DARTMOOR (& UK) WILD CAMPING for BEGINNERS - Everything You Need To Know

Dartmoor Wild Camping Tips and advice - everything you need to know before Wild Camping on Dartmoor or in the UK in general and a look at the rules and how to wild camp responsibly.
PLEASE NOTE - IF YOU DO DECIDE TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE OF DARTMOOR BY WILD CAMPING THEN FOLLOW THE RULES, DO IT RESPONSIBLY AND DISCREETLY, ARRIVE LATE AND LEAVE EARLY, DO IT IN SMALL GROUPS, RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT, AND TAKE YOUR LITTER HOME!
Some of the advice in this video is specific to Dartmoor but this is also a great "WILD CAMPING FOR BEGINNERS" video too, and contains wild camping tips and hints for how to wild camp anywhere in the UK. Below are links to web sites and products that will help you to have a safe and successful wild camp on Dartmoor.
You can also find the information from this video in blog form here - www.summitorno...
Important Websites -
Dartmoor Wild Camping Map - www.dartmoor.g...
Dartmoor Firing Times - www.gov.uk/gov...
Dartmoor Backpacking Code - www.dartmoor.g...
Crag 2 Mountain Navigation Courses (Nationwide courses) - www.crag2mount...
Dartmoor Wild Camping Blog - www.summitorno...
Hiking Gear and Products I use
Safety and navigation -
Pebble Charging Block - amzn.to/2BYohjD
Dartmoor OS Map - amzn.to/2WenJ2i
OS Active Map (Waterproof) - amzn.to/2pgDvxu
Compass - amzn.to/2JrQzXP
Dartmoor 365 book - amzn.to/2pgCp4R
Tents and Sleeping Equipment featured in this video
Naturehike Cloud Up 2 - amzn.to/362fTNA
Lanshan 2 - s.click.aliexpr...
DD Hammocks Superlight Tarp - amzn.to/368tumt
Vango Banshee 200 - amzn.to/2Nf8amJ
MSR Elixir 1 - amzn.to/31PUFzh
for more information on any of the tents we use please watch our Wild Camping Tents Playlist - • Naturehike Cloud Up 2 ...
Sleeping Systems
Mountain Warehouse Microlite 500 2/3 season Sleeping bag - amzn.to/2JoGGKc
Vango Lattitude 300 ¾ Season Sleeping Bag - amzn.to/344Pv3W
Naturehike Down Sleeping Bag - amzn.to/2NbQHvy
Army Surplus Gortex Bivvy Bag - amzn.to/2vkR26D
ThermaRest Ridgerest Roll Mat - amzn.to/32QUSU3
Naturehike Inflateable sleeping pad - amzn.to/2PmIveD
Cooking Systems
Jet Boil Zip - amzn.to/2WhP97i
Trangia Mini - amzn.to/2BMKT6r
Trangia 27 Cookset - amzn.to/363oFep
Sawyer Mini Water Filter - amzn.to/343lOAe
MSR Trailshot - amzn.to/2WhRq2e
Water Purification Tablets - amzn.to/344Uh1h
Be sure to check out Off The Beaten Pot for food ideas and camping hacks - / axonthomas
Summit or Nothing is a great hiking channel, with Trev and friends documenting their conquests and outdoors adventures of hiking, mountain hiking and wild camping in some of the UK's most beautiful National Parks. So SUBSCRIBE now to keep up to date with our hiking vlog!
Want one of our Summit or Nothing T-Shirts? Then why not check out our BRAND NEW MERCH SHOP here - shop.spreadshi...
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Summit or Nothing logo designed by Art of Carroll - / artofcarroll
Please note that any product links above are affiliate links which means that we will see a very small commission for any products that you may purchase. This will not affect your price at all and is just a way of us to try and fund our adventures to keep making great content for you. Thanks for your support!

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Wish I’d seen this before I went camping in Dartmoor in 60 mph winds.

[@SummitOrNothing]

Haha.... Me too lol.

