Proper Camping.

[EINSIGN]

I want to organise a proper camping trip for my family, whereby we carry all of our provisions in rucksacks (army/d of e style) from point to point following OS maps.

Park up car in one location and walk over 3 days 2 nights in a triangle pattern back to the start.

Maybe walk around 10 miles each day with a stop along the route to see something interesting. Possibly even do some abseiling or potholing?

Any suggestions on location, Brecon Beacons, The Peaks? Are there companies that organise this sort of thing or could help with ideas?

Thanks.

[Don]

EINSIGN said:

I want to organise a proper camping trip for my family, whereby we carry all of our provisions in rucksacks (army/d of e style) from point to point following OS maps.

Park up car in one location and walk over 3 days 2 nights in a triangle pattern back to the start.

Maybe walk around 10 miles each day with a stop along the route to see something interesting. Possibly even do some abseiling or potholing?

Any suggestions on location, Brecon Beacons, The Peaks? Are there companies that organise this sort of thing or could help with ideas?

Thanks.

There are no end of companies all over the UK that do walking holidays. Most of them will drop you somewhere and pick you up at the end of a long walk. Sure - they're mostly about day walks and staying in B&Bs but one of them should be able to help you.

Buy a copy of Country Walking magazine for more ads from these companies than you can shake your Leki Pole (anything else is just a stick) at.

There's an outdoor forum at http://www.livefortheoutdoors.com with members who do that stuff all the time. Maybe try asking there?

[mouseymousey]

I did this recently with a couple of friends. We did it in the peak district but be aware that 'wild camping' in the peak district is not actually allowed. I believe it is allowed in the Breacon Beacons though.

Also, don't underestimate how hard it is. We were gone for 1 night and we took 2 very light tents, 2 tiny gas stoves, enough food for lunch, dinner and breakfast plus plenty of water and emergency rations. Along with clothes and everything else you need our packs were about 25kilos each.

We covered 16 miles on Saturday and 8 miles on Sunday and it was seriously hard work.

[EINSIGN]

Ok.. I have Peak District & Brecon Beacons OS maps. Does anyone have any locations or coordinates they could recommend for a 3-4 day treck. I can put together a route but would rather start with a couple of recommendations. Stopping at campsites or wild camping.

[mybrainhurts]

EINSIGN said:

Proper Camping.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol5Dfs7jqFI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol5Dfs7jqFI

Edited by mybrainhurts on Sunday 12th July 16:48

[EINSIGN]

mybrainhurts said:

EINSIGN said:

Proper Camping.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol5Dfs7jqFI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol5Dfs7jqFI

Edited by mybrainhurts on Sunday 12th July 16:48

WTF has that got to do with anything!?

[Olf]

EINSIGN said:

I want to organise a proper camping trip for my family, whereby we carry all of our provisions in rucksacks (army/d of e style) from point to point following OS maps.

Park up car in one location and walk over 3 days 2 nights in a triangle pattern back to the start.

Maybe walk around 10 miles each day with a stop along the route to see something interesting. Possibly even do some abseiling or potholing?

Any suggestions on location, Brecon Beacons, The Peaks? Are there companies that organise this sort of thing or could help with ideas?

Thanks.

How old are your children?

[ewenm]

Is this your first camping trip with the family? If so, I'd look to walk between campsites rather than trying to wild camp each night. Spend some time poring over your maps looking for the campsite symbols and working out a route between them. Perhaps plan to spend a day walking a bit of a national trail (The Pennine Way for example) as they tend to have campsites at sensible distances, and then make up the rest of your triangle based on that.

[EINSIGN]

Olf said:

EINSIGN said:

I want to organise a proper camping trip for my family, whereby we carry all of our provisions in rucksacks (army/d of e style) from point to point following OS maps.

Park up car in one location and walk over 3 days 2 nights in a triangle pattern back to the start.

Maybe walk around 10 miles each day with a stop along the route to see something interesting. Possibly even do some abseiling or potholing?

Any suggestions on location, Brecon Beacons, The Peaks? Are there companies that organise this sort of thing or could help with ideas?

Thanks.

How old are your children?

