Wife's First Wild Camp Ends in Disaster - Emergency Night Hike On Dartmoor

A bit of background, I am an experienced wild camper and have slept everywhere from hills to woodlands, ww2 pillbox's to quarry's and everywhere in-between . My two kids have been wild camping in amazing places as well and always happy to camp anywhere we find that's suitable. This is my wife's first time, she's not really into the wild camping thing (which is fine). It all started well and all were having a grand old time until we started to be ready to sleep , then we had to moo-ve it due to some very unwelcome visitors .

[@WildCamper]

I am getting notifications of messages being left here , but for some reason many I can't see when I click on them to reply , so not ignoring anyone deliberately!💕

[@TonyHobbs]

Hello I am watching and a bit concerned at what happened and your reaction. I have over ten years experience on the moors with a dog and camping in a tarp and tent. Please don't do what you did. I fully understand you're worried and family were afraid. But they won't trample camp they won't do anything and your concerned attitude is not clearly thinking. I'd suggest ignoring them totally. They will soon get bored and go away. I'd also suggest not moving away from tents. Yes I understand the kids getting on tor and wife too. But I'd have stayed by camp and stood outside. If you have walking poles hold one hold one if they get too close. Don't scream and shout that will attract them. Yes a few stern words goes down fine but nor that clamerous noise. You'd have been fine to just wait them out. Having said that if you feel safer moving that is best thing for you. Better luck next time. Some of my videos has cows very very close.

[@WildCamper]

Honoured to have the great Tony Hobbs comment! I have seen your videos for many years now. Yeah it was a difficult decision and one that possibility would have been difficult had I been solo. Recently was out at nuns cross and had a similar situation and as you say they moooved (sorry couldn't help it) on. I couldn't take the chance with the kiddies there but appreciate your watch and comments 👍ATB Rob

[@TonyHobbs]

@@WildCamper hi Rob appreciate your reply. Yeah it's definitely tricky. I'd not have gone over to them at the start just monitored them. Keep the family quiet and calm just say they'll go soon. I know you know but no one in comments said anything and people watching you clearly have a big following might think this is how to deal with it and put themselves in a difficult situation. Ignore them guys they will pass. It looked like less than a handful of them. Cows get such a bad rep lol Tony on cow guard lol 😆 good luck with channel looks like you're doing well. Stay safe :)

[@eyeofthetiger4184]

G'day Rob, kudos that you shared the challenge mate, many would have chosen to leave that out. Totally correct decision, especially with the fam. Home in good order, there's always next time. Good lighting is always essential for whatever comes your way; like that you showed the map too, (before and after). Gives a great sense of the whole scenario. All round, totally agree, it was actually quite a successful trip in many respects. Well done to you and fam. Cheers Duke.

[@WildCamper]

thank you for watching and your comments Duke , hope all good down under mate. atb Rob

[@CampLifeBushcraft]

Such a shame, it was shaping up to be a great camp. Everyone was happy and settled. I think you did the right thing ultimately. Can’t be too careful with your little ones in tow. I hope it hasn’t put Louise off! Maybe try again in a woodland just the two of you. Lots of love mate x

[@WildCamper]

A foursome in the woods?! That'll get you some views 😉

[@mountainmantararua8824]

Cows by nature are very curious creatures, they just want to see who's there. Yes, they can be a little stubborn and can turn nasty but by and large they will leave you alone. Have had encounters like this many, many times. It's a battle of 'wills'. I have to admit it did raise a smile or two seeing you deal with it, a family gone crazy😂😂 Should have had the bravest one move away with a bright torch and drawn them away. Enjoyed the video. ATB Cheers from the mountains of NZ

[@WildCamper]

it was a tough one , had i been solo I would have stayed .... i think :)

[@tonycritcher3419]

Cattle may well use those rocks as a wind break for the night and been coming home to bed. But as you say, a foot in a guy rope could be the start of a tent coming down and causing panic and injuring the family. I think if I was alone, I might have packed up the tent and hunkered down amongst the rocks in case of injury walking out in the dark. I've done a fair bit of wild and car camping and love being out and about. And enjoy most all of that the days and nights can throw up. Even camped out on the farm we lived on in Kent where we had at least one black leopard. Of course, I never got to see it whilst camping, but I reckon it knew where I was. Wild camped without a tent in woodland, under hedges, a straw barn, a sandstone cave and even whilst car camping, have slept better on the ground next to it.

[@WildCamper]

Agree I would have hit the rocks but with the others had to move out! Love a bit of wild camping !

[@GraysOutdoors]

Well done to the family. Very happy nobody was hurt on that night hike back

[@WildCamper]

Us too! Cheers for watching 👍

[@rickh.9543]

I know I shouldn’t chuckle Rob however your horse whispering calls / skills made me roar with laughter. I hope it doesn’t traumatise you and the family too much. 😀

[@WildCamper]

Cheers Rick, I can laugh at myself so no worries 😄

[@tooncrier]

Well done to the Team and Mrs Wild Camper, sounds like it's not put them off! Glad you stayed safe, definitely the right decision!

