My First Solo Wild Camping Experience (in a hammock)

My First Solo Wild Camping Experience (in a hammock)

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If you'd have told me this time last year that I would be spending a night on my own, high up in the mountains, I would have never believed you. 

I think my main concerns that were racing round my head were; 

what if I get attacked? 

what if I hurt myself? 

what if I panic once it gets dark and I can't get home? 

Considering my longest suffering fear is the dark, I'd say they were perfectly justifiable concerns. 

Despite all the 'mind chatter' convincing me not to go, on Friday morning I strapped my way too heavy bag to my back, grabbed the camera and began the several mile hike to my favourite spot in the mountains; what we call 'our spot'. 

(I took an embarrassing about of stuff (27KG)! In my defence though, a lot of it was specifically for filming purposes, although I will absolutely not take this amount again.)

Kit List
Cova Cure Hammock - https://amzn.to/3RbpdFJ 
DD Tarp 3x3 -  https://amzn.to/3cjskNe 
Vango Sleeping bag - https://amzn.to/3QSiLnb 
Self Inflatable Pillow - https://amzn.to/3wvqY8Y 
Trangia 27 -  https://amzn.to/3wy2GLA 
Trangia kettle 27  - https://amzn.to/3PYduZX 
Knife Morakniv - https://amzn.to/3KmGREn 
Folding saw Morakniv - https://amzn.to/3wxC7Wu 
Backpack 60+20L - https://amzn.to/3wu6Sfi
Hiking Trousers Mountain warehouse - https://amzn.to/3CAySS0 
Gas canister - https://amzn.to/3APRCM2 
Gas stove - https://amzn.to/3coWTkt 
___________

Once I had everything set up, to calm my nerves, I took myself over to a small lake nearby for a cold water dip.

The shock of the cold always helps bring my focus back to the present, giving me the chance to redirect my thoughts, or silence them altogether. 

Unfortunately there had been quite a lot of rain the days leading up to my trip so, despite my absolute best efforts, I couldn't get a fire lit for longer than ten minutes. 

I made myself a quick, simple dinner, micro rice, onions, peppers and mixed taco beans, on my trusty old Trangia; my favourite piece of kit.

I'm so pleased I took this with me as I was planning to just cook on the fire. 

I felt myself starting to worry again as the fire would have been my main source of light and warmth, so as soon as the sun went behind the mountains, I climbed into my hammock and watched a few episodes of friends. 

Although I would ideally like to be completely tech free when out in nature, it came as a great comfort to me. 

Waking up in the morning was probably my favourite part of this entire trip. 

gently swinging in the trees, birds singing, rain drops quietly tapping on the tarp, fresh mountain air; does it ever get better than that? 

And I managed to get a full seven hours sleep! 

 I had a full couple of hours of absolutely nothing except drinking tea and sitting in complete silence. 

It was absolute bliss. 

After a quick fry up, cooked on my Trangia, I packed up my little camp site and made my way home. 

You can watch my YouTube video of this trip here

If you're ever thinking of going wild camping on your own, the only thing I can say is DO IT! 

You will love it, I promise. 

Just don't take 27kg of kit with you; you won't love that!

If you have been solo camping, I would love to hear your experiences in the comments below. 

Lots of love, always, 

Bee x

 

 

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