TrekPrep Weekend
Brecon Beacons
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P1 - Gentle walking over relatively flat terrain. A light day sack up to 4kg may be required to be carried. Suitable for those with minimal exercise experience.
Visit our Grading Information page for a full overview.
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T1 - No technical skills are needed. A good steady walking ability only is required.
Visit our Grading Information page for a full overview.
Overview
Date & Prices
Pics & Vids
Itinerary
Kit List
FAQ's
Overview
Our TrekPrep (trek preparation) weekends in the Brecon Beacons, Wales, get you ready for trek success. Run by seasoned, expert expedition leaders, they’re fun, interactive and will maximise your enjoyment of that planned trip of a lifetime. At 360 we know from experience that these comprehensive, information-rich courses make a huge difference to how you feel and how you react when you’re out in the field and out of your comfort zone.
We gather Friday evening at our exclusive bunkhouse base, near Brecon. Over the evening we’ll explore: self-management & safety; clothing & equipment; dealing with heat, cold & altitude; health & hygiene; hydration & nutrition; supportive group dynamics; camping skills; working with guides and porters.Saturday morning we walk through stunning scenery representative of a typical trek day. In the afternoon there’s mentored shopping to guide your kit spending and reduce your anxiety, followed by a group meal. Early Sunday morning we set off for a dark-through dawn ascent of Pen y Fan, a magical taster of summit night on many high-altitude mountains.
Throughout the course, there’ll be lots of opportunity to have rolling conversations with our experienced team and learn from other trekkers and mountaineers in the group. By the end of the weekend, you’ll be heading home excited, geared up, more confident about the challenge ahead.
Find out more

Date & Prices
For private trips or bespoke itineraries inc. different dates, please contact the 360 office on 0207 1834 360.
A monthly payment plan is possible, please contact the office to chat through the options.
A monthly payment plan is possible, please contact the office to chat through the options.
We currently have no scheduled dates for this expedition, however if you give the office a call on 0207 1834 360 it would be easy for us to get this up and running.
Included
- At least one 360 Expeditions trek leader, supported by other qualified mountain leaders on a minimum client ratio of 1:8. All hold national governing body qualifications and adventure first aid certificates
- Two guided walks – one daylight walk and one dark-through dawn walk
- General mountain & trek-specific advice
- Exclusive bunkhouse accommodation
- Cold buffet and refreshments on Friday night and refreshments and snacks throughout the weekend
- Breakfasts and packed lunches on Saturday and Sunday on a self-help basis
- Risk assessments, planning and joining pack
- 15% discount at Cotswold Outdoor
- Monthly payment plan, on request
Not Included
- Personal equipment
- Alcoholic beverages
- Saturday night group meal in the local town of Brecon
- There is an additional £10 charge for transfers to/from Abergavenny railway station
- Any additional costs associated with leaving the expedition early
Pics & Vids
Itinerary
DAY 1 : Friday Evening
We will gather on the Friday evening at our exclusive bunkhouse base, just outside Brecon. During the evening we orientate everyone to the weekend’s activities and begin to explore a range of issues which we will develop over the weekend:
- Self-management & safety
- Cost effective clothing & equipment choices
- Dealing with heat, cold & altitude
- Health & hygiene
- Hydration & nutrition
- Supportive group dynamics
- Camping skills
- Working with guides and porters
DAY 2 : Saturday
On Saturday, we will enjoy a guided walk through stunning scenery that will be representative of a typical day on trek. In the late afternoon there will be an opportunity for mentored shopping at Cotswold Outdoor in Brecon. This session typically saves a lot of money and reduces “kit anxiety” for our clients.
DAY 3 : Sunday
After a group supper in Brecon an early night beckons. A few hours later we rise and set off in the early dark hours of Sunday morning for a dark through-dawn ascent of Pen y Fan, southern UK’s highest peak. This can be a magical experience and is designed to provide insights into summit night on your trek.
Leave for home after return late morning.
These are subject to minor changes depending on flight arrival and departure times, weather, group dynamics and fitness and so on, but the itinerary outlined provides an excellent indication of the course and what you will experience.
Kit List
Bags & Packs
Daysack
Approx. 30-40L capacity. Your day to day pack that you carry with your daily essentials, fitted with shoulder straps and importantly a waist belt
Dry stuffsacks
Nylon rolltop bags that keep fresh clothing and other important items like passports and iPods dry in the event of a total downpour that seeps into your kitbag. Good for quarantining old socks.
Please note that many countries are now banning plastic bags. We would always advise buying re-usable nylon rolltop bags for keeping your kit dry (and sustainability).
Kit bag
A 80-120L duffel bag to transport kit. A duffel bag is a strong, soft, weather resistant bag without wheels but with functional straps for carrying. Suitcases and wheeled bags are not suitable
Sleeping Gear
4 Season sleeping bag
You should get a sleeping bag rated to -15C and choose a sleeping bag that functions within the comfort rating of this temperature. A silk sleeping bag liner will enhance this rating on the coldest nights
Sleeping mat
Full length rather than ¾ length ‘self-inflating’ Thermarest or Mammut
Headwear
Buff/Scarf
Essential for protection from the sun and dust
Sunglasses
Category 4 wrap around style is highly recommended. These sunglasses allow for the highest available protection against harmful UV light found at altitude and from glare from snow and sand surfaces. Worth spending money on good UV filters. Julbo is our preferred supplier
Wide brimmed hat
Keeps the sun off exposed areas like ears and the nape of the neck
Warm headgear
This can be a warm hat, beanie, balaclava, anything to reduce the heat loss from your head
Lip salve
Sun cream will not work on your lips and they are very susceptible to burn without proper protection
Sunblock
Buy the highest SPF you can find as altitude intensifies the UV. Use tubes small enough to fit in your pocket for regular reapplication or consider high factor single application lotion like P20
Upper Body
Base layer
This is the layer closest to the skin and its principal function is to draw (wick) moisture and sweat away from the skin. You can also get thermal base layers for use at higher altitudes that provide an additional insulative layer while still drawing sweat during times of high exertion
Gloves
Consider a light polartec pair or better still liner gloves for lower altitudes and evenings, and a thicker pair like ski gloves for higher altitudes that can be worn in combination with liners
Hard Shell
These jackets are thin, highly waterproof and windproof and worn over all other items of clothing. You’ll find these made of Gore-Tex or other proprietary waterproof yet breathable technology. Inexpensive hard shells that aren’t breathable will prevent evaporation, making you sweat intensely and are not recommended
Liner gloves
A thinner pair that fit under.
