Adam's Dartmoor 3 Day Solo Expedition [Archive]

Adam Savage

19-03-2011, 11:10 PM

As some of you already know, I am heading down to Dartmoor on the 25th of March.
the plan is to stop the first night at a base camp, head out the next morning onto the moor for three days (two nights) then back to base camp for the last night, before heading back home.
I will be making a video diary of my trip as well as taking plenty of stills. I will also be testing a few new items from my budgetcrafting kit, and letting you know how well they perform.
The route is planned, the equipment is planned, the only thing I need to get is the grub lol. pack weight without water and food is 11kg so far and aiming for 17 tops with water and food.
The videos will be uploaded to youtube and the photos will be uploaded to photobucket, the links for which will be placed in this thread as and when they are compiled.

Special thanks to Ash for founding the greatest bushcraft site in the country ( and possibly the world ;) ), and to both Ash and Martin for giving helpful advice and providing inspiration

IBrown

20-03-2011, 11:30 AM

Good luck mate and I hope the weather holds up for you. I will look forward to your inspirational video diary.
Enjoy the trip
Ian

Ben Casey

20-03-2011, 11:47 AM

Same here mate I hope it all goes well for you :)

Adam Savage

20-03-2011, 12:25 PM

Thanks guys, I don't mind a little rough weather, it helps to test the gear, and me LOL

paul standley

20-03-2011, 10:27 PM

hoping you have a great trip buddy. (or butty as we say in Wales)

Adam Savage

20-03-2011, 10:37 PM

thanks Paul.
I'll document as much/many, useful/interesting, info/events as I can for you guys.

Martin

21-03-2011, 11:33 AM

Adam Savage

21-03-2011, 12:32 PM

Hey Adam, if you get weather like we've had up there this weekend, you'll need to pack the factor 15. It was beautiful and really warm when you were walking but got pretty damn chilly when the sun went down.

Martin

sounds great, but knowing my luck the heavens will open, the mist will descend and the rivers will swell, when I get there lol. I would be tempted to pack a little lighter but the better part of valour and all that. Either way I can't wait.

Adam

Adam Savage

24-03-2011, 02:46 PM

All the kit is packed, route cards printed out, map folded to correct region, got enough food to feed the 5000 (just because I had room) and spoken to the base camp host. ready to rock n roll, heading down tomorrow and should be at base for 16:00 ish, setting up hammy and tarp, getting a brew going as I knock up some grub then making the first entry of the video log before bedding down for the night. Will make further entries at breakfast, lunch and supper for the following three days, plus any notable sites on route, maybe get a little travel footage and plenty of photos to share upon my return.

Adam Savage

24-03-2011, 05:35 PM

Here's that food I will be taking with me.

First off is the all important brew supplies in the billy/mess kit. I have labelled the contents of the brew kit to show exactly what fits inside these billys

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/bushcraft%20locations/Dartmoor%20Three%20Day%20Solo/24032011567.jpg

Next is the main food pack before packing into the stuff sack. I have labelled the less obvious items.

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/bushcraft%20locations/Dartmoor%20Three%20Day%20Solo/24032011564.jpg

And finally the main food packed away. The bits out of the bag will either be in the top pocket of my rucksack or in my pockets.

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/bushcraft%20locations/Dartmoor%20Three%20Day%20Solo/24032011565.jpg

Photos of my kit will be added when I return from the trip. Mainly because I have them all packed and don't want to risk taking anything out in case I forget any of it LOL. The food however will be (in part if not in whole) eaten, making photos a little difficult.

Martin

24-03-2011, 06:21 PM

Hey Adam, I know just that feeling of anticipation. Have a great time, I know you will. :)

Martin

Adam Savage

24-03-2011, 06:51 PM

Hey Adam, I know just that feeling of anticipation. Have a great time, I know you will. :)

Martin

Thanks Martin. Wish I could stop down there for the meet at the weekend. Ivan tells me he has around 30 stopping.

Ben Casey

24-03-2011, 09:17 PM

Thanks Martin. Wish I could stop down there for the meet at the weekend. Ivan tells me he has around 30 stopping.

