Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
Outdoor Activities => Other => Topic started by: RedLeader on September 04, 2009
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Autumn is almost upon us - 21st September. Obviously the weather closes in and becomes wet and windy for pretty much the next 6 months.
- What does everyone do when the weather isn't as good
- What does everyone have planned for the next few months
- What would everyone like to do for the next few months
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Well, there's the Autumn harvest to look forward to. I've started collecting Hazel nuts, blackberries etc etc etc. November time is time to start pruning the willow for basket making, December is "What bushcraft type pressie do I want this year" time, It'll be winter camp out time soon as well, and there's no better time to practice shelter making than the winter when you get to see it your shelter is any good or not. Camp cookery is also a good winter activity as stews and roasts etc go down very well. Then there's fire making! it's one thing being able to make a fire in the summer, but quite a different matter in the winter, when wood can be half frozen, bow drill embers difficult to get and pretty much everything wet and sodden. Fire making skills should be honed and practiced in the winter as well.
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Very true, well said Celt_Ginger thats loads of things to do. ;D
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Jonno you say that as if the weather has been good in the last six months lol
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def wanna get a some winter gear together and hit the mourne for some serious winter camping. I just started looking into 4 season sleeping bags and it's a can off worms I wish I'd left well alone.
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def wanna get a some winter gear together and hit the mourne for some serious winter camping. I just started looking into 4 season sleeping bags and it's a can off worms I wish I'd left well alone.
They're hard to choose. I'd buy a good 3 season and wear a bloody jumper :D Check out the Alpkit range. Heres a pipedream 400 for £120 that weighs 870g and rates comfort to -3. They also have a reasonably open temperature system.
http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16415&category_id=253
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i think it's gonna be a long seach. Here's a nice one, I might have to sell a few pints of blood ;D
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/news/article/mps/uan/6119
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It's still technically a 3 season bag but only rated to 2 degrees lower than the alpkit one but £80 more. Other thing to remember is when did you last see a night in Northern Ireland that the temp hit -5.
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true the temp at sea level in a typical irish winter rarely get that low(not including windchill) But as I posted I wanna get some winter hill action ;D
Temperature changes with an increase or decrease of altitude. This change is known as the "lapse rate" and it varies depending on the amount of moisture in the particular mass of air. The "dry adiabatic lapse rate" (for dry air masses) is a temperature decrease of about 3 degrees C per thousand feet of altitude, while the "wet adiabatic lapse rate" (for moist air masses) is a temperature decrease of about 1.5 degrees C per thousand feet of altitude.
Therefore a think a bag rated -5(+) comfort might be along the right lines, as on a night of a temp of say -1 at sea level it could be as low -7 near the summit of Slieve Donard (without added wind chill). Also there is a considerable dip in valleys also.
But this looks quite good for the money
http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16321&category_id=253
but as I said I have only started my search for that elusive perfect bag.
all coments welcome ;D
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Hi guys the next 6 mounts for me is Hunting Season for me theres nothing like it being out on a bitter cold winters nite gun in hand and you have to keep moving to keep the blood flowing so you stay warm, sometimes you get a kill sometimes you dont buts thats all part and parcel off hunting, i know most people will NOT approve of this past time but for me its part of my survival thing if i get a rabbit or a pidgon i eat if i dont i starve. so there you have it what i'll be doing most friday nites for the next 6 mounths.
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Here's hoping you get plenty of rabbits Dee as I'd hate to see you wasting away, lol keep a few for me as well.
On another note, a -5 degrees sleeping bag will probably not be warm enough for a winter camp out in Northern ireland. Most sleeping bag makers over state their thermal efficiency. I have a Nanok -5 down bag and I have frozen my nuts off in the winter over here sleeping in it. I now will either use a fleece liner in it or use my surplus army bag which is good and warm for use over here but it a bit big and bulky. I sleep pretty warm, but I have been seriously cold in a sleeping bag that is getting close to it's bottom rating. now you will not freeze, but it will be an uncomfortable night.
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I haven't had much experience of shop bought sleeping bags as I have always used an Army sleeping bag, The British army sleep system is the best I have used yet, I have had a few cold nights out and when you get into the sleep system its nice and cosy and you get a good night's sleep. I agree with Celt, they are a bit heavy and bulky and I am considering going for a down bag but I will be hard pushed to get away from the sleep system.
Let us know how you get on with the bag you pick.
I have heard that the bags Ray Mears sells on his site are very good, but pricey.
Davy.
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Autumn for me will actually involve a bit of walking, usually around murlough bay and Breen forest. Nothing like seeing a full oak forest turn brown.
On the water front I am hoping to get some rivers paddled and it is surf season as the big waters should be coming in soon creating a few decent waves.
Fire lighting will be important too however it will be more of a post paddle effort to defrost in the comfort of the house and a bottle of wine!!
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We'll have to try and get you into the Mournes for a bit of hiking. Can't beat it on a cool, crisp day!
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I dont like that word "hike" sounds like work, when i said walk i meant "stroll".
leaving the house for a paddle in 10 mins, brr its cold out there but sunny :)
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You picked a good day for it, the weathers suddenly lovely. Doesn't look so nice from my windowless office though...
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Its nice because i am now unemployed again and have no money to enjoy it. I have to said i much prefer a drive to portrush for some surf at 8:30 than a drive to belfast at 6:30 to work :o