Challenging Myself with Microadventures: February

– Fresh opportunities to connect with nature

Valentine’s Day Bivvy.

As I settled into my hooped bivvy bag on the edge of a wood up in the moors above my home, I felt a sense of excitement for the night ahead. This microadventure was an opportunity to escape the demands of daily life and connect with nature, as well as promote responsible wild camping and the freedom to do so in the UK.

Gazing up at the clear night sky, I felt grateful for the stars above and the beauty of the natural world. It was a moment to reflect on the importance of protecting our environment, and the #thestarsareforeveryone campaign came to mind.

The night was peaceful, with only the occasional hoot of an owl or rustle of leaves to break the silence. The stars and moon provided the only light, creating a magical atmosphere.

As I drifted off to sleep, I continued to watch the stars above and felt a sense of connection to the world around me. It was a much-needed break from the constant demands of technology and the modern world.

In the frosty morning, as I packed up my gear and made my way back home, I felt a sense of rejuvenation and clarity. This microadventure was just another step on an incredible journey, and I looked forward to seeing what the rest of the #12nightsin1year and #yearofmicroadventure had in store.”

International Bivvy Day

It was a great night out near Alport Castles as we joined others around the world in celebrating International Bivvy Day. We had set our sights on a quiet spot in the Peak District and a scramble in the morning.

We started our journey from Bamford railway station, heading up to Fairholmes, where we fueled up with a delicious jacket potato from the cafe.

As the light started to fade, we walked along the reservoir, and the views across the reservoir were replaced with stunning views of the conjunction of Venus and Jupiter, which added a touch of magic to the already beautiful scenery.

After leaving the shoreside track we began our ascent up onto the moors. It was a steep climb, but we were rewarded with a spot to set up our bivvys for the night. And what a spot it was. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans, with cloud blocking our view of the stars and a little rain fell overnight. But we woke up to a dry morning. 

Before we left, we made sure to snap a photo with our printed out codeword ‘save dartmoor’ in hand to prove that it was a bivvy on that night. It was a small reminder of the shared experience we were having with people all around the world, who were also bivvying out at the same time in different locations, celebrating the joys of wild camping and microadventures.

Then ready to pack up our gear and make our way to Alport Castles. The scramble up the rocks was exhilarating, and the views from the top were nothing short of stunning.

Feeling invigorated, we continued our adventure down to River Alport, then skirting around the bottom of Kinder headed over to Edale to get our train home. The countryside was a lovely mix, and each step brought us closer to the natural world around us. I can’t wait to see what the next month of microadventure will bring.

By Richard Cole

I have spent most of the last decade out on adventures with my kids, ranging from introducing them to wild camping and cycle camping to a 14 day trek along Langtang and Helembu treks as part of a longer trip to Nepal as a family. Along with a number of personal trips. My blog covers some of the highlights