Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
Information => Introductions => Topic started by: ChuckMcB on April 14, 2010
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..bumps head. Ouch. (ahem..sorry)
Afternoon all!
About:Me
Walking:
- Hillbrough Forest twice a day every (working) day. (thank goodness it's starting to get bright at 6am & still bright at 7pm when I do it)
- Mournes/Antrim hills every weekend. Normally afternoon tramps, (getting Mrs Chuck, the dog and myself out of the house before 11 is more of a challenge than Donard is).
- Couple of long distance walks over the last couple of years: WHW (*the* *best*), Great Glen Way (a week walking along a canal, then a day walking up the side of Loch Ness...nothing special), Isle of Arran (tricky enough..poor paths..would be good to do it again when the way is more matured), Causeway Coast Challenge Walk (couple of times..now that was a slog..)
- Week in Lake district in January (soo much snow), Braemar Autumn 09 (Lochnagar, now that was a view...Lairig Ghru over night next time), Aviemore January 09 (what do you mean you can't take the dog down the Funicular railway?)
Plans/Interests:
Get out under canvas (since I've been lurking here I've picked up second hand DD tarp & a Pro Action Hike neither used in anger yet..this weekend perhaps)- Find some new walks
- Do some trail running
- Drag me dad up to the Pot of Legawherry for an overnight
Get suntan on a walking holiday in Crete in May. ;D
Latest Trips
- Ballycastle to Grey Man's Path (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/sets/72157624452299911/)
Seven Six Sevens on the Twelfth (http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1251.0)- Pot of Pulgarve Bivvy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/sets/72157624237318143/)
iPlod iWait Check point (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/sets/72157624165015583/)- Glen River iPlod checkpoint recce/nite hike (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/sets/72157624286497704/)
- Lough Shannagh Overnight (http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1146.msg10204#msg10204)
- Meelmore->Melmore->Fofanny Dam Nite Hike (http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1120.msg10037#msg10037)
- Meelmore->Melmore->Fofanny Dam Nite Hike recce (http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1120.msg9803#msg9803)
- Trassey Track Camp/Bivvy (http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1006.msg9641#msg9641)
- Pot of Legawherry Bivvy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/sets/72157624120317708/)
- Cove bivvy (http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1006.msg8691#msg8691)
- Crete & Samaria Gorge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/sets/72157624105821694/)
Kit list
Common Kit
Gelert RUC610, Base 65L Ruck (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gelert-RUC610-Base-65L-Rucksac/dp/B000RG1H1S)
Day Walk Kit
1l flask w/ hot water
Enamel 1 pint cup
Overnight Kit
Honey Stove
Ikea metal utensil holder as hobo stove.
MSR Pocket Rocket
Crusader cup for heating food
Enamel cup for drinking/heating water for drinks
2l bladder
Shelter
DD Hammock 3'x3' Tarp (using mostly plastic pegs - better for peat/soft ground)
Vango Beta 250 2 man tent
Argos Pro Action Hike Lite 1 man tent
Mountain Equipment Starlight I 2 season sleeping bag
Tech Toys
GPS Logger iBlue 747A+ (http://gps.tall-trekkers.com/buy/iblue+747a)
Mapyx.com digital mapping software (http://affiliate.mapyx.com/idevaffiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=172) (/w Mournes 1:25,000 & several 1:50,000 maps)
Light & Heat
LED Lenser P3 mini torch (http://www.ledco.co.uk/content/productView.aspx?prodId=5)
Honey Stove (http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/product397.asp)
Ikea HoBo stove (http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/30011832)
Misc
TENACIOUS repair tape for tarp repairs
Clingon instant eyelet
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Welcome Chuck. Seems like you're getting plenty of outdoors time! Lucky..
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Thanks J
Yup, I'm very lucky: 30 mins away from the Mournes and a wife that is understanding to my wee notions: like having dinner this evening on the side of Meelmore while she was at the gym (crappy camera phone pic):
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welcome along mate, I live just outside annahilt. hopefully It wont be too long before I see you out in the hills.
"Never used in anger."