Have a good time mate

Martin

24-03-2011, 09:29 PM

What's your route then Adam? What tors are you going to visit?

Martin

Adam Savage

24-03-2011, 09:48 PM

What's your route then Adam? What tors are you going to visit?

Martin

Starting around the Buckland Ford settlements, up to Caters Beam, over to Crane Hill, up to Whiteworks, between Royal hill and Ter hill, toward Hexworthy then down to Down ridge, to Holne moor, past Ryder's hill and through Buckfastleigh moor on the way back to Lud Gate.....roughly lol

Martin

24-03-2011, 10:00 PM

Starting around the Buckland Ford settlements, up to Caters Beam, over to Crane Hill, up to Whiteworks, between Royal hill and Ter hill, toward Hexworthy then down to Down ridge, to Holne moor, past Ryder's hill and through Buckfastleigh moor on the way back to Lud Gate.....roughly lol

Nice!! What you doing after lunch? ;)

Martin

Adam Savage

24-03-2011, 10:01 PM

Nice!! What you doing after lunch? ;)

Martin

After lunch? That was all before breakfast ;)

MikeWilkinson

24-03-2011, 10:13 PM

Have fun buddy, Insanely Jealous and green with envy. :p

Adam Savage

24-03-2011, 10:19 PM

Have fun buddy, Insanely Jealous and green with envy. :p

I'll try Mike. I know what you mean, it's a bit of a trek from where I live, let alone up your way. :(

ether

24-03-2011, 11:54 PM

mate looking forward to seeing all the photo's and videos and finding out how your trip goes as i'm thinking of doing a dartmoor mission myself, have a good one

Adam Savage

27-03-2011, 06:29 PM

Just returned from sunny Devon, had to cut the trip short due to equipment failure. I stopped around 6 km onto the moors for a spot of lunch, took the stove out of the pack, popped the canister into the bottom, screwed down the burner to pierce to can, then all of a sudden the seal gave out and proceeded to empty the can of all it's gas. Not having a spare seal and only having enough fuel for a brew in the hexystove, I made the though decision to call Ivan and head back into base camp. So 12 km later the same day across tussocks, marsh, rock and the odd patch of solid ground, I was bag in the woods drinking bitter and having a good ol' natter with Ivan and his girl. Looking back I think I made the right choice and not trying to rough it with 4 pop tarts and a couple litres of water. Ivan is the best host anyone could ask for and he's got a cracking piece bushcrafty heaven so it was more than good enough for me to come home with loads of photos and a few video entries. Had a top time of it.

I'll sort through the photos and try to compile the footage and get it (or a link to it) posted up here ASAP.

Thanks for the interest in this little trip of mine and being my first time on Dartmoor, it's always going to be in my memory.

Adam

Realbark

27-03-2011, 07:02 PM

Looking forward to your piccys mate :)

Ben Casey

27-03-2011, 07:04 PM

looking forward to it to :)

Adam Savage

27-03-2011, 07:13 PM

Here's the link for the first few, I'ts only a handful of the better pics of Ivan's site. Showing the lovely fresh stream running the length of the woods.

http://s1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/Dartmoor%203%20day%20solo%20cut%20short/

more to follow of the moors

paul standley

27-03-2011, 08:23 PM

Adam Savage

27-03-2011, 08:29 PM

Ouch... 12Km of tussocks and marsh is hard work, bad luck mate...

Alchohol stove burners like Trangia, Tatonka etc are simple, light & effective on their own or as a back-up and might make a good addition to your kit if you don't have one at the moment.

I have a pop can stove but found it inefficient, but a trangia could well be my answer. I'll look into stoves before I venture out next time

Adam Savage

27-03-2011, 08:30 PM

Here's a link for another 78 photos of Ivan's beautiful hideaway

http://s1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/Dartmoor%203%20day%20solo%20cut%20short/Ivans%20secret%20wonderland/

Martin

27-03-2011, 08:39 PM

Adam Savage

27-03-2011, 08:44 PM

Hey Adam, sorry you had to cut your expedition short mate, I know the feeling. If you fancy a return trip later in the year, I'd be up for a few days up on the moor. Maybe try a NBC Ten Tors Challenge. Anyone else interested?

