Wild camping in the UK vs USA | What's the differences?
Wild camping in the UK vs USA | What's the differences?
Want to know the differences I found between wild camping and hiking in the USA vs the UK? Look no further and check out this video of all my findings.
If you think of any other differences, comment below!
BTW, I MADE THIS INCREDIBLE BIT OF GEAR
Kit list as of June 2020:
Backpacks
Atom+: https://bit.ly/31oHlFF
ULA Circuit: https://bit.ly/37XbigX
SHELTERS
Stratospire 2: https://bit.ly/317A9gS
Zpacks Solplex: https://bit.ly/2CtyJmr
SLEEP SYSTEMS
Katabatic Sawatch: https://bit.ly/3fWSxNM
Katabatic Palisade: https://bit.ly/3ewt5OL
Neoair Xlite: https://bit.ly/2YrKSB4
FOOTWEAR
Altra Lone Peak 4.0: https://bit.ly/2B5fHm8
Gaiters – Altra gaiters: https://bit.ly/37ViBFY
CLOTHING
Waterproof shells
Rohan Helix: https://bit.ly/37ZKbSo
OR Helium 2: https://bit.ly/3fVmzBq
Frogg Toggs: https://bit.ly/2Nqlrth
Insulated jackets
Patagonia Micropuff Hoodie: https://bit.ly/2YwQZ7f
Trespass Rustler: https://bit.ly/3i0HODx
Base layers
Ice Breaker base layer: https://bit.ly/3eGSdlG
Shirts
Rohan Expedition: https://bit.ly/388teWl
Shorts
Patagonia Striders: https://bit.ly/2Npw2EX
Hats
REI desert cap: https://bit.ly/3hWUKdJ
Berghaus beanie: https://bit.ly/31dGvvi
Sunglasses
Sungods: https://bit.ly/2zZ0wKG
Gloves
Salomon gloves: https://bit.ly/2ByVMMf
Ski gloves: https://bit.ly/383TCQX
Socks
Injinjis: https://bit.ly/3dwpmPG
Darn Toughs: https://bit.ly/3hX28G2
Sealskinz: https://bit.ly/3hXAnNG
NB Flat Knit: https://bit.ly/31e0Dx1
Mosquito net
Smidge: https://bit.ly/2B8d9DH
Buff
Camino Buff: https://bit.ly/31awGho
FILM AND SOUND
Phone
iPhone 11 Pro Max: https://bit.ly/2NosT83
Drones
DJI Mavic Air 2: https://bit.ly/31oIn4v
DJI Mavic Air 1: https://bit.ly/2VbNn8E
Cameras
Canon M50: https://bit.ly/3eyCPrQ
Sony RX100V: https://bit.ly/2NqQOUy
Mics
Röde Micro: https://bit.ly/2Npt1nX
Tripods
Gorilla Pod 1K: https://bit.ly/31c74Rf
Gorilla Pod 500: https://bit.ly/3ewApts
Manfrotto Action: https://bit.ly/2Ys689O
NAVIGATION
GPS units
Garmin InReach Mini: https://bit.ly/384Keg4
Garmin GPS Map 66i: https://bit.ly/3dxY4bI
Compass
Silva Field: https://bit.ly/31aS3iD
WATER TREATMENT
Filter
Sawyer Squeeze: https://bit.ly/2YwRJt3
Purifying drops
Aquamira drops: https://bit.ly/3euuQM9
Water storage
Cnoc Vecto 2L: https://bit.ly/31e1AFB
ELECTRONICS
Power banks
20,000mah: https://bit.ly/2NnBQyA
13,000mah: https://bit.ly/3hZhvOg
GPS tracking watch
Garmin Forerunner 35: https://bit.ly/3drJUc9
Wall chargers
UK : https://bit.ly/2BxbgQW
US : https://bit.ly/3dpUIrb
Data
Apple SD reader: https://bit.ly/2VfnnsW
EQUIPMENT
Lights
NU25: https://bit.ly/2Z5S70p
H2R Nova: https://bit.ly/2BB5fCV
Tiki: https://bit.ly/3hXBKfi
Ice axe
Grivel Helix: https://bit.ly/2Z6e0Nm
Trekking poles
Alpine Carbon Cork: https://bit.ly/3hXWiUL
Traction
Microspikes: https://bit.ly/3fQC5hV
Stove
MSR Pocket Rocket 2: https://bit.ly/2Vfl4WL
Spoons and knives
TITO titanium spoon: https://bit.ly/3ey0oAT
Victorinox mini classic: https://bit.ly/2Yr7dP8
Poop trowel
Deuce of Spades trowel: https://bit.ly/3i7H3c6
Sit pad
Kumfie pad: https://bit.ly/3euvJnX
Tent stakes
Tarptent stakes: https://bit.ly/3hZik9O
MSR Mini Ground Hogs: https://bit.ly/3ew7VAe
OEX Y-shaped stakes: https://bit.ly/31bAnnd
Tent poles
Zpacks carbon fibre tent poles: https://bit.ly/3du14pM
Ground sheet
Polycryo ground sheet: https://bit.ly/37XLmBW
STORAGE
Pack liners and pods
Atom Packs DCF pack liner: https://bit.ly/2YrMPxo
Heacy-duty rubble sacks: https://bit.ly/31dqPba
Dry bags and stuff sacks
Sea to Summit 4L Nano: https://bit.ly/3hVi8Z3
OEX 2L dry bag: https://bit.ly/3dx6qjX
Katabatic Gear silynylon stuff sack: https://bit.ly/3expU9n
Pouches and wallets
Zpacks DCF Wallet: https://bit.ly/2VgbQcL
Zpacks DCF utility pouch: https://bit.ly/2CuHAEq
Food storage
Loksak OPSak: https://bit.ly/2Nq2VkD
