Secrets of the perfect wild camp pitch

26 June 2008 16:23

Great nights are easily spoiled by tiny niggles - don't let them rob you of your hard-won night in the hills!

Be fussy – find a billiard-table patch of ground
Flat ground is often boggy, so take time to investigate your pitch – it’ll be worth it later. If you can’t find flat ground, pitch your tent with your head uphill.

Is it sheltered?
It’s not necessarily the best option to pitch out of the wind. In winter, sheltered spots are where snow accumulates, and are therefore avalanche-prone. On fairly flat ground, a pitch behind a boulder might be a good option. Note contours, and avoid areas where wind may funnel towards your site, like a col.

Is there water?
It’s easy to pitch up and not realise there’s no water nearby until you’re dug in. First make sure there is a source of water above your camp. Don’t park right next to it, as there may be wildlife nesting on the banks. Avoid small tarns, and if using a stream check at least 30m upstream for signs of contamination. Always use a good filter when drinking in the wild.

Will it be nice in the morning?
Not a practical priority, but the essence of a good wild camp is enjoyment. Think about where the sun will hit in the morning, where it will set in the evening, and what the views are like. The perfect wild camp for views and sunrise might only be a few metres from a bad one.

Check for stones
You’ll suffer later if there’s a lump under your sleeping bag. But if you do have to move a rock, replace it when you leave.

Pitch the tail of your tent into the prevailing wind
This affords the maximum aerodynamic profile, and usually gives you a sheltered spot around the door for cooking.

Angle the guy lines into the wind
And try to create a right angle between the peg and the guy. Bury the peg as deep as possible.

Keep the flysheet under tension
A tent’s interior driness relies on the outer not touching the inner, even if it isn’t raining, due to condensation. Most flysheets stretch a bit as dew falls – check to see if you need to re-tension your before going to sleep.

Don’t zip the door up fully
This effectively creates an extra vent to allow condensation to escape during the night.

Dry your tent before you pack it
As soon as you get up (assuming it’s not raining) unclip your flysheet, turn it inside out and re-fix it to the tent. By the time you get ready to pack your tent away, the condensation will have disappeared – and it’s weight reduced by up to two thirds!

Ablutions
Site a toilet area downhill from your camp and at least 60m away from any tarn or stream or paths. Bury waste at least 20cm deep, and always carry out sanitary items. When sourcing water, only take it from above your camp, and check at least 30m upstream for any signs of contamination.

The rules
Remember, according to the letter of the law, you can’t camp anywhere without the permission of the landowner. In practice, however, wild camping is tolerated as long as you adhere to these guidelines:

1 Camp high enough that you’re out of sight of residences and on open fell
2 Leave no trace of your stay
3 Do not light campfires
4 Carry out all waste
5 Move on if asked
6 Pitch late and depart early