Winter Wildcamp | RidgeMonkey Toasty & Omelette | Alpkit Elan Hooped Bivvy | Helikon-Tex Poncho Tarp
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ธ.ค. 2024
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After being out of the wild camping game for a good few weeks on account of a dose of the 'rona, I manage to sneak in a swift overnighter, walking distance from home, in local woods.
The chilly early winter weather was made more tolerable by cooking up some simple grub on a new RidgeMonkey compact sandwich grill. Shelter was provided by a hooped bivvy / poncho tarp combo.
© Rich Lane / Cotton Bud 2020
Sick one Mr lane. Toasties are the best
Well scenic. Inspired me to make an omelette for brunch.
you are a poet my friend... love toasties lot!!!
Gracias Rosa! I'm like Wordsworth in a fleece... 😅❤️
That Raptor was after your bacon Rich. I have to say right off the bat that it looked the most delicious omelet. No talking on this one but the crystalline December day said it all. It felt pure and clean. Ideal for a good rest. A bit late to the party - only just noticed it. All the best. Mark
The raptor photo bombed me a bit Mark - I was just trying to zoom in on the M6 and only noticed it on the camera screen! I don't know about clean, I clogged the bath up afterwards hosing down my strides they were that muddy - but yeah, it was clean crisp air, and very relaxing. Cheers for the watch mate. Sending you all the best midwinter wishes. Rich.
@@CottonBud It was a nice surprise though that Raptor. As for clean I meant the air and what not. Love the mud. A pleasure to watch.
Really enjoyed that mate. Especially the night sky timelapse. It was quite mesmerising 👍
Thanks Jonathan. A rare treat to have stars and trees, was lovely to fall asleep to. Are you not tempted to have a go without a tent next year? I reckon you'd love it...
@@CottonBud I recently got an MSR tent and love it. So for now I just want to get loads of camp in it. But toward summer time a bivvy could indeed be tempting. You've planted the seed now 😄
Great video Rich, simple and minimalistic, but to the point. That toasty maker looked great! I'm out this weekend after a long lock down 😁
Aah good man Steve, you deserve to get out now! Look forward to a vid of it (tip, take your SD card this time - yes I just watched your latest! Will leave a comment 😁). Thanks for watching mate. Rich.
@@CottonBud 🤣🤣🤣
That omelette looks immense!
It weren't half bad I must admit! Cheers for watching and commenting. 👍
I could smell those bacon bits! Lovely video thanks Rich. - Ben :-)
Cheers Ben - there's nothing quite like it is there mate? Thanks for watching. Rich
Some gorgeous shots there mate, great food and loved the star lapse. Makes me want to give the Elan another blast soon. Stay safe. Hardy
Thanks Hardy. Only my 2nd night in the Elan but really enjoyed it - leaving it unzipped around the face (no bugs this time of year) made it less claustrophobic of course, but nice to have the option to 'go nuclear' and zip it up if needed. Was a cold night but I slept great, I'd recommend the insulated version of the Static V (I know you have the standard one) as it's got a great R value but is still quite thin (we know there isn't much hight to play with on the Alpkit bivvy...). Cheers mate, have a great Chrimbo with the fam. Rich.
@@CottonBud yes looking for a insulated static v in the sales mate. My xtherm definitely won’t fit.
Fabulous. I guess you have seen Erik Normark's channel? To me the best channel on TH-cam. This video very much reminds me of his style, great videography, subtly edited, and no words. All the things my video's aren't!! Really enjoyed this. I am up to boiling a few vegetables ATM, but this inspires me to experiment further with my outdoor culinary exploits! Great vid - all the best regards Adam
Thanks Adam - I'm quite late to the game with Erik's channel but from what I've seen that's a very flattering comparison! They are pure art. I think he has a few more birds calling and trees groaning on the soundtrack, wheras I have the constant roar of the M6 a few hundred yards away :) I actually filmed a talky bit with me explaining the kit setup, but I had the GoPro on the wrong setting and it turned out jumpy, so I had to bin it. So it was as much accident as design that it ended up silent! Cheers for the watch and comment mate. Rich
@@CottonBud you are right, Eric's audio is phenomenal + actually think that's what makes his films. But the cheeky little thumbs up with his coffee, made me smile when you did the same. I may well attempt it on one of my videos, but not sure I would keep a straight face!! Anyway great vid again - have a fab Christmas. Perhaps a possibility of meeting up for something in 2021! Being local and all that! Cheers Rich 👍
@@justgetoutthereguy Yeah up for that Adam! Take care mate.
Awesome Rich just gonna watch it now ..
Good camp .. good food .. leave no trace .. Awesome buddy awesome.. cheers Chris & Sam
Cheers for the watch Chris & Sam - and for the RidgeMonkey inspiration!
@@CottonBud Awesome Rich .. you also inspire me my friend .. love your vids .. look forward to wild camping with you ... cheers Chris & Sam
@@chrisandsamlivingthedream Me too mate! Roll on spring/summer eh?
Really enjoyed this video,thankyou.debs
Thanks for watching and commenting Debs! Cheers. Rich.
