Wild Camp in The Pixie Wood Dartmoor Black-a-tor Copse

[@bathcolin]

Always a joy to sit back and watch Sandy!Thanks.

[@daveevans2261]

Lovely video Sandy thanks for showing us Dartmoor, what beautiful rugged scenery. 👍🇬🇧

[@kimbullock475]

Awesome video Sandy. What a beautiful area. So old and a wonderful landscape... Brilliant.... ATB...

[@martinadejaquiz2482]

that was excellent!!! those trees & rocks are fascinating!!! what a nice tent too. that was excellent - thank you / enjoyed / thumbed up.

[@carlosalmeida1273]

Beautiful views! Great hiking which good friends. Awesome spot for wildcamp 👍. Just... wow! Great adventure 👍 excellent film 🎥. Crack on. Tks for sharing.

[@Gaddman100]

I'd like to thank you Sandy, I've watched your channel for a long time, and Im finally on my first "wildcamp! I have car camped and camped with the scouts all my life but never wild camped alone. The night sounds at amazing! Thanks again for all the inspiration!

[@WiltshireMan]

Welldone Brian for getting out there:)

[@Electronicpoacher1]

I may not comment on them all Sandy mate but I dont think I have missed a video of yours ,,they are fantastic to watch even the little walk out and have a cuppa ones. ATB Richie

[@lesleyswain]

Nice to see proper no-trace camping.......no fires damaging the sward, just a tent and a stove. Great example of how to do it properly. x

[@ellisholcomb2299]

what a beautiful place great video thanks for sharing your trip wish you all the very best until next time my friend

[@robertwells1993]

This video is pure class Sandy! The views, and accompanying music are awesome! Thank you Sir.

[@rozza381]

Sandy, that was a fantastic video. So glad you saw 'tarka' and glad to see you use a stuff sac as just that.....a stuff sac. Glad the weather held out for you and a great tent. Thank you for sharing Sir.

[@zalkona5051]

Ohhhhhh.... So jealous! What a lovely spot that is. Thank you Sandy!

[@wayneofox1081]

Most enjoyable sandy,lovely place and your choice of music compliments the video perfectly. thanks for sharing.

[@MrReynard67]

Glad you had some good weather Sandy good to see the jinx out and about , liked the split screen footage and the close up of flora and fauna.

[@michaeljones5395]

Another great adventure! Thank you for taking us along!

[@MegaInspectorGadget]

Thanks, that was great to see after a long days work. It was truly beautiful.

[@WyeExplorer]

"To many stones for man to reek his havoc and destruction." I like that Sandy. - the idea that there are natural obstacles preventing further havoc being reeked on our amazing planet. It was beautiful - inspiring there with the Gnarly trees and the still night. And the otters? Simply awesome! Well you got your mate in (it was Rhialobran - already a subscriber-very good) at Lint Tor.He looked comfortable enough. That was great Sandy - a good outing. All the best there. Mark.

[@nigelshinn5715]

Hello sir I have enjoyed watching you for the last year and have found you to be very inspirational it's taken me a long time to work out how to subscribe and be able to comment as I am far from a 21st century man when it comes to this sort of thing I live just over the border from you and have the great out doors on my doorstep. I am looking forward to spending moor time out their enjoying the freedom and peace that it brings thank you for the confidence you have inspired in me to go do it

[@howardvarley8795]

Its lovely to see a part of nature than Man hasnt destroyed! The damage we do ashames me.. Long may this Copse and its associated wildlife continue. Well done Sandy for showing it to us, .. Without!! Damaging it!

[@WiltshireMan]

Thats a lovely part of the world Howard, yes its a great shame the impact some humans have on the planet

[@TJ_into_the_wild]

I love your videos, Sandy. I learn something new with each one. Keep them coming!

[@LAPGOCHINSTRUCTOR]

Sandy I have not viewed your youtube channel for a while and I'm amazed at the improved quality of your camera and camera operation well done great video

[@trevorcooper5876]

Hi Sandy Still catching up on your earlier videos your camera coped well with the night sky, surrounded by the old Oak trees. A lot more videos to catch up with, very entertaining! Thanks

[@English.Andy1]

What a honour to see two Otters. That's a wonderful sign as the water way must be clean along with the environment. Lovely video. Music very fitting for the forest. I bet those tree are a lot older than they look. Good to see Ant - hope he's keeping well too. Cheers Sandy

[@williamreeder4902]

Great video Sandy....thanks for sharing.

