Peak District - Alport Castles Wild Camp in the Alpkit Polestar (Upgraded version)

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2 жыл бұрын

I parked up at Ladybower res' and went for a wild camp on the cliff top at Alport Castles in the Peak District. I choose this location because, as well as the spectacular views, you can usually be guaranteed a bit of wind up there. The reason why the prospect of windy conditions appealed to me, is because I was using the trip as a test night for my new Alpkit Polestar trekking pole tent.
Despite a few minor niggles with the tent, which due to these issues is currently being returned to Alpkit for a replacement, the Polestar is a great little tent and I was quite impressed at how well it handled the conditions. Anyway, if you're interested in Alport Castles or the Alpkit Polestar (the upgraded new version), then I made a short video of the trip. I hope that you enjoy watching it.

Пікірлер: 30

@GH02-o_o 2 жыл бұрын

can’t help but smile seeing these vids tbh… 😁

@Hengists_Wild_Camps 2 жыл бұрын

I'm glad that you enjoyed it mate.

@GH02-o_o 2 жыл бұрын

@@Hengists_Wild_Camps Let's have one when it's raining sideways ..GF7+

@Hengists_Wild_Camps 2 жыл бұрын

@@GH02-o_o I've no doubt that that will happen soon, i.e. Autumn/Winter wild camping. For those conditions, I turn to my 'go to' winter tent; The Vango Nevis 100. The last time that I can remember experiencing sideways rain, was last Halloween. I decided to sleep in the middle of a 4000 year old Stone Circle. I didn't encounter any spirits (as I usually take Beer with me), but I did encounter lots of wind and rain. :)

@jasonlatham175 2 жыл бұрын

Another great video. Your enthusiasm and enjoyment really does shine through in these, so keep them coming! I’d be interested to hear if you do get in touch with Alpkit about the tent, what the outcome is. It sure does seem like a decent tent aside from that. Appreciate the waypoints in your videos too, they will come in handy for future reference. Take care, stay healthy and see you in the next one. ATB

@Hengists_Wild_Camps 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jason for watching and for the positive feedback, it's really appreciated. I did get in touch with Alpkit and I'l be returning the tent for a replacement this coming Monday. Alpkit have a pretty good return policy. As well as the statutory 14 day returns for online purchases, Alpkit have a 123 day return policy.

@AndyWragg Жыл бұрын

Hi Steve, great video and another place I need to visit for a stayover. I often can't finish my food whilst at camp. Happened again Saturday night with the Chicken Katsu Curry and rice, home made boil in the bag I was troughing. Got about 1/2 way down it and struggled to get more in. I don't know whether its the texture of the wholegrain rice or what. I got myself some mylar bags and emptied the tin of curry and bag of rice into it. Seal it up and you have a very easy way of transporting your food, with a weight saving of nearly 2 Oz's. You can also heat it in the bag if your pan is big enough so no washing up. BTW I've got a shed load of footage from last weekend so I need to spend some time on the PC to get it knocked together. ATB

@Hengists_Wild_Camps Жыл бұрын

That's interesting about the mylar bags and the weight savings Andy, I'll have a look into that. Cheers mate. 👍 I'll also look forward to watching your video, once you've got it sorted.

@CliffuckingBooth 2 жыл бұрын

Indeed another great video man ;)

@Hengists_Wild_Camps 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate for watching the video. Your support and comments, as always, are very welcome.

@johncoogan2544 Жыл бұрын

Great video 👍 Hopefully you managed to get a replacement tent for gratis.

@Hengists_Wild_Camps Жыл бұрын

Thanks John. Alpkit customer service is excellent. Last year, when I bought that Alpkit Polestar 1 from them, there was an issue with the internal tightening straps (inner to the fly) where they wouldn't lock into place and kept loosening. Within 2 weeks, Alpkit had sent me a replacement. It's things like that which give me confidence in buying Alpkit products, as well as the fact that they make some great bits of kit. 👍

@Silent-Trails-uk 2 жыл бұрын

Great vid mate - really enjoyed it. Alport Castles has been on my list for a while. Hope to get out there one day soon. Looks great.

@Hengists_Wild_Camps 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching Liam. Yeah the views from Alport Castles are spectacular, and it's relatively easy to get to from Ladybower res'. I keep saying to myself, that one day, I'm going to take a Bivvy with me and sleep on top of the tower. However, I first need to address my own levels of personal bravery vs the fact that I'm a solo wild camper, and what to do if it all goes horribly wrong :)

@cyrilhaessig27 Жыл бұрын

The upgrades are definitely a welcome addition. Nice little tent. Lightweight and compact. How do you find the length of the inner. On the Alpkit website it says 200cm and quite a few sleeping bags are longer. Just wondering what the fit is like re. sleeping arrangements. Cheers.

@Hengists_Wild_Camps Жыл бұрын

Hi Cyril. The length of the Polestar in relation to my sleeping bag wasn't an issue for me. I was able to fully stretch out and I had space at the top (past my head) for bits of stuff/kit.

@fenpunx 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent trip out. I see it wasn't as hot as you thought out there, got lucky really. Smart tent, shame about those niggles. Alpkit are good with their customer services but seems odd they'd use such breakable parts.

@Hengists_Wild_Camps 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate for watching. Yeah the tension buckles did appear a bit on the flimsy side. Even if the buckle hadn't broken, I would have still sent the tent back for a replacement, as two of the tension buckles were 'hit & miss' when it came to locking/holding their tension, the third just slipped no matter how many times I tried to tension it, and as you know, the fourth broke. I'll be packaging up the tent for a return/replacement to Alpkit tomorrow. I'm looking forward to getting my replacement, as my initial overall impressions of the tent, is that it's good.

@fenpunx 2 жыл бұрын

@@Hengists_Wild_Camps No such thing as the perfect tent I suppose. I have my eye on one but it's astronomically priced, obviously. Very happy with my Vango helium 2 for now though.

@Hengists_Wild_Camps 2 жыл бұрын

@@fenpunx I love Vango tents. Out of all my tents, if I was forced to choose one above the rest, then I'd pick my Vango Nevis 100. P.S. Did you know that Vango is an anagram of Govan in Scotland, where they make the things?

@fenpunx 2 жыл бұрын

@@Hengists_Wild_Camps that's a lovely little bit of knowledge. This helium is an absolute joy for me but then it's the first time I've spent 'big' money on a tent. Had a banshee before it so I felt safe with the risk. I'd quite like a trekking pole tent but then I'd need trekking poles too. What I'm really looking for is a free standing, three season tent that I can sit up in and performs, ideally with a decent pack size. That's the dream.

@Hengists_Wild_Camps 2 жыл бұрын

@@fenpunx P.P.S. I forgot to ask in my last reply, what's the pricey tent which has caught your eye, it's not a Rolls Royce Hilleberg is it? Personally I'd love one of those, but mainly the price and second the weight of them puts me off.

@StuartThow Жыл бұрын

This is a camp I plan to do soonish, can I ask where you parked ?

@Hengists_Wild_Camps Жыл бұрын

Hi Stuart. If you drive along Ladybower, up towards Fairholmes (just before Derwent dam), there are 3 free car parks by the roadside on the right. I've been using these car parks for years and have never had any trouble. If you click the Facebook link at the top of my KZfaq channel, about 3 posts down, you'll see a route that I did for another trip that went past Alport Castles. This will give you a better idea of where these 3 car parks are located.

@StuartThow Жыл бұрын

@@Hengists_Wild_Camps thanks mate, that's great 😁