My First Solo Wild Camp

April 2021 - Wild Camping at Angle Tarn, The Lake District

After embarking on a few solo hikes, I felt prepared to embark on my first wild camping adventure. I had a strong inclination that I would really enjoy it. However, there was always a possibility that I might not or that the solitude might be too daunting. To begin with, I purchased some basic equipment, thinking that if I enjoyed the experience, I might need to invest in better gear later on. I acquired a £55 Vango tent, a Mountain Warehouse Everest sleeping bag weighing approximately 2 kg each (which I later discovered was quite heavy but extremely warm, a great winter option), a compact stove, and a sleeping mat. Additionally, I bought a freeze-dried meal from Summit to Eat. With the hiking clothing I had already purchased, I felt ready to embark on this new adventure.

She's Going Solo may receive commissions for links included in articles to Amazon and other affiliate partners. Recommendations are not given out lightly, and all products recommended have been tried and tested.

See The Beginners Guide to Wild Camping here.

Following my hike in The Lake District earlier this month, I concluded that I didn't wish to camp around Haystacks. Although I couldn't pinpoint the exact reason, it didn't feel like the right spot for my initial camping experience. This might have had something to do with choosing the most challenging path up there, which had rather deterred me 😂 (See blog post here). Subsequently, after watching a plethora of YouTube videos on wild camping, I resolved to head towards Angle Tarn. Nevertheless, I wanted to avoid crowds, as Angle Tarn is well-known for its popularity. My plan was to camp a bit away from the Tarn itself, hoping to enjoy views of the surrounding mountains and perhaps catch the sunrise over the Tarn.

The dawn of my first solo wild camping adventure had arrived, and I was filled with anxiety. What was I thinking, heading off into the mountains alone, armed with just a tent and plans to spend the night there? I must be mad! I had invested quite a bit in gear and informed everyone about my plans; backing out now wasn't an option. I left details of my intended camping spot at home, packed my Garmin inReach Mini (See review here), and set off. Upon reaching Patterdale, I referred to the map, which indicated a car park behind a pub. On arriving at the pub, I drove up a steep incline, assuming the car park was located behind it. To my dismay, I ended up in someone’s back garden on the narrowest, rockiest road imaginable with seemingly no way to turn around; my nerves were shot! To my embarrassment, a woman emerged from her house and suggested that if I could drive a bit further into the garden, there was space near her shed where I could turn around. My legs quivered, making a handbrake start impossible, and my heart raced. Somehow, I managed to pull myself together and extricate myself from the situation, though I accidentally took a plant pot with me under the car. 🤦‍♀️

After finally locating a parking spot, I took a moment to calm myself with some deep breaths before gathering my belongings and setting off. In my nervous haste, I was relieved to have remembered everything necessary. There was a flat stretch at the beginning of the walk, which was a blessing before tackling the steep ascent of Place Fell towards Angle Tarn, especially with my heavy bag weighing about 18kg! Regrettably, I had foolishly packed my SLR and tripod (which went unused) along with far more equipment than I needed. It quickly became apparent how crucial it is to manage gear weight wisely. During the climb up Place Fell, I felt overwhelmed; my pack was excessively heavy, and my phone incessantly buzzed with messages from my mum, worried about me being alone. Whenever I paused to catch my breath, I also had to reassure her to stop texting and let me focus on making it up the hill. Reaching Angle Tarn took approximately two hours, leaving me utterly exhausted.

I noticed a few campers already scattered around the Tarn, so I headed west, moving away from the Tarn and back towards the lower valley. Eventually, I found a small, flat spot right in front of Cat Crag, which offered a spectacular view of St. Sunday's Crag, Hart Crag, Fairfield, and the distant peaks. I set up my tent, inflated my mat, prepared the stove, and then sat down to watch the sun gradually dip behind the mountains ahead. The day was beautiful, with barely any clouds in sight; the weather was ideal despite the chill in the air. The atmosphere was incredibly serene; I could hear the birds and the occasional bleat of a sheep—it was blissful. Unlike a hike where you must keep moving, this experience felt different because I could simply stay put and absorb it all; it was truly liberating. As the sun was about to vanish and the sky was bathed in golden hues, a group of young men camping at the Tarn decided to climb up Cat Crag, disturbing my peace. Granted, they simply wanted to enjoy the sunset as I did, but their presence unsettled me. Although they weren’t doing anything wrong, their loud voices shattered my tranquillity, and being a lone woman among three men made me feel somewhat vulnerable. Thankfully, they didn’t linger long before returning to the Tarn. This is perhaps a downside to camping near a well-frequented spot. The sun had set, and I began my dinner.

