Solo Wild Camping and Hiking in The Lake District

Solo wild camping and hiking in the Lake District up on the ledge outside of Warnscale Bothy between Haystacks and Fleetwithpike , bit of a bucket list activity for me so i made a few purchases and drove the seven hour journey to Buttermere before carrying my osprey kestral 68l backpack with about 20kg of gear , at my level of fitness i must of been nuts ! Not so much of a photography vlog this one more me documenting my first solo wild camp , like all my videos , something to look back on in years to come.
If you want to get in touch or like to see more of my social media all links are available on my website at www.leepelling.co.uk
Music in this vlog from Thematic.org thanks to
Music by Zac Clejan - Breakthrough - thmatc.co/?l=DC64425E
Music by Amelie Leclerc - Heart Collision - thmatc.co/?l=FED86D0B
Chapters
00:00 Start
00:19 Introduction to the vlog
03:35 View from the climb up
04:12 Inside the Bothy
05:07 Made it to the site
07:35 Setting up the tent
07:54 What gear i brought up
19:48 Setting up for Photography
26:33 The Images
27:35 The Outro

[@alankemp3145]

Hello Lee, thank you so much for all your videos and tutorials. Coming back to photography since I retired, I have found your channel to be a tremendous help. Your trip to Warnscale Bothy was something else, really loved this one.Real respect for undertaking this one. Like you, I live in Kent but struggle to go 10 miles up the road to take some pictures. This has inspired me to try harder and not be so lazy. Thanks again.

[@LeePelling]

Hi Alan, thank you so much for your kind words. Glad you enjoyed this one. I love the Lake District and just wish i lived closer , this was initially planned as a two day trip but the weather was not looking good to be up a mountain so cut it short, i got to be honest it was fantastic to do but so tiring the long drive up the hike up and down then drive home ! Took me two or three days to recover lol But so glad i did it. Like most i guess i am really not that inspired by my local area but must try harder and get out more, thanks for watching and take care mate !

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Had to wait a few days to watch this one Lee but was well prepare with coffee and croissant to settle in and watch through this morning. It is one of my list shots over Warnscale Bothy - somewhere I really want to head one of these days. I always look at it and just think about the hard work getting up there so put it off haha well done mate for doing the trek. I don't think it's often appreciated how much extra weight camera, couple of lenses, tripod etc add when you're doing a hike up a fell like that - it isn't easy, these walkers don't know the half of it! That bed inflator is ingenious btw - not seen that before, great bit of kit. No light but who cares, the images as a set tell a great story, great stuff mate and off the back of quite some car drive as well, BIG thumbs up.

[@LeePelling]

Thanks Dave , it was hard work but well worth the effort, was a great experience. Had planned on doing two nights but weather was looking pretty stormy for the Saturday so cut it short, after getting back I'm pleased with the couple if images I did get and the memories it created, you have to give it a go one day its good fun !

[@hikesome]

Such a wonderful video of your adventure Lee. Great scenery and camping site. So nice that you guys have Bothies over there, in Germany you are not even allowed to wild camp. Happy trails, Mario

[@LeePelling]

Thanks mate, It's actually illegal to wild camp in the lake district however they tend to turn a blind eye if you are respectful of the environment and 99% of people are glad you enjoyed it , was certainly an experience ! 👍

[@JeremyPayne]

Now this is my kind of video mate, loved it all. Sensational landscape out that way and I'd live to shoot that landscape. Brilliant video and have a great week.

[@LeePelling]

Thanks mate, it's such a beautiful part of the UK 🇬🇧, sadly not as close to it as I would like , if I were closer I would never run out of locations to shoot, and the wild camp was an experience in itself. Thanks for watching , take care mate 👍 🙏

[@ervinslens]

Brilliant landscapes friend, big like for thumbnail!👌

[@LeePelling]

Thank-you it's a lovely part of the UK 🇬🇧

[@ClassicRockSolo]

Cappuccino and all day breakfast !!! Where’s the spit roast rat ? That looked a great experience mate and what a place to pitch a tent, awesome.

[@LeePelling]

Thanks mate , just wish we lived closer would be up there every set of rest days !

[@paulcookphotography]

Mate, that was a great video. I really enjoyed that! I've never been tent camping either and would love to do something like that. especially there with no wild animals to worry about. Can you just pick any spot and camp for the night? What amazing views from up there! Might not have got the light you wanted but those shots you got with the tent are pretty amazing. It really adds a pint of interest to an already amazing photo. Great work mate and glad you got to check that off your list!

