Camping in the Brecon Beacons in February

[Kj159]

I am going camping in the Brecon Beacons this coming weekend, the weather forecast is looking pretty terrible.

I have never camped in any season other than summer so not sure what to expect, but I keep thinking "How bad can it be?" Dangerous I know...

Am I mad for even thinking of going, or is it just going to be a case of man up and get on with it?

Also does anybody have any tips for camping in winter, or any tips for staying sane when its 4am and -5?

Any advice appreciated!

[Kj159]

The tent I am taking is a vango banshee 200 or 300 can't remember which, I have a 3 season sleeping bag and obviously will take plenty of layers, waterproof coat and trousers etc. I'm not sure what facilities are nearby.

@jmorgan: I have been checking that weather forecast regularly, it's the current forecast so will change before Friday, still very unnerving though...

[Kj159]

Haha I know, my sleeping bag is the only thing I'm worried about, might be time for an upgrade

[Kj159]

jmorgan said:

Yeah, three seasons, been there, froze to death. Not good. And it was not the coldest it could get. I was skint at the time hence the "what can go wrong" from me at the time.

Any way around it? Like bringing quilts and blankets for under and over the sleeping bag? I'm verging on skint too, which probably goes some way to explain my "how bad can it be?" mentality

[Kj159]

So the general opinion is that it should go fine but will be far from comfortable?

Also, I know not to light anything in a tent, I'm not a novice camper, just a novice winter camper

[Kj159]

We are driving to a campsite not far from pen-y-fan, nothing has been booked yet so if the weather takes a catastrophic turn for the worse, we can always head somewhere else. The person I am going with has had to book time off work so pulling out now isn't really an option

[Kj159]

Foliage said:

If your campsite doesn't allow fires, then take a BBQ with you and use it to get warm and cook on etc

In winter especially in the UK is always worth having redundancy on your clothing, 2 of everything, so if your hat gets soaked you have something else to cover your head/ears.

The campsite does allow fires, I wouldn't be going if it didn't, so keeping warm before we get into our tents shouldn't e too difficult, it's just the clear cold night on Friday and a day of on and off rain on Saturday that could be an issue

[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

[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

[Kj159]

hornetrider said:

Have you got proper kit?

What do you mean by proper kit?

[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?

[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

[Kj159]

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

[Kj159]

I'm finally starting to look forward to it now, I have been a bit worried this last week but now I feel a bit more prepared so hopefully everything will go smoothly

[Kj159]

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

[Kj159]

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

[Kj159]

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

[Kj159]

That's me