Their story, in their words…
Between the 18th and 22nd, the group of six undertook a five-day wild camping trip in Exmoor National Park. The aim was to explore low-traffic trails, test basic camping skills, and observe the landscape in early autumn conditions. Weather was mixed, with light rain on days two and four and cooler temperatures than anticipated at night.
Day 1 began with our arrival near Simonsbath in the late morning. A short 6 km walk along the River Barle led to a grassy site by midafternoon. Everyone set up tents with some difficulty due to uneven ground. A basic dinner was cooked using two stoves. Spirits were good though several found the packs heavier than expected.
On Day 2, we hiked 11 km towards Lanacre Bridge via a mix of farm paths and moorland. A steady drizzle from midday made the route slippery and slowed the pace. Betty and Melody both noted sore shoulders. The group arrived at camp slightly later than planned, tired but in agreement that the scenery along the Barle Valley was worth the effort.
The weather improved on day 3, but a stiff wind made it challenging to keep kit organised. Covered 13 km towards Dunkery Gate, mostly uphill. Fjona mentioned feeling fatigued, and Bibiana had mild blisters. Lunch was taken at a sheltered corner below Dunkery Hill. Water resupply required a detour to a stream. Everyone was glad to pitch early near a small copse for wind cover.
Day 4 was a shorter 8 km section was chosen to allow for recovery. The team walked across gently rolling pasture towards Withypool, stopping to check maps more than once when tracks became unclear. Malachi and Angelie helped carry extra gear for those finding the terrain tiring. Intermittent showers continued through the afternoon, but morale held steady.
Our final day was a 10 km stretch back to the start point at Simonsbath. The morning was misty and damp, clearing by noon. Packing up took longer than expected as ground sheets were wet. The group reached the car park early afternoon, relieved but satisfied. There was consensus that, although manageable, the trip had been harder work than anticipated.
Loads were on the heavy side, especially for first-time wild campers. Adjustments in packing and food planning could help. Route-finding on open moor sections was at times uncertain, requiring steady attention. Physical fatigue was evident by day three; pacing and rest breaks were important. – Weather conditions made drying kit difficult, particularly overnight.
The five-day Exmoor wild camping trip was completed safely, with each participant contributing to group tasks. The combination of sensible mileage, varied terrain, and unsettled weather created a realistic level of challenge. Future outings might benefit from lighter equipment and a more gradual increase in daily distance, but overall the experience demonstrated good teamwork and persistence under mild strain.
