uncomfortable, you are doing it wrong.

My point is, take all the creature comforts with you your first time - then try to reduce if that floats your boat.

 

[mountainm]

My point is, take all the creature comforts with you your first time - then try to reduce if that floats your boat.

...and something to keep the zombies away, or werewolves. Depending on the region...

And the moon.....

 

[THOaken]

Nothing wrong with a teddy bear! It doesn't have to be boring and stuffy and macho

My youngest is older than you Thoaken - and I'm not embarrassed to take some creature comforts with me. Its not a competition.

A wise man once said "any fool can be uncomfortable" - if you are uncomfortable, you are doing it wrong.

My point is, take all the creature comforts with you your first time - then try to reduce if that floats your boat.

Don't get me wrong, I know what you're saying and I see the value in that. I'm really not one of the Grylls wannabes. I'm not in Bushcraft to be seen as "macho" or a "badass" survivalist.

There's truth in your words. I'll think about making my list a bit bigger to accommodate more creature comforts.

 

[British Red]

Did I not say "shotgun loaded for bear"?

Must have missed that

 

[British Red]

I'll think about making my list a bit bigger to make things more comfortable.

Just so. You don't have to "rough it", especially not the first time. The joy is being out in the woods at night, alone, listening to the sounds, seeing the sights, breathing the smells. If you enjoy that, probe deeper, be more self reliant, but just doing that, on a comfortable mat, in a warm bag, is more than many ever experience. Don't run before you can walk.

 

[Clouston98]

Just so. You don't have to "rough it", especially not the first time. The joy is being out in the woods at night, alone, listening to the sounds, seeing the sights, breathing the smells. If you enjoy that, probe deeper, be more self reliant, but just doing that, on a comfortable mat, in a warm bag, is more than many ever experience. Don't run before you can walk.

+ 1 to that and I also fear people undervalue a good nights sleep.

 

[rik_uk3]

...and something to keep the zombies away, or werewolves. Depending on the region...

And the moon.....

Shotgun, two shotguns is better. Crossbow is worth the extra weight too. Couple of Rambo knives. Sharp stakes in the ground all round the tent is worth the effort. Kindle, radio and then just relax.

 

[mountainm]

Shotgun, two shotguns is better. Crossbow is worth the extra weight too. Couple of Rambo knives. Sharp stakes in the ground all round the tent is worth the effort. Kindle, radio and then just relax.

Shotgun? Are you mad? The splatter effect would spread the infection far and wide. And a crossbow isn't going to do much. Broadsword is what's needed - up close and personal. The stakes I agree with, but in a trench with some nice dry kindling ready to burn at a moments notice - establish a perimeter - then, burn baby burn. Zombie inferno.

 

[Jackdaw]

Don't camp under a Beech tree. They tend to drop branches on your head. For other species just check for dead branches above you. Have fun, but I would recommend using a tarp when you get hold of one.

Have fun.

Jack.

 

[rik_uk3]

Shotgun? Are you mad? The splatter effect would spread the infection far and wide. And a crossbow isn't going to do much. Broadsword is what's needed - up close and personal. The stakes I agree with, but in a trench with some nice dry kindling ready to burn at a moments notice - establish a perimeter - then, burn baby burn. Zombie inferno.

Still spatter but this could be good, need a solar panel or three though to keep it charged but its more eco friendly than petrol

[video=youtube;ERdqdQgeo_U]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERdqdQgeo_U[/video]