Wildling

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‘Nicola, who grew up in England, reflects on her unconventional journey to wild camping. She began as a solo backpacker in the Greek Cyclades at 19, finding freedom in camping out of necessity. A trip to Cadair Idris reignited her love for the outdoors after years away from the trails. Nicola enjoys long-distance walking and prefers camping alone, where she finds clarity and confidence that often eludes her in daily life. She shares practical tips on navigation and gear, stressing safety and preparation. With dreams of completing the Pacific Crest Trail and exploring more of Wales, she encourages everyone to feel empowered in nature, reminding us that it is a playground for all.’

Background

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I was born in Northamptonshire, in the middle of England - about as far from the mountains and the sea as you can get in this country! My family weren’t outdoorsy, and we didn’t go camping - but I was lucky to grow up in a village, with dens to build and fields to explore, and I was encouraged to be creative and independent. I loved wandering off by myself and being in nature. I’d talk to the trees and draw the fairies. I was a happy, but strange child.

You have a deep passion for outdoor exploration and wild camping. Could you share how you initially became interested in wild camping? Additionally, do you typically engage in this activity solo?

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My love for wild camping was a by-product of travelling. I went solo backpacking around the Greek Cyclades islands for 2 months, aged 19. I’d saved up my waitressing wages, so my budget was tight. I bought the cheapest 1 person tent I could find and a supermarket sleeping bag.

Knowing nothing about camping, I didn’t know sleeping mats existed and spent two months sleeping on hard ground. 32-year-old me now winces at the thought, but 19-year-old me had the most incredible time! I stayed in campsites when I could afford it and wild camped when I couldn’t, so wild camping was more necessity than goal. But that feeling of freedom, everything I needed on my back, no plans except to just ‘be’, stayed with me long after I returned.

Life got in the way so it was quite a few years until I dusted off my old tent and tentatively thought about wild camping again. I took a trip to Cadair Idris, a mountain in Wales I vaguely remembered visiting on a school trip, and spent the night half frozen in the same supermarket sleeping bag.

I should have hated it but no, I was hooked! My wild camps grew from there, as did my gear as I threw myself into research. Single night trips soon turned into weekend hikes and then long-distance walks, the first being the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.

Wild camping has always been a solo activity for me. I’m happy in my own company, and I have a low social battery. I love to curl up in my tent with a book and snacks.

What aspects of wild camping and long-distance walking is it that you love so much, Nicola?

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In my day-to-day life, I worry. I constantly feel behind at work, anxious that I’m not able to do my job well enough, that I don’t have all the answers. I take it personally when things go wrong and juggle too many tasks, badly. I feel like I’m failing.

When I’m out on the trail, there’s confidence and clarity in my thoughts and actions. It’s a different type of problem solving and risk management - and it feels like second nature to me.

Yes, the walking as a goal in itself, the scenery and peaceful camp spots are why I walk. But the ability to focus my thoughts, to prioritise tasks and never doubt myself, to feel strong and in control and free, are why I continue to walk, mile after mile, day after day, and it just feels ‘right’.

When it comes to finding a great location to wild camp, how do you navigate this process

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I like the simplicity of plotting hiking routes on a physical map and scoping out possible wild camping spots. Looking out for areas which are high and hidden, away from paths, are flat without being boggy. I like to have a few potential options so if I reach the location and it’s not suitable or the vibes don’t feel right, then I can move to the next spot. Plus it means I can share those areas with my husband, so he knows my plans.

One of the best things I’ve done to boost my confidence in the outdoors is take a navigation course. I went with @navigationwithharriet who leads a lot of female-only navigation courses and she gave me a really simple and solid system for navigating.

Do you like to stay in one camping spot for a few days, or do you prefer to move steadily from place to place?

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Always roaming! I love long-distance walking so moving from place to place is part of the fun, waking up in a different location each morning, breaking camp and continuing on, and leaving no trace. I’m currently working my way through the Wales Coast Path in sections, and that has been a real joy of bivvying on beaches, pitching on rocky headlands, stealthy camps in sand dunes.

Do you have any favourite apps or tools that you like to use while wild camping?

