Portaledge Cliff Camping in Pembrokeshire
With us starting running Portaledge Cliff Camping here in Pembrokeshire this year, we’re spending time checking out different amazing locations for the nights out. We’ve climbed extensively at the venues we’ll use, but as soon as you’re there at night, in darkness, the situation always seems so different. It give is a new perspective, and being immersed in the environment makes you take in stuff you might not otherwise see.
Portaledge at Carreg y Barcud
Last weekend we spent the night on the Portaledge at Carreg y Barcud. We arrived just as the sun was setting, so quickly set the Portaledge up on the steepest, biggest bit of Cliff we could find. As the night was dry, once the Portaledge was set up we did some climbing by head torch. Climbs I had done a hundred times before seemed almost totally new to me, with the blurred perspective of night. The unseen waves crashing below added to the atmosphere. A very enjoyable climbing session outdoors for a night in January!
We retired to the Portaledge for a well earnt drink and to watch a bit of iplayer (careful not to drop the iPad!). Sitting on the Ledge, watching out over St Brides bay, we could make out the lights of each of the coastal villages, some of the tankers out at sea, and not not much else. The main thing the senses could pick up where the crashing waves of the Atlantic, and a howling winter wind! Once we pulled the fly-sheet down over the Portaledge, we were sung and warm in our sleeping bags.
Snug on the Portaledge with a coffee…
The morning dawned damp, so we felt smug we had spent the night climbing previously. A leisurely morning of coffee and croissants on the Ledge, meant all there was left to do was ascend back up the ropes to the clifftop, pack the ledge up and head home…
If you fancy your own Cliff Camping experience in Pembrokeshire, have a look here for more details and get in touch!
All smiles after a night on the Portaledge at Carreg Y Barcud