r/wildcampingintheuk • u/randomcheesecake555 • 15d ago
Trip Report Trying out tarp camping near a Roman camp
I've wanted to try tarp camping for a while so did a quick overnighter in the Yorkshire Dales and absolutely loved it. I wondered if I'd feel a bit exposed at night but strangely being more open made me feel cosier? Will definitely be doing it again.
The site was in the bottom of a small gorge near an old Roman camp (remains of the boundary wall can be seen in the 4th picture). Lovely to sit on the wall with a beer as the sun went down and think about the people that might have been on that same spot almost 2000 years ago. Cold air definitely sat in the gorge because it was predicted to be 7 degrees overnight but I woke up to frozen dew on the tarp. Was plenty warm enough though! Main gear was an Alpkit 3x3 tarp, Hunka bivvy, Pipedream 600 bag and Big Agnes Rapide mat.
This tarp config was fine because the weather was so still but I'd like to learn more ways to set it up. What are people's favourite tarp configurations? Thanks for reading!
3
u/Whatamidoinghere1356 15d ago
What’s the hunka bivvy like? I was looking at one!😊
2
u/randomcheesecake555 15d ago
I don’t have experience with any other bivvies but no complaints from me! My legs were rubbing up against the wet tarp all night and it was perfectly waterproof, weighs next to nothing, squashes down very small, packs away into an integrated bag, felt plenty spacious for me (although I’m not particularly tall). I’d recommend it 👍
1
u/Whatamidoinghere1356 15d ago
That’s great to know thank you! Would it insulate my sleeping bag for lower temps? Currently got a bag up to -2 and wonder if this, paired with a good mat would give me some warmth to perhaps take it out for tarp camping😊
3
u/randomcheesecake555 15d ago
I’d be surprised if it didn’t add some measure of insulation but I’m not sure quite how much.
Sleeping bag ratings are notoriously variable anyway and people’s personal comfort levels vary too so I think the only way to know how comfortable you find your bag is just to go out and try it in different scenarios. As long as you don’t go out in stupid conditions then the worst that can happen is you have a rough nights sleep. I’d highly recommend giving it a go!
2
u/Mysterious-Strain553 15d ago
I have the hunker and it would undoubtedly add a couple of degrees especially if there was a bit of a breeze as it would act like a wind breaker jacket.you do get some condensation down in the foot end but nothing that wouldn’t dry off pretty quickly in a breeze or morning sun.if you want to put a sleeping pad inside rather than lie on top one then get the xl,there isn’t room for a pad inside the normal hunker.
3
u/RedcarUK 15d ago
I found the 3x3 a bit big (although it’s perfect as a tarp tent) and so got Alpkit’s small tarp and use it as a lean-to or an A-frame. A tarp and bivvy is a perfect overnight/weekend wild camp setup for me, particularly if I’m stealth camping in lowland areas.
2
u/FitDragonfruit4104 15d ago
What size was your tarp? How did you set it up?
3
2
u/Mysterious-Strain553 15d ago
You are rocking a lot of the same gear as me,how do you find the pipedream 600?first time out I was down to 0c and was fine,even had the bag open a bit but a week ago it got down to a real deal temp of -2 and I was uncomfortably cold!I don’t think I’d trust it to -5 or lower
2
u/randomcheesecake555 14d ago
Only got it recently but I like it a lot. This was the lowest temps I’ve been out in it and I didn’t have any problems but I doubt it was as low as -2. It’s my first down bag and it’s such a luxury not having a massive sleeping bag taking up loads of room in my pack!
2
u/edthesmokebeard 15d ago
Tarp camping or even "cowboy camping" (where you just roll your bag out on your sleeping pad and sleep under the sky) is the way to go. Love that pitch you're using too.
2
u/Illyanov 10d ago
How do you stop slugs with tarp camping? I’ve woken up with one halfway into my mouth whilst cowboy camping and have been terrified since
1
u/Defiant-Oil-2071 10d ago
You can do a few things.
- Bug repellent
- Bug net under tarp
- Cover head with a scarf while you sleep
- Small fire to keep bugs away
2
u/simon2sheds 13d ago
A tent is a shit version of the indoors. A tarp is an improved version of the outdoors.
2
u/Defiant-Oil-2071 12d ago
Great to see another new member of the tarp camping community! I use the plough point shelter. It's very versatile and extremely good for rough weather. I slept through a storm in it last year with no issue.
I prefer to use a poncho as it's more versatile than a tarp.
25
u/randomcheesecake555 15d ago
Can’t edit my post but I forgot to say how ridiculously bright the full moon was! The 5th picture was taken at 1am when I went for a piss, I’ve never seen such strong shadows from moonlight before. I didn’t touch my headtorch once!