Wild Camp at Ros Castle in the Hilleberg Akto in foul weather | Northumberland |

I don't get out wild camping as much as I would like so when I get the chance I have to go for it,
in retropect though, I came perilously close to not enjoying this night at all.
I elected to take the Hilleberg Akto, a tent I trust in foul weather.
Unable to cross Bewick Moor due to heavy rainfall and flooding and unable to find a good pitch in nearby woodland we relied on Plan C, which was to hike to the top of Ros Castle and cross our fingers it wasn't as water-logged as the surrounding moor.
In fact it was a great pitch, and despite being thoroughly saturated and losing my rode microphone, it wasn't nearly enough to dampen my spirits,
Mind you, the meal I made myself was pretty awful.
Cold meatballs anyone?
Accompanied by‪@northumberlandmountainhopper‬the master of the Northumbrian Tarp and Bivvy
Thank you for watching and all the best
Graham
#wildcampinguk #northumberland #wildcamp #outdoorlife #hikinglife #hiking #campcooking

[@grahamswildcamping]

If any one would like to support my little meanderings: buymeacoffee.com/gpbasnettK It would be gratefully received!

[@AndyWardle]

Nice one. Plan C. However I would just thrown myself in that first river. 😂😂😂 it’s what I do now. 👍

[@grahamswildcamping]

😂 Wow, funnily enough, just watched your video 😯 That looked very sketchy but, if I’m honest, kinda funny. Glad you got out ok ! ATB, Graham 👍👍😂

[@andrewjohnalbrighton6140]

Cracking video Graham , but no bad joke . LOL.

[@grahamswildcamping]

I forgot to tell one!- well I'll put that right in my next video! Thanks very much, ATVB, Graham 👍👍

[@garryclarke1234]

Got to admire the determination there mate,got to admit I'd have gone to the pub👍

[@grahamswildcamping]

Thank you, it was a close-run thing mind! 😂

[@krruns4165]

Thanks for the shout out! Still following and enjoying your videos! Also got out for a wild camp and planning more! Thanks!

[@grahamswildcamping]

That's champion! Where did you go?

[@krruns4165]

@@grahamswildcamping hiked from Byrness up to Wyndy Gyle and tarp/bivvy near Clennell St on Scottish side. Was lucky with weather that night!!!

[@grahamswildcamping]

@krruns4165 wow, that’s a cracking walk! Fantastic 👍

[@jimmy.mccutcheon.1961]

Nice one Lads 👍

[@grahamswildcamping]

Thanks Jimmy 👍👍

[@thegeordiefellwalker8878]

you & Adrian can never fall into the bracket of fair weather campers 😊 I've just dried out after yesterday's walk 🌧️ the sound of rain on the tent is priceless 👌👍

[@grahamswildcamping]

Sound of rain on a tent when you're warm and dry inside: fantastic! I'm just drying out nicely now in front of the fire and my tent is on the washing line. ATB, Graham

[@darrenlumley2742]

that mountain hopper guy is mental , bivy in the army 22 but not for fun lol ,great video graham keep it up mate .

[@grahamswildcamping]

Thanks, I do like a bivvy now and then, but not in that weather. Adrian seemed very comfy in that bivvy though 😂ATB, and thanks for watching, Graham 👍👍

[@KennethPhillips-im9uo]

Thx for the mention Graham…thoroughly enjoyed…plan E Cateran hole? Probably just as wet. Love that area…thx for sharing

[@grahamswildcamping]

Thanks you for the coffee! I've thought about Cateran Hole before, but it doesn't look like a comfortable camp- and pretty damp, as you say. ATVB, Graham 👍👍

[@northeastwildcamper]

hi graham that's a wet one I do not like good weather when I was in lake it was mad rain and wind in lakes love stove am the same I start to take light food now that shot every one having them tfs atb Bryan 👌💯

[@grahamswildcamping]

Thanks Bryan- been mad weather everywhere, but when you have a chance to get out, usually gotta take it. ATB, Graham 👍👍

[@northeastwildcamper]