Theres always this weekend at the mourne wall ;)
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Welcome along Chuck
Liked your photo .... a great way to kill some time !
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Hi Chuck, you know how to use a tarp, u da man (hopefully I'm getting tarp inducted this weekend) !!!
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Tarps are awesome, more fun than tents. Except when the midges are out of course - then some netting is a saviour!
Hi Chuck, you know how to use a tarp, u da man (hopefully I'm getting tarp inducted this weekend) !!!
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Hi Chuck, welcome to the forum.
I'm hoping to head to the Lake District in the summer, so might be throwing some questions your direction soon about where to go/where to stay :)
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Thanks folks.
I live just outside annahilt.
Same here.
"Never used in anger."
Theres always this weekend at the mourne wall ;)
No go for me :( Doing stuff early Saturday morning (wedding anniversary present), going to escape in the late afternoon/evening, get dropped off and find a wee patch of green somewhere. Then do a bit of a walk on the Sunday.
you know how to use a tarp, u da man!!!
It's amazing what you can learn in 10mins on youtube then an hour in the back garden trying to make stuff stay up.
Except when the midges are out of course - then some netting is a saviour!
Been wondering about that: full netting, head cover only, anti-mozzy candles, jungle formula wipes/liquid.
.... a great way to kill some time !
Yup, determined to kick my TF2/L4D habit for the summer. :)
I'm hoping to head to the Lake District in the summer, so might be throwing some questions your direction soon about where to go/where to stay :)
Sure, if I can, my last trip there was just lots of short walks, just soooo much snow we didn't risk any major walks (really wanted to do the Old Man of Coniston/Skiddaw/Walla Crag) but did was a case that we didn't want our bodies to be found in the spring. :o
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Hello and welcome chuck
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welcome to the forum chuck.
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(With the stories and pics of you guys doing the wall at the weekend I'm a little bit nervous posting this, which is nothing in comparison, so I'll hide it in this thread...)
My first 'in anger' wild bivvy.
Plan:
Dropped off by Mrs at Carrick Little Car Park, along track beside Annalong Wood, up to Lower Cove Mountain, on up to Cove Mountian, if all is well bivvy overnight, otherwise drop back down into the Annalong Valley/Wood to bivvy. Then the next day exit via Brandy Pad to Hare's Gap and down to Meelmore Lodge to be met by Mrs.
Weather forecast: Sat: Clear skies. Sunday: Cloudy & rain. Temp dropping down to -2. Sunrise: 6:12 AM Sunset: 8:32 PM
Saturday Morning.
Up at the crack of dawn to do a wee bit of this (http://www.superdriveni.com/images/imagebank/uploads/Rear_Wheel_Drive_Cars_5.jpg) and a wee bit of that (http://www.superdriveni.com/images/imagebank/uploads/Karting_9.jpg). Top fun (wife now wants to buy an Evo :o ), give it a go if you can, they are based out towards Craigavon http://www.superdriveni.com/
Running very late, get packed, hit the road 16.00, get slowed down by boy racers who t-boned each other on the road out of Ballynahinch. Lots of fire engines in a hurry somewhere..
17:01
Leave Carrick Little Car Park. Mrs and dog to keep me company as far as the stile.
Pass father and son combo climbing into Annalong Wood otherwise no sign of anyone else in the main camping area.
17:23
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2730/4533708901_e9ff688508_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4533708901/in/set-72157623763100677/)
17:34
Pass the corner of Annalog Wood. Take second right towards low cove. Remind myself to pace myself.
17:45
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2763/4534513222_af9faaee41_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4534513222/in/set-72157623763100677/)
17:51
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4533888117_55c0c2a59b_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4533888117/in/set-72157623763100677/)
17:58
Arrive alongside Cove cave, realised I was walking too . Dozen climbers doing their stuff, one instructor getting the slight rage when one of his students couldn't get his (insert name of clamp thingy they use) out of the rock. Remind again myself to pace myself.
Pass couple of climbers dragging a serious amount of rope and hardhats.