[@bronoun8884]

😂😂😂 its the only way

[@lifeontherocks7441]

Another great video Trev but how could you forget the number one most important item .... THE HIP FLASK !!

[@SummitOrNothing]

Hahah.... Valid point. I'll stick it in the 2020 revised version lol

[@vieveforward]

Not such a good idea. Alcohol may make you feel warm, but it causes your blood vessels to expand, and takes the heat away from your body's core, resulting in more rapid heat loss. It is also ill-advised to administer alcohol after an accident, despite all the films showing people being given brandy to revive them. Plus it is a depressant, and the high will be followed by a low. You don't want to have a hangover when on Dartmoor. In the event that you are lost will affect your thought processes, leading to possible life-threatening mistakes.

[@richardbarrett2317]

Nice to see this advice posted - so many KZbin channels don't make any of it known and show improper practice that others follow or give likes to. If we're going to encourage others it's irresponsible to leave out essential information or show them the wrong way or hazardous methods. Don't forget that a battery light, commonly a head-torch, and spare batteries or charger are important and will be ever more essential as winter and shorter daylight hours come to affect our moorlland activities. A spare lighter for a stove, or a firesteel and striker, are also wise kit additions.

[@SummitOrNothing]

Yea, some good additions there, Richard, thank you very much! And thanks for watching!

[@soggz4246]

Great info,Trev. The weather up there changes almost as fast as my wife’s mind! Seriously,though ,as you well know,one minute you can see where your going next min,you can just about see 20 feet in front of you,if your lucky. All the best.👍🏾🇬🇧

[@BlackHell01]

Nice one Trev, the only thing i would add is to keep an eye on the times the sun is due to set when camping and when its gets at most an hour and a half before sunset start looking for a suitable spot to camp. When it gets dark down there it is pitch black making it much harder to find a pitch spot thats suitable and giving you time to cook food, get settled etc

[@SummitOrNothing]

Yep, that's certainly a valid point. Cheers for that Tom!

[@soggz4246]

Thanks Trev. Off there next weekend. Looking forwards to it. Regards.

[@ChrisBeard]

Nice vid. For whistles: good to know that 6 blasts every minute means Help me! 3 blast every minute will be the responce when someone hears you and is on their way.

[@SummitOrNothing]

Cheers Chris - that is useful information!

[@niksgee3538]

Good list Trev. Only thing I would add is hiking poles. Makes it easier to navigate when really boggy. Lesson learned from falling in what looked like grass underfoot. When someone tried to pull me out went straight back in head first 😂 lesson learned.

[@SummitOrNothing]

Yes - that's a good addition to be sure - thanks for watching! Hope you dried out since haha!

[@kenhenley7599]

Excellent and concise advice.....and a little "nip" just before retiring for the night never hurt anyone! Looking forward to your next video, what may be the subject. Cheers.

[@SummitOrNothing]

Yep - the obligatory hip flask haha! Thanks for watching, Ken!

[@paulc245]

Great video!.... my wife and I are about to start our adventures once this COVID situation is over. I'm 53 she is 43.... gotta start somewhere!!

[@SummitOrNothing]

Ah, great - glad that you found this video then to help you both start out. I am about to do another video actually of where the best area to camp on Dartmoor for beginners, so keep your eyes peeled for that one too. And feel free to look through our numerous hiking and wild camping adventures already uploaded, if you haven't already. Thanks for watching!

[@paulc245]

@@SummitOrNothing looking forward to this new video already... although we are beginners when we so something we go all in and like to get full immersed in the hobby we choose! One of the benefits 'mature' I guess.. 👍🏾

[@iolair1973]

Why wait? No-one much to infect you wild camping on the moor!

[@knightstemplar8977]

Thanks. Made a note of the camping map! Useful information 🙂🇬🇧

[@GS-nq5ef]

Thanks Trev nice video . I'm going to Dartmoor soon so it was and interesting video to watch

[@RyanKeane9]

Superb Trev. Not a word wasted. Top stuff

[@SummitOrNothing]

Absolutely, Ryan! Cheers!

