That was a lovely woodland you camped in. It's early spring here. A tarp or poncho might be fine in the UK, but in a semi tropical climate we get mosquitos, ticks and leeches even in winter.
It was a lovely unmanaged woodland. We get loads of ticks here but that's it, we're lucky here in the UK in that respect. There are still loads of bugs and midges so I slept with a net over my head. The hammock I have but didn't take does have a built in net you can use for tropical climates with a tarp so that might work for you. Check out the DD Jungle Hammocks (Which I have) if it interests you, they're very comfy. Thanks for watching!
I think after watching this for a second time, I also will also drop the poncho and foam mat experiment that I had ready to try. Just brought a very worn British Army DPM Basha measuring 8 ft x 7 ft for £25. I took on board what you said about keeping dry. My Poncho is only 6’ 9” x 5’. So 8 ft has to beat 6’ 9” any day.
Yes that Basha is a much better size. I picked up the Rab Siltarp 1 after this, which is a bit smaller than your Basha but it kept me nice and dry on a windy and rainy night on the moor. I also got the Alpkit Hunka bivy bag which has saved me a bit more weight. If you're a back sleeper the foam mat might be enough but as I'm a side sleeper... it's a big no for me.
One of my favourite places on the moors ...no, scrap that... in the world! Lustleigh Cleave is beautiful. Some very nice spots to camp down by the river as long as you deploy some midge avoidance strategies.
I agree it is beautiful and has so far been my favourite route to access the moors by bus as well as a rare area of woodland where camping is permitted, I'll certainly be returning. I always carry a midge net now after a recent trip where I fed the 5000! This time though I was fine but there were bugs all over the ground so I still had to sleep with my net.
Dartmoor is undeniably a beautiful place, with its rugged landscapes and tranquil woods. The sounds of wildlife echoing through the woods create a symphony of nature that's both mesmerizing and soothing. Over the years of exploring Devon, you've learned what suits your needs and what can make or break the experience. It's all about finding that perfect balance between comfort and adventure in this stunning part of the world. 🏕🌿 #Dartmoor #WildCamping #DevonExplorer
Absolutely Chris, each journey is different and finding that balance of comfort vs weight is something that takes time and experience. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for that useful video 👍. Gave me food for thought as I had planned a short wild camp using very similar sparse equipment as yourself, handy to know what and does not work, thanks for the heads up 👍
Glad it was helpful! I would say that if you knew it wasn't going to rain (however unlikely that would be lol), swap the foam mat for an airbed and you'll be fine.
Dartmoor is a beautiful place that can turn into a very scary place , depending on the weather . I had a decent brand new tent destroyed on Dartmoor ! Great memories . Your choice of light weight stove though is now illegal ! 'As of October 2023, hexamine fuel tablets have been banned in the UK' ....... You can apply for an annual licence at a cost of around 40 quid if you can satisfy the authorities that you are going to make things that go bang suddenly . Shame , hexamine tablet cooked toast will be enjoyed again never again ! They did smell a bit , even in transport they needed to be sealed up well , but the burning fumes put me off using them back in the day . I would usually carry some tablets as a backup stove , cum emergency wood fire lighter though . No more
@@davidyendoll5903 Sorry to hear about your tent, I'm camping on Dartmoor as I'm typing this! It's very windy as I'm pretty high up but the tent I'm using has endured worse before. Yes I only found out recently that hexamine has been banned, I did go back to my Trangia but one night on the moors it took so long to heat some water when I wanted it quickly that I got the Soto Amicus now. It's so quick and copes with the wind well. I'm hoping the wind will die down once the sun sets else I'm not going to get much sleep. But I do have a good phone signal, which is rare! Thanks for watching and your comment. 🙂
Hi. Just subscribed. A couple of quick suggestions. 1 setting the taro at a shallower angle will give you more rain coverage. 2 Maybe consider wearing a bug head net to keep bugs off you in summer. 3 Put your inflatable sleep mat inside your bivvy bag to reduce the risk of puncturing it. Many thanks.
