EPIC Pen y Fan Horseshoe Wild Camp in my NEW Terra Nova tent!

We went wild camping in the Brecon Beacons and also to take on the Pen y Fan Horseshoe. We love a backpacking challenge so we made the Pen y Fan hiking harder by taking in more than just the mountains of Big y Fan, Cribyn, Pen y Fan and Corn Du.
We found a great place to wild camp just below Pen y Fan at Llyn Cwm Llwch. The weather for our wild camping uk trip was perfect. Zero wind, no rain and lots of sun.
Our first days hiking covered 12 miles. I got up for the sun rise at pen y fan (Mark stayed in his backpacking tent!) and covered a further 3 miles and then on the way back to the car covered another 9 miles.
We were testing out our latest camping gear including my new 2023 Terra Nova Lazer Compact AS tent, Mark's Big Agnes Copper Spur 1 tent, my Osprey Atmos 50 LT, Fire Maple Radiant camping stove and Inov-8 Roclite G400 hiking boots and lots of other smaller backpacking gear items.
I love wild camping in Wales but usually spend my time in Snowdonia. However, wild camping in the brecon beacons was superb and there are so many places to camp up high out of the way of people and animals. We left no trace, please make sure you do the same!
Visit my new Amazon Shop! www.amazon.co.uk/shop/backpac...
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Strava Links to Hikes:
Day 1 - from car park to wild camp: strava.app.link/uY53Oi0Ipzb
Day 2 early morning - hiking to Pen y Fan for sunrise: strava.app.link/hkdUtw7Ipzb
Day 2 late morning - hike back to car park: strava.app.link/5sC2JA9Ipzb
If you are into your hiking, backpacking and wild camping please SUBSCRIBE ‪@BackpackingUK‬
Thanks, Andy.
#wildcamping #backpackinguk #wildcampinguk

[@ad4mpoole]

Cracking video Andy. Incredible watch

[@BackpackingUK]

Wow! Thanks so much!

[@BasicBeachCommunity1]

Wales is so beautiful....I just had so many good hikes...Not so crowded...GREAT beaches

[@thewanderingforester]

The Beacons are my nearest hills so I've spent years exploring and camping on them You got them on a superb day ,very lucky. Great video.

[@BackpackingUK]

You’re lucky being so close. I’ve never seen so many potential camping spots! Obviously the weather isn’t always this good but I deserve a bit of good weather after last years trips!

[@CazSmith]

Superb bit of backpacking overnight sun rise film making.

[@markhawkins2723]

hi Andy great video, I’ve done both Pen-y-Fan horseshoes numerous times but in the snow it’s a special hike especially when your the first person to summit Pen-y-Fan that morning, I’ve not been up to the Breacons for 10 years now as I live in Europe and I miss it, also it’s not pronounced Fan but you say Van,

[@DroneTrek1]

Awesome vlog Mate. Planning an overnight camping at the same place by Llyn Cwm Llwch next weekend 👍

[@chrisjwoodall]

Awesome, thanks for taking us with you

[@BackpackingUK]

Cheers 👍

[@craigmorris6306]

Great vid mate but god couldn’t deal with all them people lol

[@BackpackingUK]

That's on a work day, imagine what it's like this Bank Holiday weekend!

[@thewiltshirewomble]

Thanks for sharing Andy.. An absolute epic hike and camp you enjoyed at one of my most favorite places. Cheers buddy 👍

[@BackpackingUK]

Thanks👍

[@itsfuzzy]

Really great video, so well edited, there was no fat on this one. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us Andy.

[@BackpackingUK]

Thanks for your feedback, really appreciate it!

[@BasicBeachCommunity1]

New follower. Maybe i can get a hike in soon...Been 20 years since i 'd been in wales UK....lovely areas...ESP for hiking

[@davidjsargent7]

Amazing vid, thank u

[@BackpackingUK]

Thanks! 👍

[@rodoutdoors]

Very cool. Nice views up there.

[@BackpackingUK]

We were so lucky, we had great views all day ☀️

[@MrKrupp42]

Superb video mate, looked like an amazing hike and camp, keep it up

[@BackpackingUK]

Cheers! 👍

[@simonwiltshire]

Great chanle love it, cheers for another great video.

[@BackpackingUK]

Thanks for watching!

[@grahamscothern4319]

Nice one Andy looked Amazing ! Looked forward to you reviewing your new tent ! 👍👍 Cheers Graham

[@BackpackingUK]

Review coming out soon!

[@thecampingastronomer8554]

Cracking trip Andy, with great weather. I camped there last winter, its a fabulous spot.

[@BackpackingUK]

I think it'd make a great winter spot too. I'd love to do a snow camp there.

