Wild Camping on Kinder Scout with the Hilleberg Soulo
A First-Time Adventure to Kinder Scout
After a five-hour drive from home, I found myself in the chilly village of Edale, the gateway to Kinder Scout. The temperature was sitting at -2°C and set to drop further, but I was buzzing with excitement—not just for the hike, but for a first test of my brand new Hilleberg Soulo tent.
I stopped at The Penny Pot café for a hearty meal before heading off. Fueled and ready, I looked out toward Grindsbrook Knoll, the climb ahead, and joined the bustling trail. It felt surreal stepping into places I had only seen in Paul Mesner's videos. But this time, it was me. My kit. My journey.
The Ascent to Grindsbrook Knoll
The route to the top of Kinder Scout was no joke. Steep sections, snow-covered rocks, and strong winds kept things interesting. But each step up rewarded me with views more stunning than the last. Despite the weight of my pack, the scenery made every bit of effort worthwhile.
By the time I reached the plateau, I was sweating under my layers. I knew better than to let the chill creep in. So, first thing: I found a spot with some natural shelter, got inside my tent, stripped off damp clothes, dried myself off, and layered up with thermals and dry kit. Lesson learned from previous mistakes.
The Hilleberg Soulo: First Impressions
Setting up the Soulo for the first time in snow and wind was a brilliant experience. I’d heard it was the best in the world—and it showed. Here were some key highlights:
Stability: Even in strong wind, the tent held firm with 9-inch pegs (recommended by the Hilleberg community).
Space: Roomy enough to sit up, stretch, and stash all my gear—a luxury after the OEX Phoxx 2.
Warmth: Despite outside temps dropping to 0.8°C, inside the tent stayed around 8°C.
One gripe? The fly didn’t quite reach the ground, which might be an issue in stronger winds.
A Snowy Night on the Summit
As the sun dipped below the horizon, I hunkered down with some proper comfort food:
Dinner: Chilli con carne with rice
Drink: Snickers hot chocolate (yes, it’s a thing—and it’s amazing)
Snack: A brunch bar to round it off
The snow started to fall again just before bed, and I drifted off to sleep with the wind howling beyond the flysheet. I managed 8 hours of solid rest, and my Garmin sleep score came in at a cool 88.5.
Waking Up to Winter Beauty
Waking up on top of Kinder Scout was magical. The snow reflected the golden light of morning. Coffee brewed, breakfast devoured—and that feeling of peace you only get from being off-grid surrounded by mountains.
Before packing down, I scoped out some future camp spots—especially a perfectly sheltered gully I stumbled upon that would’ve been ideal if I'd found it sooner.
Lessons Learned on the Trail
Here are a few key takeaways from this winter wild camp:
Layer properly. Damp cotton is your enemy. Always pack a wicking base layer.
Plan shelter from the wind. Even slight cover can make a massive difference.
Gaiters matter. Wet trousers from snow are a nightmare. Waterproof layers are essential.
Pack good pegs. 9-inch pegs worked wonders in snowy, soft ground.
Dry off before sleeping. A dry base layer makes all the difference in warmth and comfort.
OS maps > phones. Batteries die. Maps don’t.
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t just another wild camp. It was my favourite ever. The beauty of Kinder Scout, the performance of the Hilleberg Soulo, and the satisfaction of staying warm and dry through a freezing night combined to make an unforgettable experience.
Would I do it again? Absolutely. Though maybe... in summer next time.
Have you ever camped in snow? What’s your go-to winter camping gear? Drop your thoughts in the comments below – I’d love to hear from you.
I bought a Hilleberg Soulo for a winter solo wild camp adventure to Kinder Scout, it was never going to be easy, but it turned out to be one of the most unforgettable camping experiences of my life.
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