First time wild camping on a beach | Bivvy bag camp by the sea | Outdoor Research Helium Bivy

[@simonward4520]

Some people can't help but criticise, nothing better to do. Your video helped with my decision to buy southern cross 1. So keep them coming. 👍

[@joinmeoutdoors]

Haha thanks Simon, I'm glad I've been able to help. I think I've been fortunate (so far!) in that I've received hardly any "nasty" comments on KZbin. I really don't mind people pointing out my mistakes when I genuinely get something wrong - it's how we all learn, so please don't be shy about criticising me. Just keep the swearing and mum jokes to a minimum! 🤣 James.

[@YONDERMOUNTAINADVENTURES]

What a spot That was mate elevated above the shoreline. Nice bit of boy scouting too mate love a good knot. Beautiful lapse of orion moving across the sky. The chance is going from strength to strength mate well done and so ut should your content and presentation is second to none. Nice kit run down.....I always like the factual stuff you do. Nice one big lad absolutely class. ATB Grandad Simon 🤣🤣

[@joinmeoutdoors]

Haha Grandad Simon! 😁 Thanks for that ❤️ I look forward to getting some better time lapses again soon, going forward, and have shot a couple of Jupiter and it's highly-visible moon in thr last few days. Bring on the next mountain camp! ATB James the pilot 🤪

[@YONDERMOUNTAINADVENTURES]

@@joinmeoutdoors 🤣🤣🤣🤣 knew it ....you are a pilot..... 🤣🤣🤣. Ah mate Jupiter you say ...wowza. keep wm coming big lad.

[@joinmeoutdoors]

@@YONDERMOUNTAINADVENTURES 😂🧑‍✈️✈️

[@williammcknight4274]

One of the things that I like about the helium bivy is How quickly you can strike camp and move on. Great video as always. Thank you.

[@joinmeoutdoors]

It takes no time at all, does it? Four pegs to remove (if you pitch it the way I have), pop the hoop pole out and then roll the bivvy, sleep mat and quilt up all together if you want to be extra quick. Probably just over 1 minute! Thanks for the comment 😊 James.

[@JUANORQUIO]

W❤️W! That’s Lovely! Cheers for more awesome and breathtaking adventures!🥂❤️✨

[@joinmeoutdoors]

Thanks! 🙏🏻

[@unclepeteswildadventures]

Really enjoyed that James. You certainly are improving. You were good from the off, but these are high quality videos. Keep ‘em coming. Very nice location. Since you’re doing beach camps your wind-burner could double as a lighthouse 🤣🤣. 😱

[@joinmeoutdoors]

Hahaha that gave me a chuckle! One of my favourite things about coastal camps is the way all the lighthouse beams start sweeping across the sea once the darkness descends. I hadn't even THOUGHT about the fact that I could join in with them with my portable towering inferno! 😂 I'm glad you think my videos are improving - it's hard to judge from this side of the equation. Many thanks for those words 🙏🏻

[@unclepeteswildadventures]

@@joinmeoutdoors One little observation was that I thought there were some jumpy bits perhaps when you’ve edited. Haven’t noticed that before. Hope this helps. You are really good at speaking to camera and not talking too much. Hope you always enjoy doing it. I watch primarily for the wild camps, but your reviews are as good as any I’ve seen. Your videos really do help during my rehab. Bushman, Solo summiteer and Andy Beavers I like too. I think it’s wise to keep modest alcohol consumption too, unlike some others. Cheers. ATB

[@joinmeoutdoors]

Were these jumpy bits primarily in the first 30 seconds or so? I try to chop the dead air out of the intro portion of my videos as people can get bored if the beginning of a video is a bit slow-moving with me inhaling/thinking/saying "Umm" etc. I don't want to make things TOO intense though, so I tend to keep that approach to the intro section mainly. Sometimes I'm just editing out my bungled speech as best I can 😂 I enjoy technical feedback like this though, so thank you very much, and don't be shy to share these thoughts. Al, Dave and Andy put some absolutely amazing adventures and videos together. All three live up north - perhaps I need to move back! I sometimes like a can of beer, or possibly two, as a reward for reaching camp, but I'm not heading out to neck five tins and stagger back to my tent. Not really my bag! I really appreciate your comment, Pete. Thank you, and please keep recovering!

[@joinmeoutdoors]

@@unclepeteswildadventures I watched it back again and see exactly what you mean. The audio itself works fine, but I agree that it is almost unpleasant from a purely video perspective. It was just what I had to do to get around my crack-handed attempts to talk to camera and to cut out all the gaps 🤣 Intros are just another area I'd like to improve on, so I'll add it to the list! 😊

[@unclepeteswildadventures]

@@joinmeoutdoors I just noticed because I don’t think it was too prevalent in previous vids. It doesn’t spoil, it but it’s worth knowing. If you want advice as to how to really chop them to pieces just ask🤣🤣. I’m surprised my vids make any sense at all with my ADHD inattentiveness. I also apologise in advance for all my forthcoming Windburner jokes. Cheers pal.