[@Leeslost]

Brilliant video Andy and another amazing sunrise , keep it up bud

[@BackpackingUK]

Cheers Lee 👍 Did you notice my hair 😂

[@Leeslost]

@@BackpackingUK I did mate Looked silky soft and smooth 😂😂😂

[@baldheadedpriest]

Great video , doing it in a couple of weeks !

[@BackpackingUK]

How the weather is good for you 🤞

[@TheDonkeycong]

Hi mate, another great location with some fantastic views, love your enthusiasm for the great outdoors.

[@BackpackingUK]

Thanks 👍

[@WyeExplorer]

That was a classic Andy - stupendous even. A great approach in - you got to connect with the range proper and hey the weather was on your side setting you up for a fantastic camp and even better sunrise. I've been up there a good number of times but never experienced a morning like that. Good going. Mark

[@BackpackingUK]

Luck must have been on my side!

[@WyeExplorer]

@@BackpackingUK No luck - it's just the isness of it all.

[@marksephton2333]

Great vid! I've got almost the same trip planned for July.....I was already looking forward to it but after watching that, I'm now chomping at the bit to go!

[@BackpackingUK]

I’ll share my routes too, I’ll put them on today.

[@gerardwhittle8941]

Hi All Done many half-day treks up Pen-y-fan with 10 year olds. Certainly less worn on the summit than 20 years ago! Either Llyn cwm Llwch, Upper Neudd or Storey Arms (or Pont ar Daf). The Brecon Beacons is a fabulous , easy ridge walk, Cwm Llych is a great spot - with another site lower down the valley. Certainly isolated for a camp and may be subject to extreme weather. Tent looks like it would be okay.

[@markatchison9974]

It's great to see lots of people enjoying the area. The sunrise footage reminds of Stonehenge festival. Let's hope people still respect the area though & don't mess it up or fall over drunk & need rescuing. After 40+ years of wildcamping, I have this fear of it being ruined by folks who no longer book foreign holidays.

[@BackpackingUK]

To be fair to all the lads, they were just having a bit of banter with each other. None of them were spoiling the area or being a nuisance.

[@debsmostexcellentadventure5353]

I really enjoyed this lovely video,new fan here debs xx......

[@BackpackingUK]

Thanks!

[@excaliber32]

Looks stunning there mate 👌

[@BackpackingUK]

It really was but we were very lucky with the weather!

[@excaliber32]

@@BackpackingUK yeah I know what you mean bud, I hit the good weather up y garn the same time. We'll the first day was second was not so nice lol. I managed to do my first youtube video as well 💪

[@backpackingireland8624]

Great video Andy . Amazing how many people take to the hills in Uk . Here in my part of Ireland we rarely encounter anyone! Atb Tony

[@BackpackingUK]

That's not necessarily a bad thing!

[@sweeneyTodd-de4by]

What a fantastic video Andy, never been up there always wanted to and camp never had the balls todo it😢

[@thatunfitbloke]

Cracking camp spot that Andy. I've only ever camped on top. Bit mad up there when the forecast is good. You def got the weather for it, awesome. The fire maple stoves a bit of a beast as well. ATB Paul

[@BackpackingUK]

Cheers Paul. There are so many places to camp around there, it's crazy. However, most parts are unprotected. I'll definitely go back and try another location sometime.

[@stevebennett6727]

It’s Van uh big and pen uh van 👌🏽🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@tinythrottle6186]

Really enjoyed this one. Bought you a few coffees as a thankyou. Cheers andy

[@BackpackingUK]

Wow! Thanks so much, that never happens, much appreciated 🙏

[@tinythrottle6186]

@@BackpackingUK you deserve it mate. You put your heart and soul into your vlogs. I was hoping you had a patron account ,

[@markhaggitt7731]

Awesome place that. Mate you do serious miles and peak bagging on your wildcamps . Really good last couple of camping videos .

[@BackpackingUK]

Cheers. We love a challenge!

[@PokeEyeSlapSlap]

Remember running up the Fan, back down & up again…….a long time ago now.

[@BackpackingUK]

Good training that!

[@neovo903]

Well, this is good timing, I've been planning on hiking the horseshoe and camping on or near the summit of Pen Y Fan :D

[@BackpackingUK]

I'd highly recommend this route and camping spot. Maybe not all the hiking over towards the east, but certainly the main peaks.

[@thevalleywalker]

Great watch.. can't believe you didn't do the iconic standing on the diving board stone on Fan y Big. I can see PYF from the top of my hill - 12 miles as the crow flies. atb Al

[@BackpackingUK]

I tried to get a pic of my backpack on it and it nearly fell off, proper heart stopping moment! 🤣

[@soggz4246]

Hi Andy. Was up there camping on Fan Y Big last weekend. When you say the names of the peaks, the ‘Y’, is pronounced ‘Ah, as in the sound of the letter A. You’re in Wales, don’t forget. Also, when you drive through the villages there, the names of them are not WiFi codes, for the modem…😉 All the best…👍🏾⛺️

[@BackpackingUK]

I’m usually more prepped for place names, I had a shocker this time though 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@davidhale1568]

Can still be a bit busy even in the winter ❄️

[@BackpackingUK]

I’d love to summit Pen y Fan in the snow. Very do-able compared to many other ranges.

