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| What a stunning location on this wild camping trip in the Lake District - a perfect location to pitch the Helm 2 Compact tent |
Getting away from it all on a superb wild camp in the Lake District in the Helm 2 Compact tent
With a rare free weekend night and the Lake District weather forecast looking superb (no wind and clear skies - a rarity for this part of the world I know :-) then it presented a perfect opportunity for a trip to Lake District for a wild camp in my Helm 2 Compact tent and a chance to experience the Lakes in my all-time favourite way when the fells are nice and quiet :-) Here's a few photos from this trip:
Lake District Wild camping photos:
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| Looking down Thirlmire with the magnificent Raven Crag to the right |
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| I always follow the wild camping code and pitch late as the sun is going down. The Helm 2 Compact tent is easy and quick to pitch (inner and outer pitch at the same time) so the tent is up in no time, leaving plenty of opportunity to enjoy a well-earned drink and just enjoy the stunning surroundings |
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| It's an absolutely stunning wild camping spot this - although 6ft to my left here is a 200m sheer drop and if I fall down there it's curtains for me :-P There's zero wind though and the forecast is not meant to change through the night, and I'm not planning on having more than a couple of cans and don't sleep walk so I deem it safe :-) The Helm 2 Tent is also very robust, free-standing and I know I won't have any issues with this tent even when the weather isn't great |
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| The sun has now set and you can just make out Blencathra in the distance and the last remnants of the evening glow of the setting sun - soon it will be time to retire into my cosy Helm 2 tent which has plenty of room inside for me and my camping kit. |
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| It's now about an hour after sundown and the night draws in and things become very peaceful and quiet - just how I like it. I always like to have a lamp hanging in the tent to illuminate it, if anything it means it will be easy to find if I go for a little wander - but I won't be wandering far tonight near that sheer drop! |
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| Enjoying the last embers of a perfect evening in the Lake District - but a warm and cosy sleeping bag and tent beckons :-) |
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| I wake early at around 4.30am and it's time to get the stove on, get the water warmed up for my morning porridge & coffee to sort me out and get ready for the day. |
 | | After getting a bit of fuel into me I'm ready to crack on and it's not even 5am. Pitch late and leave early with no sign of you ever being there - that's how to do it #leavenotrace. The Helm 2 Compact tent is as easy to take down as it is to put up so I'm outta here in no time. |
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| I always like to make another brew just before I take my tent down - so it's ready when everything is packed away and I can relax and savour the morning in my surroundings before heading off. This little over-night wild camping adventure has been a beauty! |
Well there you are - a few photos of some great memories on a wild camping trip in the Lake District. I hope that has maybe even inspired you to want to give wild camping a go and experience the fells in an altogether new way! If you are new to Wild Camping and not sure what kit you will need - then I have some useful blog posts below and I highly recommend the Helm 2 Compact tent as your first tent for Wild Camping.
Useful Wild Camping blog posts:
Post by Stuart Hodgson
'The Hiking Photographer'
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Whet an excellent pitch, Stuart.
ReplyDeleteThirlmere looks beautiful in your photos.
Thanks Richard - Thirlmire is often overlooked in the Lakes but there’s some excellent views around there
DeleteHi Stuart. I've decided to go off on a micro-adventure this week... and I read your blog last week and really loved your description and all the photos you took! So I want to try and find near-ist to your spot at Raven Crag. I have a subscription to OS maps and so had a good look and found the area you visited I think - (near to the viewpoint at the top of the Crag). But you visited in what looks like fairly good, calm weather and so I wondered if you had ever visited during winter? Or in windy conditions.? I do have confidence in all my gear; I have a really good and low profile tent and LOTS of warm and waterproof gear etc. But yh; I guess I'm wondering about how windy it gets up there! Since I'd be pitching up high and potentially near a steep drop, lol. Tx.
ReplyDeleteHi - it’s quite an exposed spot - I done it in the summer in zero wind and no changeable weather forecast and still did feel a bit exposed next to the sheer cliff. In the darkness a few steps the wrong way and your a gonner. I wouldn’t recommend it in harsher, windier weather - the ground was also a little damp in summer and probably is a bit boggy this time of year as I suspect water doesn’t drain well from that particular spot. Finally I know park rangers patrol the area around here quite often now, in the warmer months anyway. There are other potential places up there that are less exposed - but you don’t get that amazing view. I personally would say go for other camping spots at this time of year where the views are good but not as exposed - good luck with your adventure!
DeleteHi - it’s quite an exposed spot - I done it in the summer in zero wind and no changeable weather forecast and still did feel a bit exposed next to the sheer cliff. In the darkness a few steps the wrong way and your a gonner. I wouldn’t recommend it in harsher, windier weather - the ground was also a little damp in summer and probably is a bit boggy this time of year as I suspect water doesn’t drain well from that particular spot. Finally I know park rangers patrol the area around here quite often now, in the warmer months anyway. There are other potential places up there that are less exposed - but you don’t get that amazing view. I personally would say go for other camping spots at this time of year where the views are good but not as exposed - good luck with your adventure!
DeleteHi Stuart - you will be sad to hear that I walked up to the viewpoint at Raven Crag this morning to find at least 30 people wild camping some even with dogs. Rubbish was also in evidence all the way up the route. At least one of the tents was 2 metres high and appeared to be pitched for the weekend. This glorious spot has now been ruined as have numerous other parts of the Lakes by inconsiderate “ wild campers”.
ReplyDeletePeter 10th September 2023.