Ziploc freezer bags: https://bit.ly/2Z8GOVz
MISC ITEMS
Bodyglide: https://bit.ly/2Nt5Wka
Carmex lip balm: https://bit.ly/31bqBRW
Lifesystems Nano first aid kit: https://bit.ly/37XVv1v
Croakies eyewear retainer: https://bit.ly/2B8fmit
Wow – I sit here is San Diego watching hiking videos about 4 hours from world class hiking. If I get the itch I go….it must be brutal to be so far from a really good mountainous hike. Come on back as soon as you can.
Interesting and plenty of food for thought! Overrall I’ve found wild camping in Scotland allows far more freedom than in many areas of the USA. There’s a big difference between Scotland and the rest of the UK in this respect too. No permits are needed and you don’t have to camp in certain spots in Scotland (by the way in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park wild camping is only forbidden along some roads and loch shores, in most of the park you can camp where you like). For UK trail culture try the TGO Challenge! Places along Challenge routes are ready and waiting for walkers and there are plenty of parties. Popular routes like the West Highland Way are similar. The camp sites you describe along the PCT aren’t found on less popular trails or in many wilderness areas in the USA. On the Arizona Trail and Pacific Northwest Trails there were very few of them except in the short sections in national parks. With resupply I have sent boxes to post offices along the way and then resent them to the next post office in the UK. It’s worked fine.
sorry mate, utter bollocks. If you haven’t enjoyed the pleasure of the numerous honesty boxes in the uk, then you clearly haven’t done many long distance uk trails. Your not comparing like for like – weekend campers arn.t thru hikers and you do a massive disservice to the uk long distance walking community with these half thought opinions..
One thing you missed is that some trails in the UK such as the West Highland Way have honesty boxes for hikers.
A question from America: What is "wild camping" as opposed to just "camping" or "tame camping" maybe?
Hi dude, neat vid. Some of my best backpacking was over in BC, Canada. Bears, snakes, otters & banana slugs. Primary temperate rain forests & majestic mountains. Ripsnorting trails, some needed permits. What I saw in BC was similar to the Yanks, they’re totally geared up for backpacking in a way that makes England look shameful. But then they’re not constrained by the same outdoor politic & ethos etc., that we experience here. Was some what depressed returning to the pointy bits of England, it felt like we’ve emasculated the wildness out of landscapes here, in an endeavor to control & master it. But hey, I’m over that now, for the time being. But Scotland. Ahhh… Scotland, the golden land, the backpacking mecca. It shares some similarities to N. America, in that I’ve encountered something like trail angels & trail magic- but you have to leave some pennies for the trail fairies! As mentioned previously, Post Restante, has been the way to resupply myself during my TGO challenge trips. But not able to bounce them on up the line to the next town. Trail parties… again mainly during the TGO. 1st weekend in Braemar is steaming, Callater Lodge… infamously hardcore & Alan Solmans Cheese & Wine parties, at a given grid reference, are legendary. Going to self censor at this point because I’ve got to go sort the cows out 🐄 "All who wander are not lost!"
☮🥰☯️🤙
I did the Lejog back in 2018, I had no problems with wild camping on any part of the walk, I met people who have washed my clothes, given me food, snacks and accommodation and have been generally interested in what I was doing. We may not have trail angels here in UK, but there was plenty of honest boxes stocked with drinks and sweets. If you ask people they will give you water and help.
