Quiet Snowdonia - 3 nights
8 people attending
2 places left
3 nights: Friday Evening to Monday morning.
This is a very basic camping barn, not a hostel or even a bunkhouse. There’s limited heating, limited comforts, no kitchen equipment, outside composting toilets, outdoor cold water wash basins, sleeping is in 1 unheated room, and there’s no bedding. There is a kettle, hob, microwave, small table top oven, log burner in the main room and outdoor shower block! Perfect for a quiet, back to basics weekend.
This is a first visit for ODL to this barn. Facilities are limited so a sense of adventure and some patience might be needed. There’s no cleaning service between guests so we’ll all need to help clean Monday morning, and there’s no guarantee of how the previous party will have left it. The Camping Barn website is here, and full arrival info is here. Note there’s some contradictory info which we’ve clarified.
Walks will take advantage of some of the big days out in the area. They will be aimed at experienced mountain walkers with good fitness and agility. They’re likely to be long days with significant ascents involving exposed ridges and potentially scrambles. Saturday we’ll aim to stop early evening at some pools and eat there. There’ll be an activity Sunday, and the opportunity to self organise your own walk Monday.
Food will be very basic, and plant based - there’s no pots, pans, plates or cutlery, or fridge storage, and cooking facilities are limited - so cooking will be basic. Cooking prep and washing up will be shared.
I’ll email 2-3 weeks before the event to confirm the arrangements and get people to help bring any communal stuff.
No dogs.
Photos provided by the National Trust, copyright of the National Trust / Mike Henton, and by Mark Westcombe and used by OutdoorLads with full permission.
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What to bring
You’ll need to bring bedding, personal kitchenware, and outdoor kit. A headtorch is essential to get around the site at night, which is unlit.
Bedding: pillow; sheet and duvet, or sleeping bag. The room is unheated.
Kitchen stuff: plate, bowl, mug or flask, glass or water bottle, cutlery - nothing’s provided.
Kit: standard mountain walking kit is essential to join the walks, see below.
Towel and swim suit optional. A survival bag will always be valuable that one day you need it. A warm jacket for sitting out at night.
Extra firewood for the outdoor pit or indoor log burner would be a bonus. Candles might be nice.
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Water: bring at least two litres in a water bottle, or better still, a hydration bladder
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Day Rucksack: typically 20-30 litres
Waterproof bags: keep spare clothing, electronics and anything else dry even when your rucksack leaks by using Ziploc type food bags or, better still, outdoor activity waterproof bags
Boots: suitable hiking footwear
Gaiters: recommended for wet weather or boggy conditions
Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters, and carry a spare, dry pair
Walking Poles: always optional, love them or hate them, but give them a try and decide for yourself
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and body temperature. Go for a synthetic base layer (vest or t-shirt) and a mid layer (a micro fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (a windproof jacket or thicker fleece). If it’s still warm, a baggy cotton shirt is worth bringing.
Trousers: no jeans, as they become heavy and cold in the rain. Breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry, and on warm days shorts are OK
Waterproof jacket and over trousers: essential when hiking in all but the calmest of weather, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry.
Gloves: Windproof, or better still, waterproof gloves are the best choice, bring a spare pair if expecting rain.
Hat or cap: stay warm in winter and shaded in summer
Sunglasses: for any sunny day, even in winter
Sun cream: can be useful even on cloudy and winter days
Emergency equipment: the walk leader will bring any emergency equipment required for the group, but you are welcome to bring any that you have, such as additional high energy food, a survival bag, a whistle, and a torch
Map and compass: the walk leader will have these, but if you like map reading or want to develop your skills, bring yours along
Mobile Phone: keep it in a waterproof bag for use in emergencies, and a spare battery/charger is a good idea
Food & drink
Bring packed lunches and snacks for Saturday and Sunday’s walks.
Bring a packed meal for Saturday evening - if the weather’s good we’ll aim to stop towards the end of the walk at some dipping pools late Saturday for food.
There’ll be a basic meal provided Friday and Sunday evenings, and simple breakfasts.
Basic tea and coffee is provided, but bring any particular tea, coffee, breakfast supplements or anything else that’ll help you enjoy the weekend. Wood for the outdoor fire pit, or extra for the indoor burner might be welcome.