Going all the way back to the start of 2024 for today's reflection, the weekend we visited our now good friends at Vango HQ ⛺️
The 'problem' that is improving access to the outdoors takes a million different shapes & sizes. They cannot all be solved at once & it will be a lifetime of hard work to ensure we represent genuine change at CampWild.
But this year, we set ourselves the challenge of building the community, tools & resources that make it possible for literally anyone to go wild camping. And that, I believe, we have absolutely smashed out of the park.
The reason I mention Vango is because a company of this size & heritage could have turned their noses at a plucky little start up with big dreams. But instead, some of the team there not only got behind our ideas but committed their time & energy to innovating alongside us.
In March, we launched our Kit Grade. Which alongside all the other tools (digital route cards, detailed site profiles, Ordnance Survey GPX routes, e-waiver & Snap In-Snap Out, to name just a few) has made it easier than ever to understand the equipment you need to spend 24 hours alone in nature.
The Kit Grade is just the first step, with 2025 set to be a year when we introduce a Green Index, Microconservation activities, public transport & farming to every Wild Space to make these experiences a true classroom in the outdoors.
Photos from the winter Exped Alex & I took on after meeting Vango (trying out their new 2024 gear!). We hiked our Wild Trails (check back tomorrow for that post!) at Oxygen Conservations stunning Invergeldie Estate in Arctic conditions, it got down to -16 overnight!).
#ecoadventure #wildcampingisforeveryone
Chris Bishop Jason Gilmour