17:59
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2723/4534526214_ab1818f84a_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4534526214/in/set-72157623763100677/)
18:04
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2758/4534531966_5078f73e59_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4534531966/in/set-72157623763100677/)
18:06
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4533905583_5f38ebd854_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4533905583/in/set-72157623763100677/)
18:16
(happily) blinded by the sun coming through the shoulder between Slievelamagan and Cove Mountain.
Wave at couple of campers already set up on the lower slopes of Cove and looking a bit board.
18:25
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2697/4533902411_e6d25b0352_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4533902411/in/set-72157623763100677/)
18:32
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4533911179_c7c67c359f_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4533911179/in/set-72157623763100677/)
18:33
Finally find the summit..now time to find a pitch.
18:37
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4533930817_36164b3d30_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4533930817/in/set-72157623763100677/)
18:41
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2799/4534570888_31f90d130b_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4534570888/in/set-72157623763100677/)
18:42
Found a pitch
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2668/4533752029_14de0937d5_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4533752029/in/set-72157623763100677/)
18:46
Let the 'fun' begin
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4533947631_c673136a4e_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4533947631/in/set-72157623763100677/)
18:52
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2735/4534597658_7c9670cbb4_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4534597658/in/set-72157623763100677/)
19:08
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2735/4533971047_0be8d191d8_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4533971047/in/set-72157623763100677/)
19:24
Blood goes cold...not enough pegs.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4534611974_a74d378b97_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4534611974/in/set-72157623763100677/)
19:26
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4534616706_46b3bb26c8_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4534616706/in/set-72157623763100677/)
19:29
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4534620810_22f457198a_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4534620810/in/set-72157623763100677/)
19:30
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4534626156_b16e89cd90_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4534626156/in/set-72157623763100677/)
19:33
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4533996575_b4e4c3e0d6_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4533996575/in/set-72157623763100677/)
19:35
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/4534635802_c4427ed3f7_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4534635802/in/set-72157623763100677/)
(Yup, folks, it took near an hour to put a tarp up...sob)
19:49
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2704/4534640706_2f580804c7_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4534640706/in/set-72157623763100677/)
19:57
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4534009495_6d28e67319_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4534009495/in/set-72157623763100677/)
20:24
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2682/4534017129_b069e73cd5_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4534017129/in/set-72157623763100677/)
Phone home. Hear about fires near Tollymore, look about, see the smoke and later after the sun goes down see the glow of the fires on the hill side.
Starting to get cold (must get a thermometer) time for bed. Sleeping bag and mat into bivvy, boots into carrier bags, everything into rucksack with rain cover on just in case the tarp blows off during the night.
Rucksack just the right height for a pillow...handy enough.
(footage missing)
06:15
Woken up not by sunrise and bird song but my mobile phone alarm going off. Ahh for forks sake! Looked out, bright but lots of cloud, no sign of rain. Rolled over went back to sleep.
07:48
Wake up again, yuck, lots of dark looking clouds coming in. Make 'get me out of here' phone call home.
08:01
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4534377106_3ac7395deb_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4534377106/in/set-72157623763100677/)
09:26
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4534665770_684b4ca482_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4534665770/in/set-72157623763100677/)
Up, breakfast (should have left left porridge to cool down a bit, no more skin left on roof of mouth), pack-up.
09:35
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2714/4534357298_d4fffde977_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4534357298/in/set-72157623763100677/)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2728/4533736339_4035a49bec_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4533736339/in/set-72157623763100677/)
Head down towards Slieve Beg. Passed by a couple of hill runners going the other way.
10:10
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4534367540_7ae7e839b0_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4534367540/in/set-72157623763100677/)
10:18
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2761/4533748201_2e005504e1_s.jpg) (http://urlhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4533748201/in/set-72157623763100677/)
10:33
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4534659676_9b66c7ce08_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4534659676/in/set-72157623763100677/)
Down to the Brand Pad.
Pass gent being pulled along the path by two huskeies, he's heading for Donard.
