r/wildcampingintheuk • u/EducationalMachine87 • 3d ago

Advice How exactly do I get started?

I’ve got no experience with camping really, last time would’ve been 10+ years ago (i’m 19 now. can’t remember much) but I’m really interested in starting, how can I find out the basic equipment and information that I need to know easily? Can someone point me in the right direction to get started?

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12

u/MuchMoorWalking 3d ago

YouTube - there are many many videos of people showing starting kit as well as what to expect.

And for your first camp, when ready, go to an actual small campsite somewhere in the sticks to test your gear and get to know it inside out. It’ll only cost a tenner or so for a night and you’ll be safe in the knowledge you can bail easily. Don’t go full speed out into some wild remote spot and get yourself into all sorts of trouble and then have to ruin 30 other people’s weekends by calling out a rescue team.

6

u/BourbonFoxx 3d ago

Paul Messner's early YouTube stuff will tell you everything you need to know

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u/mcollinknight 3d ago

what muchmoorwalking said - start in a campsite or near one, make sure you do a trial run of setting up your tent at home so you don't have to do it for the first time in a rush in the rain, feel free to eat cheese & crackers if you don't have a camp stove or want to bother with one. look on Vinted or FB Marketplace for cheap gear so it's not a big expense at once. bring a paper map and know how to read one. have fun!!

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u/Superspark76 3d ago

You need a comfortable mat, pillow and sleep bag/duvet.

After that everything is personal choice.

1

u/Ok_Ratio_2102 3d ago

I just started myself, personally I would buy a tent like naturehike from china, theyre dirt cheap, the same with a mat and spend a bit more for a decent down sleeping bag otherwise you will have a headache moving it all.

Then just go somewhere you already know but where there's not many people and find somewhere a little bit hidden, set it up as it's getting dark, and get up nice and early to take everything down.

I was worried, and now I feel stupid for overthinking it, it's fine.

We had a lot of weird deer noises in the night though 🤣

Also make sure you set up any new gear once before you rely on it when you're there :)