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.

The risk isn't just of a passing rapist/attacker chancing upon you, but of one watching you head off alone or watching the landscape for lone women and targeting you. There is a reason we call such people predators.

Besides, risk assessment isn't just about likelihood but also impact. You would never be the same person again or able to exist in the world in the same way.

I so miss wild camping since having DCs and regularly fantasise about buggering off to a quiet, mountainous corner of Britain on my own.

Safety doesn'y bother me.

I took up running when DS2 was a baby and tend to run quiet rural footpaths so I'm used to that side of it now.

@user12699422578

The risk isn't just of a passing rapist/attacker chancing upon you, but of one watching you head off alone or watching the landscape for lone women and targeting you. There is a reason we call such people predators.

Besides, risk assessment isn't just about likelihood but also impact. You would never be the same person again or able to exist in the world in the same way.

The liklihood is very, very unlikely. There isn't a huge pool of solo women hikers. They are fit and confident and likely to have equipment like whistles for attracting attention.

Much easier pickings are avaliable in places like suburban parks or alleyways.

If we all took risk assessment to that degree, we'll all perish prematurely with rickets and DVTs. Nothing is totally safe. Sometimes that's the fire that keeps us feeling alive.

@user12699422578

Do you really think there are random predators perched on mountains or on the moors on the off chance that a random lone woman is going to pass by and pitch a tent ?

Just tell someone where you’re going and what your plans are at least.

Bivvying is more fun thank camping but best not to pick a rainy night for that 😉

You will be able to watch the stars as you fall asleep if you bivvy properly. It’s so lush!

No. But I have a fear based on being a kid and in a camper van with my parents. The window was open as it was so hot and I swear someone grabbed my foot.

I would be more worried about an accident or freak weather conditions than a predator! Also try not to camp in fields with cows...

I've been doing this since I was about 17. Wild camping in scotland is legal and totally normal. I've literally never thought about something bad happen. If you're in the highlands, you're probably never even going to bump into anyone else.

No, I'd be too scared to enjoy it.

I'm too scared too.

I'd be terrified the whole time about being attacked.

Sucks being a woman.

I think it sounds like heaven. In Scotland you can also stay in a bothy and you won't need a tent. I say do it! But definitely go sooner than later because everyone else will be wanting to get out there as soon as the restrictions are lifted

I would only do it if I had a back-up plan that involved a hotel or B&B somewhere not too too far away. Just in case

And tell someone exactly where you are down to GPS co-ords!

Not so much wild camping but I've been looking online for small folding campers all weekend as I've got a yearning to disappear to Cornwall on my own (to a proper campsite as I'm a wuss who likes to have basic facilities) and folding campers are easier to put up on your own than a tent! Plus they are more comfortable in the rain/wind.

Do it while you can!!

I'm only 51, but I'm having issues with my knees which mean I can't kneel anymore and you don't realise how bloody limiting that is. More recently (3weeks or so) I've had a problem where I can't move my leg in certain direction (pain in my groin, but I think it's probably a hip issue). And so now my ability to get up & down off the floor/ground is very very limited. It's Physically restricting my life enormously and Psychologically too - I feel very vulnerable as I don't feel physically able.

Do what you can, while you can, before you can't!!

Pre all of this I would happily take my tent & camp by myself...bliss.

I loved wild camping! So peaceful, I've done it on my own since I was a teenager, great feeling of freedom and calm. I've never felt afraid, if you pick somehwere remote you'd be able to easily see if you were alone, especially now with the light nights.
Make sure you have a mobile and a backup charger and tell someone where you are going and when you will be back incase you injure yourself.

Would rather do it alone than with someone

As long as you take you rubbish home with you, people are wild camping in places like Cumbria leaving the tent and piles of rubbish behind for locals to clear up. They are understandably not happy

Yes! I would absolutely try this. I've only ever camped at music festivals back in my younger days and would love to try doing it properly.

My partner and young DC are really not up for it though. I think it would be even better doing it alone if I got the chance. The quiet would be wonderful.

Maybe try an official campsite first to break yourself in?

absolutely do it op, you're not mad, its lovely.
I love camping.

Tbh dp and I set up tent in back garden a few weeks ago. Best night sleep I had in ages! I kust pretended I wasn't in back garden... worked a treat. Helped that it rained and listening to the rain on tent was lovely.

Go camp. Have fun.

I probably would but the closest I have come Is bothies with a mate.

l totally get you and how you are feeling, when l was young l used to go off and camp alone and loved it, also travelled a lot solo in remote spots, it is so rebablancing to leave the world behind for a sense of space and calm.

I think there is hardly any risk, as women we are far far more at risk in populated places. Not sure what is so scary, people scare me far more than vast empty spaces!

Find somewhere that fills that need in you to be alone, go and enjoy..

Wild camping in the Lakes is tolerated in some places, the general ‘rule’ is camp beyond the highest fell wall, as far from civilisation as possible. However you should really get the landowners permission. Unfortunately, since everyone has gone mad with the Coronavirus, people wild camping in the lakes is out of control and there had been loads of problems with rubbish and feaces being left. If you come now to wild camp you may be met with some hostility and asked to move on.

I have a friend who does this, pre-pandemic, really makes me want to try it. She has a mattress in the back of her van and parks on the beach, or sets up a bivouac type thing on footpaths in various woods, wakes up somewhere inspiring at dawn then rinses her face and goes to work all perky.

I think we forget we’re statistically much much safer outside alone almost anywhere in the world than at home in a house with a man or men we love. Which is awful to acknowledge but true.

I scratch the itch by getting up stupidly early, like 3am, and going somewhere atmospheric to take photos of things at dawn like the sunrise over the sea or birds in graveyards or lately racehorses training on gallops. So much cool free stuff happens in the early mornings!