Fantastic video, and so nice to see a Ranger who was polite, clearly educated in the ways of wild camping and doing a great job. I remember when I was a young man in the seventies being told quite aggressively by a Ranger who had an authority issue to pack up and clear off. I was on Dartmoor wild camping and brought up in the area. I always respected the land, never left a mess (and do the same now). I would have packed up and moved on if I was approached by this Ranger, because no doubt he would have elucidated in a respectful way the reason why I should leave. However I made clear to the Ranger it was not wise to approach strangers by himself in such an aggressive manner (especially on the Moor miles away from civilization) as he does not know their background. I sent him on his way with his tail between his legs and stayed for the night. I have met many a ranger all over the World and thankfully never come across such an ill mannered ranger since. Nice chaps, with a very hard job to do! Liked and subscribed!
Wow, that's quite a tale. Thanks for sharing. On balance I do hope we continue to come across those that see the truth. What remains a concern of course is the criminal trespass bill, which gives considerable power to the 'get of my land' element. I was assured by my MP though that it was designed to prevent the fly camping element. Now on the 70th anniversary of the kinder scout mass trespass we will see. ATB in your roaming.
That's good to hear Phillip. I did this after a rather depressing piece by Paul Messner. There are a lot of us on here video documenting good practice. So hopefully the wildcamping ranks will not have to mass.
Delighted to watch your video and learn that wild camping is possible in the Lakes if undertaken responsibly etc. I am an experienced mountain walker interested in wild camping. Thank you for arranging this with the NT.
Good to hear Ray's input. I used to be a ranger and think they do a great job. It must be tough for them in a popular NP like the Lakes. For me rangers and true conservationists like the RSPB are the real 'custodians of the countryside'. Thanks for sharing Dave.
Very interesting and very fair that. Leave no trace, be sensible, and use common sense. Just about respect for the land and everyone else. Great interview.
Thanks Marcus. Interestingly there have been a handful of lost subscribers over this video as well as new ones. I suspect the lost ones are no loss and not best for wild camping. Cheers
A thoroughly enjoyable camp dave. I mean the conversation with Ray is one everyone needs to be engaged in. You asked some poignant and searching questions there, but he answered all of them well. Thanks for sharing. Mark
Great video... common sense works both ways so its great that the national trust ranger has it in abundance, I wild camp more low down but #leavenotrace, I would hope rangers if came across me would ask a few questions and judge that way although I totally understand the problems they face
Brilliant video! Very informative. Educating newbies is so important.. some people genuinely don't know all the rules of wild camping... me included when I started. Thank you for this educational video :)
Very well done on getting this perspective. It's great to hear from the NT themselves. Fly campers are an obvious concern but what worries me is the increase in people who would outwardly class themselves as 'wild campers' but genuinely see no issue with pitching wherever they want, whenever they want....as long as they leave no trace. Leaving no trace is a central pillar of wild camping, but if you are indiscreet, you are potentially encouraging others to do the same, who may themselves leave a trace 🤔
I did ask Roy that question Benny, when I asked how did he reconcile breaking the peace of the place, but he answered with just camp in small groups. Its a tricky one as we want to encourage and share, but only with the right people doing the right thing. As Roy says, its a very small minority......
Hi Dave, I'm admittedly a newbie to Wild camping and have done (and continue to do) lots of research on this style of camping. Your videos are very informative and I'm glad to hear the NT are generally supportive of responsible campers. Unfortunately my first experience whilst on the whole was very positive, it was marred by a small group of lads getting hammered on beer, playing loud music, using a disposable BBQ etc so clearly they weren't up for the same experience I was going for (I don't want to be the fun sponge after such a tough year for everyone, but I was trying to escape to peace in the beautiful surroundings!). Not to mention there were signs of human waste (man made and straight out the human, paper and all... ) strewn around.. I can see the reluctantance from some to promote the activity. Hopefully the more established wild campers will support those like me who are making a genuine effort to enjoy (and more importantly keep) the beautiful land we have on our doorstep.
Yes Tony, I did not feel quite as happy or comfortable with wild camping at the moment, so was good to get a positive perspective as long as people are leaving no trace and even actively improving things.
