Solo Camping in a Tiny Tent (aka Mid Life Crisis!)

Bet you didn’t see that coming!!! I certainly didn’t 🤣
LINKETY LINKS:
Grand Canyon Cardova 1 Tent: amzn.to/3nDUiVh
Outdoorsman Lab Sleeping Pad: amzn.to/3Evpa0W
Outon Multifuel Stove (Jonny’s had this one for years and I can’t find the exact same one online. However this one looks to be similar): amzn.to/3Evp6OK
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Until next time, happy camping!
Jane x
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[@ksgonewild]

Hi!! I’ve just discovered your channel through a friend who stumbled across your channel and said you reminded him of me! 😂 I started with this vid as I do wild camping. I’m also in Cornwall and regularly camp on Dartmoor or in my dad’s wood in Devon. Looking forward to seeing more of your channel 😃

[@hedgecomber]

Howdy neighbour! Sounds like we may be separated at birth!!! 🤩

[@ksgonewild]

@@hedgecomber 😂 possibly!!!

[@hansfreekit]

mid-life crisis? Buy a tent - go solo camping - same here - no idea why! - Happy Travels.

[@hedgecomber]

Haha, snap! 🤣

[@susan319]

When I take dehydrated food backpacking. At lunchtime I put water into my dinner pouch just enough to get that hydration started then I don’t have to wait so long or use so much hot water in the evening meal. Works great for me doesn’t add any weight. In the evening after dinner I add water to my breakfast so that in the morning my breakfast is hydrated I just have to heat and heat

[@hedgecomber]

Susan, that’s brilliant, thank you 🤩

[@lorrieexplores]

Great video! Thoroughly enjoyed it! My husband and I winter camp in Canada, with temperatures down to -30 Celsius, but we have a hot tent and wood stove. But eating anything right before bed, preferably protein, makes your body produce heat to digest it. Also, get active right before jumping in the sleeping bag, like jumping jacks, that will increase your body’s warmth. And put boiling water in a nalgene or similar, put it in a sock and it makes a great hot water bottle! Sleeping comfortably makes all the difference in the world! Good luck with your mid-life challenge!

[@hedgecomber]

MINUS 30??????? OMG Anne, you put me to shame. It was about 10C 🤣🤣🤣

[@hedgecomber]

Ps thank you for all the other advice, I shall make a note if it all, especially the hot tent bit 🤩

[@lewisbowie9794]

What tent is it you use?

[@lorrieexplores]

@@lewisbowie9794 We have a Bereg MFP 4, with insulated floor, and we used the G Stove for heat and cooking. A very comfortable setup, albeit heavy! We use Pelican sleds to haul it into the backcountry.

[@EnglishCountryLife]

If you find yourself up our way, feel free to pick over my Bushcraft gear, a good mat is vital!

[@hedgecomber]

You sir are a diamond, thank you 😘

[@EnglishCountryLife]

@@hedgecomber Any time. You need a good pot too....maybe a little MSR pan...for .. actually cooking 😘

[@thomasmusso1147]

👍👍👍. Hello .. from a South African living in Switzerland .. Mid-life Crisis .. no fuss. Mine started when I hit my teens and now at 71, is still with me 😏. You seem to be pretty organised, so going forward into the wild shouldn't raise insurmountable obstacles. 'Practicing' close to home before going further afield .. excellent! I do mine (cooking gear and recipe stuff) on my 3rd floor flat balcony. Fortunately, I live on the edge of my little town and have a forest just less then 100m behind me. One tip .. if I may please? Don't use the Burner Screw-on Lid to put out the flame. It has a sealing gasket inside that will, as a result, get damaged .. and the they burner will leak fuel when stored (upside-down or similar). Rather use the 'Snuffer / Simmer Ring' that comes standard with the Trangia. Also .. when out Wild Camping .. alone, always, in case of anything unforseen, have a 'Plan B' for 'just in case'. Am looking forward to your future Adventures (and will have to check back on previous posts .. especially the dehydrating doodah's .. I have a lot to learn there). Take care .. be safe ..

[@hedgecomber]

Hi Thomas, thanks so much for your advice! I will definitely extinguish it properly from now on 👌

[@thomasmusso1147]

@@hedgecomber 👍

[@GimmeADream]

I've never felt warm (comfortable) on an air mattress, not even in the house on the floor. I thought having insulation between me and the air mattress might work but I like my bed too much to go tent camping. I'm thinking my midlife crises was decking out the bus, lol.

[@florianeve5290]

The Cardova1 is not tiny at all for 1 person, quite luxuiroius even i would say

[@theadventuresoflario]

Well if that's a mid life crisis, then bring it on...

[@hedgecomber]

My thoughts exactly! 😊

[@nigewebber1258]

just found your channel.... pop a silver windscreen cover under your mat for a bit extra warmth .love the cooking need to try some out now ... get a simmer ring for your burner so you dont melt the rubber ring

[@reneemccammon1935]

Amazing thank you!!!! So relate to this stage you are in. Music wow hit hard again Thanks 🙏.

