Basecamp etiquette

[FBJimmy]

Hi,

My wife and I are considering taking our first multiday hike this summer.

I was leafing through some old walking magazines and one option caught my eye - a three day walk around the West Mounth Hills (Trail Magazine, June 2013). The write-up suggests a 'lochside base camp' at Loch nan Run.

I've wildcamped before (not hiking) and we always considered the correct etiquette to be to clear camp first thing, but I assume the implication of calling it a 'base camp' is that you would leave the tent there, taking a load off your back for the middle day?

[Alteknacker]

I don't think there's any etiquette about moving a base camp, other than leaving the place clean when you go.

I've certainly set up base camps from time to time, and so have plenty of other folk on this site. Some folk leave their tents in one place for several days.

[HalfManHalfTitanium]

Hi,

My wife and I are considering taking our first multiday hike this summer.

I was leafing through some old walking magazines and one option caught my eye - a three day walk around the West Mounth Hills (Trail Magazine, June 2013). The write-up suggests a 'lochside base camp' at Loch nan Run.

I've wildcamped before (not hiking) and we always considered the correct etiquette to be to clear camp first thing, but I assume the implication of calling it a 'base camp' is that you would leave the tent there, taking a load off your back for the middle day?

Do you mean Loch nan Eun? If so, we visited there and camped for two nights at nearby Altanour, which is a wonderful sheltered place among the hills. The loch is a good spot, but Altanour is even better - https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=58920

We left the tents up for a day, while walking to Loch nan Eun and the nearby hills. This was during the stalking season, but we checked and there was no objection.

tim

[nigheandonn]

The only *rule* in most places is the access code - obviously there are places you would be happy to leave things and places you wouldn't, and so on.

Access rights extend to wild camping. This type of camping is lightweight, done in small numbers and only for two or three nights in any one place.

https://www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot/practical-guide-all/camping

[Marty_JG]

Etiquette wise it's fine. First come first served and you're allowed 3 days in a spot.

Bear in mind some tent materials, especially ultralight nylons, degrade under strong UV. Three days isn't enough to worry about but I watched a review of a Canadian who'd left her tent up for a month to stress test it and it was starting to degrade at the stress points.

[crfishwick]

Etiquette wise it's fine. First come first served and you're allowed 3 days in a spot.
.

Is that correct or etiquette? A recomendation unless in the 2003 Act stating illegal to spend more than 3 days.

[WalkWithWallace]

If you're quiet and leave no trace then you'll be absolutely fine.

[Essan]

Wild camping in one spot for a few nights is no problem. It may be advisable to leave a note (not too obvious) to say where you are going though: someone seeing the tent unattended over several days may have concerns.

I have in the past left a tent for several days whilst going off to a bothy. But this is in remote areas.

Obviously this is for wild camping, not roadside camping!