Martin

I'll see what I can do, I'd be more than happy to get back on there. An advantage of going with someone who knows the moors, is I could stick more or less to the well worn tracks rather than tramping across that crazy paving like tussock and nearly breaking an ankle lol. The fuel cost is the biggest chunk for me £60 for a round trip and the hassle of a 4 hour each way drive. The little of the moor that I did see was well worth it though, and it opened my eyes to exactly what the terrain can be like down there. I was lucky to have the best weather for a bimble though. The moors took pity on my virgin self haha

Martin

27-03-2011, 08:59 PM

Those tussocks can be a real killer mate, especially if you're on your own as they seem to go on for ever and make the going so slow you think you're not making any progress. Like you said, you got the best weather the moor can offer, not too hot and not blowing a gale with horizontal sleet/hail.

like I said, if anyone's interested in a couple of days up there later in the year, let me know and we'll get something organised.

Martin

Adam Savage

27-03-2011, 09:32 PM

I'm sure I can get down there again this year, just not sure when. I'll drop you a line as and when. Would be glad of some company, like you said on your solo, solitude is a whole new dimension to hiking/hillwalking/wild camping/backpacking.

Oh and the photos of the moor itself are uploading as I type, but 179 of them (good,bad,indifferent) take a while to get up.

Ben Casey

27-03-2011, 10:53 PM

I would be up for a couple of days but I would be the base camp waller :)

Adam Savage

27-03-2011, 10:59 PM

I would be up for a couple of days but I would be the base camp waller :)

It's a great base camp to use at Ivan's. prime crafting spot. Could give you a two way and make you radio man... "Hello HQ...This is Moors 01...over" lol

Ben Casey

27-03-2011, 11:04 PM

It's a great base camp to use at Ivan's. prime crafting spot. Could give you a two way and make you radio man... "Hello HQ...This is Moors 01...over" lol

That will be cool have you any contacts to get some radios LOL

Ben Casey

27-03-2011, 11:09 PM

Some nice pics there mate :)

Adam Savage

27-03-2011, 11:10 PM

Unfortunately not, can we swap the clansmans for some unidens? lol mine have a 6 km range (so about the same as the old 349 then) across open ground so if we stay within 4 k, we should be ok hahaha

Adam Savage

27-03-2011, 11:14 PM

just about got the others ready to post, quite a few duplicates or near duplicates, but it was easier to put them all on than go through one by one and pick them out

Adam Savage

27-03-2011, 11:16 PM

Finally..lol
Here is the link to the rest of the photos from the moor and Ivan's, for some reason they are in reverse order

http://s1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/Dartmoor%203%20day%20solo%20cut%20short/Day%201%20of%20the%20moors%20solo%20-%20cut%20short/

Ben Casey

27-03-2011, 11:21 PM

Unfortunately not, can we swap the clansmans for some unidens? lol mine have a 6 km range (so about the same as the old 349 then) across open ground so if we stay within 4 k, we should be ok hahaha

Anything has to be better than a 349 LOL Where you in when Larkspur was about now that was cool kit NOT LOL

Adam Savage

27-03-2011, 11:34 PM

Anything has to be better than a 349 LOL Where you in when Larkspur was about now that was cool kit NOT LOL

I was lucky enough to miss that one lol, still have a frame for the 352 though. Remember dropping it hard when the skys opened up and the lightning began, thought I was a prime target out in the open lol

klause

28-03-2011, 02:06 AM

Some nice pics there Crazysaint, whats the story behind the mound in pic 67-8..?

Adam Savage

28-03-2011, 08:05 AM

Some nice pics there Crazysaint, whats the story behind the mound in pic 67-8..?

I'm not an expert on the area, but according to the ordnance survey lads, it's a disused tip. It's right next to an old clay works, so it would make sense to me its the spoil heap from the pit. Martin is the guy that would know for sure about that though. Thanks for checking out the photos.

