Wild Camping in the Cold Northern Wind Video

A Night on the Long Mynd

Last weekend, I ventured out again into the cold unforgiving embrace of the Long Mynd. A northeasterly wind blasted across the ridges, biting through layers like needles. At 5°C, and with wind chills well below zero, it wasn’t the kind of evening that invites you outdoors. But wild camping rarely waits for perfect conditions. Sometimes, it’s the imperfections that make it worth it.

The remnants of the recent storm lay scattered across the hills—uprooted trees, shattered branches, and destroyed pathways. It was a stark reminder of nature’s raw power. Even getting to the starting point felt like an obstacle course, dodging fallen trees and negotiating paths turned to debris. The usual steps up onto the hill were all but destroyed. Not to mention, my Christmas lights at home didn’t survive the storm either—hedgerow carnage.

Still, I trudged onward, my pack heavy and my motivation unusually light. It’s hard to get out in weather like this sometimes.

Battling the Elements

The first challenge was reaching Ashlet Hill. As I climbed, the wind’s force grew, its icy gusts making my eyes water and slamming into my face with unrelenting precision. Northeasterlies in December are a special kind of punishment. By the time I reached the summit, I couldn’t even record a piece to the camera—the wind had other plans for my microphone.

But the Long Mynd has a silver lining, even on the greyest days. Its rolling hills and valleys offer pockets of shelter, a reprieve from the battering winds. I found a small patch of flat ground tucked against the northern side of a ridge. From there, I had views of the Shropshire countryside, albeit muted by the gloomy weather.

Camping Setup

Pitching my MSR Elixir 1 tent was a race against the fading light. Sunset was around 4:45 PM, and the clouds robbed me of every minute of golden hour. Once the tent was up, I wasted no time getting the stove on. Chicken and mushroom pot noodle—it’s become a ritual at this point—and a hot mug of orange vitamin C. Not glamorous, but functional.

As I sat in my tent, sipping my brew and listening to the wind whip around outside, I reflected on the day. It wasn’t the kind of trip that yields stunning time-lapse shots or cinematic footage. The weather was too chaotic, the light too dull. But sometimes, it’s not about the perfect shot. It’s about being out there, away from the noise, in the quiet of the hills.

MSR ELIXIR 1 Wild Camping tent

The Challenges of Wildlife

Camping on the Long Mynd often brings company—wild ponies, sheep, rabbits, and the occasional curious bird. The ponies, in particular, have a habit of investigating tents. They’ve licked the moisture off my tent in the past and even brushed against it during the night. Now, I always leave a light on to avoid startling them. Startled ponies can, I guess, flatten a tent in seconds, and that’s not a wake-up call I’m eager to experience.

Telling some stories about dangerous encounters with wild ponies on the Long Mynd…

Not Every Trip is Perfect

This trip was a reminder that not every wild camping adventure goes as planned. The high winds and poor conditions made time-lapse photography nearly impossible. My portfolio didn’t grow much that night, but my appreciation for the rugged beauty of the Long Mynd did.

Wild camping isn’t always about the perfect moment; it’s about the experience. It’s about enduring the cold, battling the wind, and savouring the solitude of the hills.

Will I do it again? Absolutely. See you next week.