{"id":14910,"date":"2016-05-10T17:11:04","date_gmt":"2016-05-10T17:11:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.walkhighlands.co.uk\/news\/?p=14910"},"modified":"2021-01-19T13:47:43","modified_gmt":"2021-01-19T13:47:43","slug":"wild-camp-101-choosing-a-site-getting-comfy-staying-clean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walkhighlands.co.uk\/news\/wild-camp-101-choosing-a-site-getting-comfy-staying-clean\/","title":{"rendered":"Wild Camp 101 \u2013 choosing a site, getting comfy, staying clean"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

David Lintern shares a few basics for staying out in the mountains.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After last month\u2019s column about backpacking food<\/a>, I thought I\u2019d follow up with a few camping tips and tricks. I\u2019ve met a fair few dedicated Munro baggers who are still a bit unsure about camping, especially for more than a night or two, but if that describes you, please – don\u2019t miss out any longer! After a good walk, staying out in the mountains really is the icing on the cake. Even if the weather is a bit sketchy, camping out equals more time in the places you love, and a more immersive experience overall. But if the learning curve seems a bit steep, here\u2019s a few hacks and some best practise that will hopefully make things more comfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"<\/a>

What you miss if you go home at the end of the day; the sound of rutting stags on a perfect autumn evening, high above Loch Mullardoch.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Choosing a campsite<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It all depends on the weather and your surroundings \u2013 there\u2019s no definitive \u2018right answer\u2019 here. High winds and stormy summits? Common sense suggests you\u2019d be wise to stay off the tops\u2026 and you\u2019d be right. Bealachs or cols often provide good shelter, especially on the lee side, but beware the wind can change direction overnight. If in doubt, seek shelter lower down, but if the winds are really high, avoid camping in woodland areas if the trees look overgrown or unstable! Areas at the edges of woods or behind small hummocks are great \u2013 it\u2019s amazing how little cover you need to moderate the wind enough to get your tent up and you inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interestingly, camping lower down the hill isn\u2019t always warmer \u2013 cold air sinks, which is worth bearing in mind when you are researching your route at home, thinking about where you might stop and what kit to take. Lastly, it\u2019s worth thinking about water. Having some on hand is nice, but if it\u2019s raining hard, don\u2019t camp too close to a burn or loch \u2013 that water level may well rise overnight! If you\u2019re concerned about how biting insects will affect your camp location, see the end of this article for further reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, before you consider any of this, it\u2019s well worth equipping yourself with the lightest bit of kit available \u2013 knowledge, in the form of the weather forecast. This will help you consider the campsite options early in the day, and plan your route accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Sheltered<\/a>
Sheltered from heavy rain and high winds in an Assynt<\/a> birchwood.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Getting comfortable<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The convention is to look for a flat site, but reality doesn\u2019t always play ball – just do your best, without moving rocks or disturbing the site if at all possible. If you are on a bit of an incline, try sleeping head down for a while \u2013 it can help with sore legs, as it drains the lactic acid which builds up from heavy muscle exercise. Anything you do move, make sure you return it when you strike camp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s worth collecting water from river or burn at the start, so you don\u2019t have to later on, especially if it\u2019s raining. I like to carry a collapsible water bottle or two for this \u2013 I\u2019m not a morning person, so it\u2019s great not to have to fetch water first thing, too. It can also help if you want to camp high or at a dry site \u2013 having extra capacity means you can carry for a short time if you need to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a>
A \u2018dry\u2019 camp on the South Glen Shiel ridge<\/a>, made possible with collapsible water carriers.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common questions beginners have is how what clothes to take. The reality is, for most trips you only need 2 sets \u2013 One to walk in, and one to sleep in. For longer trips, or those in spring or autumn, add some cosy extras \u2013 maybe a warmer pair of gloves, thicker socks and a warmer insulation layer. Don\u2019t be tempted to take loads of changes of clothing \u2013 you won\u2019t need them and they will weigh you down, making forward progress slow and uncomfortable. Pack your change of clothes in a drybag or two \u2013 these compress down small and keep your gear dry, which on a longer trip may be the difference between comfort and hypothermia. The black bin liner beloved of so many of us when we start out doesn\u2019t keep the dreich out for long\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019ve put up your tent, it\u2019s time to get out of your stinky hill gear and dress for dinner! Take the inner soles out of your boots or trailshoes and stand them up in the shoes to air. Remove your socks and if damp, put inside your puffy jacket pockets \u2013 if you use your puffy to sleep in (a good way of boosting the warmth of your sleeping bag) they\u2019ll dry overnight with the warmth of your body. Whilst your feet are airing, change the rest of your clothes. Get out of your day kit before the sweat dries \u2013 you\u2019ll feel better and this allows it to air. Need to dry off your feet properly? Don\u2019t bother with a full size towel \u2013 it\u2019ll take up a ton of room, smell and weigh more when damp. Bring a couple of J-cloths \u2013 one for your feet, and one for your arms and face. They pack small, can be rinsed out, dry fast and are cheap to replace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keeping clean<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This brings me nicely to a backpacking washkit. Here\u2019s the contents of mine, honed to economy after years of getting it wrong. It\u2019s stored in a small mesh bag, which allows any damp to escape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Clockwise<\/a>
Clockwise from bottom: toothbrush (cut down not to save weight but to make it easier to pack), antiseptic cream (cuts and scrapes), organic peppermint soap concentrate (cleans cup, pan, spoon, me and my teeth), chapstick, concentrated handcream (for chapped hands and feet), liquid alcohol hand sanitiser, floss (for teeth and kit repair).<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Your kit will of course vary, but we\u2019re going on a hike, so please leave the deodorant, hair products and\/or makeup at home! Trust me \u2013 after 2 days out there, you won\u2019t even remember why you use those things. The only thing I\u2019d add to this would be midge repellent (in season) and toilet roll. This doesn\u2019t include my first aid or repair kit \u2013 perhaps that\u2019s for another time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ll get to all matters bathroom related in a minute, but first, some ground rules for scrubbing up at camp. Please, do use an organic soap, but don\u2019t wash directly in a stream or river. Even organic soaps can cause phosphates to build up in watercourses and seriously impact waterborne wildlife. We\u2019re here to enjoy these places, not destroy them, right? Freshen yourself up \u2013 face, arms, feet and anywhere else, with a tiny amount of organic soap on a j-cloth using water from your cooking pan. This water needs to be disposed of away from the watercourse to minimise its impact. Similarly, no-one want to see tiny bits of your previous meal floating downstream, especially if they are collecting their own water from that same burn! Collect some water, clean your cooking gear, and empty the \u2018grey water\u2019 onto dry land at least a few metres away from running water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Here<\/a>
Here we see the consequences of a slack routine \u2013 a clean camp means the mountain trolls of Arrochar<\/a> can\u2019t track you down as easily.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps all this routine seems a little picky, but I\u2019ve learnt with experience that a small amount of camp discipline can go a long way to improving comfort levels. Tea and coffee tastes better if it\u2019s not got bits of the previous night\u2019s soup floating in it, and clothes stink less and last longer between washes if you take time to have a quick flannel down now and then. In hot weather, less salt build up means less chaffing from rucksack, and belt straps, too. This applies especially to feet, and blisters \u2013 keep those puppies clean!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A poo with a view<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Understandably, going to the loo outdoors is a big area of concern for beginners, but with a little knowhow we can leave that concern at home and enjoy a relatively carefree, alfresco bathroom experience \u2013 just as nature intended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Prepping<\/a>
Prepping a comfort break on a snowy mountain, digging down past the snowline. Please note a T rated axe is not essential, although it can aid an effective brace position.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

