Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Outdoor Activities => Northern Ireland Camping and Bushcraft => Topic started by: Eamonn on June 08, 2010

Title: First Solo Camp
Post by: Eamonn on June 08, 2010
Hey everyone i did my first solo camp up the mournes on friday night and it was amazing!!

Started at donard park at about 2130 reached the wall just before it got really dark then dandered down the brandy pad to the hares gap and up slieve bearnagh. I made it to the top at 0100.

Next day i went back down bearnagh to the hares gap and followed the wall over to slieve commedagh. There's a pipe that sticks out of the side of commedagh that has fresh flowing water coming out of it, this was a life saver.

Pics:

(http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/2634/img1616z.jpg)
(http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/3483/img1622j.jpg)
(http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/4362/img1623v.jpg)
(http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/390/img1625e.jpg)
(http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/7513/img1626q.jpg)
(http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/9972/img1629e.jpg)
(http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/3446/img1630w.jpg)
(http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/5857/img1632y.jpg)
(http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/766/img1635i.jpg)
(http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/2997/img1638ec.jpg)
(http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3182/img1641j.jpg)
(http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/5229/img1642l.jpg)
(http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/3379/img1645v.jpg)











Title: Re: First Solo Camp
Post by: Scribble on June 08, 2010
Very jealous I have not had the balls to try a proper solo summit yet just done a easy one in Donegal . The trangia I like only had one few months and the best dinner I cooked so far is chicken fajitas quick and easy but very tasty :). Some nice photos

one last thing where does the pipe come from with the fresh water 
Title: Re: First Solo Camp
Post by: Eamonn on June 08, 2010
one last thing where does the pipe come from with the fresh water 

If your walking from the hares gap to commedagh following the wall, the pipe is on the right side of the wall about half way up commedagh.
Title: Re: First Solo Camp
Post by: ChuckMcB on June 09, 2010
Congrats Big E, looks like you got a great night&day for it....it's ace when everything just comes together...

This pic just sums up what this whole wild camping is all about IMHO:

(http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/3483/img1622j.jpg)
Title: Re: First Solo Camp
Post by: RedLeader on June 09, 2010
Congrats. I've done a forest solo but not a peak yet. It's next on my list!
Title: Re: First Solo Camp
Post by: 666_pack on June 09, 2010
Well done mate.

I had my first solo camp not so long ago on a windy night on top of Donard. Nothing like watching the sunrise on a mountain. Great pics by the way.

(I think I'm due another solo camp)
Title: Re: First Solo Camp
Post by: twentyclicks on June 09, 2010
Very nice,  Bernagh is a great summit to camp on... and a good workout carrying all the gear up!
Title: Re: First Solo Camp
Post by: RedLeader on June 09, 2010
We had a summit on Bearnagh last year - was an epic weekend.
Piccies here : http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=513.0
Title: Re: First Solo Camp
Post by: LennyJ1 on June 12, 2010
Hey Big E, I see you have the Gelert. Whats it like? I just got it not taken it out yet.
Title: Re: First Solo Camp
Post by: MikeD on June 12, 2010
Looks great.... Great way to spend a night....
Title: Re: First Solo Camp
Post by: Dowser on June 12, 2010
This pic just sums up what this whole wild camping is all about IMHO:

(http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/3483/img1622j.jpg)

Nice one Big E... Where exactly was this picture taken... I plan to do a solo in the next couple of weeks and haven't decided on a location yet.  This photo may have just made up my mind... It looks awsome!
Title: Re: First Solo Camp
Post by: RedLeader on June 12, 2010
Top of Bearnagh looking at Doan. We were camped at the base of Doan last night. Bearnagh is a top spot for a solo. Accessible with great views and a degree of shelter between the tors.

This pic just sums up what this whole wild camping is all about IMHO:

(http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/3483/img1622j.jpg)

Nice one Big E... Where exactly was this picture taken... I plan to do a solo in the next couple of weeks and haven't decided on a location yet.  This photo may have just made up my mind... It looks awsome!
Title: Re: First Solo Camp
Post by: LennyJ1 on June 13, 2010
Hey Guys, any idea on the Grid Ref for this site?
Title: Re: First Solo Camp
Post by: RedLeader on June 13, 2010
It's between the tors on Bearnagh.
W 5.98804336, N 54.18605443 or so.

Hey Guys, any idea on the Grid Ref for this site?
Title: Re: First Solo Camp
Post by: suspectmonkey on June 13, 2010
one last thing where does the pipe come from with the fresh water 

If your walking from the hares gap to commedagh following the wall, the pipe is on the right side of the wall about half way up commedagh.

I spotted that pipe when we were descending Commedagh on Part Deux of the Mourne Wall Walk (I only did Part Deux!).  I'm curious where the pipe orginates from though... when I saw it I was a bit skeptical that some one would have kindly plumbed in some fresh running water to the side of a mountain ;)  Any ideas?
Title: Re: First Solo Camp
Post by: LennyJ1 on June 13, 2010
one last thing where does the pipe come from with the fresh water 

If your walking from the hares gap to commedagh following the wall, the pipe is on the right side of the wall about half way up commedagh.

I spotted that pipe when we were descending Commedagh on Part Deux of the Mourne Wall Walk (I only did Part Deux!).  I'm curious where the pipe orginates from though... when I saw it I was a bit skeptical that some one would have kindly plumbed in some fresh running water to the side of a mountain ;)  Any ideas?


Boil it. and all should be good.
Title: Re: First Solo Camp
Post by: Eamonn on June 14, 2010
one last thing where does the pipe come from with the fresh water 

If your walking from the hares gap to commedagh following the wall, the pipe is on the right side of the wall about half way up commedagh.

I spotted that pipe when we were descending Commedagh on Part Deux of the Mourne Wall Walk (I only did Part Deux!).  I'm curious where the pipe orginates from though... when I saw it I was a bit skeptical that some one would have kindly plumbed in some fresh running water to the side of a mountain ;)  Any ideas?


Boil it. and all should be good.

I read somewhere that the pipe was put in for the boys building the wall. I drank about a litre of it straight from the pipe and had no ill effects.

Hey Big E, I see you have the Gelert. Whats it like? I just got it not taken it out yet.

hey lenny, the Gelert is a squeeze, i'm about 6'2" and i just fit lying flat on my back, but i really liked it. There's really good air circulation inside and it seems like a strong tent. This was the first time i've used it and it didn't rain but i had the seams glued and also sprayed the outer with Fabsil, just in case. If you have a walking pole bring a extra peg and some rope to hold the door open and make a kinda porchy bit. There also just enough space to inbetween the inner and outer to store some bits and bobs.

The picture was taking from the top the bearnagh.