It feels like I haven’t done this in a while. Winter camping has definitely thrown some challenges my way. Between camping through Storm Bert and now sitting out Storm Darragh, it’s been rough. Today’s trip to the woods? Let’s just say it didn’t start off great.
On my way to my usual spot, I ran into an unexpected hurdle—a stream had appeared where none had been before. It wasn’t running through the campsite itself, but it was directly in my path. The ground clearly liked to collect water, but I hadn’t expected this. I had to find a way to ford it without soaking myself, which was a fun little adventure on its own.
Once I got past that, I made my way to my usual area. However, I had to choose different trees this time, as my usual ones weren’t workable. These were nearby, but they didn’t give me as much flexibility in setting up the hammock. Still, they’d have to do.
A Flawed Setup
To keep my setup discreet and avoid exposing myself to any passersby, I decided to pitch everything lower than usual. While this helped me stay out of sight, it did make things less comfortable and a bit cramped. It wasn’t ideal, but I wasn’t about to keep searching for another spot. My priority was getting some shelter up and grabbing some rest before my night shift.
I’ve come to realize this particular site isn’t going to work for me anymore, at least in these conditions. After nearly a month of camping here three days at a time, I think even the woods are telling me it’s time to move on.
What I Should’ve Done
I’m a bit annoyed with myself, to be honest. I was in an outdoor shop recently and almost bought some ankle-high wellies. I even picked them up, thought about it, and then walked away. Big mistake. If I’d had those, crossing that stream and dealing with the muddy campsite would’ve been a lot easier. Lesson learned: I’ll be picking up a pair as soon as I can.
Hammock Life
Despite all this, I’ve learned a lot about hammock camping during my time out here. Each trip has been a chance to fine-tune my setup and adapt to the unpredictable British weather. My new tarp is arriving soon, and I’m optimistic it’ll make a big difference on future outings.
What’s Next?
I’ve got another spot in mind for my next trip—assuming it’s not already taken (you know who you are). With the way the weather’s been, I think it might be time to switch back to the tent for a bit. While I enjoy both hammock and tent camping, the tent might be the better option until conditions improve.
Camping in winter isn’t easy, but it’s all part of the experience. Every trip teaches me something new, even if it’s just a reminder to prepare better (and buy the wellies!).
