How I Chose my First Wild Camping Spot

[@IntenseAngler]

Brilliant video Jem! Your tips and advice here are absolutely awesome and incredibly valuable... thank you for taking the time to share them! I couldn't agree more by the way... nature certainly does have a way of filling the soul. Cheers my friend.... -John

[@jemsjournal]

Thanks so much John 😊

[@IntenseAngler]

@@jemsjournal You're more than welcome Jem :-)

[@markjones127]

Good video, I'm an experienced wild camper and my main advice to anyone new is learn to be an extremely proficient navigator, buy a book or two on the subject and start learning all the basics then practice every time you go out, have a gps hiking watch which is a reliable source of accurate grid references, and always carry a paper map and compass, the charging cable for your watch and a powerbank, not only will it become impossible to get lost but the better you are at navigating the better you become at spotting good pitches just from maps, plus you begin to realise the wilder the location the better the pitch, and going off-piste away from footpaths is much more comfortable when you're confident in your ability to navigate.

[@inguzwulf]

Intelligence. An infectious smile. And.. ..You've got the bug! I agree: Recce places every chance you get (when visiting friends in their home towns, when on a walk, when on a hike, shopping in the next town over, when driving about, etc) and write down names/grid coordinates, etc when you can - keep a notebook (and pencil) on you (what3words is a good idea - I've not used it yet but if it works, use it). Don't worry too much about being chucked off of sites (I've a couple to my name) - figure out what caused it and try not doing the same thing again. Enjoy the overnights with friends and when alone. Don't knock yourself for acquiring too much kit (you can never have too much kit..can you?). And always try to smile in the rain..at some point you might actually mean it😉 Oh, and don't feel too bad if you don't get out as often as you'd like: life throws curveballs and you'll enjoy it more when you get back out. (Advice to me as well as to everyone else)!

[@jemsjournal]

Awwww thank you. Great advice! Ive spent a fortune on kit in the last 3/4 months and still have a list as long as my arm of things i'd like 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@leslieharding8560]

Hi Jem, Whilst out on a country walk with my wife yesterday and pausing in a wood to brew up on my stove, we talked about the possibility of her joining me on a wild camp. The main issue/ worry was lack of toilet facilities!. I guess that a lot of woman are put off wild camping for this reason, as for Men, its a lot easier to deal with this essential need!. Perhaps from a woman's perspective you could offer some advice/assurance to women who are unsure on how to overcome this issue, and maybe help them take that step into camping?. Maybe a dedicated channel for Lady campers?. Thanks for your great channel, look forward to your next adventure! 🙂

[@jemsjournal]

Hi Leslie, thanks for reaching out and commenting. If your wife wants to connect with me on facebook or insta then I'd be more than happy to have a chat with her directly. Will be easier to offer advice/reassurance if i know what it is specifically that makes her uncomfortable. I wouldn't want to assume and be way off the mark 😊

[@leslieharding8560]

Thanks Jem, I will pass on your kind offer to her. 👍🙂

[@kennethwilson8633]

Good information. Maybe camp next to a duck pond for a quick dip too. Have fun on your outings and stay safe.

[@jemsjournal]

I'm never gonna live that down am I? 😂

[@kennethwilson8633]

@@jemsjournal No forever known as the Lady of the lake.

[@baldywan]

Hi Jem, welcome to Wild Camping…or as i like to call it, Old School Camping😁 To help you ease into it, you might like to give these guys a watch…you’ll be able to gain loads of useful information from them: Backpacks and Bruises. (Two Yorkshire lasses who cover the Peak District and Lake District predominately) Camp Life Bushcraft. (Tends to cover the South East, but also likes to go to Dartmoor). Wild Camper. (As above, good friend of Camp Life Bushcraft). Paul Messner. (Mainly covers the Peak District, but is good for kit recommendations). Wildbeare. (Young lass, covers the South East but loves going to Snowdonia). Hidden Valley Bushcraft. (Former Royal Marine, covers the South West, highly recommended if you’d like to learn from ex-military). Hope this helps? 😊

[@jemsjournal]

Hi Neil, great recommendations! I already follow a couple of them but will check the other out too. Thank you 😊

[@adventureawaits5003]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@daves.7040]

Well done Jem. You’ve given some really good advice here. Well presented and interesting. Looking forward to your next video.

