Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => General Chat => Topic started by: MikeD on December 14, 2010

Title: White Christmas !
Post by: MikeD on December 14, 2010
With the talk now of more snow for Christmas, I'd love to try to get organised for a few of us to spend the day up the mournes and build some snow shelters and stuff ! 
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: MG1 on December 14, 2010
Sound good Mike count me in.
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: Scribble on December 14, 2010
I would be up for that seen it on countyfile and it looks like fun
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: 666_pack on December 14, 2010
Im free anytime after boxing day so count me in.
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: suspectmonkey on December 14, 2010
Yep, I'm free from Monday 27th - Friday 31st so definitely up for getting out in the Mournes 8)

Also thinking might spend New Years Day in the Mournes as well, although I'm guessing a few folk might be a bit too tender after New Years Eve? :D
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: MikeD on December 14, 2010
Good stuff, there are loads of different types of snow shelters one could make, so, we're gonna need  a lot of shovels!

And the more the merrier as this looks like tiring work!

http://www.usap.gov/travelAndDeployment/documents/FieldManual-Chapt11SnowShelters.pdf
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: Kat on December 14, 2010
I hear that the chances of snow on Christmas Day are 50/50!

Snow shelters...good idea! 
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: Dowser on December 15, 2010
That's a really cool idea (see what I did there). I'm defo in for this one.

Do a good enough job and I'd be tempted to stay overnight in one  :P
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: RedLeader on December 15, 2010
If I can get away I'd be up for this.
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: 666_pack on December 15, 2010
it's def gonna be cold!

http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=cold;sess=

 :o
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: Tim on December 15, 2010
Count me in
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: LandyLiam on December 15, 2010
me and my folding shovel are up for this if dates suit but have to work a few days over christmas  :'(
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: darren on December 18, 2010
Quote from: MG1 on December 14, 2010
Sound good Mike count me in.

is love to try that.
its just a matter of getting a loft if anyone lives local.
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: MikeD on December 21, 2010
How does Monday or Tuesday next week sound (27th +28th)?

Most people will be off these days.

And, I'd be up for staying the night in the igloo if anyone else is. 

So, if we're gonna sleep in the construction, it would have to be Monday for me, as back to work on Wednesday.

And, you'll need to get your folding shovels in this week.  Does anyone know of anywhere in Belfast to get one? 
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: MG1 on December 21, 2010
I can't make it back to work on Boxing day :'(
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: Matthew on December 21, 2010
At the moment Monday or Tuesday suits me

Matthew
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: Moxy on December 21, 2010
I would be up for 27/28th, but will hafta check wiv the girlfriend and c if she'll let me out for the nite. She thinks i'm a nutter!

Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: darren on December 21, 2010
Quote from: MG1 on December 21, 2010
I can't make it back to work on Boxing day :'(

you actually working on boxing day.
thats not fair.
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: Tim on December 21, 2010
I'm good for the 3 days after boxing day as my girlfriends working so shes given me the all clear :D
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: MikeD on December 21, 2010
Sweet!
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: darren on December 22, 2010
Quote from: Tim on December 21, 2010
I'm good for the 3 days after boxing day as my girlfriends working so shes given me the all clear :D
more than 1 girlfriend. :D :D
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: Tim on December 22, 2010
Haha yep. Good old punctuation
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: darren on December 22, 2010
Quote from: 666_pack on December 15, 2010
it's def gonna be cold!

http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=cold;sess=

 :o
i dont mind the cold ill be up for that as well.
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: Dowser on December 22, 2010
I'm mad keen on this one and even keener on staying overnight but I'm gonna have to see how things turn out.  I've been struck down with the worst flu I've ever had and I am feeling a bit ropey!!!  So much for getting the flu jab earlier in the year.  Apparently it only protects you from a couple of particular strains... Now they tell me  >:(

I would like to think I will be good to go by the 27th and 28th though. 

Has there been any chat about location for this one?  Possibly a Carrick Little start and an Annalong Valley Igloo Village or do you fancy trying somewhere new?

Oh... I can just see it now:

(http://i.imgur.com/VspKk.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/KrIKO.jpg)

 8)
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: MikeD on December 22, 2010
Hopefully you'll be feeling better Dowser, I could give you a lift if you're not feeling the best !!

FOLDING SHOVELS - only seems like Smithfield army surplus store has them - nice ex-army ones- quite light - but - they want £20 for them - and they're not budging - so I refused to buy it as he wouldn't entertain a haggle - as an online search shows army surplus shovels cost £15.

Maybe someone on here is selling their old folding shovel !  Or knows of somewhere else I can get them (none in Millets, Cotswold, Black shop, Tiso).

