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Wild Camp Micro Adventure

First of the year on a cold wet night!!!

By Mountain-Forecast.com

January 20^th, 2019

AFTER WORK adventure

Just proving to themselves that an adventure or a microadventure doesn't have to involve traveling far afield with lots of expensive kit. Armed with their waterproofs, fatbikes and combinations of sleeping kit the guys head off at 9pm and do the starting leg of the ICEAGE200 in what can only be described as very wet, gloopy and slippery conditions.

Wildcat gear keeping all the camping kit safe...

the ride...

MUD, WET GRASS & FORESTRY ROADS - What could go wrong!!! Apart from a couple of casual lie downs in boggy trails, two punctures and slightly off course drone - nothing, all of this didn't dampen their spirits - the guys had an absolute great micro adventure. 17.3 miles and a 1,544 foot climb - but the best thing was they were never further than 3 miles from home, now that is how to do a Micro Adventure.

Stunning Aerial view of the the home for a night...

The wild camp

Picking their spot gave great deliberation so many factors to take into account, wind direction, sunrise view, grass and tree cover. In the end the guys settled for an amazing view over the top of the Dare Valley Country park. Stopping at 1:00am tired, wet, muddy and shivering cold with the objective of setting up a rough bed for the night quickly was no mean feat!!! With the three guys opting for three different options:

1) One man tent - Quick to setup and pretty secure in the high winds and rain

2) GoreTex covered in Bivi - Light to carry on bike, inadequate sleeping bag made for a chilly snooze, all in all a great success though...

3) Tarp and Thermarest sleeping mat - Light, took too long to setup with cold fingers and when the rain blew a certain direction the occupants got wet!!!

Tarp was scary in the high winds of South Wales

Breakfast and to work

The whole aim of the SA guys micro adventure was to be home and in work the next morning, this was easily achieved with going to bed wet, cold and with temperatures not rising above 5 degrees in high winds - guys were glad to get up and be cooking!!!