Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => Meets, places, trips and reviews => Topic started by: suspectmonkey on March 02, 2011

Title: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: suspectmonkey on March 02, 2011
Hi all, sorry I've been quiet recently but been a bit busy!  To try and escape the daily grind I've decided to head for a quick overnighter this Friday evening.

The plan is to go for a quick hike from around the Trassey area to the summit of Doan.  Route is about 4 miles there and 4 miles back the following day.  Not going to post up details of the exact start location/time in the thread as its perhaps not always the best idea sharing it with the entire interweb ;)

If you fancy going stick your name in the thread and will sort out the exact wheres and whens by PM.  Weather looks set to be dry, warm and calm for a change so no excuses :)

By the way, never been to the top of Doan... just in case a few of us end up going does anyone know how many tents/tarps/bivvy's you would squeeze onto the summit?  
Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: MikeD on March 02, 2011
I could well be up for it.

I think theres space for a handful of tents, sort of spread around where ever flat ground can be found.

Seems better suited to a tarp, but id be bringing my tent.
Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: admin on March 02, 2011
I'm in.
Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: Dowser on March 02, 2011
Unfortunately I can't join you all for this one because my Cub Pack are doing a Night Hike and BBQ that evening.

It feels like it's been ages since I've been in the hills... I'm getting withdrawal symptoms  >:(

 :'(
Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: suspectmonkey on March 02, 2011
I'm still not sure whether to bring the tent or not.  I'm trying to pitch it as many times as possible so it becomes second nature before Scotland, but it's been awhile since I've been in a bivvy bag and if the weather is due to be reasonably mild it would be a shame to pass up the opportunity...

Pity you cant make it Andy, just make sure you don't photo message any photos of burgers or hotdogs on Friday night!  Mmm... BBQ :)
Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: Kayakgirl on March 02, 2011
I have climbed Doan a few times, it is quite bouldery and windy! Not sure if there would be loads of room for tents so bivvying would be the best option..
I am on a residential this weekend with the kiddies.. Will wave to you from Ardnabannon!
Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: RedLeader on March 03, 2011
The weather looks pretty blummin brilliant. Is going to be cold, 0-2c overnight but 3mph winds and clear skies. Don't think I've ever really experienced low winds in the Mournes, just never happens :)



The Cubs must have hardened up a bit doing a night hike. When I was a cub all we did was wash peoples cars and play dodgeball.

Unfortunately I can't join you all for this one because my Cub Pack are doing a Night Hike and BBQ that evening.

It feels like it's been ages since I've been in the hills... I'm getting withdrawal symptoms  >:(

 :'(
Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: suspectmonkey on March 03, 2011
I'm definitely going for a bivvy given the weather forecast!  Just hope it isnt like our trip to Lough Shannagh when the forecast looked pleasant but the reality was a lot different!
Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: RedLeader on March 04, 2011
The forecast is now for it to be cloudy so stargazing looks like it's out the window. However, it should me mild with low wind and no rain so ideal conditions. However, it is the new moon tonight so I'd expect proper darkness - spooky, wwwwwwwoooooooohhhhh..
Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: suspectmonkey on March 04, 2011
Possibly foggy as well, just for added fun :)  I've packed the map and compass!
Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: Kat on March 04, 2011
Have fun folks exploring Maol Chobha's Fort! 
Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: MikeD on March 05, 2011
The most peaceful, chilled out summit camp yet.  Like - NO WIND - crazy......
Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: RedLeader on March 06, 2011
That was how a quick overnighter should be. Nice walk up, bit of chat round the hobo stove in low winds, awesome sunrise and a bit of an explore on the way home.

Job done! I'll post some pics later.
Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: suspectmonkey on March 06, 2011
Crackin' night all round, never felt is so quiet and still in the Mournes before!  Perfect weather for a summit bivvy, and Doan turned out to be an awesome spot :)

Cheers guys!
Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: RedLeader on March 06, 2011
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Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: Scribble on March 06, 2011
Looks like a cracking spot and the view to wake up to from the tarp setup must of put a massive smile on your face I dare say it was near as wide as mine after the football result  ;D
Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: whoRya on March 06, 2011
Looks like a pretty special time was had.  Almost brought cheer to me after the football result >:(
Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: MikeD on March 06, 2011
was a great night, need to be doing that more regularly.....

whoRya, whats the score with your profile picture, its class, but whats it about !
Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: whoRya on March 07, 2011
Hmmm, did think about changing it last week :-[  Have done so now, enjoy your moment.  The new pic will be gone soon, back to the outdoors for me!
Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: 666_pack on March 07, 2011
looks good guys. Mike was that the same spot we bivvied last year?
Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: MikeD on March 07, 2011
Almost, I looked for the exact spot, but the top of Doan seemed a lot bigger when we got up there this time, but not sure.  I think we were more over to the left - looking more directly down on Ben Crom - I think !
Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: MG1 on March 07, 2011
Looks good guys. Nice pics Jonno, i like the one were the clouds are just sneaking over the saddle of the two hills.
Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: Dowser on March 07, 2011
Looks good guys. Nice pics Jonno, i like the one were the clouds are just sneaking over the saddle of the two hills.

Yeap... Have to agree totally... Looks like an excellent trip and this pic is defo my fav:

(http://i.imgur.com/KmbQ9.jpg)

Why do I never get mornings like that in the hills... Maybe I should try climbing out of my bivvy bag before lunchtime  ::)
Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: RedLeader on March 07, 2011
It was really weird how the clouds slipped in. We could see them gradually easing over the saddles and hanging over the loughs, it was pretty awesome. By the time we were leaving it was cloudy all over. Hopefully come the summer we'll be lazing in our shorts catching a few rays before hitting the trail :D
Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: whoRya on March 07, 2011
The way those clouds are coming in, it wouldn't have needed to be night time after watching this

Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: MG1 on March 08, 2011
I think i watched that film. Does in invovle aliens in the fog? And a really horrible ending?
Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: MikeD on March 08, 2011
yep, its pretty good as horror films go.
Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: MG1 on March 08, 2011
I watched that one night with a massive hangover. It melted my head :-\
Title: Re: Doan Summit Camp
Post by: suspectmonkey on March 08, 2011
The clouds were pretty awesome... so close to finally seeing a cloud inversion but unfortunately we were just on the wrong summit.  The clouds were lying low over Dundrum Bay and we could see right over the top of them, and then we had more cloud spilling over Hares Gap and Pollaphuca.  As RedLeader says, by the time we were passing Tollymore on the way home it was just back to a plain, grey sky.