Adam

Adam Savage

28-03-2011, 08:07 AM

Here's the link for the first few video log entries. Please excuse the poor quality of presentation, it's a first for me really.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8fGB3uWGbc

klause

28-03-2011, 08:57 AM

I'm not an expert on the area, but according to the ordnance survey lads, it's a disused tip. It's right next to an old clay works, so it would make sense to me its the spoil heap from the pit.

Thats shattered my imagination, i was thinking burial chamberor or something altogether more sinister ! Never mind, landfil it is!

Adam Savage

28-03-2011, 09:55 AM

heres part two of the trip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7ba0IhZ5vw

Adam Savage

28-03-2011, 10:02 AM

Thats shattered my imagination, i was thinking burial chamberor or something altogether more sinister ! Never mind, landfil it is!

Well there are plenty of settlements and pillow mounds across the moors, and the clay pit is still pretty old. It serves as a good landmark to navigate from if nothing else. A chap had his tent pitched up on top of it when I first got there, bet that was a little breezy

Realbark

28-03-2011, 10:10 AM

Enjoyed the vids. Looks like you had a good time with ok weather.

Ben Casey

28-03-2011, 10:10 AM

Like the vids

Adam Savage

28-03-2011, 10:19 AM

Thanks chaps. I was having a great time until I had to cut it short. Tried to make the most of the views by heading up onto two moors way and walking back that way. Got a video half way between the lake and the hillside, it didn't record any sound for that one but you can tell by my face I wasn't too pleased lol. I'll try and put it on youtube.

Martin

28-03-2011, 10:34 AM

I think that mound is at Red Lake grid SX646669?? If so, Adam is perfectly correct in that it is the spoil heap from a china clay pit dating back to the early 20th Century C.1910-1933. It is a pretty exposed part of the south moor but I reckon would be lovely for a mid summer cooling dip. :)

Martin

Adam Savage

28-03-2011, 10:38 AM

Thats the one, although I would have said it was SX646670 :)

Adam

Adam Savage

28-03-2011, 10:52 AM

last video of the trip. It's only brief and has no sound, sorry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qPLQN48As0

Will get some photos of the kit I took later and get those up here too

Adam Savage

28-03-2011, 12:43 PM

Took two packs with me, my forest pack for stopping at Ivan's and my pitch pack for up on the moors.

First off the forest pack

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/bushcraft%20locations/Dartmoor%20Three%20Day%20Solo/IMGP1891.jpg

Karrimor hot 30 day pack, cheapo 10x8 tarp with 10ft guys, Challenger 200 lite sleeping bag, 20ft ridge line, crabs for hanging gear with, Gelert folding shovel, beach shorts, Plastic tough pegs, duct tape, multi axe, draper folding saw, 40ltr x-lite dry sack, tenth wonder compact hammock, 58 pattern silk bag liner

Next is the pitch pack

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/bushcraft%20locations/Dartmoor%20Three%20Day%20Solo/IMGP1895.jpg

Challenger 200 lite again, coffin cut roll mat, Eurohike backpacker 2 person tent, first aid kit, toilet roll, spare compass, half zip micro fleece, 20ltr mil-tec heavy duty dry sack packed with spare clothes, XTP gaiters, 2 x 1ltr alu bottles, Stesco kettle, bag of 20 plastic tough pegs, tin cup, US 1ltr canteen, Swedish mess kit, home made windshield in wool hat, extra puritabs and FS, possibles pouch, crag hoppers bucket hat, hand sanitiser, infra-red DVR, pocket torch, 5 in 1 survival whistle, perm marker with duct tape and insulation tape wrapped around it, film canister of matches

Not in that photo is the gas stove, so here it is, the seal doesn't seem damaged to me, but was rock solid instead of rubbery like it should be

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/bushcraft%20locations/Dartmoor%20Three%20Day%20Solo/IMGP1900.jpg

