On The Spot: Adventurer and TV Presenter Ed Stafford Shares His Camping Secrets

Former soldier-turned-explorer Ed Stafford was the first person to walk the length of the Amazon.

Here he shares the secrets of his camping and outdoors life

What is your first camping memory?

Chopping wood at Cub camp where I was nicknamed “Psycho"

Have you ever been a Boy Scout?

Yes - Cub of the year 1985 and proud of it! I still give my time to the Scouts and love the institution. 

Have you ever slept under the stars?

More times than I can count. I’ve spent over 200 days just filming survival shows for Discovery Channel with no knife, tent, food, or anything to help me survive. 

How many tents do you own?

I’d have to count them but if you include hammocks and tentsiles, maybe 12. 

Have you ever been lost in the wild?

Everyone experiences moments of disorientation and I’ve had my share of them. But I’m good at navigating, using only the environment around me to look for clues and get my bearings again. 

I'd never camp without

Having done naked survival telly with nothing but cameras I can honestly say there’s nothing that I’d never camp without. 

I’d never camp with

Donald Trump

Dream camping location

The South Pole of Inaccessability

Favourite camping tipple

Sloe gin

Favourite campfire food

Single portion packet custard

If I could invent any camping gadget, it would be…

An adjustable-legged camp bed for camping on slopes

My best camping tip is…

Go light! The less you have on your back, the more you’ll enjoy it. 

I keep my matches dry by…

…not using matches!

Ed has presented a string of hit survival shows on the Discovery Channel and is currently filming a new series First Man Out, due to be broadcast later in 2018