A summary***2 DAD / CHILD PLACES LEFT***
A long weekend on Dartmoor: Hiking, wild camping, and the freedom of the hills.
Proper backcountry adventure. Carry your gear on your back. Sleep by a river under the stars. Walk the open moors with your son or daughter.
This is Feral Fathers taken to the next level.
Have a memorable adventure together, and also pick up all the tips and confidence you need to have your own trips.
Group size: 12 people, 6 dads, 6 children - one child per dad.
WHAT HAPPENS:
Day 1 (Thursday): Meet at base camp on Dartmoor by 4pm (or better, travel as a group in one minibus, see below). Set up, settle in, get to know the group.
Spend the night at base camp.
Day 2 (Friday): Head out onto the moors. We hike across Dartmoor's open landscape, tor to tor, then drop down into the remote Dart River valley where we make camp for the night. Wild camping by the river - no facilities, just you, your kids, and nature.
Day 3 (Saturday): Hike back to base camp. Big late breakfast. Done by 1pm.
You'll carry everything you need on your back. I'll teach you what you need to know. And you'll discover what happens when you strip away everything except the essentials: exploring, camping, being together.
The minibus option: Rather than everyone driving separately, I can arrange a minibus from Sussex to Dartmoor and back. It's easier, more efficient and adds to the experience - everyone meets on the journey, breaks the ice, and arrives as a group already connected. Estimated cost £60-70 per person.
WHO THIS IS FOR
This expedition is for dads and kids aged 12+ who want a bigger adventure than the woodland weekends offer.
You don't need mountaineering experience or ultra-marathon fitness. But you do need:
- To be comfortable carrying a backpack for several hours
- Reasonable fitness (able to hike 10-15km over hilly terrain)
- No medical conditions or injuries that would make multi-day hiking inadvisable
- A sense of adventure and willingness to be uncomfortable occasionally (and delighted frequently)
Perfect for:
- Families who've done Chris Packe's Feral Fathers woodland weekends and are ready for more (but not a necessity to have done a woodland weekend)
- Dads and teenagers looking for a proper challenge together
- Anyone who wants to experience wild camping but hasn't done it before
See more at www.feralfathers.co.uk
FAQs1. What equipment do I need?
You'll need hiking gear: backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, waterproofs, walking boots, and suitable layered clothing. I'll send a detailed kit list once you're booked, and I'm happy to advise on what to buy/borrow.
For sleeping, the authentic wild camping experience involves bivvy bags. I can provide these, and we bring a big tarp for extra shelter if required. But if you have a strong preference for a tent, you can bring your own 2-man tent.
All cooking equipment and food is provided. You can bring extra snacks, but more snacks = more weight!
Full details on kit and logistics will be provided after booking.
2. What might we learn?
As well as doing this for the sake of having a great adventure together, the other aim is that you will feel more confident and able to go on your own trips.
Hillcraft involves lots of subtle skills: what to pack and what not to pack, what to wear, how and what to cook, where to sleep (and where not to!), how wild camping is acceptable, map reading and route-choosing and -finding skills, reading the weather, dealing with the elements, managing your energy...
A little bit of knowledge goes a long way - you'll be surprised how much you pick up, simply by participating.
3. Will we be in good hands?
Yes. Chris is a qualified Mountain Leader, and is licensed by AALA (the Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority) to provide hiking trips. This means he has attained a high bar of standards and has been fully inspected by a government authority.
In practice, Chris has led numerous expeditions over the last 10 years, in Dartmoor, Peak District, Lake District and Snowdonia.
He is also DBS checked and has an Outdoor First Aid certificate.
4. Can we do this if we haven't done Feral Fathers woodland weekends?
Yes. Woodland weekends are a great introduction to what I do, but they're not a prerequisite. If you're comfortable outdoors and up for the physical challenge, you're welcome.
5. What if the weather is terrible?
Overnight expeditions can be wild. That's part of the appeal. We go unless conditions are genuinely dangerous (which is rare - and hasn't happened yet).
Bring good waterproofs and the right mindset - I have found it repeatedly to be true that "bad" weather makes the experience more memorable and exciting.
In practice, after many nights sleeping out in Dartmoor, Peak District, Snowdonia and Lake District, if there's rain, it usually comes in manageable bursts. Dealing with it is part of the useful skill set you will build.
6. What about food?
All meals are provided and cooked by the group together. Hearty, simple food that tastes incredible after a day on the moors. Meals will cater to any dietary requirements.
Cooking on the hill is another useful skill to pick up, and at the base camp, the meals provided will be hearty and delicious, to the same standard as the much-moved Feral Fathers woodland meals.
7. What if my child is nervous?
The age group is 12+. At twelve, a child is young enough that nerves are normal, old enough that they'll rise to the challenge. The group dynamic helps enormously - watching other kids (and dads) tackle something difficult gives everyone confidence, and there's a healthy 'wolf pack' mentality of helping each other when needed.
I have taken numerous children aged 12+. Some struggle at first, but all have prevailed, with much resultant confidence and satisfaction.
If you're unsure, get in touch (using the Contact Mentor button) for a conversation.
8. Do we carry everything ourselves?
Yes. That's wild camping - you're self-sufficient. But we're not trying to break records. We keep pack weight reasonable, take our time, and make it achievable for everyone.