[@gregpenny4384]

Thank you very much for another fantastic video, I just love your work.

[@windy1965]

Really pleased that the weather held up for you all & that you had a great time with an otter encounter bonus thrown in ! Take care & all the best, Neil.

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Neil. Yes it was a good experience. I only wish I could have filmed the otters. Sandy

[@TheMendipman]

Great video Sandy. What a beautiful place is that little wood. Like you, my Hex Peak has become my go-to shelter in the last year or so. It's so practical. Best wishes - see you soon I hope Noel

[@NorwegianWoods]

Another nice one. That oak forest looked pretty awesome :) Thanks for sharing - Martin

[@richardbarrett3809]

Nice video of a particular location I have visited scores of times over decades. It's a handy route to places further out on the moor. Have followed your efforts for a while and they're good because the content is sensible and intended as such. The results have got better and better and I appreciate the way you show things done.

[@chrispowell3664]

Thanks Sandy. Nice area to camp in. Look like a Fairy tale woodlands.

[@TheKevcarp]

great video as always Sandy. I've got the Luxe Hex Peak. yes it is a bit fussy to pitch but I always come back to this tent for it lightness/space ratio. I've got Hillebergs which I use in the winter but this tent is great for the Spring/summer/autumn.

[@shoogelniffty1]

Sandy , nature at this time of year is amazing, I'm seeing Otters every other day way up here , but most resent we have been watching a White tailed sea Eagle, hoping to get a photo soon, that's a really nice old Oak wood there.

[@WiltshireMan]

You have some beautiful wild country up there Shoogel:)

[@6brettes]

watching this video made me homesick i am in beautiful weather down here in s west france but seeing dartmoor started off my yearnings for home again i miss it all up there spent me life on it!!

[@MintOutdoors]

Great adventure on Dartmoor Sandy, and no rain this time. Really enjoyed the video.

[@Brendymac1]

Great vid ----very clear photography --- and the music was great too 😀

[@TheExplorativeArtist]

What a great video, I really enjoyed watching it! Dartmoor looks like a beautiful place.

[@thethinker5284]

what an absoluteley stunning video well put together and the weather was very good, well done.

[@finlaybuchanan]

Great inspirational video as always. Thank you for brightening up my day :))

[@martinfoy5167]

another brilliant video sandy , a strong wiltshire accent when you pronounced reservoir, looks like you had good weather apart from the cold night , great to watch atb

[@PaulBissekerBushcraft]

Good weather Sandy, Ant must have shook off that cloud!!

[@mountains_and_moors]

Wow, what a busy week, it's taken till now to watch this!!! Awesome little adventure with you and Simon, amazing part of Dartmoor, the woods were enchanting. Looking forward to the next adventure 😀👍🏻

[@fredjpearce5962]

Yet again another great video, the man just keeps giving!

[@Dustypilgrim1]

Lovely vid there Sandy. Beautifully desolate and eerie spot Black a Tor / copse. Enjoyed getting a new look at it. It's great to see places I haven't been to for forty odd years in some cases, but they look pretty much the same, unaltered, not spoilt... Grand vid...

[@belgrademachine]

Bravo! Thanks for bringing us along.

[@rwmagnus]

Interesting terrain. Thanks for sharing your trip.

[@jeetts59]

Another wonderful video. Your photography is very professional.

[@PaulOutdoors]

Magical Sandy from start to finish. Those ancient knarled oaks rooted in that rugged rocky terrain are amazing. Great to see Simon and Ant out with you. Can we blame Ant for your sore throat as weather was great? Hope throat is ok now :)

[@DeepSouthExperience]

What a uniquely beautiful location! Wonderful video Sandy, SS/SS - Stan

[@swissenglishman7582]

I really enjoy your vids, thanks! And please keep them coming!

[@vikingoutdoors8468]

Nice one sandy. Stunning area really enjoyed that! Take care Tim

[@scottfisher661]

Looks lovely up there great to see otters glad the weather was good atb scott

[@almontepaolilli4909]

Amazing how much different types of flora is supported by this corpse of trees. Great video.

