Sebastian Antonio Santabarbara - Tent Life: An inspirational guide to camping and outdoor living (Slow Life Guides)

An inspirational guide to camping and outdoor living

Sebastian Antonio Santabarbara

Its time to get back to basics as we delve into the world of Tent Life, a long-standing movement driven by adventurous go-getters, relaxing holiday makers and influential record breakers alike. If youre holding this book in your hands right now and reading this introduction, then the chances are youre already toying with the idea of grabbing a tent and some trail mix before heading off into the woods, your trusty backpack, sleeping bag and maybe a friend or two beside you.

But just what is tent life, and how do we go from canvassing how-to tips on the internet to becoming a champ at setting up camp?

How easy is it to get into camping, and how much money does a person need to spend in order to be able to head out on an off-grid trip along the road less travelled? Whats it like seeing the world by bike and canoe, travelling on your own two feet to some of the most spectacular beauty spots scattered across each and every continent?

From the Cumbrian countryside to the heart of the Japanese forests,Tent Life covers all aspects of living and thriving in the wild, peeking into the lives of the campers who perch on cliff faces, sleep in tree canopies and voyage deep into the backcountry to kick back with Mother Nature and the animals that call the more peaceful parts of our planet home.

Back in 1996, six-year-old me was having his very first camping experience with one of the contributors featured later in this book. Admittedly, I was still able to go back into my house for a bowl of cereal and my favourite cartoons in the morning, but that very first night in a tent kickstarted a longstanding love of being in the outdoors, living both simply and small while continually striving to find tranquil corners of the wild to dwell in for a night or three.

Since 96, Ive had the pleasure of camping in a tree tent in Portugal, pitching up behind a church house in Italy and making camp in the very heart of the Yorkshire Dales, not to mention ticking off staying over at many of my favourite music festivals right here in the UK. Tent life has shown me how you can make big things happen with very little money or equipment, and that there really is nothing like the thrill of opening a tent flap to watch the sun rise above a glistening lake or cooking hearty meals while basking in the sights and sounds of the forest.

If youve just read the paragraph above and are currently wondering whether youre cut out for building shelters, campfire cooking or off-grid expeditions, then dont worry; youre in good hands. Over the course of this book, youll hear from people that camp in extreme conditions, people passing on their knowledge of the outdoors to new generations and others who simply enjoy reading a book while the world drifts slowly by.

Since starting this book, Ive had the privilege of chatting with tent lifers living off-grid lives on every continent, discovering how they camp, what skills they value and, most importantly of all, what tent life means to them. Throughout each chapter well be looking at survival experts primed to thrive in the wild through to weekend campers who live for that morning cup of coffee, covering all the different styles of tent camping and various levels of adventure to suit everyones lifestyles and exploring abilities.

Dont be fooled into thinking that Tent Life is just a book about camping, however. This book serves as a global snapshot of a movement as old as time. It focuses on individuals who are both preserving old crafts and pushing for a change in how the world of camping is perceived on a global scale, setting new standards and goals for the explorers of the future to aspire to while providing travel inspiration to those looking to push themselves to new heights.

And, if youre still on the fence, there are some incredible pictures that will definitely make you want to sell the family car and spend the money on the ultimate tent life set-up.

It doesnt matter whether youre looking to take a trip to the Lakes, planning an endurance trip into the Alps or just fancy a night under the stars with your trail hound curled up at your feet, Tent Life will fill you with inspiration and a sense of wonder, all while providing you with guidance from people who live, breathe and dream of all things camping.

What secrets lie off the beaten track? For our off-grid explorers, this is the question that matters, the fuel that drives them forward to venture into the wild in search of beautiful locations to reconnect with nature. But being in the heart of nature isnt just something that pacifies the contributors in our first chapter; its a way of life that calls to them, a need to leave the ordinary world behind and head out into the wild, dropping their problems and stresses at the front door and stepping into a place where they can truly be themselves while discovering, and in some cases relearning, what it means to truly feel alive.

For many, the outdoors also provides comfort, a chance to recharge batteries and release tensions. Its a means of letting go and metaphorically cleaning out the cobwebs, of spending time with loved ones without distractions, of pushing past problems, and of getting to know oneself all over again.

And the best part is, being mindful and in the moment doesnt cost a penny, and come rain or shine, the great outdoors is always open for all.

@rvahikergirl

USA

Lanshan 2

When you find yourself hiking for longer and pushing yourself to the limit, wild camping often becomes a necessity in order to recuperate for the next days adventures. For Jacqueline, however, nature isnt just something she travels through to get from A to B; its her home, a place that takes her back to her childhood and a time where she felt carefree and at peace with the world. As an adult, tent life makes her feel truly alive, allowing her to relive those childhood thoughts and feelings along the length and breadth of the Appalachian Mountains and all across the east coast of the US, a lifestyle that she jumped into feetfirst back in 2016.