STEALTH-CAMP LOAD-OUT .... How to be a Covert Camper Part One

[@awatt]

Thats how i did it in lockdown. Just wandered about with everything in a large carrier bag and coughed if anyone came near me. Worked a charm.

[@suecharnock9369]

the cough was the real charm! LOL

[@servnava6601]

Watching from the US here and let me just say, we could not notice someone wearing camo any less haha. Just standard Tuesday clothing around these parts

[@thewheelchairprepper8070]

[@HighWealder]

I first went solo camping over 50 years ago when I camped and hiked over southern England, much of the time in stealth mode. My rucksack was red and highly visible, but if you are walking along a road or footpath by day, then nobody will take note. When nobody around I would slip into some bushes where i could watch and wait until dusk before setting up my tent and then gone at dawn.

[@lansdorf]

How can someone with a life expectancy of 3 score and ten claim to own something that's been around for billions of years, that land belongs to all of us and I'll camp where I want. Respectfully ofcourse.

[@Pyjamarama11]

He's just covering himself legally to not be accused of encouraging us to trespass The whole point of stealth camping is trespass Fill your boots !

[@remereme3225]

Agreed I really don’t care what the laws say. The land is all of ours. I will go where I want

[@thomasmusso1147]

​@@remereme3225 Yes ... but within the boundaries of Consideration and Respect for others. Think about it ..

[@thomasmusso1147]

@@remereme3225 It is not.

[@jonfisher9214]

Fine as long as you understand some people have worked bloody hard to afford just a couple of acres of woodland. Ownership means learning forestry skills to keep the woodland healthy and diverse. If it was all open access then no-one would care and problems with fly-camping would be far far worse.

[@silvafox8371]

I've joined the " nearly wild camping " organisation - they have many many places around the UK where we can camp in the countryside legally - and another great vid 👍

[@andrewking7672]

I wish I could “like” a video more than once. This is probably the best explanation of “stealth camping” I’ve seen. Realistic load out for three season outings that could be cut down a bit in the warmer months. Absolutely love the “half-full” rucksack idea. Your channel continues to be one of my favorites.

[@dannierobinson937]

I live in Illinois...land of fences

[@soggz4246]

Hi Neil. Great vid. Rules are only broken, if you get caught, don’t forget. Another thing that has sort of, or will ruin stealth camping, is people bragging about it and plastering it all over instagram and Farcebook. All the best.👍🏾🇬🇧⛺️

[@Pyjamarama11]

Hardly stealthy is it LOL

[@soggz4246]

@@Pyjamarama11 No. But people just have to brag, don’t they?

[@CottonBud]

What about KZbin?

[@robertfreeman6082]

As always great video. I was listening to it when my wife was around and we both had to laugh when you mentioned your friend who, instead of a rucksack, went stealth camping using two shopping bags. “Fine for stealth camping behind Tescos” quipped the wife.

[@caroleecole3140]

I'm new to backpacking. Although I'm not sure I would do "stealth camping", I really enjoyed your video! Great idea to have backpack half full and using an alcohol stove. I also love seeing tea being packed....here in the States, almost everyone drinks coffee, except me!

[@anthimatter]

Great video mate! Living in Queensland, Australia I have to stealth camp a lot because camping rules here absolutely SUCK unless I want to spend my night with drunk adults and screaming kids. Thankfully, I can leave most of that kit at home; even in winter. Warmth at night is a woobie in its poncho, a NATO pad and a blow up pillow from Alton. A mozzie net helps in summer and spring. My pack is an Austrian ALICE rucksack with straps instead of a frame. It's a nice dark OD. One warm pullover and a beanie covers personal warmth. Otherwise, a very similar loadout for me. Excellent information, can't wait for part 2.

[@GLEN1061]

Scariest thing is this Utopian nightmare is now well and truly entrenched in Australia! Thanks UK our Government Goon Squads salute you!

