With the pressure of our our modern lifestyle, children, jobs, and the relentless commute to work getting out of the rut is not only desirable but essential for our mental well-being. Camping is one of the best ways to unwind and shed the unnecessary burden of stress. 

Whether you are a seasoned camper or trying it out for the first time it’s very important to be properly equipped, but this does not mean you have to go to the nearest camping store and buy the latest gadgets and gizmo’s. Wild camping is the cheapest way to camp. Parking in a remote car park and annoying the locals by pitching your tent, RV, or motorhome in an obtrusive spot 500 meters from the nearest pub and village is not camping wild. You will have a more rewarding time making the effort to walk at least half a mile, if not further, and pitch somewhere where you can watch the sun go down without distraction. Scotland has the most relaxed policy on wild camping protected by the right to roam act.

With that said, for most weekend campers, the idea of hiking miles to a remote spot would not be a stress relieving time. Rural camp grounds offer an excellent alternative. You can take extras that would be prohibitive if properly wild camping like chairs, tables, a good stove large tent, a small tent is great for hiking, but if you have 2 days of rain and the kids are stuck inside the more space the better. If you can stand up in your tent all the better for your back and sanity.

The worst part of camping is packing for the journey I am now, always packed and ready to go, well all except clothing, food and sleeping bag. I have three stackable boxes with lids permanently ready to go at a moments notice stacked next to my fishing rods. The first holds my coleman stove and grill, tent, led tent lighting, torch/flash light, spare batteries, therma-rest a fantastic self inflating bed, spare fuel for stove etc., in short the main kit. The second holds pots and pans, utensils, collapsible water carrier and basin, toiletries, paper towels, towels, and blankets.The third remains empty for food stuff, I hate freeze dried food so generally I try to take as much fresh as possible the container helps to keep out unwanted guests. Fish, self caught of course, from the lochs in the Scottish highland are my main fair and when the fishing is bad I have a perfect excuse to eat out!

When deciding where to go one of the major factors is the grading of the site. One, two and three star sites are my preferred options, because to receive a four or five star grading the site must have certain facilities like tarmacked roads, site lighting, and a common room/games room/bar. To do this the site has to charge a premium and “pack” the place with as many visitors as possible, not my idea of a restful time. It’s useful then to look on the forum sites and get recommendations from others that have visited.
So, no matter what your idea of stress relieving holiday is get out and go camping! You are likely to be surprised at how refreshed you are upon your return to the rut, it may not seem quite so bad.

Winter Wild Camping 1

Winter Wild Camping 1. by daveroberts Email. Some have emailed asking what gear you can use for a winter wildcamp. Here’s my selection of gear. I’ve split it into two posts.

Winter Wild Camping 2

On my last wild camp I managed to post on the blog with it. Soon I’ll be getting an Asus EEE 901 which may be my luxury item on summer wild camps (review soon). 

Camping in the Wild: Africa

When we reached the savannah after crossing the Sahara desert it was like reaching the mountain meadows in Austria. All-in-all, we didn’t run into puzzling camp site related situations in Senegal. 

Wild camping in Scotland and fires.

I’ve done a quick search for info on this so have a bit of info - but being from south of the border were you get shot on sight* if making camp on private land without permission - the Scottish way of doing things isn’t entirely clear. 

Troutbeck and Ill Bell

me and some friends are looking to head off wild camping in march, we’re in the planning phase and we’re confident we can have a happy camp yet leave no trace. however we’re discussing routes and area’s to visit. 

Technorati Tags: Accessories, and, bed roll, camping, clothing, cold, cot, design, discounted, equipment, everest, family, gear, northface, outdoor, pet, shops, sleeping bag, supplier, tent, tents, uk, usa, weather