[@WildCamper]

Always a win when you get home safe 😄

[@Linleys]

Oh my gosh! I had no idea that cows could be so intrusive. Good call to escape. Your family did VERY well to keep it together and deal with the concern so well. I've only tented out on one trip so don't know Dartmoor cattle really, are they more unfriendly than in other areas I wonder. I hope you get back out as a family next year and enjoy a trip out - you deserve it! Thanks for sharing your story. Cheers, Warren :)

[@WildCamper]

Thanks Warren, was scary to think what might have been! Cheers for watching 👍

[@welshboyoo715]

I'm not afraid of cows, grew up with them. But Rob, you made the right call there, they are incredibly curious beasts, but not known for walking about in a delicate way. Great family camp, at least Mrs Wild Camper wasn't put off by the experience. It is good to share when things don't go as planned, a lesson for us all. Greets from chilly Wales, Dave G.

[@WildCamper]

Very true dude! +4 here and feels colder!

[@Taffwildmanofthewoods]

Rob, nothing wrong with showing what can go bad. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, I'm sure you've reflected what you could have done differently? I've had sheep walking into my guy lines at night and being very vocal, not a good combination for decent sleep. Glad to here you got back safely atb Taff 🤠👊

[@WildCamper]

Sheep getting tangled up you say?.... 😜🐾🐾

[@JackKlumpass]

Always best to ignore them and deffo don’t go near them is they’ve got calves with them, some of their offspring won’t look like calves but they’ll still be double protective and you don’t want to freak them out. If you don’t give them an audience, they’ll soon bugger off. If you’re spooked you could trigger them. Well done on hiking back in the dark and at least you’ve had experience of striking camp with urgency in the dark.

[@WildCamper]

Yeah a difficult situation which maybe would been handled differently without the kids with me but live and learn and all that , thanks for watching and the comments rgds Rob

[@JackKlumpass]

@@WildCamper oh well, at least you know now for next time. 👍🏼

[@theslowwalkhome7314]

Absolute fucking nightmare, your kids and wife and you were faced with the only decision and did the right thing !!!

[@WildCamper]

It was so disappointing, kids and wife were excited to camp out . But yes it was a shame indeed!

[@HardyBunster]

Looks like you were camping on their patch.......😲

[@WildCamper]

I reckon your right!

[@normanvalentine1775]

I do not want to appear to show off but the only wikd camping that I have done was in Africa. We had to contend with elephants and lions, they gave us some scary moments, but the best thing to do was to ignore them. Because cows are more used to humans they may be more of a problem.

[@WildCamper]

cool , getting squished by a elephant and a cow would, I imagine be equally bad :)

[@BurtReynoldstash]

Good on your mrs & boys for giving it a go. Bit of an epic first wild camp, aggro locals went giving up their spot lol . Should’ve told em to moooove on lolz 😆

[@WildCamper]

Yeah shit us all up, really made me rethink camping in areas where there is any livestock about.👍

[@BurtReynoldstash]

@@WildCamper yeah definitely good job you saw them coming back before you bedded down. Cows can be really unpredictable and dangerous if they’ve got calves with them. I took my mrs up kinder scout once wild camping. She moaned about the planes from Manchester taking off all night. 😂 I did take my 9 yr old daughter too last summer and she loved it.

[@WildCamper]

@@BurtReynoldstash sadly only a few ladies enjoy the real outdoors 👍

[@BurtReynoldstash]

@@WildCamper my mrs is a great hiker (been up blencartha sharp edge, helvylln. Highlands of Scotland. I think her imagination gets the better of her. She thinks someone will move us on, Jason from Friday the 13th lol. . I’m like no one is moving you on. Lol. Your video with the family might inspire her to do a wildcamp as a family again maybe. Atb

[@oddmanout98]

Good call in my book. You have to do what you feel is right, given the set of circumstances you are in. It's always different when you are in the thick of it and you have family to think about too. Maybe on a different day, on your own, you might have done something different? You've got an even more exciting stroy to tell now! atb Paul.

[@WildCamper]

There is that! Thanks for watching 👍

[@steveb1972]

Love the rocks! Make a great kitchen and prep area!👍🏻

[@WildCamper]

Yep the tors are beautiful 👍

[@bagariusyarrelli7142]

🖖

[@rialobran]

I wonder if it was all cows or if there were a few bullocks amongst the herd? I generally find they are more a pain than the cows on the moor. A clue for me was the 'kitchen' if your kitchen looks like that it's a good sign cows use the rocks to shelter from the wind. Glad you all got off safe and sound, You made the right call with the boys there. If you ever find yourself in a situation you have my number, don't be afraid to call day or night.