[@WiltshireMan]

It's a "Copse" not a "Corpse" Amonte:)

[@nacholibre1962]

7:45 Sandy - is that snow on the far hill? I remember doing long-range patrolling on Dartmoore back in the 80's. Over 30 Kms in two days to get to our initial objective, with each guy carrying over 50 pounds, plus weapons, ammo, etc. We went through the night, conducting recce patrols and did a full-up company attack up Yes Tor on the last morning. We were knackered after that! 15:24 A great lesson there, Sandy. One good tip (more for a survival situation) is to always walk up stream at least 100 yards to see if anything nasty is in the water. Boiling is a must if no filtration is available. 10 mins rolling boil, plus an additional minute per 1000 feet of elevation above sea level.

[@richardengel4426]

A very relaxing short film. I have recently been given the exact same tent and your right it is a good tent but fiddly to pitch right.

[@TeroZone]

Really beatiful nature. Amazing. Enjoyd it and wish I was there.

[@Brummiejohn200]

Another great video Sandy wicked place to camp nice to see Ant didn't jinx the weather this time will sub Simon's channel, atb John.

[@londonboywanderer306]

very good video and good music in the right places enjoyed that very much

[@DaveVaughan2004]

Really enjoyed this video, lovely views of a lovely place. You had great weather too :) I always carry my Sawyer and always use if, I've seen many a poor animal dead in the rivers and streams. ATB, Dave

[@rialobran]

Superb Sandy, You really caught the 'feel' of the copse, I'm still jealous you got the best spot in the wood to camp though. Thanks for the shout-out too, see you soon for another adventure...Not sure we can better this one but we'll give it a go :)

[@WildCamper]

rhialobran and we all now know what you look like ,! hope all well mate Atb Rob

[@ColinTonkasdad]

wild looking place, love the ancient woodland, and yes filter the water, !! cheers

[@janssensmarc3465]

Really like your video, great job, thanks for sharing !

[@sconjaoutdoors7658]

Spot on Sandy good to see the weather was kind to you and Ant has finally shed his jinx tag lol. Thanks for sharing Sandy. Atb Sconja 👍

[@RDPproject]

Excellent video Sandy. I enjoyed it. R.

[@nigelshort8669]

Great video as always, loving Dartmoor as always.

[@BeercanBushcraft]

What a delightful trip, I really enjoyed that, thank you

[@marky5755]

Such a beautiful video. Thanks.

[@robsandercock3640]

Nothing quite like watching your adventures when sat in a tent myself Sandy. Another great video. Now....time for a fire and a brew. ATB, Rob

[@WiltshireMan]

Where are you camping Rob?

[@robsandercock3640]

Im down near the Basingstoke Canal on the hants/surrey border Sandy. Not in the woods unfortunately but on a quiet site that is surrounded by trees, birdsong and rabbits. But any night in a tent or under a shelter is a tonic for the soul.

[@WiltshireMan]

Yes your spot on there Rob. Nights spent under a simple shelter are a tonic for sure. Your camp site sounds just fine too. Have a great time. Sandy

[@WildCamper]

canal center? i live near to it. lots of spots near the area just so many dog walkers in the morning ! up and away early i guess is the key! atb Rob

[@simonhopkins3867]

that woodland looks like something out of Loard of the rings. great work Sir.

[@WhatsUpWithSheila]

Love your trips...so relaxing ❤️👍

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Sheila

[@phoenix59bennett35]

great video sandy.Always inspiring. Neil (Devon)

[@LFH02]

Nice tent, brilliant to have the admin area plus sleeping area Looks a really ancient wood. You are right it gets really dark on Dartmoor. Glad you had a good time.

[@wainedodd8055]

wow what a place. like that tent too, cheers Sandy lad

[@johnpatterson4558]

Hi SandyBrilliant video. notice the trees are covered in lichen . Trees die but support other life, Nature is amazing.

[@henryporter5466]

You are a lucky chap seeing the otters, I haven't seen one for half a century.

[@WalksWithOlly]

Really enjoyable, Sandy. :-) Recently bought a hex peak myself and planning to walk The Ridgeway over the summer.

[@WiltshireMan]

Good luck walking the Ridgeway. I have completed the route 3 times. There is a severe lack of water there.

[@WalksWithOlly]

Thanks, Sandy. That's interesting as the guide book I have highlights several water taps along the way, some of which I've seen in your videos. But I'm planning to play it safe and seek a proper camp site each night, even though it'll mean a detour from the trail.

[@WyeExplorer]

Aah you went with the Hex Peak Olly. All the best with that....

