Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Outdoor Activities => Other => Topic started by: ChuckMcB on June 25, 2010

Title: Donard Car Park Overnight Parking
Post by: ChuckMcB on June 25, 2010
Any horror stories about parking your car overnight in Donard Car Park? The one beside the football pitches at the bottom of the glen river.

Perhaps parking it on the main street would be a safer bet?
Title: Re: Donard Car Park Overnight Parking
Post by: suspectmonkey on June 25, 2010
I've left my car overnight in Donard car park a few times.  Never had any problems, although I find the trick is to park beside red leaders MR2 which is surely a more tempting prospect for a thief ;D

There are some CCTV cameras in the car park, so I try to park within line of sight of them.  No doubt they arent actually monitored though!  But I guess its a minor deterrent...
Title: Re: Donard Car Park Overnight Parking
Post by: MG1 on June 26, 2010
I've never had any probs in Donard car park. But then again no one would wanna steal my car they'd prefer a nice shiney 2 seater convertable ;D
Title: Re: Donard Car Park Overnight Parking
Post by: Matthew on June 26, 2010
I had a tyre slashed last sept. Thats my only bad time out of prob 20 overnights there.

As perviously mentioned in line with the CCTV is the way to go
Title: Re: Donard Car Park Overnight Parking
Post by: ChuckMcB on June 26, 2010
Cheers guys, ended up parking at the back door of the pub last night, saw a fair few walkers doing the same....and no sign of broken glass in the morning. All good. (Was doing a quick bivvy in the Pot of Pulgarve (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/sets/72157624237318143/))
Title: Re: Donard Car Park Overnight Parking
Post by: surfnscenic on June 26, 2010
The fear of something happening to the car when left parked somewhere isn't just when on a hiking trip but I suppose every time you leave the car to go about your daily business.  I don't know what it is, but when planning an overnighter it just seems to be more of a concern to me.

I once left the car at Donard Park overnight without incident and similarly at various locations about the Mournes for day trips.

I'm hoping to do the Mourne Way walk from Newcastle to Rostrevor with my brother and ideally would like to leave a car around the half-way mark, probably around Spelga or thereabouts with all the kit for an overnighter.  Ease the strain for the walk. Leave the other car at Newcastle and then at the end of the walk get a lift or taxi back to Spelga, collect one car then onto to Newcastle for the other.

Apart from getting a convenient time for both of us to do this I'm pondering on the option of just getting a lift  and go first to the Spelga area, stash the overnight kit somehow/somewhere and then get dropped off at Newcastle. Start walking  towards Spelga and then after the overnight stash the kit again, continue walking to Rostrevor, get picked-up and stop off to retrieve the kit on the way home.

It may sound a bit extreme but reduces the likelihood of theft of or from/damage to the car(s) though I accept the alternative (low?) risk of the kit being compromised still exists.  A bit of damage limitation?

Has anyone done this type of thing before?
Title: Re: Donard Car Park Overnight Parking
Post by: LennyJ1 on January 31, 2011
It may sound a bit extreme but reduces the likelihood of theft of or from/damage to the car(s) though I accept the alternative (low?) risk of the kit being compromised still exists.  A bit of damage limitation?

Has anyone done this type of thing before?


Surfing some old posts and found noone had replyed. I have some experience of doing this (not in NI). but I would hide stuff in a wood, cover with a small camo net (hard to get hold off) or a DPM Tarp (Basha) and through over some old branches and leaves.

Hope this helps if you have not done this
Title: Re: Donard Car Park Overnight Parking
Post by: surfnscenic on January 31, 2011
Thanks LJ.  There wasn't much activity on the boards this week-end.  I did a bit of trawling too.

Anytime I've been out I'm looking for suitable stash points to give flexibility to linear routes.
Title: Re: Donard Car Park Overnight Parking
Post by: silverback on February 01, 2011
Never had any bother when leaving it for day walks but i've got a lift up and back again for overnighters.  Saves me worrying about it halfway up the Mournes.
Title: Re: Donard Car Park Overnight Parking
Post by: LandyLiam on February 01, 2011
I've never had any bother but have heard of plenty of breakins, when i used to read the local papers there was always a mention. I tend to park in the wee car park opposite Hill Trekker, its more exposed and somehow feels safer. Of course you could always park on the road near the police station for piece of mind, theres an entrance to Donard very near it (the granite trail).
Title: Re: Donard Car Park Overnight Parking
Post by: RedLeader on February 01, 2011
I thought that when they installed the cameras car crime would have stopped? I've parked there loads and never had a problem or heard of a problem.
Title: Re: Donard Car Park Overnight Parking
Post by: Matthew on February 01, 2011
About two years ago a large group of my mates and I headed to the icehouse for an overnight with Donard car park as the meeting place. Prior to that, I had phoned the local police to see what the story with the CCTV and parking was. The cop informed me that it was an own risk thing and there was little that they would be able to do and the cameras were in operating during the busy months when the increase in people and extended light nights caused more of an issue.

Any time I am there I park as close to the club as I can, there are about 5-7 spaces covered by two cameras so for me that is the safest place.

Matthew
Title: Re: Donard Car Park Overnight Parking
Post by: LandyLiam on February 01, 2011
Quote
when i used to read the local papers there was always a mention
well i haven't actually read the local rags on about 10 years  ::)

funny that you park beside the club when i've always avoided that part so my car doesn't get caught up the the fighting and the vomiting at closing time
Title: Re: Donard Car Park Overnight Parking
Post by: MG1 on February 01, 2011
I would always stay away from the bar as well. I park as close to the trail as possible.