Lockdown has made many of us value the great outdoors more.
Being stuck in our homes installed a desire for freedom that a 30 minute walk around the local area couldn't satisfy. But some people's quests for freedom are running afoul of Wales' national park authorities.
A wild camper, who camped at Snowdon's summit, shared the incredible sunrise over the national park - but the Park Authority says they shouldn’t be there.
The camper shared the video to their Tik Tok after camping out on Snowdon, or Yr Wyddfa as it is known in Welsh, on July 22, and it quickly gained attention.
The post has received more than 160,000 views, 26,000 likes and thousands of comments and shares.
However, wild camping in this way is illegal in England and Wales - unless you have permission from the landowner.
North Wales Live reported that several people pointed this out in the comment section of the video. However, not everyone was respectful of the law, with some openly stating they’re aware of the law but planning to wild camp in the park regardless.
You can watch the video below:
The National Park has experienced recurring issues with people heading into the area and wild camping - either in the park or in laybys.
You can read more about the rules for wild camping in Wales here.
Recently the park reported "seeing a huge increase in those coming here to fly-camp, often leaving all their gear and litter behind."
In one instance SNPA has released a picture of the mess left by wild campers to illustrate how littering has become a "massive problem" in Eryri (Snowdonia).
The picture shows how the campers completely abandoned much of their camping gear, including their tents, after staying at the park.
A spokesperson for Snowdonia National Park Authority confirmed that wild camping in the park is illegal without the permission of the landowner.
In a statement, they said: “Wild camping can be a rewarding experience but is not permitted anywhere in Snowdonia without prior permission from the landowner or farmer.
“We highly recommend that people use one of the huge choice of formal campsites here, not only is it a great way to enjoy and discover the area but it is also a way of contributing towards the local economy”.