@@CottonBud Your more than welcome,you have a lovely channel.debs stay safe.
Oh, wow.. the star-studded sky looked incredible, Rich! So many stunning shots in one video. Especially the omelette! Lol. Hope you had a nice christmas! Mari
Hi Mari and thanks for the kind words. Yes, Chrimbo has been lovely thanks - a feast of food, booze, and board games. Same as it ever was! I hope it has been nice for you too mate. I hope you are enjoying what I call the 'perineum' between Christmas and New Year 😀. Cheers. Rich.
That omelette looked delicious mate, will have to try that in my toasty maker, nice chilled out spot, nice sunset through the trees too, not a bad spot to have within walking distance, nice camp and vid, ATB 👍
Thanks Gaz. It's near but really hard to get to on account of waterlogged paths and overgrown brambly bits. A pain, but means I get the place to myself, never seen another human there! And no litter... Cheers mate, going to catch up on your latest cooking exploits over the weekend.
Great to see you back out Rich. I hope you are feeling better now. I reckon you just gave Gordon Ramsey a run for his money. I’m starving now after seeing you make that omelette. Take care mate ATB Jiffy 👍🏻
Ayup Jiffy. Pretty much there now ta mate, just getting tired a bit too quick maybe but better every day. A few decent hikes and my lungs have coped fine, so that's good news. Hope all is good with you and the family, and looking forward to seeing you out very soon! Hang in there pal. Rich
@@CottonBud 👍🏻🎅🏻
That's a great small setup and the Star filming Fantastic , love the stars. Orion is Ace at the Mo. atb.
Thanks Walkabout. I've not had many nights in the woods with stars overhead but it was nice to capture it this time. And surely orion isn't just ace, it's (ahem) 'belting'. Geddit? 😬
@@CottonBud Sure is ! ;)
Enjoyed that Rich. I've done Bivying on the edge of a cliff, but not yet found the guts for a woodland one.... I think it's because my bivy doesn't zip up 🙈
Haha I hear ya Ray - although how do you manage in the hammock in the woods? Do you pull your beanie hat down over your eyes? It's weird, I still think that being totally enclosed in a tent or hooped bivvy is potentially more scary in the woods than being able to see around at all times. It's all the fault of Blair Witch - sounds are way scarier than sights! That said, I am a wuss in that I tend to leave the UCO candle lantern going all night until it burns out, if I'm not worried about being super stealthy of course. A skinfull of wine helped on this particular camp too - it's when I've had sober ones that the senses are alert to every little noise. Thanks for the watch and comment mate! Rich
@@CottonBud my hammock has a bug net 😂😂🙈
I have to admit, my last camp, the noises were unreal. Screams all night from i dont know what, foxes i guess. The loudest owl I've ever heard, wings flapping and swooshes everywhere.... I clearly didn't have enough alcohol! I think im going to keeo a look out for a proper hooped bivy, my British Army one has its place, but i dont think the floor of the woods is it. Always smile when i see an upload from Cotton Bud, keep it up mate, but stay safe. Ray
@@druthianoutdoors5786I actually prefer my Army Goretex I think Ray, and very nearly brought it along instead - but like you, it just feels wrong putting GoreTex straight down on a muddy, gnarly woodland floor. I have a few ground tarps I can put down under it, but these just turn into paddling pools when it rains in this sort of setup - the poncho tarp isn't big enough to cover any of them! I didn't mind putting the Alpkit straight on the floor tough, even though it cost me more than the Army bivvy - isn't that weird? Thanks for the words of encouragement mate. I'll feel a lot safer when the schools close in a few days! Take Care. Rich
Thanks. Lovely video.
Can you advise about sleeping bags / quilts? I am looking for a 3 season system for the UK that can also be used in winter with extra clothing and a liner or even an extra quilt or blanket. The helium 600 let me down badly recently at 3degree C.
Regards
Imran
Thanks Imran. Here I am using a synthetic Mountain Hardware Lamina 15 which isn't cheap for a non-down bag but packs down smaller than most. Says it's good to -9c but I was only just warm enough at around freezing. Similar performance to the Helium 600 I'd say, but the advantage is it stays warm even if wet, and is easier to clean. I too am still searching for a bag I can trust at lower temps - I think, like you, I may just be a cold sleeper ('a bit nesh' as we say round here). If I was doing a short hike like this in super cold conditions, where weight wasn't such an issue,I'd probably try and take my Snugpak Softie Elite 4, with the additional Snugpak fleece liner. Would be three times the pack size and weight of the Helium 600, but I reckon I would be genuinly cosy all night. There's always a compromise for smaller and lighter bags - even at silly money I reckon. Hope this helps. Good luck! Cheers. Rich.
Thank you for such a comprehensive reply.
Have you ever considered quilts? In winter one could use two. A good pad is the key. I've yet to try but it's all the rage for some you tubers whom I respect eg Mr Messner
@@trytheoutdoors Yes I would like to get a decent quilt one day - I have well insulated pads already so it makes sense. Particularly appeals for hammock camping as sleeping bags are a nightmare to get in/out of!
Loved every minute of that,mate.
Seemed ideal.