[@reneemccammon1935]

Can you tell us the music in this video? Also saw your social media links can’t wait to check this out. Serendipitous very serendipitous

[@dustinrobinson58]

I swear by my Cardova tent.Brilliant piece of kit for the price.👍

[@Cyara248]

Lovely video. Nothing like living so close to the earth . Great idea to try stuff out so close to home. Down sleeping bag? Hammock tent? Loved how you cooked and dehydrated your dinner.... really cool! Thanks for taking us along. 😊

[@hedgecomber]

Thank you Chelle! I may have just treated myself to a down sleeping bag (the one I used in the video was a synthetic one). And yep, that dinner was really tasty!

[@alanjackson4646]

I cannot do this anymore, too many worn out, painful bits of skeleton ! A good underlay would be ‘Reflectix’ bubble wrap insulation. I use Lyons or Taylor’s coffee bags, no fuss and completely recycleable, and make they good compost. Glad to see you enjoying yourself. Regards AJ

[@hedgecomber]

I’ve got some reflectix leftover from the van build so will definitely give that a go Alan. Fingers crossed it does the job 🤞

[@Kayeecamping]

Thanks for the meal prep tips and for sharing your camping experience. I’m a newbie in terms of camping. Still learning.

[@jeanadamsick9854]

OH YES, I HAD WONDERED IF YOU KITTY WOULD COME OUT TO VISIT YOU & THERE IS, SHE'S SUCH A DARLING!!!!!! Do take care. Fl., U.S.A.

[@hedgecomber]

Yeah, she missed her mummy 🥰

[@stellaswan8488]

Oooh yes do what scares you. 👻💀👺👿👹☠️. Midlife crisis = spiritual awakening. 🏕🤩🙏🥰

[@hedgecomber]

I wholeheartedly agree re the doing what scares you, it makes for a far more interesting life 😊

[@gobstoppa1633]

get some IR binoculars for the nites.

[@ririeranggasari]

Halfway around the globe and I'm going through the same thing bar the documenting 🤗 enjoy! Be happy 😘

[@hedgecomber]

Oh, really?! That’s so cool to know I have camping twin Ririe!

[@user5.56]

i know a good thing i seen people eat while camping for a few days was homemade dehydrated spaghetti.. Also i think people forget watchin others on youtube everyone has there own life story..

[@hedgecomber]

That’s so true U5, we’re so used to mindlessly flipping through TV channels that we often forget KZbin is (mostly) real people just living their lives. And thanks for the reminder, I dehydrated spag bol before a road trip we took a few years ago and it rehydrated really well 👌

[@Dazbox]

Wheeeerrre arrrrre ya? 🥺 hope you’re doing ok.

[@munchkin0.o]

I wish I could be as free as you x

[@ValMB818]

Aww love how Sassy came to look for you!! Sorry to hear about the mid life crisis, been there done that, still doing that lol! My coworker and I discussed this morning how tired we were and how meh we’ve been feeling, but it’s Friday and payday, so home, bath and chill out with movies and a big bowl of popcorn! Have a great weekend Jane and enjoy that lovely greenery around you!!!

[@hedgecomber]

Aww, sorry things have got a bit meh for you Val, hope you perk up soon 😘

[@intuitionguide]

I love the song you chose 💗

[@juliewerner9592]

I did this just before winter this year, don’t know why to this day 🙉 but I had never been alone all night in a tent ⛺️ so hubby helped me scout out an spot near the river about 20 kms from our house and I did it !! Can’t say I slept much, but I had a bee in my bonnet and it rekindled my sense of adventure.. you go girl, new subby here from Australia 🌅🏕⛺️👌 ps, I’m nearly 60 😂

[@cdngirlntx]

Watching your video from Canada and I have the same mid-life bee in my bonnet lately! So glad I'm not the only one. I've been trying to convince my husband we need to get a camper but he's not keen so I've been thinking maybe I'd give solo tent camping a go. Today I got out the gear we have and it seemed to pique his interest in going now that we checked out the gear so I might have a partner to go with after all! If not, I'm going to be brave like you and give it a go starting with a provincial park a few miles from home.

[@Yuzu_1205]

I love camping! You have such a nice property for camping! I love waking up in my tent in a woods! I’m sorry you had a cold night. Sleeping bag liner might keep you warmer. Enjoy your adventure!

[@hedgecomber]

Yes! I have a liner (thanks Jonny!) and also have a 1 season bag I could use as another liner! Also bought some merino base layers that will no doubt help too 😁

[@jeanadamsick9854]

**** BRAVO, JANE!!!!! SO LOVE THAT LITTLE WOODEN, SPOON/FORK!!!! WHERE CAN YOU GET THEM? * GORGIOUS COUNTRY SIDE!!!!!!! *LOVE YOUR SHARE, JANE!!!* AND YOU TAKE CARE, LOVELY! Fl., U.S.A.

