Q. What is your favourite place to go camping? Could you talk about a moment in the wilderness that took your breath away or changed your perspective on life?
A. For me, it's my own woodland in Kent. I am extremely fortunate to own (or as I often say manage) this space. It brought me much closer to nature, gave me a "switch off" from the pressures of work life and also made me appreciate that materialist things in life aren't always needed or a must! Give me the sound of a tweeting owl in the evening any day over a new 'must have' TV or phone.
Q. What is one thing you can’t live without on your adventures and what is one thing that is in your wish list for your adventures?
A. This is a great question, one 'live without' on an adventure would probably have to be my pillow! Sounds a bit crazy, but I do sleep much better with this one creature comfort in the rucksack. As for a wish list, I'd love to try swag camping at some point. It's been on the to do list for a while now.
Q. Can you describe a time when things didn't go as planned on an adventure, and what it taught you about adaptability and resilience?
A. There's been a few! This one thing that I love about the camping community is people's willingness to share solutions. I remember one experience where I forgot my tent! Luckily for me I was in a group, we all pitched various bits of kit, a tarp was set up and all was saved!
Q. In what ways do you practice Leave No Trace, and why is it important for the outdoor community?
A. Mainly through my YouTube Channel 'Wandering Monck'. The platform gives me a great opportunity to share my experiences in the woodland promoting both leave no trace and my other passion, promoting men's mental health. Both are really important to me both to nature and for fellow lads to share experiences in an understanding environment.
Q. What advice would you give someone looking to embark on their first major outdoor adventure?
A. This can be practical advice or even a focus on the effects this might have on mental health (or both!) Just do it! Yes, do some research, ask questions, understand your limitations and what expectations you are looking to get from your outdoor experience. You'll be amazed what you'll get by something as simple as a day time walk. Not every adventure has to be an Everest climb!
Q. Are there any books, documentaries, or resources you'd recommend to someone wanting to deepen their understanding and skills in outdoor adventuring?
A. YouTube and Podcasts are both great sources of information, there are some fantastic outdoor youtubers and Podcasters out there demonstrating bushcrafting and wild camping skills.