You can do a “lite version” of post office resupply by using the Royal Mail Poste Restante service – you can email the post office you want to let them know and them send stuff to it ahead of time, however you can’t bounce packages unfortunately
A great and informative video, thanks
Just to mention wild camping in U.K. (not Scotland) is against the law. But it’s at the moment a civil trespass landowner matter. The landowner would have to ask you to leave and they would have to take legal action against you themselves.
However, there is consideration soon of making civil trespass a criminal matter. This would mean if you got lost on a public footpath or did some wild camping and the landowner got a bit grumpy with you or just disliked walkers and wild campers they could just call the police on you for criminal trespass.
So this could mean a respectful wild campers or other user of the outdoors such as a backpacker or bike packer could end up with a criminal record.
If this law gets passed it will fundamentally change how the outdoors is used in the U.K. people will become too scared to get out in the outdoors and you will probably start seeing signs of some landowners lands stating they will call the police on you if you are found.
Don’t think U.K. landowner won’t use this law against people crossing or wild camping on their land, they will.
😢😢
Well their is some nice places to camp in the U.K. but for me the US is the Best place!
I lived in America for 8 years, and on and off most of my life.
Their is No comparison, the USA for me pisses on the U.K. ….Always will!
It’s the same with most things in the U.K., we throw in wayyyyyyyy to much BS, rules and regulations ……we spoil everything!
I want land for a build in the US, I would Never consider buying land in the U.K. cos I know the BS they would give me with planning permission …..F**k that BS!
Many states in the US Don’t give you planning permission, You submit and tell them what you are building on your Own land and away ya go!
But the bottom line is, Different country, Different culture.
Things I like and love about the U.K. but it’s Never going to be what I would like it to be so it will always be the USA for me.
I just much prefer the way of life in the US.
You forgot to mention our seasonal fires. No need to bring a stove, nature will cook your food for you. Imagine the weight savings!
You forgot wildlife, in the UK there aren’t any animals that will hunt, kill, and eat you, in the US there are.
Great video btw, very forthright, honest.
I hate how english people in the comments section keep moaning about uk camping laws are awful etc , ENGLISH and WELSH laws maybe , Scotland you are free to wild camp anywhere anytime as i have done all my life , there are only restrictions between march and september in loch lomond and trossachs national park that say you cant wild camp within 100 metres of a loch shoreline , just wild camp 101 metres away 😁 or pay £6 a permit , the rest of the whole country is free to camp anywhere and anytime . Ive been to usa and canada and i still prefer scottish scenery (although lake louise was breathtaking in canada)
Awesome video, liked how you promoted LNT a few times, wild camping in the UK is defiantly a different experience, very noticeable for me if I compare it with wild camping in Africa. All the best Alex
You can have fun wild camping anywhere.
I prefer to stay out of parks and away from trails , I hate campgrounds.
I live near the Appalachia trail in Maine, close to Katahdin, I’ve never visited the park (Baxter?) , thats not camping.
Hi, Russ! You made me feel good about the USA (I live in Massachusetts, so only a 2-3 hour drive to the Appalachian Trail and the mountains of northern New England) and I know that backpacking is popular in Canada as well. Someday I hope to hike in England or Scotland. But you make me wonder, in what other countries in Europe or the world is backpacking popular? By which I mean, carrying a shelter and everything you need for a few days on your back. I believe the Swiss and French and Germans and Austrians are hikers in their Alps but do they backpack in this way? Are there any countries where there is backpacking similar to the US and Canada, to your knowledge? The Rota Vincentina expected you to stay in the towns and the Compostela across Spain is similar, right?
Uk law about wild camping is strange no really freedom for hikers,
Great summary. Wow if my knee wasn’t playing up and I was not a family man I would be in the States walking. It’s a bit sad that we don’t have even some of these rights.
Not been to America but I would absolutely love to just for the PCT and also I’d love to do the sanGabriel mountains But obviously there’s more things to worrie about like vouchers bears snakes spider scorpions and so on But yer I love camping in uk Great video mate
Bouncing boxes ahead is no problem in the UK or anywhere. Just write ‘Poste Restante’ on your mail, with an approximate date of collection.
We can do that anywhere.. Europe, wherever..Just address it to yourself with ‘Post Restante’ on the address, and the post office will hold on to it until you collect it.
I’ve done this repeatedly with boxes of ice axe/crampons etc. Its perfectly doable.
Love your channel. Good job.
Hiked alone back and forth across Europe for many years. (Including Britain)
England makes me sad and ashamed. Such a beautiful country but most of the land is reserved for the rich and greedy and every year I see fewer trees, fewer birds, fewer mammals, butterflies, wild flowers.
Nobody can imagine walking far from their car, let alone to another country, even though England is so small that you soon reach the sea.
