To go Wild Camping?

[Nellydean21]

Holidays aren't going to happen internationally for at least a year. I'm a teacher in Ireland so officially on holidays. Saved money so invested in camping gear. I will by definition of camping be socially isolated. My only concern is fear, but statistically am safer in a field than I would be in a hotel or camping site. Would love to hear from other women who've wild camped alone.

It's fantastic. It's exhausting, pack gets heavy very quickly!. Go somewhere you know has access to clean water. Remember lots of other people might have a similar idea and it's a little rude to camp too close. Think about midges.

Thanks midgebabe, midges not a problem in Ireland and no one here thinks it's a good idea. I'm basically packed up and going. Excited

What are there concerns?

Go for it

Their concerns

There is obviously a risk, but there is a risk walking down the street. Go for it. I think this message being given to women of 'you can't do anything because you are vulnerable' is incredibly damaging.

I have never wild camped alone but hike alone loads. I would seriously recommend a spot tracker or similar that enables you to summon help with a click of one button. The other best bit of advice I ever heard was if someone makes you feel nervous start singing hymns at the top of your voice - they are likely to think you are weirder than them and give you a wide berth.

Loving the hymns advice. I'll share that, thank you!

The risks are much more around. Sprained ankles and stove failures ..take enough snacks!

Tell someone where you plan to go, is it likely to have phone signal? ( high up can be better, as well as being safer for water )

Go when the forecast is good, a heavy wet tent is horrific

And so jealous, was hoping to come over to Ireland this summer

I've camped by myself ( in a van ) . Loved it. I'm married but due to our different schedules if I didn't strike out by myself I would never go anywhere. I kept it simple at first to build confidence.

Is it a trail or just random wandering?

Have you a car or how far do you plan to hike from civilisation?

I love the hymns advice! Most of us in Ireland have a wealth of hymns we know to choose from 😁

If you know anyone that does this regularly I'd ask for advice & if you have a car, I'd not venture too far from it. Land owners may be more vigilant at present. I'm itching to get camping but with dc would need a proper site

Good luck & have an awesome time!

1. Make sure you know what the law is regarding wild camping - where you can camp etc.

1. Are you hiking with a pack or doing car + wild camping? If hiking with the pack you should do a trial run of one overnight first to make sure you have all the equipment you need. A trial run will show up if anything is missing that you should of thought of. It will also identify any problems with equipment and you can test the weight of the pack.

1. I've done it for 3 weeks at a time and absolutely love it. There's nothing better.

I’ve wild camped alone in the Lake District and along the west highland way (that was mostly campsites with a couple of bits of wild camping). Then wild camped part of the Cape Wrath trail with one other woman. I never felt unsafe - in fact, it felt it felt gloriously freeing, knowing i had everything I needed on my back and could go anywhere. Never had any trouble - lots of fellow walkers keep an eye out for you (a touch patronising at times but in general very well meant).

I now have a DH who doesn’t like camping, plus a small child, so I won’t be wild camping for a while. I’m very jealous, you should definitely go for it!

Not for years and years. Never entirely alone but we used to hole up for days, near a tarn we could swim in. Heavenly.

Midges not a problem in Ireland

Well, that depends where you live. There are loads of the bitey wee feckers here. Not West of Scotland level bitey I grant you, but nasty all the same. If I were you I'd pack some insect repellent just in case.

If the travel restrictions and being away over night are lifted where you are then go for it. I don't know the trespass rules in Ireland I'm in Scotland so wild camping is permitted here but not in England I think.

How do you find out if you’re allowed to camp in a spot?

There are some brilliant websites about this, and it looks amazing. Haven't done it but would love to.
Many of the lone women take a loyal dog with them.

Iris For Scotland, this gives a short, basic guide to wild camping law and good practice:

www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot/sites/default/files/2018-09/Wild%20camping%20-%20a%20guide%20to%20good%20practice.pdf

And here's the full Scottish Outdoor Access Code:

www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot/

Pitch up late, pack up early. Leave no trace. Take a trowel to deal with human waste. Stick to remote pastoral land.

Wild camping is amazing.
In England, most areas aren't "wild" enough to make it viable. It is permitted in Scotland (and Dartmoor). Wales has appropriate areas. If done responsibly, there is no disturbance caused to cause offence.

I don't know about Irish laws as land access is different anyway, but there are significant exoanses of area that are quiet enough and suitable.

if legal, go for it. Take a trowel and bury your waste. Take home all toilet paper as well as other rubbish of course. There should be no sign at all that you have been there.

Kiwi slogan is 'pack it in, pack it out'. Everything last thing that you take with you should come back.

outsider.ie/ireland/wild-camping-ireland/

This link says it's illegal but generally accepted in remote areas.

No midges in Ireland?

I live in the west of Scotland. I love it here, but it's rains all year (not this year granted!) And the few dry weeks we do have are ruined by midges.

Maybe I should more to Ireland.