Camping in the Brecon Beacons in February

[Kj159]

tuffer said:

Could you not just stay in a B&B?

We have spoke about it, but I don't think it would be as enjoyable, it's also way more expensive. It's plan B at the moment though

[hornetrider]

tuffer said:

Are you intending to pull up in the car and pitch your tent in a campsite or are you planning on wandering off into the hills with all your kit and then camping for the night? If the former, you will probably be cold and uncomfortable. If the latter, you could be in the sh!t.

This. What exactly are you doing?

Edit: campsite. OK, but you will be cold. Take plenty of proper clothing with base/mid layers and thick socks, as you will be wearing them in the sleeping bag.

[Kj159]

hornetrider said:

Edit: campsite. OK, but you will be cold. Take plenty of proper clothing with base/mid layers and thick socks, as you will be wearing them in the sleeping bag.

Yes I'm staying at a campsite, it's a very basic one though. We will have a fire going the whole time we are at the campsite so hopefully we won't have too much trouble staying warm while we are there, but the walking in the daytime and sleeping will be where the trouble starts

[hornetrider]

Kj159 said:

but the walking in the daytime and sleeping will be where the trouble starts

Have you got proper kit?

[Kj159]

hornetrider said:

Have you got proper kit?

What do you mean by proper kit?

[hornetrider]

For hiking and survival in inclement weather up a mountain in the middle of nowhere.

[Kj159]

hornetrider said:

For hiking and survival in inclement weather up a mountain in the middle of nowhere.

Not really then, have plenty of warm clothes and waterproofs, what else will be essential?

[jmorgan]

Spare ration.
Map
compass and ability to navigate even in the dark and fog
GOOD water proofs not the cheapo set.
Thermals
Cooking gear that is suitable
Fuel for cooking
something to light the cooker
let someone know when you are going and when expected back
spare rations
energy food
water (though there will be plenty around if you have to)
First aid kit
good boots
spare clothing
energency rations
good clothing. Jeans are not very good and like some I have seen in wind chill of -15, neither are biker jackets

probably missed something.

Edited by jmorgan on Wednesday 25th February 15:07

[hornetrider]

Make sure you have very good boots, proper clothes and waterproofs. Hat and gloves. And all that st posted above. The weather on the Beacons can change very quickly indeed.

[Kj159]

jmorgan said:

Spare ration.
Map
compass and ability to navigate even in the dark and fog
GOOD water proofs not the cheapo set.
Thermals
Cooking gear that is suitable
Fuel for cooking
something to light the cooker
let someone know when you are going and when expected back
spare rations
energy food
water (though there will be plenty around if you have to)
First aid kit
good boots
spare clothing
energency rations
good clothing. Jeans are not very good and like some I have seen in wind chill of -15, neither are biker jackets

probably missed something.

Edited by jmorgan on Wednesday 25th February 15:07

I have most of that list, minus good boots, maps and compass

[tuffer]

Kj159 said:

I have most of that list, minus good boots, maps and compass

Then don't do it. It is Winter, someone will have to put their life on the line to come and find you when you get stuck on the mountain and its getting dark.

[jjones]

Camped in -7.5c a few weeks back. Temp in tent got to -5.5. Three seasons bag on double air matress. It was fking cold. Luckily the skinful I had before retiring stopped the blood from freezing unfortunately it didn't stop the hangover cure water bottle from freezing solid.

I would lok at b and bs 😀

[hornetrider]

Kj159 said:

I have most of that list, minus good boots, maps and compass

So you are without the three most important items

[tenohfive]

tuffer said:

Then don't do it. It is Winter, someone will have to put their life on the line to come and find you when you get stuck on the mountain and its getting dark.

The camping issue is a non issue - you're car camping, so can take shedloads with you. Foam mats, blankets, duvets, extra sleeping bags - whatever, the top end gear is expensive because it does the same job whilst weighing nothing and taking no pack space. Take enough stuff and you'll be fine.

Getting lost, not being properly equipped and potentially ending up so you're out after dark in the hills is a different issue.

[storminnorman]

Get proper thermal baselayers and a sleeping bag liner. Neither are particularly expensive at this point in the season.
You can also get heat reflective camping mats, I haven't used one but have heard good things.

And yeah, don't even bother if you don't have good boots (or socks, also important)

[jcborden]

You can pick up fleece style blankets for a fiver each, these are fantastic and pack away small. Pick up a few and use inside your sleeping bag and you should be quite toasty (well comparatively).

[paolow]

hornetrider said:

Make sure you have very good boots, proper clothes and waterproofs. Hat and gloves. And all that st posted above. The weather on the Beacons can change very quickly indeed.

It can indeed. I topped Pen-y-fan which is hardly difficult and then the cloud dropped and engulfed me. Viz was down to a meter or two and even with a map and gps it took a very level head not to be in trouble. Almost every single edge looked a bit like the way up and it was only with some thought and working out that I was able to pick the route down and out.
This was in 'go out and play' season but all of a sudden I felt very alone.
That said 3 weeks of driving around Wales in my Capri and hiking where and when I wanted was exhilarating and I'd do it again if I could. I used a 3/4 season sleeping bag in the summer and even then it was cold at times so expect the temperatures to be brutal....

[Bill]

jjones said:

Camped in -7.5c a few weeks back. Temp in tent got to -5.5. Three seasons bag on double air matress. It was fking cold. Luckily the skinful I had before retiring stopped the blood from freezing unfortunately it didn't stop the hangover cure water bottle from freezing solid.

I would lok at b and bs ??

An airbed, thin bag and booze? Not surprised you froze.

[Hainey]

Spend £30 on an ex british army arctic bag. The polywarm industries ones are excellent. A three season bad isn't going to cut it, you'll feel the cold and have a broken sleep and that will put you off camping again. Which is a shame, as rough camping is great fun.

if you were closer I'd lend you mine. Great starter bags for winter camping.

[Bill]

He'll be fine with a mat and synthetic duvet under him, some thermal layers and sleeping bag and a duvet over.

The lack of boots, map and compass will be an issue.