[@IrelandRider]

You definitely started out late with this camp, but you got the sunset ......just haha👍 Saw some of your photos on Instagram which looked great, always better to see them live so to speak on your KZbin channel 😀. Great idea to cross section your tent pegs, I'd actually never thought about doing that, thanks for the tip.....again 😆. I gotta say its mad to try and look as though you was asleep and that you've just woken up when you've had to set your camera up for the shot, it made me giggle 😃. Trials and and tribulations of being a KZbinr ah? But I seriously applaud you for the effort 👌. Thanks James for sharing your camp, always great to watch, see you on your next adventure 👍 and don't stop camping and sharing, your viewers like watching 🤗

[@joinmeoutdoors]

It was a very late start as I didn't want to turn up early to a wet beach. Now I know that I could've been there hours earlier! Using pegs/sticks sideways like that can work well in snow, so I saw no reason for it not to work in the pebbles...and the same goes for sand. I'll certainly be using that technique again. I didn't really want to try to "act" as though I was asleep, but I do find that I end up lying out in the bivvy like that (morning and night) with my eyes sometimes closed, sometimes open. There's always a view, which I love the bivvy bag for. I'm really glad you're still enjoying the videos, and thank you for the comment 🙂 James.

[@IrelandRider]

You're welcome, they are a pleasure to watch 😊

[@NorwayHikesTrails]

Nice hike and camp, lovely sunrise. Thank you for sharing 👍

[@joinmeoutdoors]

Thanks Arnstein. Have a good weekend! 🙌 James.

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Awesome campsite! That is an awesome view for a camp. Nice video and channel. New follower here. Crow✌️

[@joinmeoutdoors]

Thanks Crow, I enjoyed this new experience! Welcome to my channel 🤗 James.

[@chrisstone801]

Great video thanks! You’ve inspired me to try a bivvy camp, although I must say I do prefer the luxury of the extra space a tent gives! Would be great to see you up in the Scottish Highlands some time. Cheers 🍻

[@joinmeoutdoors]

Thanks Chris! There is no denying that a tent offers more room and luxury, so I can't say I'm massively keen to use the bivvy in poor weather conditions (wet or cold), but there are loads of other benefits to bivvies when the conditions are right. I'd love some outings in Scotland! ATB James 👍

[@treklinda1309]

Great video. I have bivvyd only on top of Snowdon...seaside sounds exciting.

[@joinmeoutdoors]

Thanks Linda. That's a pretty big experience for your only bivvy adventure 😮 I hope it didn't put you off! Thanks for watching 👍 James.

[@TonyHobbs]

Very nice video thanks for sharing

[@joinmeoutdoors]

Thanks Tony. My pleasure 😊 James.

[@TonyHobbs]

Wow 699 subs a week ago now 750 very good going. You definitely inspired me to try this. I thought of it indeed I remember seeing a little cave overhang on a beach but just never got to it. Maybe I need to push myself to actually do it. You'll be on 1000 subs soon and we'll deserved and as others mentioned ignore doom comments just enjoy yourself

[@joinmeoutdoors]

Thanks a lot, Tony. That mini cave of yours sounds very interesting! All you need to do is push yourself enough to get out there with your gear. If you end up not liking the position, or if you're cold, or just don't fancy it once you get there...you can always head home, or sleep in the car. Chances are that you WILL enjoy it though, and will take all kinds of enjoyment from the experience. Thank you for your comment. James.

[@TonyHobbs]

@@joinmeoutdoors I think you're right thank you 😊

[@outandabout_oz]

Thanks for this, great video, the time lapse on the sunrise over the beach was awesome. Subscribed and looking forward to checking out you other videos. Good Luck! 🇦🇺 🙂

[@joinmeoutdoors]

Thanks a lot. I will definitely be doing a beach camp again so I can experience more sunrises like that. Welcome to my channel! 👋 James.

[@MarkOutdoors_]

a great beach camp. right on the edge of the water and looked perfect. i am yet to do a coastal camp and look forward to doing one now.

[@joinmeoutdoors]

Thanks Mark. You're not too far from some cracking coast up there, so I'm sure you can find a nice spot to give it a go 👍 ATB, James.

[@TheWalkingKev]

Well, I was intrigued when I saw your photos on Instagram of camping on pebbles, but it looks great and makes sense. No sand to make a mess, dries quickly after rain. I'm not convinced my sleep mats are thick enough to fully cushion me though...

[@joinmeoutdoors]

Yes it was all very new and intriguing to me too. I think a sleep mat probably does need to be at least 5 cm/2" thick to give enough separation from those pebbles. I honestly didn't feel a thing though. Result! Thanks for giving it a watch 👍

[@SemestaAventura]

Such a nice view and beautiful beach.. it remind me that i have just done a camping on the beach several weeks ago, and it become my first content on my channel.. have a nice camping bro.. and see you.. 🙂

[@joinmeoutdoors]

Then you know the feeling of waking up next to the sea as well 🤗 We are the lucky ones! Thanks, James 👍

[@chrisarnold4709]

Good video again James, nearly walked down to that beach when I was walking round the coast path not that long ago with the dogs but bu the time I'd had a coffee on that bench by the track junction I was tight for time so had to save for another day. Certainly a different experience of bivvying on the beach anyway and nice sunrise to boot. Keep em coming!!

