Wild Camping UK | Forest of Bowland | Ward's Stone
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- Опубліковано 15 вер 2024
- A recent wild camp on the highest point of the Forest of Bowland, Lancashire. Whilst not actively seeking wintry conditions for a camp, it was nice to experience them on this trip, especially the snow, which although loosely forecast, came as a bit of a surprise. ☃️
Best wishes for 2023.
Another cracking video mate, all the best .
Cheers mate and a happy New Year. 🙂
There are many wanabees on UA-cam but this channel is fresh + real Chris your the BEST
Many thanks Jeffrey. That's very kind of you to say so. Thanks for watching and best wishes for the New Year. 🙂
Good video, hope you had a good Christmas and you have great 2023
Cheers Kevin. Hope you did too and best wishes for the New Year.
Quality. Crown land too. Probably one of the most policed and warden festered parts of the UK. Hats off 🙂
I know. I like a 'challenge' like this 🙂! I know someone who is a regular wild camper up here so picked his brains a bit beforehand. It's really good, I highly recommend it. Many thanks mate. 👍
Brilliant video Chris. Hope you had a merry Christmas and wishing you a happy new year. I’ve got “itchy “ feed now watching your videos mate. Them there hills be calling .... but don’t tell the missus hahahaha
Many thanks Steve. I hope you get a decent weather window for it mate. It's been bleedin' awful recently 😭. Best wishes for the New Year.
Quality mate 👌 ... I've never done Ward Stone! ... thanks for the heads up 👏
Cheers Mick. I highly recommend Ward's Stone. It has some great pitches 👌. Happy NY mate.
Great video ...
Thanks Roy.
Great video as always Chris,keep them coming👍
Cheers Steve. Best wishes for 2023.
Conditions looked good there Chris...thats the first time i have seen a Turkey and Penguin on a wild camping video , well done. ATB for 23 and God bless.
Ha ha! Yes the turkey and the penguin certainly made it feel very festive. Thanks for watching and commenting and best wishes for the New Year. 🙂
Keep the adventures coming Chris, all the best for the new year and safe trips, see you in the hills.. Anthony ..
Many thanks Anthony. Hope you've had a good Christmas and best wishes for the New Year. 🙂
"None of that Gragareth bollocks"! Top man - and remember that pre-74 Scousers are also Lancastrians, proud to be both!
Excellent mate. Yep, I consider Liverpool to be a Lancashire city🌹. Thanks for watching Allan and best wishes for the New Year.
@@ChrisJB Cheers Chris and Happy New Year!
My post Xmas treat courtesy of Chris…..a happy new year to you Sir may it bring many more videos….
Cheers Richard. Yes, hopefully a good year of getting out lots lies ahead. Best wishes for the New Year.
Been up there today , had a great day.
Nice one Stuart. Did you get it to yourself?
Loved this chris. Hopefully im back out soon. 🤞
Cheers Decs. Let's hope he weather improves. I was hoping to get out this weekend but the forecast looks rubbish. 😭
I sympathise with you on the probable demise of your new friend 🦃..
😆. Another lovely film.
👍. Looks like a chilly one mind you, and I'm halfway through it. Some gamekeepers are okay, some poison rare raptors as im sure you're well aware of.ATB
How do Fraser and thank you. Yes, very sad about Mr Turkey no doubt. Perhaps I should've nicked him on the way back 🤔? I'm sure there must be decent keepers out there somewhere, though most of my experiences have been negative alas. Best wishes for the New Year mate. 👍
Great video Chris 👍
Cheers Craig....hope you are well mate. 🙂
@@ChrisJB all good thanks Chris. All the best for 2023 and keep the videos coming 👍
great video
Thank you 🙂
Hello Chris 👋, its me writer of email! Thanks for the shout out and mention. Just spotted this vid today - watching now, a new years day treat! So happy you got up there and glad the info was useful! My local as you know, It's a lovely bit there and that while Wards plateau is great imo. Wonderful vid as usual, seen the place there all year round in some truly grim conditions too lol and was last up mid December but went elsewhere for a change as it happened!