As the sun set, the golden hues faded away, leaving the birds quieter and the surroundings almost silent. I had anticipated feeling a twinge of anxiety at this stage, but surprisingly, I remained calm. You adapt so thoroughly to your environment that you become one with it, realising there's nothing to fear. In fact, I felt more secure up there than in the bustling city centre. Being in the mountains with everything needed for the night packed in my backpack was a thrilling experience. Just like my first solo hike made me understand that hiking would be a significant part of my life, wild camping brought about a similar revelation; I absolutely loved it. As stars began to dot the sky, the temperature dropped sharply despite my thermal layers and down jacket. I crawled into my sleeping bag and zipped up the tent. Initially, it felt odd thinking about the vast wilderness outside, knowing you were miles from civilisation in complete darkness, but soon enough, a sense of tranquillity washed over me, and I drifted off to sleep. I woke once during the night to the sound of light rustling outside the tent. Although I needed to use the toilet, I didn't dare venture out. Fortunately, the noise ceased quickly, and before I knew it, my alarm was waking me up.

See a List of all my Wild Camping Gear Here.

I had set my alarm for 5:30, half an hour before dawn, and for a fleeting moment, I forgot where I was. Then it hit me—I had made it through the night 😁. Opening the door, I was greeted by a stunning sky; the sun was poised to rise in the direction of Angle Tarn. I got my stove going to brew a much-needed coffee and took a brief stroll over to the Tarn to watch the sunrise. The feeling of waking up to such beauty is indescribable; an overwhelming sense of tranquillity enveloped me. Not only did I witness a spectacular sunrise, but a herd of deer also emerged, gracefully making their way around the Tarn—an absolutely breathtaking scene. After savouring more coffee, I reluctantly packed up my gear and started on the path back to the car, realising that wild camping had become an integral part of my life. The walk back was serene; it was around 7:30 am, and there wasn't a soul in sight. My bag felt lighter, and I reached the car swiftly. Even before arriving home, I was already eagerly anticipating my next solo wild camping adventure.

If you're thinking about wild camping in England or Wales, it is illegal. However, you could get permission from the landowner or follow these simple rules, which should be tolerated.

• Leave no trace

• Set up just before sunset and leave just after sunrise, only staying one night.

• Camp about the highest fell wall.

• Do not camp on paths or too close to the water.

• Do not light fires unless you use something like a bush box, and ensure it doesn't scorch the ground.

• Oh, and LEAVE NO TRACE

If you are worried about camping on your own, try camping at a campsite first to see if you like it and take it from there. I have written a review on the perfect campsite in The Lake District where you get a 'nearly' wild camp feel. Read here.

Please always check the weather before you head out. I use The Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS) and look on The Met Office, too. When I'm out on my own, I always leave a map of my route with loved ones at home, and I check in throughout the day. I now also use a Garmin Mini, so I can still be in contact, and they can track me if I don't have a phone signal.

Please subscribe to my monthly newsletter to get more hiking routes, gear reviews, and much more straight to your inbox.

Subscribe Here

See The Beginners Guide to Wild Camping here.

If you have any questions or comments on anything you have read, please get in touch with me here.

If you don't already use the Ordnance Survey App, you can download it here. This app allows you to download the GPX route from above straight into it. I use this App to plan all my hikes, and as its OS, it mirrors the paper map you should always use in conjunction.

Disclaimer: At the time of doing this walk, all the rights of way were open, and the terrain was easy to navigate; I followed all rights of way as per the OS maps, but things can change. Please be aware that the weather/farmers, etc., can change things, and therefore, the route may not be as possible as it was for me. Please make your checks beforehand. Please get in touch with me if any information that I have included has now changed.