Free Dark Sky Accomodation!

[laser_jock99]

I found a bothy in the darkest part of Mid Wales near the Claerwen Reservoir which as far as I can tell is free to anyone who hikes there.

The Claerddu Bothy is owned by the Elan Valley Trust

http://www.elanvalley.org.uk/userfiles/img/claerddubothysml.jpg

Google Maps- try zooming out to check the remoteness.

https://maps.google....n Claerddu&z=18

For the adventurous astronomer only!

[Black Knight]

OK, I'll show my ignorance here. What is a Bothy?

[laser_jock99]

OK, I'll show my ignorance here. What is a Bothy?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bothy

Edit- just to add that there are many bothies in remote parts of the UK. I have stayed in some Scottish ones which were fairly basic.

I have yet to visit the Claerddu Bothy though it's not that far from me.

[jamespels]

basic shelter, left unlocked and free to use for all comers. Looks like this one is a simple hut.

Location looks fantastic...

J.

[DazC]

OK, I'll show my ignorance here. What is a Bothy?

I don't know, but it's in the middle of nowhere!

[Black Knight]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bothy

Edit- just to add that there are many bothies in remote parts of the UK. I have stayed in some Scottish ones which were fairly basic.

I have yet to visit the Claerddu Bothy though it's not that far from me.

Thanks for that, I've never heard of them before. I think I actually came across one in west Wales many years ago, in the middle of nowhere. At the time I thought it was strange because it was way too small to be a house. It was unoccupied at the time. Certainly is a terrific location though!

[laser_jock99]

A Google Image search of 'Claerddu Bothy' gives you a good idea of what it's like- seems better equiped than some I've stayed in.

Looks like you could park within 1Km if carrying gear/supplies is an issue?

Extending the idea of free Dark Sky accomodation a list of more bothies can be found here:

http://www.mountainbothies.org.uk/locationmap.asp

[scarp15]

Two issues with bothies and astronomy kit, firstly you may not necessarily get it to yorself, so be prepared to maybe have to hunkerdown with other groups, also they can have a tendancy to be quite smokey places, depending on how clean the chimney flue is so not so good with the optics.

Generally though MBA Maintenance Officers maintain the upkeep of these basic shelters with a passion, which often involve work parties. If you do though consider using these excellent (free) facilities, it might be worth contributing to MBA (registered chariety). For my part I use the bothies in the borders and through Scotland, I might one day take my binoculsrs with me.

[x6gas]

Stopped in to bothies for a cup of tea on hiking holidays around Wales before now...

They used to have collecting tins in newsagents and similar shops so you could support them and / or "pay" for anything you used...

[laser_jock99]

If intending to stay in a bothy I'd certainly advise carrying in some fuel logs as these always seem in short supply.

I'll agree they not ideal astronomy bases (forget heavy telescopes!) but for anyone on a budget looking to stay in a dark sky area it could be worth thinking about?

[badgerchap]

Nice - had to zoom out 7 times to see the name of a settlement I recognised, Rhayader! Remote is about the right word! Also, this prompts me to investiget the mountains behind Lake Vyrnwy, pretty sure there's a bothy or two knocking around up there....