As others mentioned, the Rigg Lane start on the west side, is a common start but busier for sure. I liked the look of your walk in!
Hope your 2023 is brilliant, happy and healthy! ATVB! -Nick 🙏
Nice one Nick. I'm so glad you watched and commented. My old memory is bloody terrible and I was paranoid I'd got your name wrong 🙄. Your info' was really helpful. I was so impressed with Ward's Stone as a wild camp spot, I thought it was brilliant. I ended up going in via Tarnbrook as I thought I could get water quite high without having to carry it so far.
Thanks again for your help mate and best wishes for 2023. Chris
You're always guaranteed peace and solitude in the Forest of Bowland, most folks bomb past on the M6 up to the Lakes, and for that I am grateful. I used to walk through a farm in upper Dentdale on my way to the top of Blea Moor, they had three pet turkeys that used to come and greet me.
I do like Bowland for the solitude. Upper Dentdale is a great area......I'd've loved to have seen the turkey trio 🦃🦃🦃😎. ATB for the New Year.
@@ChrisJB Thanks Chris, and ATB to you for 2023.
Hello Chris. It's a real gem up there. The vues
are spectacular. The coat looks warm.
How do Henry. Yep, it was great conditions for enjoying the views. Best wishes for the New Year.
Hi Chris, definitely the best time to go up there when it's frosty.
It's a while since I've been up in the Bowland Fells and Wards Stone.
Thanks for the reminder 👍, and thanks for all the videos this year I always enjoy them.
ATB for the New Year.
Thanks for sharing, cheers Alistair 👍
Cheers Alistair. Yes, it's so easy to whizz past Bowland in the belief you are going somewhere better like the Dales or Lakes, but it does have a character of its own and good for avoiding the crowds. ATB for 2023. Chris 👍
Ho! Happy New year.
That turkey 🦃 could have been a pet.
Clive Lloyd goes wild camping!!
Ha ha! Great cricketer for Lancs was Clive.....I knew you meant David though 😀. I approve of the Bumble comparison. On an early video someone said I sounded like Mick McCarthy, which was a real bloody insult, what with him being a Yorkshire 'mon'. 😬😉.
Great video Chris, thanks for sharing. You're dedicated to your craft going out in those temperatures. Happy New Year. Looking forward to more videos next year
Cheers Sean and thank you. I was hoping to fit another camp in this week but no chance in all this rain 😭. Best wishes for the New Year. 🙂
Stunning views up there Chris, Black Combe has been on my to do list too! Not sure I'd want to be a Turkey at Christmas time😨🤣👍👍Happy New year
Cheers Anthony. Yes, Black Coombe can be seen from almost everywhere but so often neglected I expect. 2023 hopefully. ATB for the New Year. 🙂
Eyup Chris, great video. Interesting place, cracking views. I've looked at the forest of bowland but it looks heavily worked as you say which has put me off a bit. I ought to be a bit less shy and not over think it. Take care mate, and happy new year. TFS David 👍
How do Dave and thanks. I was exactly the same, overthinking it. It was absolutely fine and I'll go again (I have my eye on Wolfhole Crag). I did see a keeper on my way up but he was heading down and we just ignored each other. Best wishes to you and the family for the New Year. 🙂
Love the wild open views in this one Chris. Funny it's called The Forest Of Bowland though as trees are thin on the ground!
Cheers Dan. Yep, the 'forest' thing is a bit misleading here. Forest in this case refers to an historical tract of country used as a hunting ground, rather than a large area of trees. We could do with a few more trees up here though! Thanks for watching mate and happy New Year. 👍
Happy new year Chris ,always look forward to watching your videos,looking for a new insulated jacket myself,that one looks a quality bit of kit⛺️👍
Thanks, you too mate. So far so good with the coat.....not cheap though 😬. Saying that the Patagonia guarantee is excellent.