[@badhat3051]

These two videos are well worth the time to watch

[@Smokdeel]

One of the best youtube bushcraft channel in my humble opinion.Sharing knowledge and experience rather than fancy shiny expensive gear. Thank you 🤠👍

[@hiddenwoodsben]

welcome to the "non-permissive-environment", that's how we're doing it in germany basically since the war. top tip: all the stealth doesn't help if you then snore like a sawmill.

[@stevemorris3710]

That's funny about the snoring! :-)

[@hiddenwoodsben]

@@stevemorris3710 thank you 😁 it stems from experience, though!

[@bobbyd4400]

I like your video very peaceful and relaxing 😊

[@thewheelchairprepper8070]

Shameful that you have to do this in the EU...we are lucky here in the USA to have the vastness' of woodlands in most areas...TIME TO HAVE A "LONDON TEA PARTY" take care my friend!!! PS I ENJOYED THE VIDEO! WELL DONE!!!👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@treksntarps]

Some interesting thoughts and tips there . Looking forward to the next vid . Nice one 👍. Take care 🏕

[@paulmarren7970]

i like how simple your approach, everytime i watch i feel youve taken a while to think the video through. and the subjects are never too far from the line. you are among very few others who also keep it simple and true to the spirit of the outdoorsman. its champion sir. 10/10

[@ozdavemcgee2079]

Sea to summit ultra lght insulated pad. Excellent even for side sleeper of 120kg. Downside its bright orange. Problem solved by using a snugpak bivi as a matress cover just keep it all rolled up together. Without a doubt a great matress. Saw a review on the Outdoors Gear Review lashed out havent looked back already had the bivi a bit tight for me so reporposed it both lightweight small bits of kit

[@gbmadventures]

Awesome Mate, I am fully motivated to do this, you certainly know your stuff.

[@GavTatu]

i just go where people don't. there's a few stealth camps i wanna do, but not take my car, just get the bus, and a short walk... so i'm gonna take a holdall... totally innocuous.

[@kennethwilson8633]

In America we call stealth campers Homeless People…Nice load out have fun stay safe.

[@anthonyjacobs6790]

Thanks for another great video. Common sense advice, as always

[@bradfry5403]

Many thanks really enjoyed that, definitely going to try and get into stealth camping in the next year or so but will definitely need to keep the pack size down to minimal so that was a good video.

[@canadafree2087]

A lightweight art canvas stand and a canvas = "painting" in the woods.

[@CHUNKYNUGGET666]

Props for doing what you gotta do, fts!

[@iofthefox2723]

Ever thought about the green areas between motorway intersections? Absolutely no one would assume you're there.

[@Mark-f7o]

Wow I really love these Loadout videos like yours mate..love your channel and watch from Australia 👍. Take care K.

[@stuartb9194]

Very useful video, thanks. How common is it for campers to get trespassed from land if they are found stealth camping?

[@karenporter3156]

Great video, thank you. Looking forward to part 2.

[@macaw6718]

hi and many thanks neil for another very interesting and informative video. kind regards.

[@davidanderson688]

Just discovered your channel ! Great videos very informative .since retiring I plan to go walking more .Do you know when your alcohol stoves are stock ? The puck ones I think you call them. Many Thanks

[@leroybrown1580]

Very cool video! Greetings from Germany.

[@marksadventures3889]

I do a similar system. I've just cut down the camera bag - 1 power bank 2 tiny cams and Sd box - I keep the readers and micro sims in. I was carrying lights with tripods and allsorts, not from now on - tiny tripods for action cams instead light will be headtorch or lantern only if required to keep that light signature down. I just built a new pc - just for music production and videos - I can use 3 or 4 apps to do that, cheap or free. I do know the sound problem so - I do the video and put in on YT - then use another way to see the video and check it's quality set to Private, then I can remix and edit before launching the final version. Many more videos to come yet.