First, find a suitable spot at least 30m from water and 200m from the crag or bothy, if there\u2019s one nearby. For your own health, it\u2019s essential to go downstream from camp and away from the fresh water supply. The earth needs to be soft enough to dig a hole 15cm deep \u2013 a trowel or ice axe will make this a lot easier. Don\u2019t just scrape away the topsoil, put your back into it – you\u2019ll need to really dig down. In the winter, dig past the snow and right into the ground. This all takes time, so allow for that and don\u2019t get caught short!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assume a crouching position and make your peace with the world. After you\u2019ve finished, cover the hole completely with the loose earth you dug. Don\u2019t just dump a rock on top \u2013 it stops decomposition. What about the toilet paper? Increasingly, the thinking is to carry out. There are more of us than ever enjoying the great outdoors, and we need to keep it healthy and beautiful for the future. You can use biodegradable (cornstarch or water soluble) bags to store the used paper until you find a bin to dispose of it properly. When you\u2019re done, use the hand sanitiser to clean your hands \u2013 you\u2019ll probably be eating trailmix with those grubby mitts inside of an hour!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a>
The perfect peace of first light on the Cruachan range, seen from a very frosty bealach camp in the Etive hills. It just wouldn\u2019t be the same with some used loo roll in the picture.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re thinking \u2018eeeugh\u2019, then it\u2019s time for a deep breath (perhaps not too deep) and a quick recap \u2013 it\u2019s our mess, we need to clean it up\u2026 and before you get too precious, think about where you\u2019ve just had your hands. Without getting overly preachy about it, our \u2018business\u2019 is serious business \u2013 here in the UK we are used to flushing loos, but bad sanitation is still the single highest cause of death and disease in the world, so it pays not to be complacent. There is real evidence that our laziness (or is that squeamishness?) is causing increased pollution, especially in more popular mountain areas. So please, if you use paper, any paper, pack it out – this applies to ladies and gentlemen, liquids and solids. And if you can\u2019t dig down into the ground because it\u2019s too icy or rocky, then do your worst onto a piece of toilet paper, and pack the whole lot into a disposable bag. And no, it\u2019s not OK to hang it on a tree!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Cairngorm National Park runs it\u2019s very own Poo Project to encourage packing all human waste out \u2013 you can find fresh bags and containers for use at the Cairn Gorm ski centre. There\u2019s also a useful leaflet produced by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, here . http:\/\/www.mcofs.org.uk\/assets\/access\/where-to-go-leaflet.asp.pdf<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grinning and baring all in a storm isn\u2019t the most comfortable experience I\u2019ll admit, so you might want to pick your moments. But there\u2019s no need to be embarrassed – we all have to go. I\u2019m not ashamed to say that when the weather is fine, I quite enjoy a poo with a view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further reading from David:
Outdoors eating made easy<\/a>
Scottish Winter camping – a work in progress<\/a>
Stop Bugging me<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

David Lintern shares a few basics for staying out in the mountains. After last month\u2019s column about backpacking food, I thought I\u2019d follow up with a few camping tips and tricks. I\u2019ve met a fair few dedicated Munro baggers who are still a bit unsure about camping, especially for more than a night or two, but if that describes you, please – don\u2019t miss out any longer! After a good walk, staying out in the mountains really is the icing on the cake. Even if the weather is a bit sketchy, camping out equals more time in the places you…<\/span> <\/p>\n

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