[@WalksWithOlly]

Wye Explorer Thanks, Mark. I looked around and looked around but kept coming back to it. :-)

[@WyeExplorer]

It's the way sometimes. Things are just magnetic...

[@neanderthaloutdoors9202]

Excellent Sandy I absolutely love Dartmoor for its wild ruggedness and all round accessibility, was at Black a Tor Copse 3 yrs ago with an old oppo mate, I've yomped all over them moors and Tors with the Marines and we used them excessively for training attacks on the Tors in the build up to the Falklands because the terrain and weather are very similar, at least you had good weather 👍🏻, atb mate.

[@whitecompany18]

Plenty of room in that tent my friend , I like that. Great video .

[@billhambelton7698]

Great video Sandy. Looks very much like Wistmans wood. I think the boulders look a little smaller and the trees less dense. ATB Bill

[@NigelBaileyPhotography]

Nice video Sandy - I camped at Black Tor back in December 2016 on a very cold night and then went to visit the copse in the morning. There's a video on my channel should you wish to take a peek.

[@outdoorjunky1]

Another great video Sandy

[@craftywildcamps]

So that's what Simon looks like! Shame about the otters. Great location and beautifully shot video as usual. Steve.

[@WyeExplorer]

I was nicely surprised to Steve....

[@tracywhited]

Magical mystical. !!! So beautiful

[@windhamcabin]

Wow, such an awesome place. I know you mentioned it was a No Camping location, but I'm glad you did pitch up there 😊 Yes, dead sheep and otter wiz....better use a filter 😂 take care -Chris

[@pondguru]

That is a shame you didn't get the otters on film and I know how hard it is trying to film them as I have tried and failed so many times. Beautiful scenery in that part of the world for sure.

[@GarethZoeWildcamps]

Great camp guys, we really enjoyed that. And no, we wouldn't drink from that stream unless it'd been filtered ha ha, they'd be nothing worse than being ill miles from anywhere :( Bet it was lovely to see the otters, bet you was gutted you weren't filming. All the best and take care, Gareth&Zoe Wildcamps.

[@bipedal_shenanigans]

Beautifully filmed that man and thank you for sharing your trip. Ant seemed to have a tiny pack obviously been working on ultralight gear trend

[@MrJimJD]

Excellent video Sandy! I know that area very well (my usual camping haunt). Two things; I always purify/filter my water there as I have filled up bottles only to look upstream and find a dead cow in river (just out of site). As for the Otters - I believe you as I have seen them in that exact area too. ATB

[@billrivenbark8983]

It's a shame those wooded areas aren't protected! I'm guessing the Oaks are stunted due to the Rocky terrain. That was a beautiful spot you guys picked to camp and the Sunset was awesome! I really enjoy coming along with you on your outings. I learn a lot about your country and its beauty.

[@richardbarrett3809]

The high Dartmoor woodlands such as Black-a-Tor Copse and the other mentioned (the perhaps better-known Wistmans Wood) are protected areas, and extremely interesting and precious environments. Black-a-Tor Copse is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a UK National Nature Reserve (NNR) with an adjacent notice board giving information about it - a shame the board is there in one way, but good that the importance of the place is advised in another.

[@BjornAndreasBull-Hansen]

Fantastic footage. I really enjoyed this video. I will try to get myself one of those tents, but for two. May I ask which camera(s) you used?

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi Bjorn, I use a Lumix G7 with interchangeable lenses and a Gopro hero4 silver. The Lumix G7 is like a DSLR but has a micro 4/3 sensor and good performance for video, better in some ways than DSLR. Sandy

[@BjornAndreasBull-Hansen]

Just had a look at the Lumix G7. Looks like that's the one I'll go for if/when I start to look more into photos and not just video... Looks like a really great camera. (The GoPro is next on the must-have list...)

[@TyrNjordr]

Hey, I just found your channel and I have always liked the outdoors, but when I saw your videos it kinda sparked and I've gotten a big craving to go backpacking for a week or so. I have just now bought all the gear I need and soon I'll be off. Thank you for this! :) Also you make very professional videos in all aspects such as sound, fottage and editing love it!

[@andyoutdoors4350]

nice video as always, thanks for sharing

[@balista9831]

wonderful, hope you are feeling better ,ta for the vid.

