Northern France bushcraft adventure - 21 may 2026

Me and 2 other friends went to Northern France to Camp out in the Wilderness. Because it was still early spring we expected rain, sunshine, freezing temperatures and everything in between. We like to bushwack our way trough the forest to find the most idyllic camping spots possible. It was a new place we have never been before so it was hard to find our way. The lack of vistas and open spaces made it hard to orientate but eventually found a neat camping spot near a small river where we cooked some delicious food and dried our socks and shoes for the coming days. The next days would prove colder and even wetter than expected. I think this was the coldest spring I had ever experienced with temperatures barely below 0. Because of the rain it was difficult to keep all our gear dry and sheltered for some time under a tree. Another problem became our water reserve. We where too high on the plateau to find small creeks and therefore descended down into the valley before getting up again to find a safe camping space on flat ground. We searched for hours and the rain did not stop. Eventually we found something that could work and set up camp. In soaking conditions we made a fire we could cook some food on. Not ideal and not the most pleasant camp spot. Cramped between the spruce trees we spend the night. The next day we headed back for the car. Back to civilization.