[@Charlie-sr6dv]

All good advice as usual.👍 In addition to what you have brought I would also bring basic toiletries - tooth paste and brush, deoderant- plus a face cloth / small cloth to wet with a little water to clean and wipe the sweat from my body. Nothing worse than sweat chilling on you or feeling smelly and dirty. A swiss army knife or similar also a must just for the reassurance that if you need to cut something you can. 😂

[@mrbeeoutdoors3213]

Being smelly and dirty is great, helps keep the townies away...

[@PreparedPathfinder]

I covered this fairly recently too. Two points I'd say about your kit; 1. You could've gone for a smaller daysack, that looks less like an overnight pack. I don't see the point of having a larger pack that isn't full. 2. You'd have to be very close to hear a gas cooker. Literally a few metres away.

[@greencraft4783]

Cheers Tom. Guess I need a larger daysack as the roll mat takes up too much space inside and I don't want it outside. The gas burner always seems so loud in use , especially after dark, perhaps its me being over precautious. As a former professional stealth camper I know your advice is backed up by a lot of experience.

[@PreparedPathfinder]

@@greencraft4783 thanks mate. Those gas cookers sound pretty noisy up close but not too bad as you move away. Obviously your one would be silent though. Fair one ref the roll mat, l only use a compact inflatable sleep mat, a bit like yours.

[@Jimimac73]

Its perhaps not the fact that the noise of a gas stove would give your position away, moreover that you wouldn't hear someone approach until last minute...

[@PreparedPathfinder]

@@Jimimac73 I get your point, but lets not get carried away here. We're not talking about VC sappers coming to slit your throat. A decent gas cooker will boil your water rapid, and you should be keeping a lookout whilst you're cooking.

[@mrkultra1655]

Thanks

[@ashwoodoutdoors]

Another great video Neil very informative

[@Pyjamarama11]

I like to add an FRH to my kit and avoid flame altogether Keeps one's privates warm too (once its cooled a bIt)

[@woodypigeon]

You still stand out as looking like an outdoorsman with those earthtones. On the flipside, what you are wearing blends very well into the outdoor surroundings. I suppose I would try to look more urban, but in a muted way. Some greys and browns in there. Maybe a touch of rust. I tend to wear long coats in cooler weather, keep lots of stuff in my pockets.

[@CottonBud]

Long coats make you look like a flasher

[@woodypigeon]

@@CottonBud Lol

[@dannierobinson937]

I was out hiking country road yesterday..i came across two properties that had the pond between them fenced across the water...smh

[@thomasmusso1147]

👍👍👍 .. good post. 'Stealth / Wild Camping' .. a highly contentious subject open to heated debate at times. Me? I am all for it .. I 'play by the rules' and LNT. 'Others' who do not .. BAN THEM! However, how does one (self or otherwise) 'enforce / police' that? Most .. at least many Rules / Laws / Regulations have come about due to a minority doing silly things and worse. Compliance to such 'restrictions' is what, inter alia, allows for an order, structured society. Unfortunately, as with almost everything, 'things can go too far in many ways'. The few spoiling it all for the many. Designating large areas where Wild Camping is permissible is a way to go. However, the enforcing of behaviour therein can be an issue. Areas where Stealth Camping is technically 'illegal' .. BUT .. provided the incumbents (on both sides) 'play the game' (I will stay under the radar and LNT while you turn a blind-ish eye .. with both parties knowing and complying fully with the 'rules' ..), is for me, a good one. The Land Owner / Guardian knows that if necessary, they have legal recourse to hoof offenders off the property and use the long arm of the law if required, to do so. The wild camper can experience the pleasure of enjoying the outdoors in a raw form with the 'thrill' of possibly getting caught and whatever consequences. Perhaps, a healthy dose of Respect and Consideration (LNT) on one side and Tolerance (non 'Dog in Manger' mindset) on the other, could be Oil to soothe Troubled Waters. Sadly, there will always be the few who will ruin it for the majority .. Camper and Land Owner. Once again, a good informative post .. thanks for sharing and I look forward to the next on this subject. Until then, take care ..