[@WildCamper]

Why thank you sir, appreciate your offer . Very good point on the cow kitchen the more I ponder that the more I think that was the issue , we were blocking their night stop.👍,

[@brianthesnail3815]

@@WildCamper Yes that's what happened. My father is a farmer and although cows are domesticated they also still behave like wild animals to some extent, especially in wild places. Choosing somewhere safe and sheltered to sleep at night out of instinct is quite typical. On wild moors, cattle and sheep are also always to some extent 'hefted' and learn from others passing knowledge on from generation to generation as a herd. You were likely in a place cattle had used for decades if not centuries.

[@rialobran]

@@WildCamper Pass my number to Dan, the same offer is open to him too.

[@WildCamper]

Will do

[@paulbroadbent5872]

What a bloody nightmare.Next time take an inflatable cow as a distraction 😁

[@WildCamper]

Now that could work!

[@billyaitken1713]

Yeah boy! Bug - out & set up somewhere else!! I don't know if you get all comments, I added something to another reply ( the bear fence comment), it works, 😎🤠👍

[@WildCamper]

Yeah I would have simply relocated to the top of the tor but the wife and kids weren't feeling the wild camping love by then lol

[@billyaitken1713]

Just a courtesy message to let you know I am ceasing KZbin, thanks for all the entertainment, all the best for the new year.

[@WildCamper]

@@billyaitken1713 sorry to see you go, all the best mate 👍

[@WelshonWalkabout]

Them cows are bastards, kept coming back when I camped at bleak house. Good decision, bail if not happy. Cracking video mate. Mark

[@WildCamper]

Thanks Mark for the watch, I guess it could have ended worse but they were yellowed eyed cows which gave them an eerie presence in the dark!

[@WelshonWalkabout]

@@WildCamper Yellow eyes, sounds very spooky. Probably possessed by campers passed and just wanted to join in.LOL

[@Intotheoutdoors69]

Glad you all made it out safely but what a shame it ended like that. I obviously feel sorry for all of you but more your youngest. Hooe it's not put your wife off camping I'm so jealous that you managed to get all of your family out for a wild camp unfortunately I would never be abto get mine all out for a wild camp😁👍

[@WildCamper]

I was gutted, my wife was actually enjoying the experience. Boys love camping so never an issue with them wanting to join! Any of yours like to camp or just you?

[@Intotheoutdoors69]

@@WildCamper the kids have given it a go buy rhe wife will only camp on a site with electric 😁👍

[@WildCamper]

@@Intotheoutdoors69 electric ? That's not an issue , toilet and showers are my issues 😂

[@Intotheoutdoors69]

@@WildCamper 😂😂😂

[@BurtonOutdoors]

#BastardCows 😂🤣 Mate, when me and Dan stayed on Steeperton Tor we were surrounded by big black cows as the weather was so bad they took shelter behind the military hut... Probably 15 of them within 10-15m of our tents...I was worried they would just plonk down and suffocate me... fell asleep in the end and they were gone in the morning. Never trust cows. Horses are OK though, they're not as thick.

[@WildCamper]

Lol bastard cows indeed! Not a fan of horses , they seem to hate me for some reason!

[@BurtonOutdoors]

@@WildCamper I love horses 🐎 used to ride a fair bit back in the day 👍😁

[@WildCamper]

@@BurtonOutdoors I've been on a few moose and pigs in my time but no horses.......😅😜

[@BurtonOutdoors]

@@WildCamper 😁👍

[@thewira]

a very quiet place to go camping and the risk is quite high because there are many wild animals around it

[@WildCamper]

Only ones i worry about are the cows and horses.

[@royboy4638]

Bast___ cows ha ha top vid

[@WildCamper]

Cheers chap

[@shaunspencer6437]

Oh dear what a shame you encountered some curious cows like that. Wise to to pack up and get home as you'd never settle after that. Perhaps whilst out on the moors again on yer todd familiarise yourself with cows and ponies a bit.

[@WildCamper]

Yeah curious indeed, thanks for watching

[@outdoorjo6752]

Two Words ... 'Bear fence!' ... I kid you not, they don't like it up em ;o) Compact enough to stick in your bag, not ultra lightweight I give you that but wow, they really don't like it ;o() Good to see the WC troop out on exercise, look forward to more of the same ... well, I mean without the cows of course. All the best for now, Till the next one ODJ (I would add that pyrotechnics also scare the crap out of them but other than in a real survival situation, I would never advocate that action as it can have it's own consequences . )

[@WildCamper]

Not a bad idea! This has made me think twice about Dartmoor so will Google both those ideas!

[@billyaitken1713]

Fair comment though..... if you carry surveyors tape (called mine tape in the army) and some sticks you can set up a visible & tactile perimeter that will keep out cows and horses. I used police tape heaps of times for corralling horses off the roads at Hammer Vale and Headley after some travelling folk had 'set horses loose'- so that some local landowner would pity the beasts & give them a paddock to stay in. 😒.