Another successful NI WIld adventure was had. Didn't get visiting Percy Bysshe because traffic was awful getting down to Newcastle on Saturday, and I was late setting off from Carrick Little carpark, but it gives me a great excuse to get back in the hills again another day. From Carrick Little I headed straight for Cove along a well defined path as I was keen to get to Cove Cave before dark so that I could explore the possiblity of actually sleeping in it.
It would definately be possible to bivvi in Cove Cave itself, in a couple of different areas, but I think I would only do it for a limited number of reasons:
1. Just to be able to say I've slept in a cave.
2. The weather was really chucking it down and I wanted a bit of shelter.
After exploring the cave we opted to go for a short night hike over Cove Mountain and then back the the entrance of the cave where we could enjoy the comfort of the Bracken and dry ground. It would have been quite difficult to get comfortable in the cave and your gear would take bit of a battering on the stone/gravel floors. Another reason that I'm glad we decided to Bivvi outside the cave was that Rock Climbers arrived around 22:00 and abseiled all around the entrance till about 02:00. It would have been difficult to get a decent kip with all that going on :o
Anyways... Here's a few photos from the weekend:
(http://imgur.com/9FIw2.jpg)
Weather was a bit overcast on arrival Saturday afternoon. Don't think I've ever seen Binnian in the sun. I sure it must have it's own weather system!!!
(http://imgur.com/s1KIb.jpg)
This path that runs alongside Annalong forest leads you right to the foot of Cove Cave. If your navigation isn't to good this is the walk for you and the family. I wouldn't like to think anybody could get lost on this one!!!
(http://imgur.com/lOsFt.jpg)
I only strayed from the path once and it was all because of this little tree/bush. It's the only one that's managed to get itself to any sort of height off the ground for miles around. I just couldn't resist getting a photo!
(http://imgur.com/gRxj2.jpg)
This is Cove on the approach from Annalong. The entrance to the cave is just visible on a clear day.
(http://imgur.com/KV8R2.jpg)
This is the entrance to the main cave. Bit of a scramble up in. I took my rucksack in with me the first time because I was on my own but I would recommend you leave it outside unless your planning on spending the night in there. I would advise that you do carry the basics though, like a head torch and a phone or radio incase something happens when you are in there. The rocks inside are extremely slippy due to the damp.
(http://imgur.com/GAPzP.jpg)
This pic was taken from just a short distance into the cave. The Cave stretches back about 30 metres before you reach the small exit hole at the rear. Even getting up to the hole is quite precarious as it is an accent of about 10 metres over a collection of boulders that are difficult to negotiate.
(http://imgur.com/ExXH7.jpg)
This is the view to the back of the cave with the exit hole clearly visible. It's difficult to capture in a photogragh just how steep the scramble is and just how small the whole is.
(http://imgur.com/MLLY9.jpg)
This is the view looking back at the exit hole. It really is no wider than the width of your shoulders so if you have a fear of small spaces I wouldn't be suggesting you tackle this. A certain degree of contortionism is required to get through and getting back down is no easy feat either. This space would be big enough for two or three people to bivvi but it would over a great deal of protection from the weather.
(http://imgur.com/fb1M4.jpg)
This is a close-up shot of the exit hole from the inside. I should have put something else in the picture to give you an idea of scale but take it from me it's small.
(http://imgur.com/V0OCs.jpg)
This is one of the ledges inside the cave. I had to ditch my ruck at this stage because I wasn't getting it any further.
(http://imgur.com/61Vrs.jpg)
This shot is taken from about half way into the cave looking back towards the main entrance. There is a lot of flash being used in this photo. At the rear of the cave it is almost completely dark, so take a torch.
(http://imgur.com/R05yD.jpg)
No flash used on this one.
(http://imgur.com/I59ld.jpg)
Cave exploration finished, Bivvys set up and food ate. Ahhh... time to relax for a few drinkies by the Hobo Stove ;D
(http://imgur.com/T7MdT.jpg)
Although I look relaxed in this photo I'm actually praying for a dry night because by now I've just realised I've forgot to bring my Bivvi Bag... Doh!
(http://imgur.com/gCc0p.jpg)
Could a photograph be anymore welcoming ::)
(http://imgur.com/4NE5T.jpg)
As the evening got colder we took it in turns using Bow, the dog, as a hot water bottle.
(http://imgur.com/7pUAA.jpg)
My turn to get warmed up a bit!!!
(http://imgur.com/z0Wi3.jpg)
Well, bottle of Scotch drunk... time to settle down for the night. notice the lack of Bivvi Bag. Thank God for Gore-tex waterproofs.
(http://imgur.com/eKM48.jpg)
Yeap... I made it through the night and yes, that is a bin bag I've got my feet in due to the lack of bivvi bag. Don't know what made me think it would make any difference if it started to chuck it down!
(http://imgur.com/X3DjO.jpg)
Honestly... I did get a good nights sleep.
(http://imgur.com/bPuKf.jpg)
Our Bivvys set up at the foot of Cove and Chuck enjoying the scenary after breakfast.
(http://imgur.com/tmp2w.jpg)
Bacon and Beans. Handy to make and very tasty.
(http://imgur.com/i8pYH.jpg)
Bow checking out my Tarp setup. Could have done with him there last night for a bit of heat.
(http://imgur.com/ynKAO.jpg)
One man and Somebody elses dog... (Well Chucks)
(http://imgur.com/9ezdK.jpg)
Foreman came up and joined us after breakfast so here's me heading back into the cave to give a guided tour.
(http://imgur.com/5PrHQ.jpg)
Foreman looking up through the exit hole at the rear of the cave. He decided against trying to squeeze through the gap.
(http://imgur.com/9ns5Y.jpg)
Photo of me from the ground were the cave emerges on the side of the cliff face. Honestly, I am up there somewhere but the camoflauge doesn't help ;)
(http://imgur.com/U85TX.jpg)
And another one of me... This time take from the bivvi site.
(http://imgur.com/7JY2N.jpg)
Getting embarrasing now but there is me outside the front of the cave. Getting value for money out of this one. You'd think I'd just conquered Everest the way I'm standing there!
(http://imgur.com/72v7S.jpg)
Another shot of Cove from below.
(http://imgur.com/BSQKL.jpg)
A panoramic taken on the way back to Annalong Wood. I'm pretty certain the Hill in the centre of this photograph is where the Percy Bysshe cave is located.
Well... There ya go. Cove Cave, definately worth a visit. ;D