Planning a wild camp

[dangerman]

I'm planning two wild camps this winter, 90% recreation and 10% kit testing.

I'm going ultralight for one trip, no walking, or very little, and the plan is to head out somewhere on the motorcycle and make home for the night. I'd like a fire, even just my storm kettle will do if need be, but a rip roaring fire will obv make the camp more fun. This is something I'm not planning on doing often, especially in winter. But I want to learn how to keep warm and comfortable with just my bug out kit. It'll be a learning curve I'm sure.

The other trip I'll be going in the car, I'm going to make a bed in the back and basically learn the ropes of how to car camp properly. Learn what kit is essential and what is luxury. I'm planning on doing this often from now on. Whenever there is a meteor shower or when the northern lights are predicted to be visible.

Any recommendations of places to go? Google maps would be nice. North west England, north wales, even Yorkshire is manageable with planning. Any advice to help prevent me catching my death out there? I've got the week before Christmas off, so think I'll go on the bike then. Might wait til mid Jan to go in the car, but I want to make that a monthly thing.

[Plymtom]

I'm planning two wild camps this winter, 90% recreation and 10% kit testing.

I'm planning on doing this often from now on. Whenever there is a meteor shower or when the northern lights are predicted to be visible.

I like it, the further away you can get from light pollution the better, and you need to be out in the open for the best view, wrap up well

[preparedsurrey]

What bike have you got, I can recommend a few green lanes that will take you literally into the middle of nowhere

[Wingfoot]

I've done a fair bit of winter car camping, the first thing that surprised me was just how cold it was, I had expected the car to be warmer than a tent & to be honest, the first time I did it was a February & I had a shock, I have had warmer nights in a tent.

I now use a heat reflective bottom layer & an inflatable mattress in my estate car, with the passenger seat pulled forward I can lie full stretch, take good quality cold weather clothing & a decent sleeping bag, plus an extra blanket/layer as well.

Another problem will be condensation build up inside the vehicle, I now leave a window slightly open to reduce it.

A single inflatable mattresses is better than a double as it leaves more room for kit.

Some of my favorite spots are in Dorset & also the Welsh borders.

Have fun.

Wf

[dangerman]

I'm planning two wild camps this winter, 90% recreation and 10% kit testing.

I'm planning on doing this often from now on. Whenever there is a meteor shower or when the northern lights are predicted to be visible.

I like it, the further away you can get from light pollution the better, and you need to be out in the open for the best view, wrap up well

Exactly, I went somewhere in South Wales as a teenager and I couldn't believe the amount of stars on show. I've been fascinated ever since, even though I still don't really know much about star gazing. I just love having a nip of scotch and taking in the majesty of it all.

What bike have you got, I can recommend a few green lanes that will take you literally into the middle of nowhere

I've got a Suzuki SV650S - it was my brothers and I've ended up with it. I had a Yamaha XJR1300 this time last year but lost a load on money on a ST1300 Pan European (that I was hoping to do a Euro trip on), and had to sell the XJR.

The SV is fine for my needs at the moment though, it's plenty powerful enough for my commuting needs and I can even keep up with the lads on a ride out. I also took it camping in Summer and it did the job ok.

Do you like my drag spoiler?

[Mortblanc]

I have always done a lot of what you folks refer too as "wild camping". I have been known to spend 2-3 months backpacking in our mountains. We are laced with hiking trails through wilderness areas.

I think the first thing I did after getting my driving license was go camping in my car. Normally I carry a tent and set it up outside the vehicle. I have slept in the back of my pickup many times but I do not enjoy being confined to an automobile interior. Matter of choice I suppose.

The differences between wild camping and car camping is that your walk in wild camp will be down to the basics you can carry, car camping adds the luxuries you can not carry on your back such as more food, extra clothing, better cookware. Go wild camping and make a list of everything you wish you had and could not carry on your back or on the bike, then throw it in the vehicle for your car camp.

However, I am a fair weather camper mostly and reserve my cold camps to the early spring and late autumn, though I have been caught in a couple of snow storms while out.

In the cold your sleep system and clothing become your primary focus. A fire is nice but not necessary and if you are in a hostile situation it might draw unwanted attention.

[preparedsurrey]

Sorry Dangerman I doubt the SV would get more than a few feet down the lanes I'm thinking of, just a word of caution we did a night time trail ride and one secluded lane was being well used for cottaging type activities, you wouldn't want to park up there by mistake.....

[Yorkshire Andy]

Sorry Dangerman I doubt the SV would get more than a few feet down the lanes I'm thinking of, just a word of caution we did a night time trail ride and one secluded lane was being well used for cottaging type activities, you wouldn't want to park up there by mistake.....

im saying nothing but several years ago on a night mountain bike ride we came across something similar...... several 900 Lumen LED bike lights later dropping onto a road.. there were several panicked looks suppose shouting Police this is a raid .... really didnt help

[dangerman]

I've done a fair bit of winter car camping, the first thing that surprised me was just how cold it was, I had expected the car to be warmer than a tent & to be honest, the first time I did it was a February & I had a shock, I have had warmer nights in a tent.

I now use a heat reflective bottom layer & an inflatable mattress in my estate car, with the passenger seat pulled forward I can lie full stretch, take good quality cold weather clothing & a decent sleeping bag, plus an extra blanket/layer as well.

Another problem will be condensation build up inside the vehicle, I now leave a window slightly open to reduce it.

A single inflatable mattresses is better than a double as it leaves more room for kit.

Some of my favorite spots are in Dorset & also the Welsh borders.

Have fun.

Wf

Sorry mate, didn't realise I didn't reply to this. Good advice - I know it get's perishingly cold. I'm planning on getting some wool blankets and I've got a single inflatable mattress ready to go. And I've got the four season sleeping bag (which I even use in summer 'cos I like being toasty). I used to have a VW camper and the condensation was a pain, I'm thinking of getting some of those plastic window cover things that let you open the window a crack to let some of it out. I was also thinking of getting a 12v kettle and using a hot water bottle. I know they're heavy on the leccy but I'm not planning a prolonged stay and my leisure battery should run it fine.

I'm also planning on tinting my windows.

[dangerman]

Sorry Dangerman I doubt the SV would get more than a few feet down the lanes I'm thinking of, just a word of caution we did a night time trail ride and one secluded lane was being well used for cottaging type activities, you wouldn't want to park up there by mistake.....

Ahahahaha!

I have been up quite a few little nooks and crannies around the Cat and Fiddle in the Peak district, might head out there. They don't seem like the type of people who're into that sort of thing.

Sorry Dangerman I doubt the SV would get more than a few feet down the lanes I'm thinking of, just a word of caution we did a night time trail ride and one secluded lane was being well used for cottaging type activities, you wouldn't want to park up there by mistake.....

im saying nothing but several years ago on a night mountain bike ride we came across something similar...... several 900 Lumen LED bike lights later dropping onto a road.. there were several panicked looks suppose shouting Police this is a raid .... really didnt help

Brilliant! I've got a horn somewhere, I'll bring it just in case.