[@johnrutherford4042]

Good tips and video ,good effort well done

[@lukewardle3515]

I'll generally recon my campsite before the trip when I don't have any gear with me to raise eyebrows. It also gives me the opportunity to clean up my site so I can get in late and pitch up quickly. Also it goes without saying I leave my bushcraft knife at home, as I don't have permission to camp, I don't have a reason to carry a fixed blade. A SAK is more than enough. I use an NIR compliant military Basha. If anyone's out hunting with night vision equipment, which is becoming more common as the tech becomes cheaper my setup isn't going to glow in the dark. Even some really good camo stands out like a sore thumb under IR.

[@ericcook8422]

Good video. Appreciate it.

[@ChrisDraussen]

Shopping bags, that's so depressingnif you are a honest bushcrafter. Feel so pitty for thenguys there.

[@marksadventures3889]

Always great videos mate but a sound issue - I'm sure you'd want to be told, loud in and then very quite so then it goes back up again - when you're listening to videos with amplification you are in danger of upsetting the neighbours and if on headphones in dander of damaging your hearing, Thankfully that wasn't an issue as the neighbours are deaf. But I thought I'd make you aware.

[@TheDavewatts]

Great sense ideas.

[@begbie672]

That sounds about right in England, Come serve your country but don't dare camp anywhere. 😅

[@thewheelchairprepper8070]

👍🙏

[@John-wo5bp]

Neil interesting video it's not safe to camp out unless you has permission for private land I always carry my shillaglah walking stick I hand carved i loves carving spoons too i go deep in woods away from public as a legal pocket knife can scare people 👍🇬🇧🦊🐾🍀 i carve your items from your videos helps my anxiety and depression much obliged

[@gwpattrick]

Is this the reason why i haven't seen that Giles Binyon guy or did he pass away. Ive been wondering about him. I have been watching the dartmoor pod cast guy too.

[@jimcy1319]

Let em outlaw camping, they'll just have to deal with a load of camping criminals.😂

[@GLEN1061]

Scariest thing is your Utopian nightmare is now well and truly entrenched in Australia these days, thanks UK our Government Goon Squads salute you!

[@CottonBud]

Great vid and some sound advice. Must take issue with the insistence on only eating boil in the bag though... cooking up some noodles, rice, fresh veg and even fresh meat after dark on an alcohol stove is nowhere near as compromising to your position as, say, making a KZbin vid and talking to yourself in the middle of the woods. In the UK it's just generally middle aged men (and a few women) playing Boy Scout, it's not the Zombie Apocalypse. If you can't enjoy some half decent food in nature you end up cutting your nose off to spite your face in my opinion. Why are we doing this after all? It's meant to be fun and relaxing, not a trial 👍

[@timec2002]

Why don’t you pre-attach your jungle knots to your basha? Just as along as most people I’ve seen do that to save time with deployment of their overhead cover. Cheers.

[@greencraft4783]

It's so I can change the configuration dependant on my surroundings and conditions. I may rock up and find that my A frame set up needs to be a plough point for example.

[@myfticd7054]

I thought the rights to camp on Dartmoor remained from the time people exercised their common right to graze their their livestock on Dartmoor so they could stay with their flock or herd, so if you took your pet pony up on the moors to graze them you’d have the right to stay with them

[@BourneOutside]

Great video, Neil and thanks for sharing. Is that the ROC pack and are those pouches removable? More and more of my kit is moving over to your style now.

[@greencraft4783]

Tim, thanks. That pack is the Delta 55, it's smaller than the Roc (70ltr). The Roc is an excellent pack if you can get one at a good price. Look out for the genuine side pockets too.

[@BourneOutside]

@@greencraft4783 Thanks for your time, Neil. Most appreciated. I think I am turning into you 😁

[@geoffdwarren]

👍

[@antonybuckley2645]

My fear is dogs off their leads was attached as a teen and still nervous

[@bobgeldoff]

A video using common sense lol i like it

[@NikkiEvernight]

Ahh, it's not actually illegal. Trespass is a civil offence UNLESS you do it in a protected site OR refuse to move if asked. Atleast in the UK. Good video and advice though

[@margaretadler6162]

I didn't see your Mor's scarf! I thought you always carried it?