[@jemsjournal]

Thanks so much, I wasn't sure if it would be useful 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@leslieharding8560]

Hi Jem, Great idea doing this intro video to solo wild camping.Very useful tips to plan your first adventure. I am sure this will spur the undecided to take their first steps into wild camping. Brilliant stuff, keep the videos coming, such a pleasure to watch 👍. Have fun on your next adventure!

[@jemsjournal]

Thank you so much, I hope it encourages others to get out there 🙌🏼

[@davemassingham2096]

Great vid jem one thing to add if your heading up high always check and keep an eye on weather as things can change rapidly 😊

[@jemsjournal]

Oooooh Yes, this is a great one!

[@magicworldbyjorg]

..cool video keep up the great content.. Thank you…

[@jemsjournal]

Thank you for watching!

[@magicworldbyjorg]

@@jemsjournal Thank you very mutch... have a nice day.... see you….

[@soggz4246]

I’m off up Dartmoor this weekend. Weathers looking good. See you there?👍🏾😉

[@jemsjournal]

I think I'm heading to Wales this weekend. It's been 3 weeks since I've been out properly so I'm good and ready for it!

[@soggz4246]

@@jemsjournal Nice Jem. Watch out for Dragons…😉❤️‍🔥

[@rethinkingAIDS]

You forgot to mention the Dartmoor map which shows you areas that permit wild camping, if you had done your research correctly you would have found out your location was not a wild camping spot. Also you failed to mention that there is a Army live firing range on the northern moor, which OSMaps clearly shows. you was just on the boundary of the range.information about these are only a Google away.

[@jemsjournal]

You're correct on all counts. I did forget to mention the firing range and the Dartmoor camping map which I didn't check properly prior to my own wild camp. Thank you for bringing this to my attention 😊

[@ronaldrose7593]

Hello 👋 Jem, thank you for sharing this informative video. You brought out some great pointers. 👍 The best to you for your good health and safety. Have fun out there. 🤗

[@jemsjournal]

Hi Ronald, thank you so much! You too 😊

[@rikwhite8150]

Hi Jem Good information. Maybe the use of social media platforms could eke out a little more information on the areas people choose to go. Stay safe. 🙂

[@jemsjournal]

Another great way to check out an area! Thank you for sharing 😊

[@keith_d]

You're becoming quite the legend on here, Jem! Another great video…..I love the change of pace (I'm just sorry it took me 2 weeks to watch it 🙈 lol) Nice tips btw……I'm still a ways off wild camping yet but at least I finally have my camera gear sorted for my hikes……just need new boots now! 😂 K

[@jemsjournal]

I'd say boots are one of the most important bits of kit! Exciting times ahead for you! Thanks so much Keith 😊

[@keith_d]

@@jemsjournal oh absolutely they are! Too busy working at the moment to get them though haha

[@JM-xy8zy]

Woohooo !! Jem is back !! Looking gud hun 😘❤️ ..another gud video shared !! Glad u r enjoying life !! Lots love to u !! Godbless !! 👍😁

[@jemsjournal]

Thank you so much!!

[@JM-xy8zy]

@@jemsjournal yvw dear !! Keep smiling and have a wonderful day !!

[@stevenramsay7762]

👍👍👍

[@donhammer186]

Hi Jem. Another resource you might consider is topographical maps and a compass. I'm not sure if you have a forest service office with your government but, if so you should be able to get all sorts of maps thru them. Your equipment and load out sound well thought out. My concern with the trek was more for your personal safety and well being. If your close to a river, stay above the flood zone. Don't camp right on the trail. If your camping in a wooded area check above you for any tree limbs that might fall in a wind. Don't set your tent in a low spot, incase it rains... Other than that, you have a good head on your shoulders (a pretty one too!) make the best use of it. The only other concern I have is, that you have a good fist aid kit. You need more than just aspirin and band-aids... One more thing, a good personal water filtration system, life straw or similar. You can survive for a week or more without food, 72 hours without water and your in deep trouble! A good whistle is kind of handy too.

