Camping in the Brecon Beacons in February
Discussion
Just an update from me,
Thanks for all f the advice so far, I have taken it on board and bought myself a decent pair of boots, a compass and maps of the area. I am taking plenty of thermals, fleeces and a decent waterproof coat. I'm sleeping on groundmats and an air bed with 2 3 season sleeping bags so hopefully it won't be too uncomfortable. I'm planning to leave at about 2, I will update this when i am back home and explain how it went
Thanks for all f the advice so far, I have taken it on board and bought myself a decent pair of boots, a compass and maps of the area. I am taking plenty of thermals, fleeces and a decent waterproof coat. I'm sleeping on groundmats and an air bed with 2 3 season sleeping bags so hopefully it won't be too uncomfortable. I'm planning to leave at about 2, I will update this when i am back home and explain how it went
Rosscow said:
Have fun! You'll be fine
Worst case scenario = sleep in the car with the heater on
Many of times whilst serving I done that either across the front seats or in the back of my FFRWorst case scenario = sleep in the car with the heater on
As for the weather Brecon has its own systems so I take the Met Office with a pinch of salt and be prepared for the worse
But even thou I loath the place some of the bets views I have seen have came from there
ATG said:
Have fun! I'd stick a duvet in the car to chuck over the sleeping bag. You're not going to die in a campsite but being cold at night is no fun. A 3 season bag by itself is going to be chancing it at this time of year even if your wear good base layers. Why risk a bad nights sleep?
I'm taking two sleeping bags, both 3 season and I'm planning to put the thinner bag on the inside and thicker better bag on the outside, I will have clothes to put between the bags and over the top of me if I'm still cold. I also have thermals and plenty of warm clothes to sleep in, do you not think this will be enough?I am reluctant to take my quilt because I only have one and I would rather keep the smell of camping out of my bed at home
Charlie1986 said:
Kj159 said:
tuffer said:
This map and compass you have acquired, I take it you know how to use them?
I know enough to get by, I used to be a scout and I also did a few orienteering courses on trips with school
Charlie1986 said:
Rosscow said:
Have fun! You'll be fine
Worst case scenario = sleep in the car with the heater on
Many of times whilst serving I done that either across the front seats or in the back of my FFRWorst case scenario = sleep in the car with the heater on
As for the weather Brecon has its own systems so I take the Met Office with a pinch of salt and be prepared for the worse
But even thou I loath the place some of the bets views I have seen have came from there
Kj159 said:
, do you not think this will be enough?
Two 3-seasons should do fine.I have "fond" memories of a night on top of some hill in Snowdonia with my Dad using sleeping bags we'd been lent. Contrary to the owner's assurances, they were hopelessly inadequate. We took a huge detour the next day so we could go to a camping shop and buy a decent one. I used the two originals doubled up for the rest of the trip ... and they were still inadequate.
Used to camp in the Vosges mountains in France at Easter time with a foot or more of snow on the ground - good four season bag essential - snow flaps on the bottom of the fly sheet essential.
Also recommend an eyehole type balaclava otherwise you wake up with a seriously cold nose.
We used to scrape back the snow before pitching and cover the ground under the fly sheet with thin branches and evergreen foliage, put a tarpaulin on it and then pitch the tent - as others have said the ground is a cold thermal mass that will pull your temperature down.
Make sure you keep a set of dry clothes in the tent. Never take them outside - you can strip in the tent porch and dry up as best as you can and then get into the tent inner and get the dry stuff on. Bliss!
Fond memories of keeping the drinking water bottle in between the sleeping bag layers so it wouldn't freeze and cooking on petrol stoves 'cause gas bottles would freeze solid. Happy days...
Also recommend an eyehole type balaclava otherwise you wake up with a seriously cold nose.
We used to scrape back the snow before pitching and cover the ground under the fly sheet with thin branches and evergreen foliage, put a tarpaulin on it and then pitch the tent - as others have said the ground is a cold thermal mass that will pull your temperature down.
Make sure you keep a set of dry clothes in the tent. Never take them outside - you can strip in the tent porch and dry up as best as you can and then get into the tent inner and get the dry stuff on. Bliss!
Fond memories of keeping the drinking water bottle in between the sleeping bag layers so it wouldn't freeze and cooking on petrol stoves 'cause gas bottles would freeze solid. Happy days...
yes I survived the weekend, got back last night, aching but all in one piece.Managed to climb a few mountains with no trouble although the weather did turn pretty ruthless at times. We slept and ate well in relative comfort and neither of us has been put off camping, we had a great time and are glad we went. Thanks for all of the advice, I couldn't have got anywhere near a mountain without the boots and map
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