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/bushcraft%20locations/Dartmoor%20Three%20Day%20Solo/IMGP1901.jpg

And finally all the kit laid out

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/bushcraft%20locations/Dartmoor%20Three%20Day%20Solo/IMGP1898.jpg

Looks a lot doesn't it? and failed due to lack of back up stove which would have weighed maybe 200g

Adam Savage

30-03-2011, 01:26 PM

thought I'd share a couple photos of the legend that is Ivan sat at a one of his "small" campfires

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/Dartmoor%203%20day%20solo%20cut%20short/Day%201%20of%20the%20moors%20solo%20-%20cut%20short/Ivanfire-crop.jpg

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/Dartmoor%203%20day%20solo%20cut%20short/Day%201%20of%20the%20moors%20solo%20-%20cut%20short/Ivanfire-blacknwhite.jpg

Ben Casey

30-03-2011, 02:10 PM

Big fire that is mate LOL

Adam Savage

30-03-2011, 02:32 PM

Big fire that is mate LOL

The excuse was to get rid of the scruffy looking firewood so the place looked better, we believe you Ivan...lol

Ben Casey

30-03-2011, 04:48 PM

The excuse was to get rid of the scruffy looking firewood so the place looked better, we believe you Ivan...lol

ah cool I will remeber that one LOL

IBrown

30-03-2011, 07:24 PM

Looked a good trip but Northants to Dartmoor is a long trip. Next time you want to go PM me and we can share the fuel costs.

Adam Savage

30-03-2011, 07:31 PM

Looked a good trip but Northants to Dartmoor is a long trip. Next time you want to go PM me and we can share the fuel costs.

I'm heading down this weekend for the meet. numbers are a little full to capacity at the minute, but if the missus can't make it you're welcome to tag along with me

IBrown

30-03-2011, 07:38 PM

Fly fishing in Wales this weekend

Adam Savage

30-03-2011, 07:47 PM

Well next time anything is happening, I'll give you a shout. Got access to a small area of a site not far from the M40 I can use whenever I want, could be able to sort something out to go there. could even have a spot of paintball as most of the woods is used by delta force lol

IBrown

30-03-2011, 09:51 PM

Never done any paintballing not my thing lol.. a bit to arthritic for that kind of thing. The gentle art of fly fishing is more me.. A site in the chilterns whould be interesting.
Thanks
Ian

Ivan

30-03-2011, 10:47 PM

Ben Casey

30-03-2011, 11:52 PM

Ivan

31-03-2011, 12:23 AM

Hi Ben , No worries pal , just as soon as you have dates sorted , let me know so i can book your spot , then its all yours , atb Ivan..

Ben Casey

31-03-2011, 12:24 AM

Hi Ben , No worries pal , just as soon as you have dates sorted , let me know so i can book your spot , then its all yours , atb Ivan..

Cheers mate

klause

31-03-2011, 01:12 AM

Hey CrazySaint - Looks like a top spot, loved the vidoes, you'll have to do some more pal.

P.S. love your hat in the vid, very Mancherster 'our kid' lol.

Adam Savage

31-03-2011, 08:43 AM

Sorry i have not responded before , those nasty people at BT ! But nice pics Adam , i know it did not go as planned but it was still great , and a learning curve as regards kit and terrain on Dartmoor eh !! Thanks mate see you at the weekend ..

PS Thats a brilliant camera to make that tiny camp fire look so big !! and i looked in the mirror today and thanks to you i think ive spotted a grey hair !!

Kit and terrain - yes, a little different than I was expecting.
Tiny fire - that'll be that wide angle lens distortion thingy lol
Grey hair - is meant to be the new thing, all the women love it I hear. :)

@Adam sorry to highjack it was just a quick one LOL

I'll let you off this once LOL

Hey CrazySaint - Looks like a top spot, loved the vidoes, you'll have to do some more pal.

P.S. love your hat in the vid, very Mancherster 'our kid' lol.

Thank Ivan for the spot and the hat is a crag hoppers, the one thats treated with insect repellant. 'Our kid' was well chuffed with it hahaha