By Typo-On
Well we didnt make i up 
by choice more than weather.
Claire text me on the way down to say she had made it to the river crossing and was heading back to the forest as it was pretty unpleasant. I met her in the forest and made a half hearted stab at it but with darkness closing in as I hit about level with the pot of pulgarve (about half way between the crossing and the end of the tree line) I thought I would just head back and enjoy the company of a young lady and her dog for the night.
We both agreed if we had set out earlier and if we had communicated better ( Claire didnt know I had a snow shovel and a bundle of snow anchors for the tents with me) it would have been doable although hard going. I forgot what carrying a heavy rucksack was like I had stuff I normally dont carry and I certainly felt it lol
So Im still on the search for a proper snow camp, I considered camping in the deeper snow in one of the clearings where trees have fell along the tree line but it seemed like an anticlimax and a poor comparison to the plan which went from the summit gradually down.
It got deeper swift
By Clairebear
Weather in N Ireland is wick, it’s now Easter and when I’m planning a day out with a camp snow is a factor! Mental but I was determined to push on with it anyway. I had arranged to meet up with typo-on at the bottom of the steps where the river crosses the path. I managed to get my hands on army rations which I quite like, and my new vango stove, coleman cobra tent, Gelert 1200 sleeping bag and mat all need tested. Perfect.
1st stop was for a chicken legend and thick shake, I can justify this as I will be burning it off. The roads were ok but I knew not to try the trassy road from past experience. I parked opposite the police station hoping that this would be safe enough. It’s been a good few years since I went up from donard wood so I was looking forward to it. Taking my time I got up to the ice house and it was handy enough going,
Up past the tree line and as expected more snow and wind, lots of it. Trudged on up and after a few hip deep staggers in the snow I was rolling around like mrs blobby. I pushed on close to the river crossing but I knew there was no way I was staying up in this. I texted typo on and said I was heading for the wood campsite at the ice house.
Found the campsite no problem and my wee tent went up handy enough, glad I practiced it in the garden. Cash was I wondering what strange thing this was, when I got him in and warm he soon found his sleeping bag and slept.
Typo on had arrived and off he went to see how the going was. After an hour or so he was back, though I know he was keen to stay in the snow on his own wasn’t so sure.
Dinner ate, and firelog lit. Hit the doss bag and warm it is too.
All in all a success and my gear was the biz.
Will take better photos next time, BBC is up for me summits on Binnian bernagh and commedagh. No snow though!
