Expedition & wild camping training
Dartmoor and Snowdon
Dartmoor
Friday March 22nd (evening) - Sunday 24th (lunch)
Friday May 17th Evening - Sunday 19th (lunch)
Friday June 7th (evening) - Sunday 9th (lunch)
Snowdonia
Friday June 21st (lunch) - Sunday 23rd (lunch)
Our expedition and wild camping training weekends provide an excellent opportunity to develop your outdoor skills from a day hiker to a wild camper or expedition team member. During the training, participants can learn the camp craft, essential techniques for river crossing, how to cook, set-up tents, call for help in a remote location and, very importantly, protect the fragile remote environments they are visiting. Our goal is not simply to give you a wild camping experience but to train you to become an environmentally conscious wild camper and resilient expedition team member.
Our live interactive Zoom training (pre-weekend) will help to get you ready for the expedition and wild camping training. The lectures cover expedition preparation, nutrition and equipment. We also send a professional guide to meet your weekend group to help you buy the right clothes and equipment. If you are trying this for the first time, we can provide you with a rucksack and sleeping bag at a small extra cost.
This training experience fosters self-reliance and prepares individuals for adventurous expeditions and wild camping excursions. It is rated GREEN on our traffic light system of rating events. You must be able to hike for 4 hours carrying 15 kilos on uneven ground. Training also includes a Greenland Expedition module covering musk ox behaviour and equipment you need in an Arctic summer environment, the Snowdonia June training and trekking (altitude, physical preparation) and the Kyrgyzstan module (altitude, physical preparation, what to take). This will be more strenuous but with no wild camping.
Itinerary
DAY ONE: FRIDAY – ARRIVE
Arrive 6 pm-10 pm. (Snowdonia 2pm).
Meet and greet at a Campsite in lvybridge in Dartmoor. Decompress as you prepare your dinner by our campfire.
Snowdonia - Expedition camp craft/ cooking.
DAY TWO: SATURDAY – WORKSHOPS, THEN START THE EXPEDITION
Expedition cooking seminar/ practice.
Polar bear and musk ox behaviour seminar (June only).
Expedition equipment check.
Half-day hike.
Calling for help in an emergency.
How to choose/ set up a wild camp.
Water purification.
Polar bear watch (June only).
Snowdonia Course - Steep ground confidence / moving on scree.
DAY THREE: SUNDAY – RIVER CROSSING DAY/ BACK TO IVYBRIDGE
Emergency practice.
River crossings/ deep water crossings (not in March).
Greenland equipment check (June only).
Signs of cold weather illness seminar.
Lunch and Q&A - finish at 2 p.m.
Snowdonia - moving on exposed ground.
What Is included
Friday night camp fees.
Tents cooker/ fuel.
Three Firepot dehydrated expedition meals - Sat breakfast and dinner.
Emergency equipment.
Two half-day hikes
Emergency call for help procedures.
Essential first aid kit advice.
Wild camping lesson.
River crossing lesson.
Deep water crossing (not in March weekend).
Expedition food preparation lesson.
Cookers / fuel.
Pre-expedition Zoom seminars covering equipment and nutrition.
A guide-led expedition shopping experience in London.
Extra module Greenland module in June:
Polar bear risk lesson.
Musk ox behaviour and safety.
Greenland expedition-specific kit check.
What Is not included
Parking (small on-site fee for Saturday night or park locally for free).
Backpack, sleeping bag / sleeping bag liner (can be hired for £80).
Alcoholic drinks.
Snacks.
Saturday and Sunday lunches.
Friday dinner (bring it, and you can cook it by our camp-fire).
Personal equipment, including waterproofs, boots.
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James is the leader of this expedition. He is a veteran of over a 100 expeditions. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society and the British Exploring Society and a member of the Arctic Club. He has experience in both Greenland and Svalbard.
James also holds multiple qualifications and is both a Leading Practitioner/ Recognised Professional with the Institute for Outdoor Learning. He keeps TV and film crews safe, trains expedition participants to prepare for extreme and hostile environments, and leads award winning educational trips for young people.
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I am a total beginner. I'd like to know what personal equipment to bring or how to pack my rucksack. Is this course still suitable for me?
Yes, this course is perfect. It will transform you from a day hiker to someone proficient in wild camping or good enough to join an expedition team! The basics are covered step by step with a professional guide. You will be able to learn essential equipment choices in Zoom meetings with a Turn Wild expedition leader. You will be sent a clear packing list and have time to meet a Turn Wild guide in London and get expedition shopping advice. So you can embark on your weekend full of confidence and the right mindset to learn.
Do I have to spend a lot of money on equipment?
No, for the weekend, you will only need hiking basics. We will supply the big cost items like tents and cookers. You can hire a sleeping bag, backpack, dry bag, and liner from us for £80 for the weekend (size and stock depending) or borrow one for even cheaper from a friend!
I am an experienced wild camper. Would this course be good for me?
Yes. It will allow you to up skill and take on adventures in places like Scotland, Kyrgyzstan, Zagori (Greece) and Greenland. You will cover various river crossing techniques, packing tips, expedition nutrition, Greenland advice (only in June) and have access to experienced guides.
How fit do I need to be?
You need to be able to carry a rucksack with all your equipment and food in it for four hours per day. A fitness goal would be to be able to run 5km or walk 4 hours carrying a 15kg backpack. The emphasis is on learning skills, not covering distance.
What happens if I cannot make one of the Zoom training sessions?
We understand we all live busy lives. A recording of the Zoom session will be made if you cannot make it. You can then watch it whenever you get a chance. If you have any questions after this, you will, of course, be able to email or talk to one of our professional guides.
Why is the emphasis on Greenland on the June course?
The June course will cover musk ox behaviour, polar bear risk and equipment choices for our Greenland expedition. Skills applicable to most summer arctic conditions. However, if you plan on entering the sub-zero arctic environment, we strongly recommend that you take your training further than supplied on this course. The course does not cover glacier crossings or sub-zero temperature camp craft, nor do we use firearms or pyrotechnics.
Will I be a competent navigator at the end of this course?
No, it is not a realistic goal with all our other learning outcomes. Please take a look at our navigation courses to become proficient at this. We are happy to give you some navigation tips on the weekend, though.
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The total cost is £250 per person. All bookings start with a one on one call with one of our qualified guides. This call is to make sure all your questions are answered so that all team members know about the expedition challenges and the commitment that must be made in preparation. You may also ask any further questions you may have around the expedition. After this call, a deposit of 30% will be sent to you to secure your place. The balance is due 50 days before the start of the expedition. For cancellations made within 30-40 days of the trip commencement date, Turn Wild reserves the right to retain 50% of the balance payment. For cancellations within 30 days of the departure date, Turn Wild will retain 100% of the total fee. For any further questions or to secure a place, please contact us via the details below. Thank you, and let your adventure begin!
Contact Ian on 07901 916 169 or Ian@turnwild.com. Find more about Turn Wild’s terms and conditions here.