Meet Mrs and dog halfway along Brandy Pad. Dog pleased to see me....Mrs says "well, you don't smell **too** bad"
11:00
Showing off: stick the tarp up at Hare's Gap, coffee, couple of sausage rolls and an entire packet of chocolate biscuits. Give dog one of his mountain hotdogs. Dog decides he'll go for a scrounge for scraps around the walkers having lunch at the wall (ladies: he knows he looks cute...but please don't feed him...he will end up following you rather than us)
Dog captured, put on lead, lead tied to rock. Go back to lunching walkers, retrieve dog and rock. Find bigger rock. ;0)
11:55
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2755/4534350352_06fb323ea5_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4534350352/in/set-72157623763100677/)
Down from Hare's Gap, past gaggles of DoE's huffing their way up/down the path, over the ford and down the side of Meelmore to the stile to Meelmore lodge. Offload packs into car and then to the cafe for pot of tea and apple pie. \o/
Mini pack list:
DD Tarp (dumped the metal pegs, used plastic ones instead)
tech mate bivvy (£19 TKMax special)
foam mat & water proof picnic blanket (both cheap gelert kit)
Mountain equipment 2 season sleeping bag
1.5l of water in bladder & hip bottle w/ dilutable juice (hate drinking water on the go)
Pocket rocket gas cooker w/ black clip on stand
Sainsbury's microwave rice and curry sauce & small plastic bottle of red wine for afters.
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Looks like an awesome trip. Solo bivying is proper cool.
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This is brilliant chuck, love reading about trips out in great detail. Only thing I would say, it get yourself a decent camera, trips like these should be well snapped.
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well done mate glad to see another member actually getting out there and doing something ;)
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Very nice trip!
I must get myself a tarp and bivy asap! Now i've done a summit camp in tent, i really wanna experience it in a bivy.. especially on a clear night, that wud be amazing!
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DD Hammocks for a tarp and Alpkit for a bivy will get you sorted for £60 the lot!
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DD Hammocks for a tarp and Alpkit for a bivy will get you sorted for £60 the lot!
i know i think thats the combo i'll go for ;D
sorry to hajack the thread but do self inflatable mats ( eg the 3/4 length one from alpkit ) feel alot warmer than a cheap foam mat?
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Only thing I would say, it get yourself a decent camera, trips like these should be well snapped.
Yea, the camera phone snaps suck at times, but give cracking results (IMHO) at other times (was particularly pleased with some of the stuff my old Nokia 6230 took during the WHW..but this 'new' E61i is much poorer). I'll fire a new thread into the gear forum, get some suggestions for a suitable camera upgrade.
do self inflatable mats ( eg the 3/4 length one from alpkit ) feel alot warmer than a cheap foam mat?
They would take more bumps out of the ground, would be interested to test to see if my 16st would 'push' down a inflatable mat so my shoulders (and sleeping bag) are touching the ground anyhow. Perhaps it's time to jump up on that mat table in Cotswolds and see. :)
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Looks like a great trip Chuck. Ordered myself a tarp today so looking forward to getting up there to try it out.
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Nice one Tim. Bit of time sent in the back-garden pays off (as it a trip to millets/tiso to buy a load more pegs)...Do you use walking poles? Or are you planning to use it in woods?
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Yep i'll be straight into the garden when I get it testing out a few different set-ups. I haven't used walking poles before but I'm planning on getting a pair today, they'll make setting up camp a lot easier without having to look for a forested area etc. Plus I'm sure they'll come in handy for walking as well.
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Poles are ace...I spent the first 10 minutes tripping over myself....the first day feeling a right knob for using them...but the extra speed boost they give you going up hill, reduction of knee shock when going downhill make them well worth it...being able to vault across bogs and rivers around the Mournes is a Brucie Bonus as well.
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I haven't used walking poles before but I'm planning on getting a pair today, they'll make setting up camp a lot easier without having to look for a forested area etc. Plus I'm sure they'll come in handy for walking as well.
