Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
Outdoor Activities => Northern Ireland Camping and Bushcraft => Topic started by: Scribble on April 25, 2010
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I need suggestions of where to do my first solo overnight summit in the mournes. I will be using a vango tempest or will pitching be a problem as I am thinking about one of these bivvys you all rave about .I will be doing this around 15th may so thinking bivy will be better option .
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There's a lovely wee peak called Doam right in the middle that has room for a tent on top (I've heard - from Chris).
That's where I am gonna do mine, it's the nicest shaped wee peak, not too high either.
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Cheers will look into that . Will you be in a tent or bivvy ?? I still not made mymind up but I suppose it's what the weather will allow me to do .
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a bivy and a tarp I think - depends on the weather too I think.
As only room for one tent up there we'll have to make sure we both don't head up on the same night!
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There's a lovely wee peak called Doam right in the middle that has room for a tent on top (I've heard - from Chris).
That's where I am gonna do mine, it's the nicest shaped wee peak, not too high either.
I don't remember saying that, better set the record straight incase you head up and there isn't enough room to swing a cat! Doan would be a little sweet spot tho if it worked out.
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I will have to go up first for a looksee just to be sure . Feeling nervous already about it but it has to be done or I will regret it . Does taking your dog still be classed as solo :) . I was thinking of just bringing my tempest flysheet to save weight . Would that still be suitable
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There's a lovely wee peak called Doam right in the middle that has room for a tent on top (I've heard - from Chris).
That's where I am gonna do mine, it's the nicest shaped wee peak, not too high either.
I don't remember saying that, better set the record straight incase you head up and there isn't enough room to swing a cat! Doan would be a little sweet spot tho if it worked out.
ok - it must have been post bernargh delerium that has me misquoting you!
Suppose it's part of the fun to get up there and realise - it's not a perfect spot!
There's a large pond west of it, has a big bit of grass around it, almost looks like a section of a golf course u could use - sorry this is a bit vauge!
Anyway, depends, perhaps bernagh is a better spot anyways as it's summit is roomy and has natural shelter from the wind...
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There's more than enough room, on Doan if you drop down just a bit from the summit towards the Ben crom/Silent Valley side, would give you a bit more shelter (depending on where the wind is coming from). Would agree an advance recce is a must. Personally I would drop down to shores of Lough Shannagh (the pond that MikeD mentioned) if it was a bit hairy up there, 'tis a lovely (if sometimes busy) spot:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4520751230_e90b547714_s.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4520751230/in/set-72157623728388497)
(The above pic looks towards Doan from Lough Shannagh)
(ps. Dog defiantly counts as solo IMHO...you just need to figure out how to stop him/her wandering off doing the night..and on getting their lead tangled up with your tent/tarp poles)
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Suppose it also depends on how far you want to walk and where you are comfortable starting (if you have to leave a car overnight or get a bus).
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Suppose it also depends on how far you want to walk and where you are comfortable starting (if you have to leave a car overnight or get a bus).
don't mind the walking but it's the leaving the car is my priority as I hear of cars getting wrecked by the little hoods. I could get the bus from banbridge or even beg for a lift . Cheers guys for all the advice
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Well that kinda rules out Doan/Lough Shannagh. Hmm...unless you park in Kilkeel and get a taxi up, couldn't be that expensive. Google Maps (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Kilkeel,+Newry,+County+Down,+UK&daddr=B27%2FMoyad+Rd&hl=en&geocode=FeHvOAMdPlek_ymrdv6TGNZgSDHZTh1DcoGKng%3BFaD_OQMdLMej_w&mra=mi&mrsp=1&sz=14&sll=54.129254,-6.040163&sspn=0.024744,0.055189&ie=UTF8&z=14) has it at about 5 miles to the bottom of Banns Road (http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=133), which would then take you to Lough Shannagh and up to Doan.
Option two: how about parking in the 'secure' parking at Meelmore Lodge (either park in the main car park...or if noone's about to tell you off park around the back of the toilet block right beside the cafe, so you car's not visible from the road), that drops you right at the bottom of trassey track, then you have the pick of the summits on that side of the mournes...and warm showers avaliable when you get back to the car. ;D
Option three: park in Newcastle, taxi to say Bloody Bridge. Chimney Rock Mountain gives you some cracking views, (but I've not looked at it for over night stay, anyone done it?) Would also give you the option of doing Donard on day two ;) Even walk back to the car down via Glen River (http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=344)
(edit: better google maps link)
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Meelmore Lodge (£4 per night) and Donard Car Park are the ones we would use the most. Carrick Little is a nightmare as is Crocknafeola . I have a phone number of a taxi service that we have used that took us from Carrick Little to Meelmore for £9. If anyone wants it just PM me.
We headed for Bearnagh from Meelmore for our first summit camp. It's a great peak with awesome views but isn't too far or hard far for a first time.