What does wild camping mean to you?

JED THE SPREAD

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Just before the end of autumn I made a video on what wild camping means to us as it an important part of our lives. Personally a small unit with maximum get to ability is priority for us as we would be rather be camping up there rather than down here, but can obviously see the upside of having a in side shower, moped garage etc.. and while traveling all over the place I never get tired of swapping tips and talking to other wild campers in vans big and small about how they do it, where they keep a BBQ, shovel, or the best way to dry your clothes etc...

This is as a family what wild camping means to us, What is Wild Camping? | Campervan Culture

What does it mean to you? any stories to share?

jed
 
You always get perfect framing when you've got the camera on a stick :)

Thanks again, I really enjoy your videos.
 
I think for us it means finding or seeking out that perfect wild camping Nirvana 10 out of 10 spot. I have never found it yet but have had a few 9 out of 10 spots. It remains my ultimate goal to seek out the perfect 10 but I dont think it exists and if it does that will kind of spoil the search!

For us it has to be somewhere special in an awsome place with stunning views and most of all solitude. I can think of a few occassion such as being high up in the Pyrenees watching and listening to Marmots or finding a remote beach in the Scottish Islands that looks like nobody has ever set foot on it.

I dont have a 4x4 camper but a big white 7 metre lump so I cant get to the places you can but what we have found useful is the scooter. We have found all sorts of places using the bike. I GPS it and come back later in the van.
 
Wildcamping for us is about last minute decisions, changing our minds and not knowing what where are heading will be like and things like a clear sky and star gazing, arriving in the rain and mist and waking up to a beautiful day, the light at night from the lighthouse 100m away. It sometimes means realising afterwards that we have missed good stuff close by - but that's just an excuse to go back.

Great website Jed - we could have done with your 4wd at times - our 3 tonne, 100bhp and front will drive makes getting stuck so easy!
 
I have to say how taking a moped in a bigger unit must be heaven to sniff out some wild camping spots to drive to in your van. I never really thought of this before and wrongly assumed it was just to pop down the shops on. I especially like the 10/10 place search theory and can relate to that one hehehehe... And yeh the not knowing where you are really going to stay until you get to it always is thrilling and the last minute trips away always seem the best ones.

I have been without my Camper since October as I had a split turbo hose and ended up sucking in loads of water into the engine while driving through 1.5 meters of water, that ended up terminal. Its having a TDI conversion at the moment and your replies are helping me get through the tough time of not having a van to use. I cant wait to get out wild camping again and enjoy all the things everyone has mentioned.

jed
 
I'm sure I read somewhere you are thinking of Croatia next year Jed, would like to see a video of that if you manage to make one.
 
Haaamster said:
I'm sure I read somewhere you are thinking of Croatia next year Jed, would like to see a video of that if you manage to make one.
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Your in luck, we were thinking of going this year and did. I made a 6 part series of what turned out to be a 4 week tour of Europe covering nine countries. Here is part 3 for you that includes part of the Croatian part but mainly an island called Pag, a truly hot place that saw a top temperature of 49*c :scared: Travelling around Europe in a Campervan part 3 | Campervan Culture

jed
 
Looks fantastic Jed, great video as usual and Lake Bled looks stunning too, definately on my list now.
Kranjska Gora is actually quite a famous ski area but not heard from any brits that have been there before.
Thanks again.
 
Really enjoyed your video Jed, super stuff!
May i ask was it you on channel 5 on How to take stunning pictures ?
 
pete albion said:
Really enjoyed your video Jed, super stuff!
May i ask was it you on channel 5 on How to take stunning pictures ?
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Yeh, that was me. To be fair I am not really that much into photography and the reason I did it was to learn abit more on how media is put together, it was very interesting to do all the same.

Thanks for the kind words chaps :D

jed
 
For me the principle of wilding is about the interaction of traveller and environment. Following your nose, allowing the landscape to push you in certain directions. Much as I adore maps, I don't like to over-plan trip routes. The drift, as it happens, in the moment, is what I like best. I hate how places are pre-travelled for us by tourist guides, photos, films, TV programs, books etc. And then when one gets there further pre-digested by tours, hotels, campsites etc. I know it's impossible to totally escape these things, but as far as possible I like to take routes spontaneously. I often find rivers, coastlines etc guiding me. This involves taking some risks and of course means that certain places and 'sights' get missed. However, I think it's worth it for the less-cooked experience. In practice, this for me has sometimes meant taking 1000 mile deviations, taking in a completely different countries to the ones I (half) intended. The principle of wild camping suits this type of traveling. It's a point of principle as much as anything. I'm REALLY grateful to sites like this, that make such spontaneity possible in such a regulated world.

That feeling of waking up on a deserted beach (as runnach's pic shows); searching for breakfast on the forest floor; trying to find BarryD's perfect spot for pitching up - or even perfect for stopping to make lunch; getting a knock on the door from some lost rambler or some old farmer who wants to know your business - wild and raw - the best!
 
JED THE SPREAD said:
I have to say how taking a moped in a bigger unit must be heaven to sniff out some wild camping spots to drive to in your van. I never really thought of this before and wrongly assumed it was just to pop down the shops on. I especially like the 10/10 place search theory and can relate to that one hehehehe... And yeh the not knowing where you are really going to stay until you get to it always is thrilling and the last minute trips away always seem the best ones.

I have been without my Camper since October as I had a split turbo hose and ended up sucking in loads of water into the engine while driving through 1.5 meters of water, that ended up terminal. Its having a TDI conversion at the moment and your replies are helping me get through the tough time of not having a van to use. I cant wait to get out wild camping again and enjoy all the things everyone has mentioned.

jed
Click to expand...

For us its as much as a biking holiday as a motorhome one. We clocked over 2000 miles on the scooter over summer away in Europe in the van. ITs been up to 7500ft in the Pyrenees until the road became a ski slope.
 
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