@@grahamswildcamping aye you defntle do mate 👍

[@MarkSweeting_]

You both did well for even walking out the front door of your house on that day. Stayed there last year and it's a good spot. You'll be hard pushed to find anywhere in Hepburn Woods but I do know of a bivvy spot good enough for 1 only. Will watch Adrian's now. Best regards. Mark

[@grahamswildcamping]

Thanks Mark, yeah, I'll not be trying Hepburn woods again, but no need really with Ros so close. I've made a mental note that even in very wet weather it remains pitchable. ATB, Graham 👍👍

[@macinthewild8116]

You did so well seeing that through mate , I could hear it in your voice that you were just about done with it , but you really salvaged it! 👍

[@grahamswildcamping]

Thanks mate, I think we each would have bottled it individually. Worth knowing that even in torrential rain that Ros remains well drained. Get together soon mate, I hope!

[@emz_adventure]

Wow Graham.. well done.....bloody well done. It was brutal last night I went out just down from you for sunset and got caught in that shower at about 7.45. If you're ever in that area again and don't have spare clothes drop me a message and I'll bring an emergency kit. I'm literally down the hill from there. Beautiful morning wasn't it. Glad it all worked out for you both. Cracking video as always. Take care. Em

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

Wow you’re out in the wilds already Emz. Mxx

[@grahamswildcamping]

Thanks Emz, you're lucky to live in such a beautiful part of Northumberland. Appreciate the offer. I was a bit shivery at one point (nothing dangerous) until I put my big coat on and my body heat started to dry my pants. I was thankful for the drying effect of the wind as well. I think I've learned that sometimes just spare socks isn't enough. Long johns weigh nowt: they'll be in my pack next time. Many thanks Emma and take care, Graham 👍👍

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

Trouble is storm Arwen did some damage. However with the incessant rain we have been having. The ground is saturated and the trees especially the evergreens that are shallow rooted can’t hold on. So the least amount of wind and they’re over. Great Camp, well done on sticking with it. Many including me would have bailed not even setup. Your Marra seems to have enjoyed it more.

[@grahamswildcamping]

You're right. Major factor that. Even in the woods at the back of the house I saw the ground moving up and down as the trees were swaying. It was the first time I'd had thoughts of bailing. Never seen the moor like that before. I suspect even Adrian was getting a bit fed up but he cheered up no end when we saw we could pitch on Ros. He loves a bivvy. ATB, Graham 👍👍

[@Fellmandave1]

Those squelching footsteps, that will be the horrendous sound of this winter that we will remember. But well done for being positive whilst sat in your wet pants. But bivying in that, no thanks. Ps have a Fjern Gokotta 2 on the way! Glad you found your mic Graham.

[@grahamswildcamping]

I do like the occaisonal bivvy but I'm a tent man at heart really- and there was no way I was bivvying out in that 😂It was good finding the mic, I hope it will work again. I must be a pretty clumsy camper because it's not the first time I've had to retrace my steps to find gear. Interested in what you make of the Gokotta 2. ATB, Graham 👍

[@fraserconnell21]

Great stuff Graham 😊. Magic 👍🏼👍🏼

[@grahamswildcamping]

Thank you- I had a great time in the end! TFW, ATVB, Graham 👍👍

[@BaltistaniBoys]

Absolutely amazing. I recommend you visit the himalayan mountains k2 and Nangaparbat view point from one place.Whenever you start a short solo trip of 4-5 days, Moses Peak is a must. It is a 5300m height۔ from the top of moses pea which you can see the views of the K2 world second highest peak in the world, Nangaparbat, K6 k11 and K 12 views in one frame. best time from May to October. This is a family tracked.its open Zone, one did not need a trekking permit or have to pay Royalty fee to climbed this Mountain tower. I hope you explore more new objects in those Mountains

[@grahamswildcamping]

That does sound amazing, but also out of my budget. I'm jealous if you get to experience all that! TFW, Graham 👍

[@BaltistaniBoys]

@@grahamswildcamping omg 😍keep in mind for next year

[@thegeordiewildcamper]

Nowt better than Ros on a awful day fella. Great spot. Also love the Akto its looks a brilliant bit of kit and would love to try one. Glad you's both had a good camp. TFS Steven

[@grahamswildcamping]

Yeah, it’s a cool little place, Ros. The Akto is a nice bit of kit, not perfect, but great in the right circumstance, but Hilly are pricing themselves out of my budget now. TFW, Graham 👍

[@BikeAndHikeNE]

Wetter than an octopuses belly button 😂 not heard that before!

