My wife thinks I'm mad. That's normal. But this weekend she thinks I'm Stark-Raving!
Just because my brother and me are camping out?
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| Some of my kit for the weekend - two sleeping bags might be a good idea do you think? |
My brother and I are both off up to a wood in Staffordshire to go on an axe workshop and charcoal making class this weekend. It involves two nights out under the stars, although with all this snow I don't think we're be seeing many stars in the sky.
This is through Survival School who we've done a couple of courses with before, so we know it's going to be good. Previously we went on an Introduction to bush craft weekend course (back in 2007) where we learnt loads and a week long course for "extreme survival" (2010) into the Scottish Highlands with just one bag of kit each. This week long course was great fun and a good test of team work and skills, from skinning a deer to firing a flare (I might do another post about this course as it was so good).
I love it, we're both into our bush craft and survival skills and its a great way to spend a weekend together where we're not working, just messing around in the woods like we did when we were kids.
The snow should make things interesting as I've never camped in it before.
Any tips or things I should take?
I'm keeping kit to a minimum and I've resisted the temptation to buy more "stuff" to go on this trip with. I've always been told "The more you know the less you need" and hopefully I'm getting pretty experienced at it now.
You must have some Canadian blood! Winter camping is popular here...not with me though..as your wife says,stark raving!
ReplyDeleteJane x
I want to do more, it was great fun! I guess you guys have a lot more snow than us though!
DeleteI feel quite envious Kev. I love wild camping. Was almost tempted to camp in the snow myself. Have a great time.
ReplyDeleteYou should do it, you can spend the rest of your life in the warm!
DeleteAdvise? Bring warm layers of clothes. One can always stuff leaves into ones clothes for the insulation, but take the modern alternative. It itches less. :-)
ReplyDeleteNo leaves needed, I was plenty warm enough, but I was wearing a lot of layers!
DeleteAny tips ? stay at home - listen to your wife !
ReplyDeleteAnyway I hope you have 'fun' and get back safely.
I stay at home for most of my life so it's always good to sleep out. I hopefully will do it more in the summer, even if it just means sleeping in the field here!
DeleteOooh lovely! have fun and yes - lots of thin layers are best!
ReplyDeleteI am very envious :-)
It was fun and layers always works. I work outside alot of the time so I'm quite used to it anyway!
DeleteHope you have a lovely and informative time with your brother in the snow in the woods. I haven't been wild camping, but we did live in a caravan for three years when we came to France, which included baking hot summers and freezing cold winters, and we lived to tell the tale! Have a great time!
ReplyDeleteI don't fancy a caravan for a whole winter but i's great camopnig out for a couple of nights. We learnt loads and it was with good people so very enjoyable!
DeleteAny tips......don't go!! Things to take..... a radiator and a coffee machine!!
ReplyDeleteYour wife is right - YOUR STARK RAVING MAD!!
Seriously, enjoy yourself and the best tip is .... don't have a wash....you'll just get icicles where you don't want icicles.
Sue xx
Did wash but with a flanel! No icicles but lumps of snow kept falling on the tent and waking us up!
DeleteTake a flask of soup and one of tea/coffee with you. At least you will have something warm to drink before you cook etc. When putting up your tent put a sheet of plastic underneath first as it will get damp and so will you-so waterproof pants are a must. Then practicalities of fire and keeping your kit dry-spare dry socks inside your sleeping bag, as well as an old sheet as a liner-the thin layers will keep you warmer. Wear a hat on your head at night and if it is a mummy style bag pull drawstring and keep your head warm.Fingerless gloves are also a good idea as they allow movement re zipping up your bag etc whilst keeping your hands warm. A small hot water bottle is also good as the colder you are the more you want to get up at night and err relieve yourself-talking of which do that first so you don't have to get up. :-)
ReplyDeleteWe had plenty of warm drinks and full waterproofs on so didn't get wet (expect my boots which are rubbish and might end up in the bin). I've never like gloves so try not to wear them too much but then again my fingers did crack over the weekend which is never nice. I also hate having to get up in the night for a wizz! Thanks for your comment
Deletelol .......................brrrrr
ReplyDeleteCamping sounds mad, but the course sounds great
perhaps stock up on cold remedies for next week ;)
No cold caught, in fact I think I dressed that well that I didn't feel cold once!
DeleteAt 17 Celsius below zero right now here in Maine the prospect of mid winter expeditions is about as appealing as driving a nail though my hand...though in younger and more carefree days I have done it. Add a packet or two of baby wipes to your kit. They are worth their weight in gold.
ReplyDeleteBaby wipes have a habbit of going everywhere with me now anyway but a great tip!
DeleteProof positive of the foolishness of my youth.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.melissakim.com/baxter/index.shtml
On a previous trip I actually spent a very icy and stormy night here:
http://www.melissakim.com/baxter/3day6.html
That looks a lot more snow than what we were dealing with! Looks like a good place to spend a night though!
DeleteCan't see the Hunter's Port, the stilton, the Bath Oliver's, Patum Peperium, calf's liver paté, in fact nothing at all there that would induce me to spend a night out in sub-zero temperatures with you Big Don 'Mad Kev' Alviti.
ReplyDeletenothing at all? What if I let you be "big Spoon"?
DeleteThanks
ReplyDelete