[@LeePelling]

Thanks Paul , glad you enjoyed it, it is actually illegal to wild camp anywhere in the UK except Dartmoor national park or anywhere in Scotland. However if you are respectful of the environment they tend to allow it in the Lake district at least , as so many people now enjoy that experience and i can now see why, just wish i had done it a few years ago when i was a bit fitter lol , still a great trip !

[@johnpunnett1426]

Hi Lee, Got to say that was seriously 'hardcore'.. leaving Kent early doors, driving to the lakes & then that epic hike with the 20Kg backpack all in the same day..blimey you must have passed out when your head hit that pillow. Shame sky didn't behave for the photoshoot but still some great images. Funnily enough that whole experience is on my 'bucket list' also - I did try finding the Warnscale Bothy last time I was in the lakes but came in from the other direction (over the top of the hill) - spent a good 2 to 3 hours but never actually found it. The route you took seemed a lot more 'doable' Thoroughly enjoyed the vlog & loads of useful information - I got all the camping kit - just plucking up the courage to do my first solo camp.. cheers.

[@LeePelling]

Thanks mate, it was a long day but i really enjoyed it, even the climb up! That route from the Buttermere side from Gatescarth car park is probably the easiest route up . I have a Garmin Montana 700 GPS unit i use to Navigate by car and then hiking up the fell to the exact location i program in, its a fantastic bit of kit , any gps its advantageous for any type of fell walking. I did not really sleep at all just dozed on and off all night i think the wind was loud in the tent. This was my first wildcamp, something , like you, i always wanted to do. Having done it, i would say dont over think just go for it. This is an ideal location not a massive hike and the scenery is stunning, just wish i lived closer ! Look forward to seeing your outing when you do !

[@johnpunnett1426]

@@LeePelling cheers Lee - yes I'm fortunate that my daughter started Exeter university this year so I'll have lots of excuses to visit Dartmoor over the next 3 years - plan is to defo do a wild camp on there somewhere - just need to pick a location that isn't too far of a hike - I have one or two possibilities.. Like you also a bit gutted that the Lakes are so far away.. cheers,

[@LeePelling]

@@johnpunnett1426 visited Dartmoor a few times, not sure how the new wild campingblaws on Dartmoor effect it but I fancy Foggintor Quarry for a wild camp, again car park not to far away , but loads of potential areas on the Moor, good luck with it mate !

[@thevalleywalker]

Good Morning Lee, well bucket list or not you don't do things by half. The fact you got all that gear and drove 6+ hours then hiked up the hill with a 20kg pack I have to take my hat off to you - great effort. The experience wil stay with you I am sure for a long time and although you didn't get the sunset you hoped for I am sure the images you took will be ones that evoke a good memory for you. Couple of questions, how did you sleep, it looked like it might have been on a bit of a slope and if you were side on I can image (from my own experience) that you would have been falling off your mat? I have the UL 80 also (a recent purchase) as my thermarest is a little narrow. I didn't plump for the bag I bought the flextail airpump - its a fabulous little bit of kit and will pump the mat up in 2 mins - you can leave it and carry on doing other stuff. How was the Oex 300 fathom? I have 2 sleeping bags and I have a Alpkit Skyhigh 900 which is nearly 2kgs and overkill for me - only once used it on a mountain - I have a light bag but still searching for a lighter alternative. I look forward to seeing your next tent adventure - maybe cut down on the travel and do a local or some hills closer to home? atb al

[@LeePelling]

Thanks Alan, certainly was an experience but a good one , i can say that now ! Yes, sleep, hmm the wind really picked up and the tent was buffeting all night, might of dozed for half hour at a time hear and there but no real sleep, then a hike down and a 383.4 mile journey home. I see it on the video but at the time of setting the tent up it looked a relatively flat spot , however after getting in and onto the mat i was sliding to the tent door , it was late, dark really windy and could not even think about re pitching lol, getting up dressed and out for a comfort break in the middle of the night was hard enough !! All adds to the experience and now some found memories . The OEX sleeping bag is really nice plenty warm enough that night no issues with it at all . Thanks for watching and commenting, really appreciate it , i know this one was a little long and not for everyone . Take care mate , Cheers !

[@AndrewWaltonPhotography]

A great adventure Lee, shame the British Summer denied you a sunset you wanted but it made for a few interesting shots with the illuminated tent. I didn't envy you carrying that backpack though - the heaviest I carried whilst wild camping on Dale Head as teenager (outwards bounds type trip) was 16kg - I felt all that weight on the walk back to Keswick!