Mid layer
These are typically lightweight microfleeces or similar technology that provide varying degrees of warmth and insulation without being overly bulky or heavy to pack
Soft Shell
These should be windproof (not all are) and insulative. They are mostly made of soft polyester and sometimes resemble a neoprene finish which makes them very mobile and comfortable to wear. While offering a degree of weather repellence, they are not waterproof
Lower Body
Long Johns
Thermal insulation for the lower body
Trekking trousers
These tend to be polyester so they dry quickly after a shower and weigh little in your pack. Consider perhaps a pair with detachable lower legs as an alternative to shorts
Waterproof trousers
Like the jacket, an essential piece of kit to stay dry and should also be Gore-tex or breathable, to fit over your summit trousers if needed
Feet
Walking boots
Well worn in 4 season waterproof boots with mid to high ankle support
Gaiters
To protect the tops of your footwear from harsh conditions and to provide some added insulation
Comfortable trainers
Trainers for use in the evenings
Trekking socks
Single layer or wearing 2 pairs is a personal choice and lighter weight merino wool is a good option
Hydration
Water bottles / bladder
2L capacity either in a combination of bladder and Nalgene bottle or just Nalgene bottles
Camp Wear
Clothing
Spare clothing for the evenings
Toiletries
Alcohol gel
A must have for good camp hygiene
Toilet paper
Provided on the mountain but a spare in your daysack may be useful if you need to hide behind a rock between camps
Wash kit
Keep it simple on the mountain. Essentials are toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant. Moisturiser is advisable, everything else is a luxury!
Wet wipes
Great for washing when shower facilities become a thing of the past, one packet will suffice
Medications
Personal first aid kit
The 360 med kits are designed to be used in emergencies and akin to an A&E rather than a pharmacy on Expeditions so please come prepared with useful meds for yourself such as painkillers (Ibuprofen if you can take it and a Paracetamol) plus blister plasters, plasters, antiseptic, rehydration sachets and any muscle rubs you wish to use.
Personal medication
Keep this in your daypack
Misceallaneous
Head torch
We recommend Petzl head torches. Bring spare batteries.
Trekking poles
These tend to be a personal preference but help with your stability and can dampen the pressure on the knees coming down hill
Documentation
Travel insurance
Copy of own travel insurance details. And relevant contact numbers.
We have a partnership with True Traveller and would recommend that you contact them when looking for travel insurance for your trip with 360. However, it is vital that you ensure that the insurance cover they offer is suitable for you, taking your personal circumstances (items to be insured, cancellation cover, medical history) into account. Many other insurance providers are available and we do recommend that you shop around to get the best cover for you on the expedition you are undertaking.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the appropriate insurance for your intended trip. To include medical evacuation and coverage up to the maximum altitude of this trip.
FAQ's
Food and Water
What food will you provide?
We will provide a cold buffet on the Friday evening, refreshments and snacks throughout the weekend, and the makings (on a self-help basis) for breakfasts and packed lunches on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday evening we will have a group meal (at additional personal expense).
Accommodation
What is the bunkhouse accommodation like?
We have exclusive use of a comfortable bunkhouse on a working sheep farm which has fantastic views straight onto the Brecon Beacons. Upstairs there are separate sex dormitories with single sleeping platforms (i.e. not bunk beds). Mattresses (and covers) and pillows are provided. Downstairs there is a large communal kitchen and dining area, and toilets and showers.
Kit
What kit do I need?
We will provide a clothing & kit list in the joining pack that we will send when you book and pay for your place.
The Course
Where is the venue and how do I get there?
We have exclusive use of a bunkhouse in the Brecon Beacons, South Wales. This is located a few miles outside of the town of Brecon on a working sheep farm at the foot of Pen y Fan. We will send you a full joining pack on payment and this will include details of how to get there by road and rail.
How tough a weekend is it? What are the walks like?
The emphasis of the weekend is on being able to engage with our experienced leaders and to get to know your fellow trekkers. It is not boot camp! The walk on the Saturday will be around 5 hours and will be conducted at a pace that enables comfortable conversation. This is similar to a typical trekking day. The dark-through-dawn ascent of Pen y Fan is of similar duration.
What is the bunkhouse accommodation like?
We have exclusive use of a comfortable bunkhouse on a working sheep farm which has fantastic views straight onto the Brecon Beacons. Upstairs there are separate sex dormitories with single sleeping platforms (i.e. not bunk beds). Mattresses (and covers) and pillows are provided. Downstairs there is a large communal kitchen and dining area, and toilets and showers.
Insurance
Do I need special insurance for this expedition?
You must carry individual travel insurance to take part in the expedition. We cannot take you on the mountain without proof of insurance.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the appropriate insurance for your intended trip. To include medical evacuation and coverage up to the maximum altitude of this trip.
Your insurance details are requested on the booking form, however this can be arranged at a later date. 360 Expeditions will be requesting your insurance details 8 weeks before your departure.