Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Outdoor Activities => Northern Ireland Hiking, Walking, Running, Orienteering and Geocaching => Topic started by: clairebear on February 23, 2014

Title: Shelter stone camp
Post by: clairebear on February 23, 2014
Me and Stephen my walking buddy had this weekend planned for a couple of weeks, of course the weather may be wet and cold but sure it is always wet so we were going no matter what.

Parked at meelmore and were walking by 3pm up to the saddle between meelmore and bernagh, over a very very windy bernagh down to hares gap and a quick drop down to the shelter stone at bencrom.  I had never camped here before but walked past it a couple of times. 

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/24/8yhesyty.jpg)

The weather was kind and it stayed dry all day and night, forecast was saying rain but it didn't arrive til the next morning after we had packed up.

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/24/hesy2uda.jpg)

Was good to get out and we have just pre booked a weekend every 5ish weeks to get out and camp as I find if you don't things always come up.   

One thing I love is how the wall can make a wild ascent very manageable when the wind is in the right direction, a quick clamber over the left hand side made the climb up bernagh manageable, I was getting blown all over the place!  Cash's ears were like wee wings!

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/24/e7a5ubyg.jpg)

Packed up in the dry which is always nice and a quick walk up to hares gap and down for brunch in meelmore lodge.   

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/24/medyja7y.jpg)

Didn't take many photos as the visibility wasn't great.  The shelter stone is a nice wee spot for a camp, plenty of water (obviously) and a nice view to wake up too.

Here is cash now absolutely wrecked and in his house coat relaxing.

 (http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/24/e2u6utu7.jpg)
Title: Shelter stone camp
Post by: clairebear on February 23, 2014
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/24/hajesu2a.jpg)

Still experimenting with the app but here is the route in viewfinder.
Title: Re: Shelter stone camp
Post by: Glenn B on February 23, 2014
You touched lucky with the weather nice one  :D
Title: Re: Shelter stone camp
Post by: phil_b on February 24, 2014
Nice one Claire. Well done in getting out there despite the weather.
Title: Re: Shelter stone camp
Post by: polroger on February 24, 2014
Nice one Claire.  Would this route be suitable for an 8yo?
Title: Re: Shelter stone camp
Post by: RedLeader on February 24, 2014
Awesome, we've not been down to the Shelter Stone for a while. Is wild for midges in the summer though!

Hate the thought of carrying the full ruck over Bearnagh on the way back, that's a bugger of a mountain to get up  8)
Title: Shelter stone camp
Post by: clairebear on February 24, 2014
Hay polroger I'd say for an 8yo who is well used to the mountains it would be ok, not bernagh though, the way we came back was straight up to the hares gap and again straight down to meelmore lodge.  It's wild mucky and messy all the paths are so saturated with water. 

If the weather was good and visibility good it's a nice wee dander
Title: Shelter stone camp
Post by: clairebear on February 24, 2014
Aye Redleader last time I was there it was swarming with midges I didn't stop for long lol
Title: Re: Shelter stone camp
Post by: Rich.H on February 24, 2014
I see you have the same raincoat there for Cash as I have for my girl, how do you find the fit on it? My only issue is that the bottom end of it can end up getting whipped about a fair bit in wind so thinking of adding an extra strap for the lower half. Does yours have the same problem or not?
Title: Shelter stone camp
Post by: clairebear on February 24, 2014
Yeah rich it does and another strap would be great it does perform great for him though as it keeps him warm and is quick to dry as well. 
Title: Re: Shelter stone camp
Post by: Rich.H on February 24, 2014
Yeah rich it does and another strap would be great it does perform great for him though as it keeps him warm and is quick to dry as well.

Glad to hear it is a common issue then and not just my tiny hound. Time to start stitching and extra strap then for mine.
Title: Re: Shelter stone camp
Post by: polroger on February 24, 2014
thanks Claire.  btw what app are you using?
Title: Re: Shelter stone camp
Post by: whoRya on February 24, 2014
The weather is pretty erratic, sometimes you just have to go anyway.  Glad the rain didn't arrive on time.

It seems a great wee spot to camp, I have only passed through in the summer and couldn't pause even for a minute because of the midges. 

Cheers for sharing.
Title: Re: Shelter stone camp
Post by: clairebear on February 24, 2014
It's the viewfinder app, free to download and I bought the mourne map for a tenner on it, I am still getting to grips with it tbh, but it's great.  Have a charger for when I camp as it drains the Battery on a full days use. 
Title: Shelter stone camp
Post by: clairebear on February 24, 2014
Viewranger not Finder
Title: Re: Shelter stone camp
Post by: polroger on February 24, 2014
Got it looks good.  Great advice on the website too