[@jemsjournal]

Hi Don, thank you so much! Some great advice here. I know I don't talk about it much but I do always carry my first aid kit and water filter just in case. I hope you don't mind me asking but what is your idea of a good first aid kit? 😁

[@donhammer186]

@@jemsjournal Good morning Jem. Well, maybe. I woke up to a broken coffee maker. Anyway, lets do this. The first thing I would suggest is to take a First aid class, that would give you the knowledge to use the tool's you might carry and, an idea of what you need in an IFAC (Individual First Aid Kit). I carry a set of heavy sheers incase I need to cut away heavy material like denim to access the wound. Disinfectant to clean, an antibiotic to dress covered by gauze padding and medical tape to protect the area. I even carry a suture kit, yes I have had to use it (OUCH!!) . Burn gel incase of burns... Elastic wrap for sprains or splinting broken bones. A foil survival blanket to help control shock. Imodium, Docusate sodium, Mole skin, Haha I can hear you now, "who is this nut job?!" I have spent extensive time in the wilderness and have done dumb things when not paying attention. One trip, solo, I was 150 miles from any help. The last thing you want is to sustain an injury you can't deal with alone. Now you have an idea why a first aid course should be your first priority but, it's the things that you don't think of that can kill you. You need to think about the time of year, terrain, altitude, water availability, temperatures and "personal fitness". The most important thing is a reliable means to call for help and be visible when it arrives. A good pair of boots are your best asset! Appropriate clothing and gloves, a good survival knife to cut the paracord you hope you remembered to pack, a way to start a fire, a foldable saw to cut needed wood... what do these things have to do with "First Aid"? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Okay, I don't want to bore you, I want to give you some things to think about. You already have the most important "bit o kit" and that is, a wonderful mind. "Oh"! Yes I do carry aspirin and band-aids as well.😁

[@jemsjournal]

@@donhammer186 wow loads of info here, thank you! Surprisingly enough I carry most of these things already dependant on the area and length of hike etc. Investing in a first aid course isn't a bad idea though!

[@johncochran9860]

Hello Jem It's always a good idea to share knowledge and you did it perfectly. Your points were well made with your usual common sense approach. Easy for any novice to understand. Happy Wild Camping.xx

[@jemsjournal]

You guys are always so encouraging and supportive! Have I mentioned recently how much I love you both ❤️

[@goldman509]

Great advice. 👍

[@jemsjournal]

Thanks for watching!

[@jimfarrell8466]

Excellent information for all us people who are going to do wild camping, I myself will be starting in a month or two and am lucky enough to stay in Scotland, so not stuck for places to find.

[@jemsjournal]

Thanks Jim, I wasn't sure if this would be beneficial to people or just a load of waffle 😂 so it's great to have feedback like this 😊 I hope to head to Scotland again in the near future. Any top spots you'd recommend?

[@jimfarrell8466]

@@jemsjournal There are so many to choose from Jem, I myself like the areas around Killin at the top of Loch Tay, quite a few Munroes about there and the views are spectacular.

[@craig3401]

All good sound advice tbh unless you have done a lot of day hiking and know an area really well then the majority of people do what you did you can bet someone as posted a hike or camp on you tube of the area you like.as for 1st time camp yes don't over stretch the distance especially in the mountains.also think about trying you gear on a campsite some sites do semi wild camping yes your car is close but they feel wild.another thing is try not to over think the what ifs.

[@jemsjournal]

Thanks so much Craig and great advice!

[@Allied-Aircraft-WW2]

Great informative video Jem. Enjoying your adventurous journey. Keep it up.

[@jemsjournal]

Thanks so much!

[@garethbirch7168]

Hi Jem keep the videos coming 👍 🙂

[@jemsjournal]

Thanks so much for watching 😊

[@renehillege]

Great video! I really like Komoot to find highlights and trails for a hike (or cycle tour). I'm sure others know similar sources or even better ones :).

[@jemsjournal]

Thanks René, I have used Komoot before and it's a great app. I really like Alltrails as well which is a very similar set up 😁

[@renehillege]

@@jemsjournal I'll check out AllTrails :D!

[@jemsjournal]

@@renehillege OS maps is really good too 😁

[@renehillege]

@@jemsjournal I'll check OS maps out as well, ghehe :)

[@billybunter55]

I personally think this would have been a great video while you were sitting outside your tent on your second wild camp, great advice though, I've had all the gear for around 4 months now and still no wild camp 😄🤭🙄

[@jemsjournal]

Hi Shannon, I agree, it would have been much better filmed outdoors and will try this next time I plan a video like this. Unfortunately, this time around my schedule/life didn't allow for it and my impatience of wanting to share the info overruled 😂