[@joinmeoutdoors]

Thanks a lot, Chris. I imagine a coffee on that bench could make anyone late for anything, with those views to gawp at! I think a sandy beach could get messy, but arguably easier on the camping gear. Cheers for the support 🙏🏻 James.

[@chrisarnold4709]

@@joinmeoutdoors Agree!

[@MarkventuresNE]

This is awesome!! 👌🏼

[@joinmeoutdoors]

Cheers Mark! 🤜🤛

[@thevalleywalker]

Nice one James. As you were walking down Hurlestone Combe (or is it Bossington Hill?) I knew where you were headed. Lovely area I recall from trips to that part of the Country years ago. As I sit here watching this and look outside it's windy & raining (rain is much needed) but I am guessing this overnighter wasn't so long ago? regards Alan

[@joinmeoutdoors]

Thanks, Al. There is all kinds of charm in Exmoor, from the blue sea views to the eerie ancient woods. I love it. It is a bad of a "sit indoors and be thankful that you're not outdoors" day today, isn't it? This beach trip was only at the end of last week, so I'm really glad that I made the effort to get there before it was too late in the day. Ding ding! 🔔😉 James.

[@thevalleywalker]

@@joinmeoutdoors 🤣 ding ding . You won't forgive me for my minor rant I see

[@joinmeoutdoors]

@@thevalleywalker Haha no forgiveness required, and ranting is good for the soul! 😁

[@nicknickerson4674]

Hello from Florida!

[@joinmeoutdoors]

Hello! Send me some of your surplus sunshine please!! 😆

[@nicknickerson4674]

@joinmeoutdoors not this week. Wind, thunderstorms, and tornados. Came across your channel while looking up bivys. I have the OR alpine ascent. Love it, but was looking for small tarp/poncho to cover entrance/exit ideas? Best of luck! :) - Nick

[@joinmeoutdoors]

@@nicknickerson4674 Sounds rough!! 🤯 Those side entry bivvy bags do look good, and a tarp is definitely a good idea if you're not guaranteed perfect weather through the night. I don't own any tarps (yet) so I'm afraid I can't give you any helpful advice in that area. Sorry! James.

[@liamendresen]

Great video. Beautiful spot to camp. Do you still enjoy your bivy after a couple of times using it?

[@joinmeoutdoors]

Thanks Liam. Yeah I grew to love bivvying very quickly last year! The two things that stand out to me that would improve the experience are: 1. I think a tapered sleep mat would give me more height in the foot box of the bivvy, because my rectangular sleep mat pulls the bivvy bag tight at the foot end. 2. The mesh/door sags in a bit (particularly when left slightly open) and can lie on my face. I got used to it quite quickly, but would like to see if there's anything I can do to prevent that. The Rab Ridge Raider looks like it wouldn't do that, but it's almost twice the price of my bivvy bag, and I think this kind of thing is probably the norm for bivvy camping!

[@liamendresen]

@@joinmeoutdoors glad to hear you’re still enjoying it! I’m going to give the Helium Bivy a try this year and have a similar size pad to yours. I heard of some people using their pad underneath bivy so that it doesn’t take up so much space inside.

[@joinmeoutdoors]

Oh cool, nice one. We just need some dry weather now! Yeah I'm sure you could put the pad outside the bivvy if space is tight. Just need to make extra sure that there's nothing sharp on the ground that could pop the mat, and make sure it can't blow away 👍

[@markmurphy7356]

Another great video, don't worry about the "fact checkers"! Hope to see you back in Snowdonia soon. Atb Mark.

[@joinmeoutdoors]

Thanks Mark. Someone needs to keep me in check to stop me spouting nonsense all over KZbin 😂 I'm dying to get back to Snowdonia, and hope to do so this year. Thanks for the comment!

[@itsacorporatething]

Do you have issues with condensation in the bivy? Have you used it in rain before?

[@joinmeoutdoors]

I've only really used the bivvy in dry and fairly warm conditions. Humidity levels inside the bivvy are higher than in a tent, without doubt, but it hasn't got to the point where I'd call it "damp". I daresay it would be a different question in cold and/or damp weather, but I think that's the fairly unavoidable nature of bivvy camping. I do only have experience of this one bivvy though! James.

[@itsacorporatething]

@@joinmeoutdoors Thanks! I actually just got one of these but haven’t had the chance to use it yet.

[@Y2J3469]

Wrong knot used!

[@joinmeoutdoors]

I have to say that my "wrong" knots did what I wanted them to do, but it would be helpful if you could tell me what you think the "right" knot would have been? 👍