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Because I’m walking with all my gear on my back, keeping my kit light is key and I’ve turned into a really nerdy gram-counter! I have an app called PackLight where I keep a gear inventory of everything and the weights of each item - from my tent to my toothbrush - and create packing lists from it.

I’m also a big fan of the OS Maps app, the digital version of paper OS maps, to save having to take multiple maps if I’m doing a longer route.

A great one for safety is OS Locate, which shows my grid reference and doesn’t require signal. Mountain Rescue prefers a grid reference to What3Words.

What essential gear or equipment do you always take with you when wild camping?

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My kula cloth! A reusable pee cloth, I love it! Also a pair of clean, cosy socks just for sleeping in. It’s my little ‘luxury’ item that’s worth the weight.

Have you ever encountered any unexpected challenges while camping in the wild? How did you handle them?

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Usually it’s weather related. I was out bivvy camping recently when strong winds unexpectedly picked up, leaving me quite exposed. I’d previously scoped the area out prior to a camp and suddenly remembered some nearby caves, so grabbed my things and took shelter there - it was the middle of the night so I was glad of my head torch!

U.K. weather can be unpredictable, I’ve had sudden freak hailstorms where I’ve just had to get my tent pitched quickly to escape from it!

What is your favourite season or environment for wild camping, and why?

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Autumn - the colours, the quiet trails, the crisp mornings, the cloud inversions… and the switch to my cosy autumn/winter sleep system. Longer nights mean more time in my little nest, drinking hot chocolate!

One of my favourite camps was the first time I slept in a bivvy bag, it was November and a cold zero-degree night. I was in a cocoon of down, and woke up to frost on my bivvy bag and an incredible pink sunrise across the northern Lake District fells.

What are your go-to meals or recipes when cooking outdoors, and do you have any tips for campfire cooking?

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Ahh I’m classic hiker trash; it’s anything instant when I’m on a trail! Idahoan instant mash with added veggie jerky is my go-to, gross as it sounds, I love it!

If I’m based somewhere for a while in my campervan, I’ll cook warming veggie one-pot wonders.

Sweet potato and red lentil dahl is one of my favourites: chop up a red onion, peel and dice a sweet potato. Fry the onion in a pan with some oil, add some ginger and sweet, warming spices, and a dollop of tomato puree. Stir and fry for a minute, add a 400ml can of coconut milk and a veggie stock cube. Add the diced sweet potato and 100g of red lentils. Cook until soft, 20-25 mins. Add a splash of water if it gets too dry. Great with naan or chapati, it’s a hug in a bowl.

Have you ever felt unsafe while wild camping? What protocols do you have in place for your safety?

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Luckily I sleep like a log so if there have been dangers, I’ve been blissfully unaware of them! Na in all seriousness, I never feel unsafe wild camping, my view is I’m statistically safer in the mountains than I am in my hometown at night.

Apart from letting my husband know my route beforehand, I also have a Garmin InReach Mini satellite device so if I’m out of signal, I can still send him my location. It’s also great peace of mind if I get injured whilst out by myself. Though I like hiking alone, there are certain risks I wouldn’t take solo - such as scrambling or being out in a storm. I don’t like camping too close to urban areas, either.

One little hack I learnt recently is to use a small karabiner clip on the zip inside my tent as a basic lock. It wouldn’t stop someone from entering, but it would wake me and I can act.

What are your future wild camping goals or destinations that you’re eager to explore?

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My dream is to do a really big thru-hike, camping along the way. The Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada has been on my bucket list for years and now I’m making plans for it to actually happen!

Closer to home, next year I plan to wild camp and walk the Beacons Way in Bannau Brycheiniog, plus finishing the last sections of the Wales Coast Path - Carmarthenshire, Gower, and South Wales.

Words of Wisdom

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I’m an advocate that you don’t need to be macho to be in the mountains. The outdoors is for everyone, and you are strong and capable and belong there. You can learn plenty of skills on the internet and you have enough life experience to problem solve and manage your safety.

In Jenny Tough’s words: “Fix your own problems… don’t wait for someone to come along and rescue you. Don’t ignore your problems and let them fester. No wishing or hoping; action. Your problems are yours, and taking action on them and ownership for them is more than just survival. It’s integrity.”

And… have fun. Nature can be one big playground and we’re all big kids at heart!