If you are trying out poles for the first time then take a look in TK Maxx. They have a pair of Trekmates poles for £12.99. They seem decent enough and if you are just using them for pitching and trying out walking then its a good way to give them a try without spending too much. No point spending money on a fancy carbon pair if it turns out you don't like them; Marmite I guess :)
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If you are trying out poles for the first time then take a look in TK Maxx. They have a pair of Trekmates poles for £12.99. They seem decent enough and if you are just using them for pitching and trying out walking then its a good way to give them a try without spending too much. No point spending money on a fancy carbon pair if it turns out you don't like them; Marmite I guess :)
Haha that's exactly the pair I bought myself this morning. Seem like a decent pair for the price, especially as I'm just starting out with them.
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Woo...35lb (16kg) pack for one overnight with my Dad :( Glad we are going directly to the pitch.
Fair enough that includes a two man Vango (rather than just my tarp and/or a one man tent)...and some heavier food that I wouldn't normally take.
Any ideas how you are meant to fit your ruck's rain cover over your foam mat attached to the top and a large tent on the bottom? (my cheapy ruck stating to show it's flaws perhaps?)
Edit: ended up beside Trassey River: pics (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/sets/72157624171971328/).
Edit #2: Playing with a new cheapy GPS logger (http://gps.tall-trekkers.com/buy/iblue+747a):
Day One:
Google Earth file (http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1006.0;attach=275)
.gpx file (http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1006.0;attach=274)
Day Two:
Google Earth file (http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1006.0;attach=277)
.gpx file (http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1006.0;attach=276)
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Jealous. Wish I was on the hill!
Woo...35lb (16kg) pack for one overnight with my Dad :( Glad we are going directly to the pitch.
Fair enough that includes a two man Vango (rather than just my tarp and/or a one man tent)...and some heavier food that I wouldn't normally take.
Any ideas how you are meant to fit your ruck's rain cover over your foam mat attached to the top and a large tent on the bottom? (my cheapy ruck stating to show it's flaws perhaps?)
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Any ideas how you are meant to fit your ruck's rain cover over your foam mat attached to the top and a large tent on the bottom?
Answer: you use as much of the cover as you can (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4655735582/)...with a bulldog clip securing it to itself around the bottom of the bed roll at the top.
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hi chuck,
what is the summit of cove like? many places for a 2 man tent? cheers
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There is loads of room, but it's quite flat so very exposed right at the top (no wall to pitch beside), there is a couple of dips in the ground and the rocks towards the Ben Cromb Reservoir side of the summit, where I bivvyed, but that gets the wind from up the valley (doubling pegging advised). Ground is quite soft.
Some more substantial shelter and room to be had at the side of Cove facing Lamagan where the peat hags are much bigger (saw a couple of tents set up there when I did it).
Cove gives (on a clear day) cracker views of Donard, Brandy Pad to Hare's Gap, Ben Cromb Reservoir, Doan. Setting sun goes down from Carn/Lough Shannagh direction, rising sun comes from Donard Direction. All good.
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There is loads of room, but it's quite flat so very exposed right at the top (no wall to pitch beside), there is a couple of dips in the ground and the rocks towards the Ben Cromb Reservoir side of the summit, where I bivvyed, but that gets the wind from up the valley (doubling pegging advised). Ground is quite soft.
Some more substantial shelter and room to be had at the side of Cove facing Lamagan where the peat hags are much bigger (saw a couple of tents set up there when I did it).
Cove gives (on a clear day) cracker views of Donard, Brandy Pad to Hare's Gap, Ben Cromb Reservoir, Doan. Setting sun goes down from Carn/Lough Shannagh direction, rising sun comes from Donard Direction. All good.
cheers Chuck, thats good info. I see you where camping up trassey at the weekend, where did you pitch? the grassy area just before the climb up to hares gap beside the river?
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Yup, that's the spot. Pics in the my signature (now that I've fixed the permissions...thanks J)
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Guy walks back into a forum :-[
How are you all keeping?
Looks like lots has been going on, sorry I've been away soo long.
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Good to see you back Chuck ;D
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(http://i.imgur.com/lQ9Ln.gif)
Welcome back fella, we missed you!
Guy walks back into a forum :-[
How are you all keeping?
Looks like lots has been going on, sorry I've been away soo long.
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cheers boys