A popular YouTuber, known for camping in random locations, has gone viral once again after another Vancouver Island excursion.
Steve Wallis, the beloved 43-year-old Canadian YouTuber known for his adventurous camping videos, is back on Vancouver Island—this time, setting up camp in a rather unconventional spot in Sooke.
And, as expected, his latest video has gone viral.
Wallis, who is known for his outdoor escapades and stealth camping challenges, has a knack for finding hidden gems in the wilderness.
In his most recent video, posted on Sunday afternoon, he takes his audience on a journey through the remnants of an abandoned water flowline that once supplied Greater Victoria with drinking water until it was decommissioned in 2009.
The 20-minute video, which has already amassed over 1.9 million views in just five days, showcases Wallis’ attempt to camp in a moss-covered, overgrown water pipe, which has remained unused since the 1970s.
The pipe, hidden away in the woods of Sooke, was brought to Wallis’ attention by a tip from a viewer, Ross Stuart, and provides a unique, if somewhat unconventional, camping experience.
“I camped for the night in a long-abandoned water pipe. The pipe has not been used since the 1970s and is overgrown with moss. Thanks to a tip from viewer Ross Stuart, I found an access hatch. I brought my basic camping gear, cot, sleeping bag, folding stool, and some cooking equipment. It was a fairly chilly night camping in the pipe, but I survived! It was an extremely fun adventure and cool to see abandoned infrastructure like this,” Wallis explains in the video.
For those unfamiliar with Wallis’ style, his recent focus has been on stealth camping—finding and setting up camp in unexpected, off-the-beaten-path locations. The idea is to remain undetected, exploring unique spaces that wouldn’t typically be considered for overnight stays.
In the Sooke video, Wallis hikes into the wilderness, ultimately discovering a narrow opening into the massive, cylindrical pipe. He assesses the spot, noting, “Beautiful spot if I do say so myself. Hopefully, it’s dry and clear and big enough in there for me, and it should be fine shelter for the night.”
With his gear in tow, he carefully sets up his camp inside the eerie, but intriguing structure, even cooking a meal inside its walls. As with many of his past videos, Wallis emphasizes his love for exploring abandoned places and showcasing parts of the world that many viewers may never get a chance to experience firsthand.
This is not Wallis’ first stealth camping venture on Vancouver Island. Back in 2022, he made headlines when he set up camp in a Langford roundabout and even slept beside Nanaimo’s welcome sign along the Trans-Canada Highway.
He also rented a U-Haul and brought it to the Goldstream Park to show what it takes to transform an ordinary moving truck into a luxury camper.
Wallis has built a loyal following on YouTube, where his unique approach to camping resonates with fans who love both nature and adventure. His easygoing personality, combined with his willingness to try the unthinkable, has earned him millions of subscribers and views.
Whether he’s pitching a tent in a parking lot or curling up in an abandoned water pipe, Wallis always finds a way to make his adventures both entertaining and thought-provoking.
