Would you spend the night in a tent alone?

[Bilzo]

For some reason throughout lockdown I’ve had to fight an urge to go as far away as possible, to a big mountain type space, put up a tent, get inside, zip it up and lie there until morning.

I don’t even have a tent.

But if I got a tent and all the bits, and did some research on where to camp (I don’t mean a campsite, I mean middle of nowhere) would I be completely mad to do this?

Since duke of Edinburgh days at school I’ve had a sort of low level longing to “bivouac” as it’s seems such a simple, “earthy” thing to do. As I child I liked to find a shelter from the rain and make myself as cosy as I could with my jacket and watch/listen to the wild weather while staying dry in my little corner of a tree or something,

It feels romantic and natural and yes I’m aware I am coming across as barking mad now.

Is it safe for a lone female to camp out?

Does any one else do this?

I feel it will be a therapeutic escape for me. Of course it might also be awful and I won’t sleep a wink but I can look forward to a nice hot bath once home.

It's probably safe enough, but I wouldn't do it because I'm a complete scaredy cat and my own shadow makes me jump.

I did exactly that about a month into lockdown

Got almost no sleep thanks to my overactive imagination, but it was an exhilarating experience

@DaughterOfHekate well, I must say it’s a relief to know I am not completely bonkers with my strange notions!!

I don’t know if it’s even for sleep so much as for the silence and vastness of being outdoors and away from everything.

Sadly you can't just wild camp anywhere you fancy in most parts of the U.K., but there are a number of very basic campsites which might suit you.

I love a night away alone (on Dartmoor where you can wild camp, though I usually try and find a small campsite simply so there's at least a toilet and possibly a shower) but I am a seasoned camper, and normally take one of our DDogs for company.

I definitely recommend it and can't wait to go again

I've wanted to do that for years, but especially so now. Never considered the safety aspect much tbh, but you're right to do so. I might pick a remote official campsite and pitch right at the edge of the grounds or something.

Tempted now!

@TreacherousPissFlap how many other people would one encounter at a campsite? Are tents fairly close together.

I want to be alone, essentially.

A friend of mine hiked the PCT and spent many nights alone in a tent.....then one night this happened.

It’s put me right off the idea of hiking the PCT. less likely in the U.K. though.

Given the chance yes I would

look up Phoebe Smith for inspiration, she's written some great books on solo wild camping in the UK

Go for it

I’ve camped in a remote campsite in the Lake District in Feb in deep snow and was the only person there all week.

I often see people wild camping in the Lakes. There’s a lot of well known unofficial wild camping spots.

I would try someone slightly less off track for your first time. See how you get on with the basics.

I can't think of anything more scary.

Well, I wouldn't, as I hate camping , but I wouldn't feel it was a very high risk of being attacked in some way. If you are somewhere remote, the odds of a passing axe murderer finding you are pretty low.

Meh, nah.

I don't mind camping but only with DH and the kids. Alone? Nope, too scared

Join the wild camping Facebook group. There are loads of some. Who do it and you'll get a lot of tips. Way safer than walking through the average town centre on a Saturday night on your own.

I go with my partner, but I think I’d be perfectly happy in the tent on my own. It’s permitted in the lakes and Scotland and truly relaxing

Oh and I don’t feel unsafe at all, although I okce had a fox nick the next days lunch while camped by angle tarn, but I was 17 and stupid

I might but only if I was tooled up.

It’s sad but I wouldn’t even contemplate this as a lone woman.

You couldn't pay me enough to make me contemplate a night in a tent. It's a matter of comfort, not safety. Whenever friends suggest camping holidays, I'm always very firm that I will only join them on the basis that I stay in a B&B nearby.

OP, get a midweek night in quick after Jul 4th and before the school hols. Go to a site from the Greener Camping Club or search PitchUp with the ‘wild camping’ filter on and the ‘campfire allowed’ filter. You will find somewhere uncrowded and natural, with views. You can sit out late by your fire, looking at the stars and all will be well.

I have been camping on my own lots.

You should look on fb OP and join the group “wild women of the woods”... you’ll like it

I do it a lot, I love camping and go all the time with just my dogs for company. You need to check your destination though as wild camping is illegal in most of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It's permitted in certain parts of Dartmoor and the Lake District, but not at the moment due to coronavirus restrictions. I used to live in Devon and the dogs and I have camped up on Dartmoor many, many times. We're now in Canada and I invested in a rooftop tent for my SUV so we're up above bear height

Oh God, I'm so tempted too. As there are so many of us, could we pitch within yelling distance of each other but out of sight?

Why not? I did it when I was single, with my dog. It was really nice to get away and have a change of scenery. Not sure what's scary about it? I didn't find it scary, it was really peaceful.