My top 15 tips for Stealth Camping

In this video I talk about my 15 top tips for stealth camping, including considerations, planning and kit preparation.

This information is based on my experience of 25 years in the Parachute Regiment, most of which was in reconnaissance units (1 Para Patrols and the Pathfinders), where we had to 'stealth camp' for real, to avoid detection from enemy forces on operations overseas.

[learnrideVIDEOS]

'Leave no trace' is right. Pi55es me off when people drop their shit everywhere along the beautiful countryside. Good vid.

[nw]

Besides brightness on a device: turn it to "dark mode" making all your backgrounds black. Red LEDs are better, but the most urgent aspect of light discipline is to never point any light, red or no, to your x axis. Look straight ahead of you - never point a light that way. You can see even a low powered red LED for miles at night under good conditions. Keep your lights pointed straight down, read maps laying down, and never sway or move the light source while using it if possible. Throw a jacket over you while you do it, even better. Multiple people can circle their shelters in a "formation" which blocks visibility and some sound.

[wmluna]

Learned some brand new tips on light and noise discipline. TY

[Reichsadler-Germania]

Haha! That critter nearly ran over you, mate! I almost burst out laughing! Best scene! As always: thumbs up!

[Guide]

Deer managers are trackers and they will notice you and find you, I cover several thousand acres, and even then the slightest thing out of place stands out like a beacon. Even the disturbed pattern of behaviour from wild life, like absent birds or bird noise. Mammals in unusual places at odd times e.t.c.

It is fascinating to truly know and be passive in your environment, as a visitor you will have no concept of the familiarity of those who work the land, talk to them it is very rewarding with humility and a little charm.

[SectionUl]

Stealth camping we always called a cold camp, as in we didn't have a fire going. Where I live there's an abundance of places you can get your basha up and a fire going. From the coast inwards it just gets wilder. So I'm very fortunate.

[davids]

Good points all.
I've in effect stealth camped for many years, because I just prefer not being seen. Good for a bit of 'impromptu' fishing too. This is likely to become increasingly important as we get regulated off the hills and other wild places.
One tip of my own I would add - if you're somewhere a bit iffy, don't cook at camp, period. Do your site recce, then eat offsite before setting up, and pack away your camp completely before cooking that breakfast/coffee somewhere else. You rightly focus on visual and aural 'signature', but there's smell too!
Your Pocket Rocket sounds like a blowtorch, btw (I used to use one) - a simple meths burner is silent and if you sit it inside a cone there's no visible flame either.
Leaving No Trace is of course paramount, but (and I know this isn't popular) I wonder whether that should include leaving no digital trace as well? There are so many wildcamping videos out there of a type which simply hand the enemy evidence on a plate.

[roberttolley]

I didn't get to join Marines, due to injury. So the stealth camping. Looks nice for camping while hunting. Less notice d.

[installtekzdotcom]

I was sawing a log when 2 deer came charging at me. "Gray man" certainly does work

[TheSaneHatter]

Quick thought: there are some brands & models of sleeping bags or sleep systems which incorporate the sleeping pad INTO the bottom of the bag. (This fact might be relevant when talking about keeping the pad inside of the bivvy bag.)

[danielholman]

Reading the comments, someone said this was their favorite stealth camping vid. Yeah, I’d agree w that. You did a great job of covering a lot of details. It was very well presented as well. State side here. Thanks very much. I’am going to watch it a second time.

[bushcraftbasics]

Great video.
I suspect many watching this already know but you can also get watch bands and covers the reflective face.
Alternatively, you can just wear the watch on the inside of your wrist.

[littlebull]

Spring Hare dude, hey have nearly 360° panoramic vision, allowing them to detect predators from all directions. They can see everything behind them and only have a small blind-spot in front of their nose. Seems that blind spot was effecting that Jack.
They are normally shy animals,  hares change their behaviour in spring, when they can be seen in broad daylight chasing one another around.👌🏻

[NOTHING-AT-ALL.]

These have been the most useful tips, very good video young man

[neil_castell]

what i usually do in an unfamiliar area, is just stop and sit for 10 or 15 minutes,
then once camp is set up ... i move out 20m, 30m, 50m (depending on the ground) and just walk around my camp, just to see if its visible.
... i once set up behind a screen of bushes hidden from view of a track, only to discover a small footpath running parallel 20m to my rear which had a steady stream of dog walkers on it, (so lesson learnt)

[botulf]

"Fuck me, a massive hare ran past"....obs skills level...master! Would 've been ultra amazing if you'd have snapped it up by the lugholes and turned it into a stir fry whilst still teaching us your invaluable experience and knowledge!
Great video as usual, best regards from Rutland! Multum in Parvo.

[jameshogan]

A tip I got from a COP bloke was to carry light green string so you can tie back foliage to make a space / access etc without having to cut anything.

Probably overkill, unless you are in a South Armagh field.

Good video as ever Tom

[soggz]

Hi.
Great vid.
I’m always off walking around our local woods, looking for places to set up for the night. Fallen trees like the one you are sat on are great, with a tarp over one side, like ‘half a tent’.
Going back to noise, and being silent… one thing that some people can’t control, is SNORING, when they are asleep. Big giveaway! I wonder how many people have been found, because of it?
All the best.👍🏾🇬🇧

[collinsaunderson]

It comes down to self discipline and respect for nature and integrity in my opinion is that is what a good father should teach his children bushcraft and the word of God.

Well done and many thanks for your time and effort 👌🏻

[twenchtowers]

Carrying Secateurs is sensible - they are invaluable for tackling brambles.