Rob, there are many many YT videos out there that would have helped you get the best out of this type of camping! Clearly you seemed to have missed them😂 likewise your WWll cooking system😂 but all said and done, as long as you enjoyed it and stayed safe that’s all that matters! Regards from deepest Dorset 👍
@WalkingDevon Yes, I do have the mat. I'll be honest. It's never going to be as comfy as a quality air mat, but it's far more comfortable than a standard roll mat. I'm 64 with all the relevant aches and pains, but I wouldn't be without this mat. Very good insulation too for a roll mat.
@WalkingDevon You're welcome. If you're really wanting to move away from air mats, this mat is the best way to go as far as backpacking is concerned. The comfort can also be improved massively
@WalkingDevon Accidently uploaded last reply. The comfort can be improved further by adding a half of a cheap mat, just for the torso area. Barely noticeable for weight or bulk.
I’ve had many bad experiences with inflatable mats. I’ve used 3 and they always had punctures. Now I use two mats. One like yours and another one with a sort of raised honeycombed pattern which is a bit thicker. It’s fine. Not luxurious but at least they don’t go flat during the night and leave me with nothing. In the future, I’m going to experiment with an inflatable inside a Bivvy or inside a sleeping bag. Which inflatable to choose is the question. None of them seem reliable, no matter what you pay.
I had the same experience as you, I've got through so many airbeds through puncturing. I have considered doubling up foam pads, I might try it one night. I've tried putting the airbed inside the bivvy/sleeping bag in the past, it can feel a bit constricting if the bags aren't that big. I didn't like it myself. Recently I used a closed cell foam pad underneath my airbed with my bivvy bag and sleeping bag on top. It worked really well. But any pad will puncture at some point, it's a lottery as to when it will happen. Just get one that's warm and comfortable!
@@WalkingDevon If you find a solution, there are hundreds of us keen to hear about it. My next endeavour is to camp with my wife, so I’m looking to get a Vango Banshee 300, with a footprint and add a mat, then some kind of airbed and then a sleeping bag. The only weak point is the inflatable. Even when I used an inflatable before, it was inside a tent and I checked underneath before pitching. Even then, I patched each mat 5 or 6 times before giving up. I’m not spending big money for a leaky bag again,so I’m going to try an army surplus one when I go next. But I’ll never rely on an inflatable as my only sleeping system again. Better luck next time. I subscribed now, so I’ll be able to watch.
@@WalkingDevon I dug out the mat I was telling you about: Thermarest Ridgerest is the name. I used it with a simple roll mat (cheap) and it was comfortable. I’m considering getting another insulated mat from LOMO (Scotland) who do a range of great stuff and great prices. Decathlon also have a lot of options.
The Thermarest pad you mention is made from closed cell foam like the one I used in my most recent video (you might want to watch it). I had a piece cut to size at a fraction of the price of backpacking stores from efoam.co.uk. I also got a piece of Plastazote from the same place that's 2x1m and I'll use as a footprint for my Vango tent. You can get any thickness you like but I went with the 3mm. I feel that the 3mm is enough to protect an airbed in most conditions and adds warmth that a normal footprint wont..
@@WalkingDevon Thank you! I found mine in a charity shop and I liked it in combination with another ordinary cheap roll mat (it doesn’t even have a name) and I didn’t do any research on it because the name didn’t mean anything to me (I should pay more attention) but thanks for the info about your gear. I’ll look those up. I apologise if I’m taking up too much of your time by writing so often. I don’t know the proper protocol and I’m worried that I may be pestering you. In my defence, I’m always looking to learn from people because this stuff interests me.
That was a lovely woodland you camped in. It's early spring here. A tarp or poncho might be fine in the UK, but in a semi tropical climate we get mosquitos, ticks and leeches even in winter.
It was a lovely unmanaged woodland. We get loads of ticks here but that's it, we're lucky here in the UK in that respect. There are still loads of bugs and midges so I slept with a net over my head. The hammock I have but didn't take does have a built in net you can use for tropical climates with a tarp so that might work for you. Check out the DD Jungle Hammocks (Which I have) if it interests you, they're very comfy. Thanks for watching!