Good vid. I don't wildcamp personally (campsites everywhere if you're prepared to walk a bit further/less imo) but understand why people want to do it. Not enough UK wildcampers talking about how to deal faeces. It's like we can only say "leave no trace" and can't include the "that includes your own dumps". You're the first UK wildcamping channel I've watched I can remember even broaching the subject. I've recently had to walk other people's literal crap & toilet paper off the moor when I've been on day hikes around where I live, and have started taking a rubble sack and a couple of pairs of nitrile gloves with me. I look a right numpty 🤣
Nice one getting Roy on. Maybe you should’ve asked him what they think of RU-vidrs and all these Wildcamping videos they put up (me included like) and whether they consider it encouraging the fly (irresponsible) campers or it’s promoting the LNT and camp responsibly type. I know we go up hammer some beers and carry on but we are really discreet hardly see anyone and tend not to say where we are. Be interesting to know the NationalTrust thoughts. Or landowners. But yeah. Good idea and well done. 👍
Hi Andy, I am pretty sure that is what he said, they are happy with the right practices and you and I both know that our standards are spot on. The trust marketing person emailed me today and said she was happy with it, so they know they have to get the message across using all media, including youtube, which is pretty much why Roy agreed to do it readily.
Alright Andy I really enjoyed this video, as a member of the NT I was very keen to hear there views, I have stopped posting camping videos for some of the reasons you mentioned, but after listening to the ranger I'm going to reconsider a good responsible camping video speaks volumes over the cretins that spoil it for everyone, hope you are keeping well mate atvb Ged and Shan 👍
Hi buddy, just stumbled across your video and must say how interesting it was. I do feel since your video was made the situation has changed some what. As a land owner in a National Park I also have to deal with people littering making fires fly camping etc. Although I am a avid wild camper I no longer actually promote it as a small amount of generosity quickly became people taking total advantage. So I decided to contact my local park ranger, firstly there was no joy, nobody interested in answering a few questions, questions very similar to what you asked. One day driving home I saw a ranger parked up so I ambushed him (in a nice way). I explained who I was where I live and I have a few questions I would like answering. No faffing around straight to the point ‘do any of the park rangers tolerate/allow wild camping’ in the Brecon Beacons National Park? It was a point blank NO! Anyone caught wild camping anywhere in the park will be asked to pack up and move on immediately. I did ask him if he wanted to explain why it’s not tolerated but he simply said, ‘if I allow you I have to allow everyone and that will be a total disaster. So the long and short of it was ‘no wild camping is not allowed but if you don’t get caught and leave no trace then there is nothing anyone can do. I find it interesting how rules change from country to country, park to park but one thing is obvious the fly campers have most definitely screwed up things for those responsible campers. Great video ATB Lee.
Hi Mate, thanks for the knowledgable and comprehensive comment. But as you know , there are no easy answers. Whenever I see somebody abuse our outdoors, or even drop litter, I want to deal with them judge Dredd style, but alas, all you can do is attempt to educate. It seems there is not national coherence between our national park rangers and the trust, but all are doing good work, as are you!
Top video, loved the interview. Looked like you had quite a lot of gear by the size of your back pack, may I ask the average weight you carry when out and about? Best wishes Darren
Far too much Darren, dry weight was around 13.5 kilo each, heaven knows why. But we are massive beefcakes and ca handle it ( well Josh is) Solo dry weight on the night of the movement masterclass was 10Kg, much more like it. How about you? Thanks for watching and commenting.
@@Fellmandave1 Really thinking of buying a Tentipi Olivin CP but it’s 5.6kg, with my drone etc I would be around 14kg 🤯 But I like a bit of comfort and don’t hike too far
I been wild camping from age 10 now 16 my dad as always told me LNT ANY were so I haven’t I do use campsite when I can but some time when walking in fells there now campsite too go too so wild camping has too happened I all way pice up late Down sunrise 🌅 so I live your vid log good adventures should be keep secret too all the fly camp I do pick up rubbish as I get last month I did 2 black bag with junk, so just take home yr junk u brought it u take back, not 🧠 less
no way would a national trust ranger allow you to wild camp ,he should be reported to the national trust ,last weekend pitched my tent on hallin fell hoping for wild camp pitched tent at approx 2100 hours national trust guy came from nowhere told me to pack up and leave
That is strange Dave. Roy henderson is an experienced NT ranger who speaks for the Trust in this practice. i arranged this through their central business development oficer and it was also approved by the marketing and public relations department. So it is bona fide. According to the national trust land map , hallin fell is not part of their land. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/follow-the-history-of-our-places-with-land-map Was he a National park ranger? Did he have id or the same red fleece on? You were then camping on private land and the land owner could ask you to move on. It sounds like there was some very direct language spoken, is that the case? Strictly speaking hallin fell, at 388m is not above the recommended 400m. it is a nice spot that I have used before, but being very popular and accessible, it may be a black spot for bad practice. my suggestion is that you discuss this with the national trust for cumbria themselves. please report your findings back here.