[@LeePelling]

Thanks mate, the pack was a challenge but worth the effort on the end 👍, thanks for watching mate

[@PartTimeTravellerChina]

great video. I really enjoyed that! Great work mate thanks for sharing new subscriber

[@LeePelling]

Thanks for watching and commenting mate, thanks. Thus was a trip and a half for a one nighter lol really enjoyed it though 😅 thanks for the sub hope you find more videos you like!

[@PhotosByFinch]

Great video Lee, always wanted to do this myself! I’m absolutely with you on being a fair weather camper 😂

[@LeePelling]

Thanks mate , was a long couple of days but worth it for thr experience, definitely plan on doing it again at some point 👉

[@sanclewphotographic]

Long way from Ramsgate Harbour Mate, I felt your struggle, sitting at home at my desk watching the video, but seriously I really enjoyed this, at my age although I still walk a great deal I don't go to the high places anymore, my photography is done a little lower down, are there a lot of calories in those boil in the bag meals some of them don't look very appetising, take care, keep safe, regards, Colin.

[@LeePelling]

Hi Colin thanks for the comments this was something i have wanted to do for a long time and when i was in the lakes with my wife i thought the area would be a perfect spot, and it is beautiful . The meals were ok , and pretty high calorie count i think to give you the energy needed i guess. We generally do a lot lower walking now but some of the most beautiful spots are from the bottom looking up . Take care mate !

[@luckysmiler]

That looked fun,but hard work well done enjoyed watching you.

[@LeePelling]

Thanks Alan was a far hike up but well worth it for the views out your bedroom window !

[@AndrewHamiltonPhotography]

FairPlay on the 9 hour trip to the car park and then the hike up Lee ! The views from up there are well worth it - some gear you got yourself and no wonder it’s weighty ! Often fancied a wild camp so good to what kit you had in your bag. The last time I ventured that way the cloud came rolling down the fells and I had to abort so at least you had a clear evening and captured the mood really well with the images - looked a great trip and don’t be disappointed with the photography!!

[@LeePelling]

Thanks mate, certainly was a great experience , looking back at it now and i am pleased with a couple of the images from that evening , i just wish i lived closer to the lakes so i could do this more often but it was something i had to do at least once , pleased i did, thanks mate !

[@DanielWretham]

That was an absolutely superb Vlog Lee ! Was so interesting to see the bits you took for your wild camp and a great insight ! Super jealous to not be doing the same and well done for doing it ! Conditions wernt on your side but like you said it’s about the experience! And that’s priceless ! Hope you didn’t do the chicken tikka for breakfast !!

[@LeePelling]

Lol no tikka mate , was hard slog up for someone as unfit as I, coming down was hard on the legs , but enjoyed the experience, one I will remember for a long time !

[@DanielWretham]

@@LeePelling one of your best yet mate ! Well done

[@LeePelling]

@@DanielWretham thanks mate , the photography was not great but what I did capture I was pretty happy with, thanks !

[@laughtersforever1]

Nice Video. Great Work. Amazing 🤩❣

[@LeePelling]

Thanks for looking mate !

[@Stainphotography]

Always wanted to camp there, how long is the walk uk there. I always seen to carry 20k when camping, I’ve tried to go light but always struggle. Great video mate 👍

[@LeePelling]

I went from Gatesgarth farm car park, £4 for a 24 hour ticket , only about 35 spaces i think . You can also go from the other side at Honistor slate mine car park. How long it takes and how long it took me are two very different things ! Took me well over hour and half i think to get up maybe nearer two but i was making frequent stops to look back and take it all in and catch my breath lol . Great little Bothy if you manage to secure a spot in there much more sheltered than a tent im sure !

[@Stainphotography]

@@LeePelling thank mate 👍

[@RobOutenPhotography]

Hats off to you Mate for jumping in the depend of wild camping. Now you've had a taste there's no going back, 🤣🏕. Shame about the Photography but when you combine it with wild camping the whole trip is an adventure. It was a great place to pick for your trip and one I hope to visit some day. Cheers for sharing Mate and take care, 👍 📸

[@LeePelling]

Thanks mate, its an easy route up , walking wise just the weight of the pack and my level of fitness that were the issues ! I was pretty pleased with the couple of images in the end but even more pleased i managed to do it , take care mate and thanks for watching :-)

[@RobOutenPhotography]

@@LeePelling yeah the sense of achievement makes it all worthwhile, 👍📸