[@AlanMETALMAN]

Some excellent advice there and invaluable to someone starting out. Cheers Alan

[@SummitOrNothing]

Cheers Alan! Thanks for watching!

[@chrisg1234fly]

Great video!! I grew up on Dartmoor and knew it like the back of my hand. Sad to see so many places where you cant go now. But I guess this place must be protected, so if this is needed, it must be done. During 10 Tors training we would camp out the front of the Warren House Inn and have a sneaky feed inside whilst training, but again this seems a no camping area now aswell.

[@jaywalker3087]

I check the shipping Forecast.for a few days as the weather ! In general’ comes from the west ,,,,,,,

[@GrizzlyGaz]

Great video Trev! Very informative 👌

[@cctvmanbob]

Very Helpfull !! I am looking to do a couple of days in the comming months

[@cairnscrow8713]

Very comprehensive, great advice.

[@SummitOrNothing]

Thanks John!

[@paullydon8577]

Excellent video with sound and informative advice.

[@SummitOrNothing]

Cheers Paul.

[@BurtonOutdoors]

Good one Trev, very informative mate, lots of info on there that I wouldn't have known. Cheers.

[@SummitOrNothing]

Glad to be of assistance, Lee. All the best bid,thanks for watching.

[@deanhallesy1]

Good info mate 👍 Don't forget the pixies the last thing u want to do on the Moors is get pixie led lol

[@SummitOrNothing]

Hahaha... How could I forget the pixies lol

[@grahamjackson3388]

I've been waiting for this vid from you. Fantastic info. Keep up the good work.

[@SummitOrNothing]

Cheers Graham. Thanks for watching!

[@petespencer-smith5059]

Brilliant video.

[@garyw5714]

Very informative Trev , top advice.

[@SummitOrNothing]

Glad to help Gary

[@Davidov1967]

Awesome advice great links 👍 Dartmoor here I come 😄

[@SummitOrNothing]

Awesome. Enjoy, stay safe and leave no trace!

[@ytseman9617]

Great video mate. Covered everything one would need to know if heading up to the moors to camp😊

[@SummitOrNothing]

Cheers. Hopefully covered most things. Cheers for watching!

[@MikeSmith-cv4yq]

Thanks Trev, brilliant advice.

[@SummitOrNothing]

Cheers Mike.

[@robdixon4346]

Hi. Nice video but nothing about using tents that blend into the landscape? That's on the DNPA website now, and also on the Lakes NP website. Bright coloured tents are a very intrusive blot on the landscape and can spoil others' enjoyment of it. Thanks, Rob

[@steppib.4598]

Ever considered to get a licence to operate some food trucks and portable toilets in Dartmoor??? 😂 Maybe environmentally friendly horse powered carriages and some kind of field kitchen... selling stews or soup and sausages!? And when the pots are empty, you could mount a seat on them!!! 🤣 Must be a fortune to make with this!!! 🤔😉

[@WalksWithOlly]

Good advice, Trev.

[@SummitOrNothing]

Cheers Olly

[@russellbarrett8228]

Nice one chap. Great advice.

[@SummitOrNothing]

Cheers Russell.

[@LundysWildcampBushcraft]

Cracking video Trevor some sound advice there mate especially about the army firing ranges last thing you want in the morning is being woke up with HE rounds exploding around ya tent 😂😂😂 I've always burnt or carry out my toilet tissue don't agree about leaving it in the hole sorry mate atvb jimmy 😎😎

[@SummitOrNothing]

Cheers Jimmy. I was just following the official advice when discussing toileting on the moor, I guess burning it would be a big no no as would class as an open fire probably. Guess being paper it soon breaks down. Anyway, cheers for watching.

[@bairdawen2658]

I want to be there! Right now!

[@SummitOrNothing]

You can, through the magic of our vidoes lol.

[@rustybits5342]

great tips mate

[@SummitOrNothing]

Cheres Rusty - hope they help!