10+11

[EINSIGN]

ewenm said:

Is this your first camping trip with the family? If so, I'd look to walk between campsites rather than trying to wild camp each night. Spend some time poring over your maps looking for the campsite symbols and working out a route between them. Perhaps plan to spend a day walking a bit of a national trail (The Pennine Way for example) as they tend to have campsites at sensible distances, and then make up the rest of your triangle based on that.

Agree, I have been looking at the OS map of the Brecon Beacons around the Black Mountain area. Can only find 3 camp sites that seem to be in any walkable distance, I am sure there must be more!

[mybrainhurts]

EINSIGN said:

mybrainhurts said:

EINSIGN said:

Proper Camping.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol5Dfs7jqFI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol5Dfs7jqFI

Edited by mybrainhurts on Sunday 12th July 16:48

WTF has that got to do with anything!?

Camping doesn't come any proper than that....



Edit...

Ooops, didn't notice this was the Holidays forum...are whimsies verboten here?

Edited by mybrainhurts on Sunday 12th July 18:13

[Cotty]

How about the Lake District. Turn up at a proper camp site pitch the tents then do some trecks returning to the campsite in the evening. Why carry lots of kit when you don't need to, just use day packs.

[Olf]

EINSIGN said:

Olf said:

EINSIGN said:

I want to organise a proper camping trip for my family, whereby we carry all of our provisions in rucksacks (army/d of e style) from point to point following OS maps.

Park up car in one location and walk over 3 days 2 nights in a triangle pattern back to the start.

Maybe walk around 10 miles each day with a stop along the route to see something interesting. Possibly even do some abseiling or potholing?

Any suggestions on location, Brecon Beacons, The Peaks? Are there companies that organise this sort of thing or could help with ideas?

Thanks.

How old are your children?

10+11

Problem is they'll need all the stuff but not actually be able to carry it that far AND enjoy the spirit of living out of a bag. Water (and how much it weighs) is a major issue as well. Can't you establish a campsite and then have walks out from it?

I often go here and then venture out. It's a nice place.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=51.90...

[Planet Claire]

My bf and I set off to do some wild camping up in the Breacon Beacons last summer. However, bad weather halted our plans so we headed downhill and ended up at this campsite, which was very nice: Pencelli Castle

[ewenm]

Cotty said:

How about the Lake District. Turn up at a proper camp site pitch the tents then do some trecks returning to the campsite in the evening. Why carry lots of kit when you don't need to, just use day packs.

There is something particularly satisfying about being fully self-sufficient and trekking across the hills carrying all your kit.

[mouseymousey]

ewenm said:

Cotty said:

How about the Lake District. Turn up at a proper camp site pitch the tents then do some trecks returning to the campsite in the evening. Why carry lots of kit when you don't need to, just use day packs.

There is something particularly satisfying about being fully self-sufficient and trekking across the hills carrying all your kit.

Very satisfying indeed although I'm not sure I'd want to do more than 1 or 2 nights like that.

OP - It's my turn to organise a trip to the Breacon Becons next year so if you get any good routes please share them on here.

[Cotty]

ewenm said:

There is something particularly satisfying about being fully self-sufficient and trekking across the hills carrying all your kit.

Is this view shared with your family?

As honerable as it may be?

[smifffymoto]

Mate of mine did the west highland way last year with his kids,age 8 and 10

[jmorgan]

Not sure this is a good idea for beginners, what are the capabilities of the walkers? Going straight into the beacons (spent me yoof tramping around them) and 1 1/2 days walk from your car in st weather is no fun. And if you are heading out into the wilds certainly some skills required like map reading. Maybe better to try a few day trips and see what it is like? Also work out the weight of the kit vs the capability of the carrier and 2-3 miles and hour speed for an adult.

If you are not used to this I would go for an organised holiday rather than one off the back of your own endeavors. People do die in these places :dramaticlicencesmiley:. And I am pretty sure wild camping is not allowed in the beacons national park (I know, I know, people still do. I have).

[EINSIGN]

I have taken my eldest daughter (9 at the time) over Crib Goch in Snowdon, so I have no doubt their stamina and fitness levels are ok. I have done lots of things like this myself, and have no problems navigating. I have worked out a basic route around the Black Mountains in the Brecon Beacons. I will post the coordinates for those who are interested when we return.