[@geneticjen9312]

Great video as usual! What do you think would be safest in bad weather like high winds and rain on Scottish mountains between that new AS and the Southern. Cross 2?

[@BackpackingUK]

Tough one! Maybe the AS as it's got 14 pegging points and a low profile?

[@djking44151]

I did this route last week, just in reverse. It was great, though it was pretty busy out there! Some help with pronounciation, Corn Dee, Pen uh Van, Van uh Big.

[@BackpackingUK]

I bet it’s ridiculous in the summer holidays. Same for Snowdon too.

[@davemassingham2096]

Great vid did you park overnight at owls grove last time I went there they had put up loads of no overnight parking signs

[@BackpackingUK]

Not when I was there, maybe just high season?

[@benrae9631]

What do you think of the thrudark coats ?

[@BackpackingUK]

This is the Recoil jacket specifically designed for backpacking. It's got a really thin back. It makes sense with a backpack on but your back gets a bit cold when not wearing one.

[@matgordon-smith1949]

I feel with that thumbnail you are staring into my soul😂

[@BackpackingUK]

😳 😂😂😂

[@karlbratby4349]

awesome... but why you whispering at 5am LOL, it's like the wife is in the next room... is there a pub just down the road then ? it's like mam tor on a Saturday morning!

[@BackpackingUK]

There was some other wild campers nearby 😴 Interestingly, lots of people go from the local pubs to Pen y Fan / Corn Du to catch the sunrise. Certainly better than a brawl after closing time!

[@stewarthollingsworth200]

Hi Andy I am new to you tube but follow and watch a lot off your videos,I really enjoy them ,my name is Stewart from Wiltshire I am 69 ,,always been in fitness. I am preparing to do two weeks SWPath end off June soon I am doing Minehead to Padstow with camp sites along the way also wildcamping I have a Forclaz 70 plus 10 litre simbium rucksack the only thing I worry about is a sleeping bag I have not got one yet,,could you recommend a warm bag for me not to expensive it’s a minefield hopefully it will be warm end June to July also I have a Trekology ul 80 sleeping Matt to go with it I would be great full for your tips and experience in your field and any other advice you could give me so worried about buying the wrong sleeping bag ,,many thanks Stewart Devizes Wiltshire 👍👍🏃‍♂️⛺️

[@BackpackingUK]

My advice would be even though you're going in summer do not buy a summer bag. It sounds stupid but the night temperatures often dip well below summer bag comfort levels. Go for a 3 season bag 👍

[@stewarthollingsworth200]

@@BackpackingUK many thanks Andy for your reply,,that’s what I will look for 👍⛺️

[@garth8979]

Only in the UK do you get crowd's on top of a mountain.

[@BackpackingUK]

It wasn’t too bad to be fair, and it some ways I quite liked it. It’s a big effort getting to the top of a mountain for 5:30am so it shows that even in the techy modern world people still love the simple natural wonders.

[@Ste-A86]

What would you rate them boots at ?

[@BackpackingUK]

The Jury is still out of Inov-8 boots. You definitely feel less fatigued and you really notice the weight difference. However, when walking miles, especially large parts over rocks, you miss a thicker, more rigid sole and a bit more padding.

[@markgibbons4938]

Is that another new osprey bag?

[@BackpackingUK]

Yes 😂 Osprey Atmos 50 LT!

[@markgibbons4938]

@@BackpackingUK Very nice 😀

[@naps3386]

I bought a coleman stove today off an older gentleman (60's). When I told him I camp remote, away from people, he asked if I was ever worried about being attacked by people. He said he always wanted to camp but was too worried about people. I told him not to live in fear, get a freedom device if he was worried, but don't let fear stop you from camping. I don't think he will ever camp, scared man.

[@BackpackingUK]

People just need to take that initial leap of faith. Once you’ve bagged a camp most of your worries go away.

[@CazSmith]

Freedom device lol. Anything you can bash an attacker over the head with is a freedom device haha.

[@alexjordan2594]

Mate you must be minted 500 quid on a jacket !😂

[@BackpackingUK]

There are some benefits having a KZbin Channel 😉

[@CazSmith]

Better spending money on clothes. Most spend it on booze and fags.

[@grymgwynion3039]

Du sounds like dee btw

[@BackpackingUK]

Apologies for the poor pronunciations 🙏 My last trip I made an effort to find out but I didn’t get a chance this time 😩

[@radepetrovic1087]

Kako te sluzi ranac deluje da je udoban

[@BackpackingUK]

It’s a slightly heavier 50L pack BUT it’s got really thick should and hip padding. Very comfortable!