[@brummiesteve3825]

Just found this...brilliant

[@SummitOrNothing]

Cool - hope it helps!

[@rialobran]

If under a tarp and in a bivi bag a fox may walk on top of you, it will also bite you if you punch it. Tent for me from now on up there.

[@SummitOrNothing]

Funny... That had always been a recurring nightmare of mine but one of never considered when on the moor. I'm sure I will now though haha

[@squiffy1013]

Just an update, even for seasoned wild campers, DNP are currently carrying out consultation to reduce the areas that we can do this under the concerns of damage done by the public over the COVID lockdowns. Not massively so, but there none the less. A few people are worried that this is the shape of things to come with more restrictions in the future. Personally, I understand their concerns with what i witnessed over this period of time.

[@darthkek1953]

You need the BIG FOUR for camping; shelter, sleep, rucksack, bottle of whisky. The first three are optional.

[@SummitOrNothing]

Hahaha....

[@bigfatpear]

good info.cheers.

[@SummitOrNothing]

No worries

[@NewForestAdventures]

Good video mate! When’s Nath coming back?

[@SummitOrNothing]

Cheers bud.... And who knows. Sure we will see him again at some point.

[@budman200210]

Never read a map with a red torch, you won’t see the danger areas! Tip-top top tip :)

[@SummitOrNothing]

Good Tip, cheers Aaron.

[@fxvg7091]

What time of year do you recommend to get fogs like the ones shown in this video? I adore the misty vistas and am hoping to pick my first time camping at such a time.

[@Sam_Green____4114]

How do you know your in a resevoir catchment area!!!!!!?

[@whitetongueoutdoors]

Thanks Trev. atb

[@SummitOrNothing]

You're very welcome!

[@rigbyUnbound]

DON'T put toilet paper in your cat-hole.. pack it out. animals can dig it up and it goes everywhere. some people burn their loo paper over the hole before dropping the embers in which i guess is a middle ground but just get used to using grasses or even a bidet attachment for a water bottle. but great list otherwise and i agree with the hiking poles.. very useful

[@SummitOrNothing]

Yea - I guess thats a good idea - although perhaps not recommended to light anything alight in the summer seasons. I only copied the advice given on official sites - but yea, i guess using grass and leaves is a good option too. Thanks for your feedback!

[@Foxtrottangoabc]

Water is freely available from above and from below

[@exiletsj2570]

Water? Don't touch the stuff, fish shit in it.

[@SummitOrNothing]

Yep in abundance.

[@SummitOrNothing]

@@exiletsj2570 That they do.

[@uk-paranormal-search]

Do you ever get or feel spooked lol ?

[@SummitOrNothing]

Yes, sometimes. I could make a video out of all the times I stop mid monologue and listen intently to the sounds outside my tent hahah!

[@marvinnappermarvo]

Recommended this video to Devonlive readers after reading that fly camping is spoiling it for others that follow the rules. Just hope wild camping won't be banned thanks to some ignoraenouses.

[@SummitOrNothing]

Thank you Marvin - I hope it helps differentiate between Wild campers and the rabble that have been exploiting the moor... and perhaps one or two will become educated too.

[@briangingras5886]

After watching this let me ask you where are the Rangers is there anybody up there that's going to give you fines if you disobey the rules and regulations it looks desolate to me

[@SummitOrNothing]

There are rangers, you don't always see them but it's just advise to follow. You dont want to be the one to set the moor on fire because you thought you'd get away with an open fire, or the one who leads to the free wild camping ban because you left all your crap in some farmers land.

[@briangingras5886]

Summit Or Nothing I see thanks

[@Lonewolf.wildcamping]

Drop toilet tissue into the hole? Really? I take mine with me and throw it away when I get to the nearest bin. 100% no trace. Anyway great channel 👍🏽 like your vids

[@SummitOrNothing]

Some people burn their's, which us nit advisable in the peat filled ground of dartmoor,some take it home in plastic bags then throw it, I was just repeating the guidance given. I guess that being tissue paper it takes no time to disintegrate beneath the ground.