[@hedgecomber]

I picked it up at a market Jean, but I can’t for the life of me remember where though!

[@danielforde-pogson]

Can't believe that terrifies you. You'll be brilliant at this. (Must admit, I'd prefer the camper!! And summer...) Mmm...I thought that white block was your dehydrated water...

[@hedgecomber]

Can you believe I left my dehydrated water at home. What a twit 🤣

[@ZarlaTristan]

Aw wonderful... I love your enthusiasm... but I remember those awful cold uncomfortable nights in a tent. Hammock and tarp camp my friend.... it is a warm and comfy epiphany...!

[@hedgecomber]

Alas hammocks aren’t comfy for me. I have a knackered knee and a hammock always made it lock up and give me all the grief 😫

[@chrisgreen8916]

Hi Jane. With regard to the sleeping pad and insulation I see a lot of people on KZbin putting insulation between the ground and the pad. While this is a good idea I believe it is better to have the insulation between you and pad. That way, less of your body heat is going into warming up the air in the sleep pad. I have a cheap inflatable sleep pad from Lidl, its a different construction to yours, it has tubes that run the length of the pad. On top of the pad I have an even cheaper foam sleeping mat from B&M. Used directly on the ground, this foam mat is really too thin at 6mm and not suitable to sleep on because it compresses too much (at £1 in the end of season sale I am not complaining though) but it is very light weight. I use this foam mat on top of my inflatable pad and I believe it improves the comfort of the inflatable pad and does a good job of insulating me as well. Because it is on top of the inflatable pad rather than on the ground it does not compress as much with my body weight. I am sure a better quality/thicker foam mat would be even better. Try your yoga mat both under your inflatable pad and on top of your inflatable pad and see which you think works the best, I would be interested to hear how you get on. All the best.

[@hedgecomber]

Thanks Chris, that’s great feedback. I’ve got some silver bubble wrap that I’m going to give a go hopefully next weekend and I’ll plan to try it both ways and see if there’s a difference 👌

[@davidmbell]

Can I suggest much better tent pegs (you can get lighter v shaped ones) and insert at much more of an angle. Don’t want you blowing away! I get camping and alone. It’s a welcome break away from “stuff”. Take care Jane, be safe when you go it proper alone.

[@hedgecomber]

Thank you kind Sir! If there had any wind or heavy rain forecast I would have taken much more care with the tent set up, but I will go and investigate those pegs 👌 PS it would be quite a breeze that could carry me away 🤣

[@julesmorrissey]

Nice one! I always check out new kit in the garden and/or do a very local trip first so I can scurry home if it all goes horribly wrong....

[@hedgecomber]

Yeah, it would have been far colder on the moors Jules, so glad I tested it all here first. I’m not too proud to scurry home if necessary 🤣

[@JPLamoureuxsTravels]

Cool ….. literally lol, exped down or synthetic mat, just sayin 😂 x a good nights kip is imperative in the wilderness, also a protein rich meal before bed will slow release calories to keep you warm in the night too x love it! Made me hunger for some solo camping too xx

[@hedgecomber]

Ahh, thank you mista! I’ve got a couple of ways to boost the R value of the mat so will try it out again soon to make sure it’ll see me right on Dartmoor 😊 Interesting you say a protein meal before bed, is that for longevity of warmth through the night? I would have thought a carb heavy meal would have been preferable. Either way, I ate that curry several hours before sleep which I would change next time. Please share any other tips you have for me going out on my own 👌

[@JPLamoureuxsTravels]

@@hedgecomber Carbs are fast burning energy a nice lump of biltong/jerky is the way forward for a longer kip x X Anything you need to know you got my number 118118 😂😂😂😂 Oh Always take the time to pit the two guylines/outer tensioners up, if the rain comes in and wind whips up the outer flaps and will sprey you with condensation x A 2 min task can make all the difference at 2 in the morning when a storm flys through or the wind gets up x

[@JPLamoureuxsTravels]

oh plastic twizzle pegs are good for woodland or loose soil too... x

[@BumblebumBear]

I really enjoy your camping/camper van videos….be good to go wild camping x

[@hedgecomber]

Thank you 🙏 🤩

[@leishagreenleaf833]

Jane it's lovely to be self reliant and go camping ! I look forwards to your future adventures xx

[@hedgecomber]

Agreed! And thank you, I have a bit of crazy, camping related challenge brewing 😆

[@leishagreenleaf833]

@@hedgecomber I look forwards to that !

[@nickcahill8308]

Well done Jane. Enjoy.

[@hedgecomber]

Thanks Nick 😊

[@CharlesYarnold]

⛺+🐈=♥

[@hedgecomber]

For me, yes. For her, not so much 🤣 She was glad to get me home!