The forest of Bowland/ the ribble valley area I’d say is probably Englands best kept secret, seldom mentioned when people list their “go to places” yet it has it all: lakes, rivers, forests, hills, valleys, farmland and fields stretching as far as the eye can see, numerous hiking trails, stunning views, I instantly fell in love with the place the first time I visited it last year (at the age of 38 I was asking myself why the hell haven’t I been here before!)
Hello and firstly thanks for watching. Yep, I do like Bowland, it has a character all of its own. I'm very fortunate not living too far away. ATB, Chris
@@ChrisJB All the best for new year, looking forward to your future adventures!
@@aster7693 Thank you.....and same to you. 🙂
Looks a great spot up there and what a lovely crisp winters day.
I totally agree about the Turkey, (what a specimen he was) I couldn't do it in for christmas dinner either....unless I was totally pink lint and had a lot of people coming round 🤔😂
That turkey was an absolute beaut' mate. I'd've loved him as a family pet. He didn't stop me having turkey for my Christmas dinner though. 😬. ATB for 2023 pal.
Cheers Chris, love your channel....top man!!
Fantastic Chris, happy New year to you.
🍻
Thanks Dave. Best wishes for the New Year too. 👍
That looked a bob on trip out that Chris. Really scenic and chilled!
Hope you've had a good Christmas and you have a belting new year too 😊
Adge
Cheers Adge mate. As usual I've overdone it with the Christmas grub and booze but will be turning over a new leaf in the New Year. 🙏🙄. Best wishes for 2023.
Absolutely stunning that, Chris! Could do with some more weather like that rather than the current gloom! I had visions of a gamekeeper finding your snow free hexagon in the grass after you'd left and having a mini meltdown! 👍😂 ATB for 2023!
Thanks Des. I agree, this damp greyness really does dampen any enthusiasm to get out. Ha ha....I do hope a grumpy keeper found my hexagon 😄. Best wishes to you and Maria for the New Year..
Great hike and camp. My thoughts about the Turkey were exactly the same Chris, then you said at the end, what I'd been thinking. Stunning bird. My Dad was a butcher and I used to help out at Christmas but I couldn't do it nowadays 😆
Ha ha! Cheers John. My aunt had a farm up Tod and used to rear turkeys for Christmas. We always used to get one when I was a lad but her method of bumping them off was bloody brutal. I still have nightmares about it 😬😉.
Happy holidays Chris, hope you and the family have had a lovely Christmas 🎄 going to watch this with a festive cheese board! 🧀 catch you soon, bug pre watch thumbs up, Ceri and Kat 🏕👍☕️💙🏔
Thanks Ceri and Kat. I hope you have had a lovely Christmas too. I've been overdoing it with the food and drink, as usual, but will be turning over a new leaf in the New Year 😉 . A bit of exciting news on the devil's fingers front too.....I've managed to get site details for the location near Sheffield I mentioned so will hopefully see them in 2023 👌.
@ChrisJB great news with the Devil's Fingers, well done indeed! And yes like you, food, food and more food I dibe doubt. The first hill of 2023 will be a struggle! Happy New year 🎉 ✨️ 💛
I got caught up in that snow mid December wild camping on Hambeldon hill, Thanks for 2022 Chris look forward to more in 2023, Happy New year 👍🥃
Hello Chris. Thanks for watching mate and best wishes for the New Year. 🙂
Hi Chris - the snowy morning was wonderful to see, though it looked very cold to wake up to! As long as you can stay warm enough, it looks amazing to get out in the winter and see the wide open views! I would love to walk along the dry stone walls… we don’t see them around here. That Turkey was a cutie, I think I’d keep him as a pet too! 👍❄❄❄🦃
Yes, conditions were excellent Jennifer. I'd like to think Mr Turkey survived Christmas and went on to become a much beloved family pet 🙏. The drystone walls are a very distinctive festure of the countryside of northern England. Bye for now, Chris
Great video Chris, looked like a cold one 🥶🥶🥶
Hello Stu and thanks. It was a bit parky but tons better than all this bloody rain we are getting at the moment. I was hoping to fit another camp in this week but no chance until the weather fines up. 😭
Such a lovely vibe.