I think after watching this for a second time, I also will also drop the poncho and foam mat experiment that I had ready to try. Just brought a very worn British Army DPM Basha measuring 8 ft x 7 ft for £25. I took on board what you said about keeping dry. My Poncho is only 6’ 9” x 5’. So 8 ft has to beat 6’ 9” any day.
Yes that Basha is a much better size. I picked up the Rab Siltarp 1 after this, which is a bit smaller than your Basha but it kept me nice and dry on a windy and rainy night on the moor. I also got the Alpkit Hunka bivy bag which has saved me a bit more weight. If you're a back sleeper the foam mat might be enough but as I'm a side sleeper... it's a big no for me.
One of my favourite places on the moors ...no, scrap that... in the world! Lustleigh Cleave is beautiful. Some very nice spots to camp down by the river as long as you deploy some midge avoidance strategies.
I agree it is beautiful and has so far been my favourite route to access the moors by bus as well as a rare area of woodland where camping is permitted, I'll certainly be returning. I always carry a midge net now after a recent trip where I fed the 5000! This time though I was fine but there were bugs all over the ground so I still had to sleep with my net.
Dartmoor is undeniably a beautiful place, with its rugged landscapes and tranquil woods. The sounds of wildlife echoing through the woods create a symphony of nature that's both mesmerizing and soothing. Over the years of exploring Devon, you've learned what suits your needs and what can make or break the experience. It's all about finding that perfect balance between comfort and adventure in this stunning part of the world. 🏕🌿 #Dartmoor #WildCamping #DevonExplorer
Absolutely Chris, each journey is different and finding that balance of comfort vs weight is something that takes time and experience. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video buddy I'm just getting into my bushcraft again after 20 year and look forward to more of your videos
Great to hear, it's a lot of fun but a decent night sleep is most important lol
Keep the mat to use underneath the air mat it will be a good backup and also protect the air mat. Have fun stay safe.
Good idea Kenneth, I've been using a thinner reflective mat for airbed protection but it will certainly give better protection. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for that useful video 👍. Gave me food for thought as I had planned a short wild camp using very similar sparse equipment as yourself, handy to know what and does not work, thanks for the heads up 👍
Glad it was helpful! I would say that if you knew it wasn't going to rain (however unlikely that would be lol), swap the foam mat for an airbed and you'll be fine.
Really good video, just found your channel.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!
Dartmoor is a beautiful place that can turn into a very scary place , depending on the weather . I had a decent brand new tent destroyed on Dartmoor ! Great memories .
Your choice of light weight stove though is now illegal !
'As of October 2023, hexamine fuel tablets have been banned in the UK' .......
You can apply for an annual licence at a cost of around 40 quid if you can satisfy the authorities that you are going to make things that go bang suddenly . Shame , hexamine tablet cooked toast will be enjoyed again never again ! They did smell a bit , even in transport they needed to be sealed up well , but the burning fumes put me off using them back in the day . I would usually carry some tablets as a backup stove , cum emergency wood fire lighter though . No more
@@davidyendoll5903 Sorry to hear about your tent, I'm camping on Dartmoor as I'm typing this! It's very windy as I'm pretty high up but the tent I'm using has endured worse before. Yes I only found out recently that hexamine has been banned, I did go back to my Trangia but one night on the moors it took so long to heat some water when I wanted it quickly that I got the Soto Amicus now. It's so quick and copes with the wind well. I'm hoping the wind will die down once the sun sets else I'm not going to get much sleep. But I do have a good phone signal, which is rare! Thanks for watching and your comment. 🙂
Hi. Just subscribed. A couple of quick suggestions. 1 setting the taro at a shallower angle will give you more rain coverage. 2 Maybe consider wearing a bug head net to keep bugs off you in summer. 3 Put your inflatable sleep mat inside your bivvy bag to reduce the risk of puncturing it. Many thanks.