Wild camping is theoretically forbidden in France and Germany as it is England but nowhere have I been prevented from spending the night before moving on each day.
But then…I guess nobody ever saw my camp.
Keep up the good work, friend.
Happy trails
Great video! I travel a lot for work and have currently built up a light pack for camping whilst away.. can’t wait to wildcamp worldwide
I think there is also a big difference between the experience you had with long-distance hiking on the PCT and camping when compared to how most regular Americans would head out for a camp for a week or weekend. I think you nailed most things but the experience of the PCT is still very different for most Americans
Thank you
You failed to mention the most important difference between the U.K and the U.S. related to wild camping and that is: Here in the states we don’t have to worry about the Sheriff of Nottingham catching us…..
All I do when hiking in the Peak District is picking up rubbish. Shocking.
It wasn’t quite ‘trail magic’ (there were honesty boxes for payment) but we encountered a lot of positivity towards long distance hikers doing the Coast to Coast last summer. It’s catching on!
Difference number 1
You won’t get eaten by a bear, a mountain lion or a snake in the UK 😂
So basically, UK is a pretentious controlling dictatorship and the USA is a free country.
How safe are the US hiking trails for people of colour? I’ve done plenty of long distance hikes here in the UK and one in the EU but I’m still unsure about long distance hikes in US, especially on those trails that require you to walk past states less tolerant of people with a little more melanin on their skin.
I agree, thru hiking in the UK isn’t really a thing. People thought I was mental for walking 125miles on the north downs way a two years ago.
What about Bears, Mountain Lions and Bigfoot ? (In USA). Did you come across any. By the way am waiting for my Atom Pack after watchin g your vids thanks a lot!
You did not mention Youth Hostels which are geared to walkers and exist in the popular walking areas.
I love Wales and Yorkshire but really, the like of the John Muir trail and Banff National Park are incredible. The geography of North America is just better for hiking.
Spot on! Thanks.
Thinking of getting rid of my Solplex. Not now…..
Hi Russ, I’ve enjoyed all your video topics to date, looking forward to many more. Last summer my wife walked Wainwright’s Coast to Coast and never saw any wild campers so it appears your brethren that wild camp that trek are doing a good job on keeping a low profile. As she walked the C2C I was hiking Kilimanjaro. It was an amazing experience but I was appalled by the amount of trash left along the trail by hikers. I appreciate your efforts to spread the word about leaving no trace, we need to practice this in a world getting more crowded by the day.
The USA has many National Forests. Individuals can reside within
any one such forest for a yearly total of 14 days. To continue wild
camping individuals must move on to another forest. It is possible
with vehicle use to repeat as needed in National Forests and not
exceed the number of available wild camping sites. Wild campers
are allowed to use any non-gated or otherwise unobstructed road.
To park where they please and camp amid the forest. Do contact
the District Office of each National Forest to learn of all dangers.
Such as animals that have attacked people, manhunts for criminals,
pending closure due to fire or flooding, breeding period hazards (i.e,
Moose, for example, don’t annoy any), etc.-etc. Campers are not
allowed to kill anything, animal, living organics, nor damage same
for firewood or building material. The District Office must issue
wild camper a seasonal only permit for fishing or hunting. All self-
defense acts will obtain qualified reviews by law enforcement.
Illicit behavior such as harvesting hazardous mushrooms for sale
or camp use is subject cause for arrest and prosecution. As are
a careless camp fire, chop shops, fecal as found, litter, etc.-etc.
My last such camp had me enter at 2 am, walk to a cave entry
amid cold lava, and sleep within to escape wet weather. As
fully dressed in cold weather motorcycling armor. Explored
the cave after awakening as a warming activity hoping the
outside wet weather would stop. The UK lacks enough
public-use forest property to adopt USA National Forest use
policies. Personally, I would circle any island in a sea touring
kayak for my wild camping. Above high tide reach under cliff
frontage to deter visits by Druids or other UK ethnic cleansing.
Surfing a kayak ashore requires practice. As will outbound.
Seeking shoreline caves or rock shelters for weather layovers.
I have a net bedding that can be rigged over a waterway under
bridging. Using SRT prusik or rappel in transit from/to my
floating ride. Using detachable wheels to walk a loaded boat
like oversize luggage out of harbor landings. Up to civilized
UK areas having sidewalk table food services . Most accept
plastic card commerce.
First thing that springs to mind is that you’re less likely to be shot to death in the UK
just been catching up on some of your vids.. think you’ve got rose tinted glasses on dude, the pennine way and cape wrath trail have got a real good culture around… and the right to roam in Scotland blows away anything in the states!!