Much appreciated.
Rgds
A fellow 'scarp 1 owner' :)
Thanks Imran 🙂
Chris
Please help me out of a rabbit hole I'm trying to settle on a clothing system for multi day mountain walking. Torn between the 'quick dry' ventile/ pertex and pile combination ( buffalo, montane and Paramo) or just stay with a traditional layering system (base layer, fleece, wind shirt, puffy, gortex hard-shell and waterproof trousers).......plus a sacred set of dry clothes for sleeping).
I note you've moved away from a down jacket / puffy to a synthetic one (primaloft?).....to beat dampness. With you on that!
Could you possibly list your day and night clothing choices for your last jaunt? What's your really wet weather option?
Sorry for the homework 😅
@@trytheoutdoors Hello Imran. I'll do my best mate, though am no authority on ideal clothing really but will tell you how I go about things 🙂.
I'm deffo old school using the layering system. Depending on temps my base-layer top is the Montane Dart (long or short sleeved). On top of this I wear a Rab Nexus pull-on fleece. If it gets chilly the Patagonia Micropuff hooded jacket goes over the top. My shell is the Montane Gore-tex Pac Plus jacket. This is sort of mid-weight. In severe winter conditions you would probably need something a bit heavier.
I'll be honest, my over-trousers are a bit disappointing. They are Montane Minimus ones. They are nice and lightweight but are pertex and I sweat and get a lot of condensation in them.....my next pair will be Gore-tex.
Trouser-wise I use lightweight, Columbia Silver-Ridge 2 (convertibles) all year round but will use long-johns beneath if it's cold.
For nightwear, again depending on temps I usually sleep in long-johns and a Montane Dart long-sleeved top. I'll put my Nexus fleece on if it is cold.
One other thing, in winter I also carry a thicker down jacket for when it is really cold at night or if I want to go outside and look at the night sky. I also use this inside a stuff pillow case as I struggle with inflatable pillows!
It's not an exact science for me but I hope that is of some use. Best wishes, Chris 🙂
@@ChrisJB this is wonderful. Please consider putting this into your notes at the start. I'm sure it will help others and might save you answering the same question over and over.
Happy hiking, sir :)
@@trytheoutdoors Yes, I should do that really. ATB, Chris.
Thanks Chris great vid been all over Bowland ,and sneaked a couple of wild camps in .
How do Kenny and thanks. This was my second camp in Bowland, almost exactly a year apart. In December last year I also camped on Fairsnape Fell. I quite fancy giving Wolfhole Crag a go sometime. Have you ever camped there? Best wishes for the New Year. 🙂
No not camped walked over it many times.Done 3 wild camps as follows if interested
No1 -Black Clough marshaw fell by water work station No2 Bleadale water south of Langdon castle No 3 Brennand Tarn Threaphaw fell on other side of trough road two very remote no chance of being moved on from gamekeepers.All camps combining birding hen harrier,short eared owls and all upland birds are about hanks again kenny.
@@kennybeckett Ooh brilliant, thanks for that Kenny, I'll check those out on the map. I'm a keen birdwatcher and it's been a good few years since I saw a Bowland hen harrier. 😎
Hi Chris, that looked truly wonderful, hope you had a good Christmas, I have been side tracked again, firstly by manflu, then also be a family bereavement. Hoping to get out more in 2023, Happy New Year pal 😊❤️
Hello Tito mate. I've been hit by 'manflu' too and this coupled with this weeks crappy weather has scuppered my plans for another end of year wild camp. Sorry about your family bereavement and I hope 2023 is good for you. 👍
I am an Oldham lad who lived in Shaw for a few years, moved west many years ago, it was a treat to hear my home dialect again, not heard" fleaing " for many a year, he he . Reet good stuff
How do Flooky. I know Shaw very well, being a Milnrow lad. Glad you liked the vid mate and the local Lancashire dialect 🙂. Best wIsles, Chris
I think I recognised some parts of Bowland from our walk up there. Looks like you had similar frosty conditions as we recently had but on a nicer day. I wish I had knowledge of surrounding hills/mountains from a distance like you do. So brave wild camping in those snowy conditions and fog.