[@grahamswildcamping]

Haha, thanks, it was certainly a damp one - wetter than a submarines numberplate 😂😂

[@Fell_Wanderer]

Graham do what I would have done, sleep in the porch area, drink endless amounts of ale till you piss your sel and in the morning blame the damp conditions lol. Pleased to see your filming in 4K. The drone shot was nice at the beginning but lacked your signature intro with Northumbrian pipes. Adrian is a good lad and master of the bivy but there are times when the conditions dictate gear choice and a tent sometimes in those high places is a better decision. Luckily Adrian found a decent spot and still had the views.

[@grahamswildcamping]

🤣🤣🤣Well that's one strategy! I had another look at the camera settings after your advice and started filming in a higher resolution. I did mean to put the northumbrian pipes in the intro but just plain forgot- I kicked myself when I realised but it was already uploaded with a few views so I just left it at that. Yeah. we were lucky we got some shelter up on Ros from the topograph map thing, it would not have been any fun at all on the moor, especially not in a bivvy. I like a good bivvy now and again but I often appreciate the shelter that a full tent offers. ATB Damian and thanks for watching. Graham

[@YONDERMOUNTAINADVENTURES]

Fair play to you Graham..... brutal conditions the weather was unreal....never seen the spine road like that before..... class adventure hope you initiated plan D upon your return u deserved it. Stay safe mate ATB Simon

[@grahamswildcamping]

I saw the drone shots of the spine road when I got back- never seen it like that. Bewick was impassable withouth wading up to the waist. Those streams were deceptively deep and fast. I tried to initiate plan D and go for a pint when I got back but the good lady was too cream crackered from work 😂Thanks Simon, ATB 👍

[@LundysWildcampBushcraft]

Well done for sticking it out Graham the weather was terrible that night taken a ferro rod it's better than a lighter and works when wet it's great up there for views Adrian is definitely the bivvi king 😂 atvb Jimmy 😎😎👍👍

[@grahamswildcamping]

Thanks, to be honest Jimmy, I was pretty close to packing it in and I think if I’d been by myself I might have driven to be pub- but you know what blokes are like, no one wants to be the first to say 😂 You’re right, a ferro rod would have been ideal and I’ll take mine out next time, ATB, Graham 👍

[@thebackingpackinggeordie]

Always have a plan c mate, well done you on still getting out, Ros castle is definitely on my to do list. 👍 good news about finding the mic.

[@grahamswildcamping]

Hi mate. Ros Castle is good because its a sharp but short pull up to the top, the wall gives a bit of shelter and there's even a bench. Plus it gives amazing views on a good day. Popular with walkers though (for good reason) so a late pitch and early start are best. Fabulous place. We'll get somewhere sorted to meet soon, ATB, Graham 👍

[@otf.outdoors]

Spot on Graham, that weather didn’t look great, and how deep was that river 😬😮, still great to get out though no matter what the weather, good to see Adrian out in the tarp n bivy too , atb Mick 👍

[@grahamswildcamping]

I couldn’t believe how deep those streams were- normally just a little syke you can step across 😯 Deceivingly dodgy! ATB, Graham 👍

[@mountainmantararua8824]

G'day Graham, have been many, many times in your situation. Over here in NZ, we link arms and just go for it (unless the stream is swollen and dangerous). You can't get any wetter. You can't beat cold meatballs when you're cold and wet 🤣🤣. Have done 18 trips so far, this year, a few 2 dayers and a few 3 dayers and a few wet and windy ones like you just did but wouldn't miss it for all the tea in China. I buy a cheap ferro rod, and cut it in half, I then tie it to the front of my pack. This ensures that I always have a means of making fire, should I forget to pack or lose my lighter. ATB Cheers from the mountains of NZ 😊😊

