30 yr abscence

Hi all,

I'm returning to camping after approximately a 30 yr lay off. I was once very active as a scout, Police Cadet and Army Medic, but now middle age has crept upon me like an invisible stealth-badger.

I have bought oodles of kit, partly as a result of a whim and a modest divorce settlement. I have walked extensively in the white/dark peaks and now plane to begin camping.

My aim is to start off slow (mainly to see if I can hack it) and then to build momentum with longer and more self sufficient forays into the wilderness.

A couple of OM'ers have recommended I camp on a mates lawn to see if I can do it without popping into the house for re-supply and to gauge if my new Osprey Exos 58 will carry all my dehydrated Foie Gras and guilded cutlery.

There is a very tidy Caravan Club campsite only 3 miles from my house (in Leek, Staffs) which charges £6 for a pitch, or a field at the foot of The Roaches for £3. I plan to walk up in the evening, camp overnight and then see if I want to stay and do a spot of walking or return to the comfort of my compact and bijou flat.

Either way, I'm quite excited/nervous about the prospect of 'going solo' and waking up in some achingly beautiful place devoid of roads, people and booming car stereos.

I'll keep you posted.

Cheers

Si

You could have a look at  the  Meets thread

as there is often something somewhere .

Best decision you've ever made.

Forget the 'middle-aged' thing - 50 is the new 20 (or whatever it is these days).  The trial night on the lawn or a camp-site is definitely the thing to do before heading into the boonies.  You can check that your pitching, cooking etc routine works OK and that you can sleep comfortably on your chosen sleeping kit.

The Exos 58 is a great sack and, although a bit awkward to pack because of the airspace back, should have ample space for wildcamping kit. 

Good on you!
I'm just edging back into solo wild camping again, after doing my stint tied to the kitchen sink and kids. They are now just old enough to do some fending for themselves and I'm rapidly falling apart at the knees. Time to make the most of all I can.

Hoorah for you, Simon! I suspect there's a lot of people on here who made it back after a long lay-off because of kids/partner/work/study (delete as appropriate). I had a 25 year gap myself, but it's way better now than it was in the early 80s!!

Enjoy your mini adventure. I was taken on my first wildcamp by two pairs of OMers, Matt and MoS, and Nicky and Jamie; not long afterwards I was doing my first solo wildcamp - in the snow in winter

Thanks for the heartening words of encouragement

Now all I need is for the weather to improve

Cheers all

Si

Metric Kate wrote (see)

 but it's way better now than it was in the early 80s!!

 

Well Kate if nothing else the colour scheme's on clothing have improved massively

Hope you have a good fist camp.

 Welcome to the forum.