Hello Shanita. I hope you and Michael had a good Christmas. I don't like the cold but prefer it all this rain we've been having lately. Best wishes for 2023.
Enjoyed that Chris , I have always wondered what the summits were like as I pass through Cumbria into Lancashire on the train . Peaceful ,cold and crisp with the added sprinkle of snow 👍 Cracking views all around from the tops especially across the bay to Black Coombe another one I drive past regular . All the best for 2023 Dave
How do Dave and thanks. It was just the winter's day I was after. I was hoping to get out again this week too but the weather has been crap. Black Coombe is one I'd really like to do in 2023. Hope you and the family have had a good Christmas and best wishes for 2023. 🙂
W is for Westminster. Duke of Westminster owns it all since the estate was sold after the death of Earl of Sefton. Keepers patrol that moor. Turkey feathers make good flies for fishing 🎣
Ah yes.....makes perfect sense (rubbish 'W' though, more of an upside down 'M' 😉). I knew much of the grouse moors of Bowland were owned by the DoW. Thanks for that David. I only saw one keeper, who was heading down as I was going up. He even gave me a friendly wave! 😎
Morning Chris.
Classic Chris JB from the overlooked smaller cousin of the lakes and dales. Especially enjoyable as the weather over the holidays has been shite. ☹️
Loved the boundary corrections 😄 Used to tease my Bolton born sister in law saying she was a Manc and got a "LANCASTRIAN" reply barked back at me.
Knew a farmer with a turkey that he couldn't 'do in'. Became a pet and called it Davros (from Dr Who).
Mentioned previously that winter camping is not for me but it's becoming an itch I want to scratch so looking to buy a suitable 4 season bag. What is it you use? Seem to remember criterion?
Thanks for all the output this year and belated best wishes for Christmas.
Atb, Paul
How do Paul. Yep, I do like Bowland, being something a little different.
I reckon a pet turkey would do me 👌. I look after the hens at the school where I work and the big cockerel I'm very fond of. He's so friendly and lets me stroke him 🙂.
I used to be reluctant about winter camping too but with a couple of tweaks, ie sleeping bag and mat it's fine......and I hate the cold. My sleeping bag is the Mountain Equipment Helium 800 (my summer one is a Critereon) and I've been very happy with it.
A viewer recently asked me to discuss my winter gear in a vid so will try and fit that in next time.
Hope you had a good Christmas too and best wishes for the New Year. Chris
Nice video Chris 👍
Many thanks. I hope you've had a good Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.
Nice one Chris I enjoyed that trip up into them keepered moors. Good to see it so crisp and to hear of the temps dropping like they did. To me that's encouraging. I don't suppose you read the book for long opting for a retreat into the bag instead. A decent snowfall mind you - I didn't keep the Redwings away. Well, good going. All the best. Mark
How do Mark. Thankfully just one keeper seen on this trip and he was heading down the moor as I was heading up! It was rather cold for reading, especially with my usual cold nose issues. Best wishes for the New Year and I look forward to your exploits in 2023. Best wishes, Chris
@@ChrisJB That's good Chris. I imagine the keeper knew what you were up to. Yeah, I thought reading would have been a little bit tricky. I will have a good new year - you to.
your at my regular spot,there is a seat there too
Sorry, I meant David aka Bumble!!