[@greencraft4783]

Thanks Sam, I knew I forgot something

[@teeeff5179]

it's a shame that it's come to this but great info. 👍✌🖖

[@marksadventures3889]

Hiya Neil after one of your Greencraft patches but only see stickers in the shop, can you send me a link please.

[@greencraft4783]

Here you go: www.etsy.com/uk/listing/648811045/the-greencraft-woven-patch?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=greencraftshop&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&organic_search_click=1

[@finncampton839]

hey mate im after a pair of gloves like those do you rember where you got them from? cheers

[@greencraft4783]

They are an old pair of soldier 95 gloves with the goretex stripped out.

[@rcfokker1630]

I did some experimentation, during the time of the "Great Hysteria" to determine the minimum amount of gear required for a decent night's camping ... in Summer. So, I first tried tarp+foam mat+the clothes I stood in. That amounted to a T-shirt, thin woolen jumper and a light smock (a bit like yours) ... Oh, and a woolly hat. Very uncomfortable, owing to the cold. Managed a couple of hours kip, until about midnight, then miserably cold. I didn't use a fire, or construct any snug little shelter. The idea was for a quick, simple and discreet camp-out. But, you mentioned a bivvi-bag. I've never used one of those, and I wonder whether the combination of bivvi-bag+foam mat+ regular clothes would make for a tolerable night. Maybe one of those inflatable mats would be even better. I think that half the battle is keeping cold, damp night-time air away from your body. I've had the best success using a hammock. Haven't been able to do without a sleeping bag, tho.

[@banksarenotyourfriends]

They're not cheap, but a Fjellduken Jervenbag might suit you if you've got money to throw around - the 'Exclusive' model has an optional liner which makes it a pretty decent sleeping bag+tarp replacement for 3 seasons. The downside is you need to have a spare kidney to sell to pay for one.

[@rcfokker1630]

@@banksarenotyourfriends Very nice. The insulated version is about £340. I'm not so dedicated a camper that I could justify that outlay, but I can definitely see the appeal of this equipment.

[@Nofixedabode859]

Not too different to bushcraft kit really just minus axe and saw and more discreet tarp👍

[@davehumpleby3440]

Is the definition of stealth camping really 'camping without the land owners permission'? I was under the impression it just meant camping with the intention of going undetected. There is a difference as the latter could just mean not being disturbed by hikers, dog walkers etc. Please clarify.

[@CottonBud]

All wild camping in England and Wales is inherently stealth camping. If you have permission, it is known as a ‘permission’ camp, not really wild or stealthy, and you wouldn’t be worried about dog walkers etc. Chances are THEY would be the trespassers.

[@MrTerrywarren610]

Are you Stealth camping in North Korea ❓

[@larrylightle9108]

What pack is that and where to get it

[@tobystreks5187]

I snore waaaay to loud to ever stealth camp 😢

[@ChrisDraussen]

And alao if you go stealth camping, someone will see you, even with night sight protection. So move to another location, it's worrth it.

[@louisdturner]

Hi what berghaus backpack is that? Thanks

[@greencraft4783]

It's a Delta 55

[@louisdturner]

@@greencraft4783 Thank you

[@gordaro2828]

Not a reflextion on you, mind...BUT...ridiculously ironic that where some people live 'Crown Land' is of public use and shall be free. As for the recent coronation of your 'whatever'...well, keep stealth camping...soon it'll just be refered to as unseen homeless. Cheers.

[@peppercornsauce5067]

5:15 I think they call that "social conformity"..?

[@user-nv8pq7zr8q]

Too many people; this was bound to happen. BUT your pack is a dead giveaway.

[@Jameslow2486]

Please remake in metric.