Rob, there are many many YT videos out there that would have helped you get the best out of this type of camping! Clearly you seemed to have missed them😂 likewise your WWll cooking system😂 but all said and done, as long as you enjoyed it and stayed safe that’s all that matters! Regards from deepest Dorset 👍
Ahh, but I wanted to try it for myself! But seriously I just wanted to see if I could get away without an airbed... apparently not lol.
Great video Rob!
Thank you Kenneth, so glad you liked it!
Put a little tin foil under the hexi stove.
The Savotta roll mat is excellent, though not cheap.
Thanks, I'll give it a try. Have you got the mat, is it comfy?
@WalkingDevon Yes, I do have the mat. I'll be honest. It's never going to be as comfy as a quality air mat, but it's far more comfortable than a standard roll mat. I'm 64 with all the relevant aches and pains, but I wouldn't be without this mat. Very good insulation too for a roll mat.
Thank you for the honesty, it's certainly given me something to think about.
@WalkingDevon You're welcome. If you're really wanting to move away from air mats, this mat is the best way to go as far as backpacking is concerned. The comfort can also be improved massively
@WalkingDevon Accidently uploaded last reply. The comfort can be improved further by adding a half of a cheap mat, just for the torso area. Barely noticeable for weight or bulk.
I’ve had many bad experiences with inflatable mats. I’ve used 3 and they always had punctures. Now I use two mats. One like yours and another one with a sort of raised honeycombed pattern which is a bit thicker. It’s fine. Not luxurious but at least they don’t go flat during the night and leave me with nothing. In the future, I’m going to experiment with an inflatable inside a Bivvy or inside a sleeping bag. Which inflatable to choose is the question. None of them seem reliable, no matter what you pay.
I had the same experience as you, I've got through so many airbeds through puncturing. I have considered doubling up foam pads, I might try it one night. I've tried putting the airbed inside the bivvy/sleeping bag in the past, it can feel a bit constricting if the bags aren't that big. I didn't like it myself. Recently I used a closed cell foam pad underneath my airbed with my bivvy bag and sleeping bag on top. It worked really well. But any pad will puncture at some point, it's a lottery as to when it will happen. Just get one that's warm and comfortable!
@@WalkingDevon If you find a solution, there are hundreds of us keen to hear about it. My next endeavour is to camp with my wife, so I’m looking to get a Vango Banshee 300, with a footprint and add a mat, then some kind of airbed and then a sleeping bag. The only weak point is the inflatable. Even when I used an inflatable before, it was inside a tent and I checked underneath before pitching. Even then, I patched each mat 5 or 6 times before giving up. I’m not spending big money for a leaky bag again,so I’m going to try an army surplus one when I go next. But I’ll never rely on an inflatable as my only sleeping system again. Better luck next time. I subscribed now, so I’ll be able to watch.
@@WalkingDevon I dug out the mat I was telling you about: Thermarest Ridgerest is the name. I used it with a simple roll mat (cheap) and it was comfortable. I’m considering getting another insulated mat from LOMO (Scotland) who do a range of great stuff and great prices. Decathlon also have a lot of options.
The Thermarest pad you mention is made from closed cell foam like the one I used in my most recent video (you might want to watch it). I had a piece cut to size at a fraction of the price of backpacking stores from efoam.co.uk. I also got a piece of Plastazote from the same place that's 2x1m and I'll use as a footprint for my Vango tent. You can get any thickness you like but I went with the 3mm. I feel that the 3mm is enough to protect an airbed in most conditions and adds warmth that a normal footprint wont..
@@WalkingDevon Thank you! I found mine in a charity shop and I liked it in combination with another ordinary cheap roll mat (it doesn’t even have a name) and I didn’t do any research on it because the name didn’t mean anything to me (I should pay more attention) but thanks for the info about your gear. I’ll look those up. I apologise if I’m taking up too much of your time by writing so often. I don’t know the proper protocol and I’m worried that I may be pestering you. In my defence, I’m always looking to learn from people because this stuff interests me.
That intro went so hard
lol yeah was a bit.