[@grahamswildcamping]

Wow, great to think that you're watching this little channel from all the way in NZ! I imagine the camping opportunities there are fantastic. You get out a lot more than I do. It's a good idea about the ferro rod: that's exactly what I'm going to do in the future. ATVB, Graham 👍👍

[@dekacoombe4595]

Aye nice one again , well done for putting up with that horrendous weather , definitely not fair weather campers you two,long johns or similar definitely worth carrying , cracking stoves them too, great craic again Graham ,catch up soon mate , atvb Deka 👍🏻👊🏻

[@grahamswildcamping]

I'm a fair weather lot of things, but I do like to get out camping whatever the weather. If we waited for perfect conditions I suspect I'd not get much camping done! Hope you're out and about soon mate, WBG to see you on those hills, ATB, Graham

[@northumberlandmountainhopper]

Hi Graham, the day was so poor as far as the weather goes, but we walked and walked and ended up with a great camp. Lighter broke !!!! I had three, why did you not shout across !!! Great camp Until the next one Cheers Adrian

[@grahamswildcamping]

I didn’t think you’d want to get out of the bivvy and I certainly didn’t want to get out the tent 😂 Cold meatballs small price to pay 😂

[@nickpotts4511]

What you need is an ultralight plank for getting across obstacles whilst keeping your feet dry😉 Great camp Graham.

[@grahamswildcamping]

Needed a canoe on that moor Nick 😂

[@davidmorris4142]

Great video Grazzer! Thanks for mentioning the Hoptimist too !!

[@grahamswildcamping]

Haha, that was Plan D! Almost a shame it didn’t get to that! Cheers Davey, ATB 👍👍

[@grandadsallotmentgarden8295]

Graham what you using as fuel in your stove

[@grahamswildcamping]

Hello, it's bioethanol, pretty cheap and widely available 👍

[@owenmorse3136]

You need to be carrying or wearing wellingtons in that type of weather and flooding , the half cut wellingtons can be easily carried in a rucksack 🎒.

[@grahamswildcamping]

Good shout. Even expensive boots and gaiters succumb eventually. My wellies have got a hole in though. I'm looking for a new pair. ATB, Graham 👍👍

[@drewboulton9810]

Hey Graham! Me and Austen met you both at Crown Posada and had a lovely chat - I specialise on social media marketing so feel free to let me know if you need any help editing your videos/promoting them! 😊

[@grahamswildcamping]

Hi Drew, it was lovely to meet yourself and Austen! Thanks for the offer, that’s really kind, I’ll have a think, ATB, Graham 👍

[@markwood5853]

I was worried about having to cross streams like you had getting to Spylaw. I was also worried like you about the flooded roads - they were terrible on Tuesday! Major kudos to you for not bailing out 👏

[@grahamswildcamping]

What was it like getting to Spylaw? I said in the video that if I'd seen your message I might have come over 😂Thanks very much Mark 👍👍

[@markwood5853]

@@grahamswildcamping there was a river running down the path to the carpark but not as bad as I feared once we were on the top. Lovely inside as usual 👌

[@grahamswildcamping]

@@markwood5853good place Spylaw

[@ROBOLOGY.wildcamping]

Great video mate 👏

[@grahamswildcamping]

Thank you, appreciate it! 👍👍

[@dawnangelawalker]

That was some awful weather. Lucky to find your microphone, am i right in thinking you lost your torch before and found it the next day? Thanks for sharing your trip. I will be up there in June, hope for it to be a bit drier

[@grahamswildcamping]

Yes, totally correct- that was on a trip to Spithope bothy a couple of years ago. The torch works fine to this day. The mic is currently sitting in a bag of rice- fingers crossed! Hope you enjoy your trip in June, ATB, Graham 👍

[@ashleyhoward8926]

31 Years? Crippen didn't get that !

[@grahamswildcamping]

😂 hmm what did Crippen do? 🤔