Fabulous Shares New Friend💫🌟✨🫶❤️💎🙏🌟
Thank you 😊
I'm a bit behind on your videos, just watched this one, could be on my list now as it looks nice and quiet. Can you tell me where I can get a copy of your mates book 'where the skylark sings', think I'll give it a go. Cheers Chris
Hello Phil. I recommend Bowland as it is so much quieter than many places. As for Lee's book it's on Amazon here: www.amazon.co.uk/Where-Skylark-Sings-Lee-Garratt/dp/1989940528/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3PRCFN9V98R9&keywords=where+the+skylark+sings&qid=1680814198&sprefix=where+the+skylark%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-2
@@ChrisJB thanks for that, like your videos, dead interesting
@@philjones3335 Thanks pal. 👍
None of that Gragareth bollocks. Tickled me that 😂😂
Ha ha! I feel a bit guilty now as it's a nice walk up Gragareth. 🙂
@@ChrisJB Did Grit Fell and Ward's Stone yesterday. Stunning day. Didn't see anyone, much better than busy Lakes or Snowdon etc
@@notdrivingaminimetro Definitely. It's good to escape the crowds.
What fabulous weather for being out - on both days. I've been up to Ward's Stone once, about 40 years ago. Would love to go there again, but it's beyond me now. One question, how do you keep your water bottle from freezing solid overnight in sub-zero temperatures. (The only time I slept in the open in those conditions it was necessary to keep it in the sleeping bag to get heat from the body.) Best wishes for the new year.
I think Ward's Stone would be well within your capabilities Michael, especially from Jubilee Tower where you have a lot of height under belt at the start. As for water, I have had it freeze on me in the past but nowadays bring it into the tent and wrap it in an item of clothing. Best wishes for the New Year.
pulled that one outta the bag mate,some stunnin views,all the best mate.
Cheers Ken. Hope you've had a good Christmas and best wishes for 2023.
As a Lancashire lad, living your wild camps. Could I ask about the water bottle holder on your rucksack strap ? Are you using the 3F UL Gear Qudian ? (Which is what I have) as I’m looking for a suitable water bottle attachment 👍
Thanks mate. My rucksack is an Atom Packs Mo and the bottle holder is part of the design. I have seen bottle holders you can buy separate and attach to other packs though. Check this out: www.absolute-snow.co.uk/mammut-lithium-add-on-bottle-holder-backpack-attachment?v=358600&fc=GBP/?keyword=&msclkid=1e9c7a11cde3146bad911fd8d977debf&UK%20-%20Bing%20-%20Shopping%20-%20Snow%20-%20All&All%20Products
Hi good video mate new subscriber here enjoyed the content. Quick question if you dont mind but your thumnails are very good where do you design them through? cheers
Many thanks mate 🙂. I'm really pleased you think the thumbnails are good as I don't consider thumbnails to be my strong point! I use an app on my phone called Snapseed. I quite like it. I'm hopeless with technology and it's quite easy to use! ATB, Chris
i always come from rigg lane car park,but the salt flats are very boggy at times
Hello Jonny. I looked at setting off from Rigg Lane but wondered how secure that location is for leaving your car overnight. I camped right by the seat and used it as a table! Thanks for watching and commenting and best wishes for the New Year. 🙂
@@ChrisJB I've been using rigg lane set off point for a few years now, seems quite secure although one time someone torched a vehicle. The whole area from Clough's to wards tend to be very quiet but this time of year nobody goes there, might even be at my normal spot this weekend, i know of only a handful of flat spots around but biggest problem is lack of water so I have to carry all my water .
@@jonnyp1778 Ah cool. Might give that a go sometime. Yes, I'd imagine water to be tricky if coming from the west.🤔
Hello mate, Great video. I wish head there on beggining of april is there any chance You can write to me where Path start, did i Can leave car there for over night and is that Path is Good for mountain bike as well? :) thank You
Thanks mate. I parked up at Abbeystead Church but you can also access Ward's Stone from Jubilee Tower. Much of the route is on public footpaths or open moor, where mountain bikes are not permitted. However, there are a lot of options for mountain bikes in the Forest of Bowland. Best wishes, Chris
@@ChrisJB thank You i check this out
Hi we’re about was your start point please
Hello Beverley. I parked by the church just NE of Abbeystead, where Long Lane meets the Trough of Bowland Road.
@@ChrisJB thank you