[@MrKitandrews]

Hi Sandy. I remember 30+ years ago I was in Scotland ...a rare hot sunny day and I was forced to lap water from an apparently clean water source during the day...later that evening the most severe bout of gastro enteritis I've ever had...the following day further upstream we found a dead sheep in the water. Be ever vigil.

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi Kit, Yes I am not surprised. The only water you can trust comes straight from the ground and then only if there is no agriculture close by. Thanks for the card. Hope you have a nice holiday. Sandy

[@nidge8034]

Hi Sandy, I am very new to your channel. You mentioned the faffing about to put tent up. I think the guide to putting it up properly is to secure the four side pegging ponts to start and then fit your walking pole. I think you started byt fixing all six pegging points. I think that the front and back are pegged out after you have put the walking pole in place.

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi Nidge and welcome to my channel, I've worked out how to get a perfect pitch with this tent now every time. Just needed some practice

[@davedevonlad7402]

Nice video. But black a tor is a no camping zone,Dartmoor visitor's official website says it's a no camping zone,I am very grateful that you are showing my home area of dartmoor off but you did break the rules of camping in this area. Please check where you can camp in Dartmoor as alot of the areas are protected or a nature reserve like black a tor. This area of trees are a view into the past of Dartmoor around 7000BCE.there is only three other known locations on Dartmoor of these trees.Dartmoor was almost covered in these oak trees many thousands of years ago so please be considerate around them and please don't camp or light fires around here. A small fire here could be devastating. The camping area maps of dartmoor have been around for ages so no excuses for not knowing. And there is plenty of camping areas very close by. Sorry to pick this up as I really enjoy your videos of the southwest and your journeys.

[@WelshGallivanter]

Great work Sandy 👍

[@nseight]

Such a special wood * Just beautiful *

[@Skavenyy]

Sandy I really hope you coming back and visit Sweden again, I'm sure I'm not the only one who loved the time when you were here last time I. Idre :) //Mikael

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi Mikael, I hope to return again this year if Ed can also make it. I had a great time there also. I use the gas stove you gave me often:)

[@Skavenyy]

I'm glad you like it :) it makes me smile every time I see it in your KZbin clips :). I really hope you can come :), if you can come couple of days before the hangout so we can have a longer meet this time if you can come couple of days earlier then I promise to meet up you :)

[@againstthegrain438]

Beautifully shot vid in an equally beautiful location mate.:-) Atb Mike

[@DroneHDTV]

Really enjoyed this one. I have to try wild camping again. I do think your tent is the issue for the cold. saw Quite a lot of videos of people cold in that tent. The only one I saw warm was a guy who had a mini wood burner in it lol. Thanks for the video. Great location and yes good advice about the water. You never know your mates may have been upstream having a pee!

[@WiltshireMan]

Lee, I have quite a lot of wild camping experience behind me. The main reason why I was cold was because my sleeping bag was inadequate. I have a RAB 700 down sleeping bag that has kept me warm and toasty during sub zero nights. The sleeping bag I used on this trip is only suitable for late spring, summer and autumn camping. The weather was colder than expected. Sandy

[@DroneHDTV]

The trouble I guess is the ratings on the bags. They say this and that but for us newbies, it's quite easy to buy a bag, not with a rating we need. I was camping in North wales this weekend and have a summer bag. Yet I have a very warm coat hooded and few dust sheets in the Boot from my Painting works LOL. Didn't need the coat! I was boiling with them on haha. Keep up the Great vids

[@richardbarrett3809]

As Sandy suggests, the tent is fine - maybe not quite as warmed as a much smaller one would be, but very little in it. His mat is very good. That only leaves sleeping bag performance in real question and Sandy knows the answer to that one already! Remember that valleys are sheltered by surrounding high ground (especially that one) so anything or anyone in them doesn't gain maximum warmth from the sun. Cold air also settles in valleys - that's a cause for early mist sitting in them, which is evidence of it. The trick with sleeping bag selection based on performance figures is to realise differences exist in people that have them feel cold to a different degree, and that sleeping-bag performance figures aren't like a switch-on or switch-off point and their meaning needs to be understood - not always an understanding the less experienced have. EN13537 "Comfort Limit" is just that - a suggested LIMIT figure for a comfortable (yet curled-up) sleep in the bag quoted for a male body of an assumed type under certain conditions to a certain temperature, but it's not a guarantee for everyone in any condition.

[@AdventureMadnessUK]

Amazing looking place i must visit the woods...