May I ask you where you got your backpack from,please?
Looked just like what I’m looking for,for my mini adventures,too.
Regards.
Thanks Soggz, glad you enjoyed. The rucksack is a Snugpak Endurance. Unfortunately I can't in good faith recommend it to you, as despite a great design, it is lacking in build quality and has needed multiple repairs even after light use. Also, annoyingly Snugpak don't make optional rocket pouches for the side, despite all the webbing, so you have to go third party - and the colours never match! A mild annoyance but it does my head in every time I look at it. You can see some better pouches I now have in a later vid here th-cam.com/video/0RY8jL80OEU/w-d-xo.html
Personally I would suggest you try and go for a Karrimor SF Sabre 45 with additional side pouches if you can - costs a lot more, but by all accounts they will last a lifetime. That's what I will get once this dies! Or maybe check out Savotta (which I think this Snugpak one is trying to cheaply copy) or even Tasmanian Tiger. Good luck! Cheers. Rich
@@CottonBud Yes.
Heard great things about the sabre.
Backpack of our British Army, so has to be good.
Stay safe Friend.
Thoroughly enjoyed that rich! Cracking star lapse... was that on the GoPro?
Hope you’re well buddy?
All the best
Ash
Thanks Ash. That’s the Sony RX100 vii on the star shots mate. I wish the GoPro was that good! Cheers for watching and commenting mate - looking forward to your Xmas/New Year adventures 👍
You should of bagged one of those pheasants on the way in 😁 lovely pine forest. My Helikon poncho hasn't seen much action, I need to try it out in anger. #FoodAppreciationThumbsUp 👍
How's the Alpkit bivvy? Looks a tad tight with winter kit in it. 2 breakfasts!! WOW! Quite possibly the smallest spatula in the world right there 😁 I'm on the phone to Guinness World Records now... it's looking good so far.
Cool Rich, enjoyed this mate.
#spatulaenvy It's not the size of your spatula that counts Lee, it's how you tickle those eggs with it. I must admit, I'm not quite ready yet to take guns into the woods with me, but the village butcher sells prepared pheasants bagged no doubt in these very woods, so a roast off with the poor git's relatives watching does appeal. Helikon Tex is a foot too short to be useful to sleep under for men of our mighty stature sadly, otherwise it's ace. The Alpkit is a bit tight when lying on your side (forget the Trekology pad - I've got one too and love it but no chance in there). Only used the bivvy twice but slept well. I'm after the same tent as you've got now you foul temptress! Does look the biz for woods. Cheers chief, appreciate the watch and comments. Rich.
@@CottonBud 🤣😂 nice retort. Yeah the MSR Elixir 1 is very nice, I love the fact the Trekology fits in snug with about a foot of room at the bottom, no slippage with some strategically placed clothes at the end. The storage in the thing is also excellent, overhead and each end, the vestibule is a decent size too, to cook and throw gear in. Weight wise is a slight, very slight minus point at 2.2kg or similar. But stack that against a tarp, bivvy etc it's about the same. Ash has got the MSR NX, virtually the same but slimmed down and half the weight so that's an option but pricey. Cheers
@@BurtonOutdoors I specifically want a tent with good space (especially height - I think the Hubbas are 10cm less tall) for woody environments, as I've already got the Hiiles for the Hillies. Needs to be fairly tough material (I like the double layer underneath) and one that blends in well. 2.2kg is fine on a woodland camp for me so it may be the one! But those Luxe Hexpeaks look very nice too... hmmm. Cheers Lee.
@@CottonBud Hex peak 👍👍
@@CottonBud The inbuilt bathtub is pretty thin on on the Exilir, It comes with additional footprint but I always use a cheap Poundland tarp under it as more solid and similar weight
Thanks for an excellent video. Where did you get the Trangia Triangle from, I cannot find one available for sale anywhere.
Thanks ysgolgerlan. I can't remember now, but probably Amazon? It was a good 18 months ago or more, but lots of stuff is getting like Hen's Teeth now due to Covid and yes, Brexit. Outdoor stuff from Sweden especially... Hilleberg are saying no tents until Autumn 2021 for instance! Good luck mate 👍 Rich
Good to see you back out Rich , and what better than an overnighter in the woods . The omlette looked very nice indeed , beats my breakfast efforts lol . How do you find the Alpkit bivvy ? atb Dave
Cheers Dave, was just the ticket, more or less my backyard. The Elan is pretty decent after 2 sleeps now. It's nowhere near as roomy as a Gore-Tex army job, and lacks hight generally. Luckily my Klymit insulated sleep mat is thin but even then I only just have enough space to keep it off my face, and it's tight over the shoulder when side sleeping. I think it'll be best suited for colder months without insects, when you can treat it as an open faced bivvy, and just zip it up if it rains. Having it closed all night in summer to keep insects off would be pretty sticky and claustraphobic I think. I kind of wish I'd gone for a Snugpak Stratosphere which has a little more hight, but is is a bit more pricey to be fair. I'm glad I've got it in my arsenal though! Thanks for the watch mate. 👍
Nice video. That closeup of your omelette was pure food porn! Cheers Mike