No doubt I'll have to crawl back into his shop on Friday eating humble pie - and I'll probably also buy some army trousers off him..... I don't know..... I just wish people in small local shops would haggle, just a bit.  Rant over.
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: LennyJ1 on December 22, 2010
Tell them you ex milatary and you might get a couple of quid off.  ???
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: MikeD on December 22, 2010
Quote from: LennyJ1 on December 22, 2010
Tell them you ex milatary and you might get a couple of quid off.  ???

Thanks Lenny, bit dodgy doing that round there I'd say, keep that stuff under a hat.  Its just the point, that he wouldn't haggle, its just poor customer relations IMO.
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: Dowser on December 22, 2010
Quote from: MikeD on December 22, 2010
Hopefully you'll be feeling better Dowser, I could give you a lift if you're not feeling the best !!

FOLDING SHOVELS - only seems like Smithfield army surplus store has them - nice ex-army ones- quite light - but - they want £20 for them - and they're not budging - so I refused to buy it as he wouldn't entertain a haggle - as an online search shows army surplus shovels cost £15.

Maybe someone on here is selling their old folding shovel !  Or knows of somewhere else I can get them (none in Millets, Cotswold, Black shop, Tiso).

No doubt I'll have to crawl back into his shop on Friday eating humble pie - and I'll probably also buy some army trousers off him..... I don't know..... I just wish people in small local shops would haggle, just a bit.  Rant over.

If you do have to crawl back on Friday see if he'll give you any sort of discount for buying two of them as I'd take one and square you up when I see you.
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: LandyLiam on December 22, 2010
I was up Donard yesterday and plenty of snow about as you'd expect, the saddle would be a nice spot to build something, plenty of people passing so maybe some chance for recruiting ni-wilders  ;D  annalong valley would be less walking though, another handy spot would be at the end of the lane at Meelmore Lodge, not sure what the roads are like up there though as i haven't been that way yet. I have a folding shovel and a small military shovel. A few taurpaulins would be handy for transporting snow.
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: Dowser on December 22, 2010
Quote from: Dowser on December 22, 2010


If you do have to crawl back on Friday see if he'll give you any sort of discount for buying two of them as I'd take one and square you up when I see you.

Oh... Mention NI-Wild, and me too, because I buy a lot of stuff from him.  I even showed him our website, on his store computer, a couple of days after we returned from Kerry.  You never know it might prompt a bit of a discount.  ???
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: MikeD on December 22, 2010
Np Dowser, I'll get 2 - plan to go back on friday, and I'll give him another chance to mend his ways !
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: MikeD on December 22, 2010
I remember last year, the snow around hares gap was really really deep, and nobody was really walking through it, they were sticking to the Donard Wood side of the wall.   It was waist high.  "Pure Class"
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: whoRya on December 22, 2010
I remember a fun time jumping off the roof of the lookout hut on top of Donnard into deep snow, mind you it is so long since fresh snow, I'd check it isn't ice first before trying!!

I'm hitting the hills on Wednesday all being well.  I look forward to seeing your efforts.
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: twentyclicks on December 23, 2010
I was in work this morning at 7 to attack a massive delivery.  Alas, only 3 Mammut Alligator shovels... they're £40 too.

The guy at Smithfield likely wont budge on price... demand is outstripping supply on such items.
We sell out of those Yaktrack grips for the shoes within hours of getting them in: could probably charge twice the price (like Amazon were).

I'll keep an eye on this thread.  Our Christmas plans are all up in the air so I don't know when I'm free.
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: MikeD on December 24, 2010
2 folding shovels secured.  No discount. :-[
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: Dowser on December 24, 2010
Quote from: MikeD on December 24, 2010
2 folding shovels secured.  No discount. :-[

Nice one Mike... Bummer about the discount though.  They should be a great addition to our kit snow, or no snow!!!

I'll square you up when I see you next week.  Thanks  8)
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: MikeD on December 26, 2010
So what time suits people? Doesn't need to be too early, maybe Donald car park at 2?

Let me know what you think?
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: Dowser on December 26, 2010
Sorry guys, I'm gonna have to miss this one.  I've just been out for a walk with the dog and I'm really struggling still, with having the flu the last couple of days.  I feel ok in the house, but out in the cold my chest is playing up and I'm overheating ironically!!!  Still a bit feverish.

Sorry again... Never like letting people down  :(

MikeD... Could you PM me your mobile and I'll give you a shout about collecting my shovel and getting you some dough for it.
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: MikeD on December 26, 2010
No worries dude
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: LandyLiam on December 26, 2010
oh no, the snow's melting  :'(
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: Matthew on December 26, 2010
Lads sorry to say I am out. I have been looking down the big white telephone in the bathroom chatting to HUGH all night, not good times.

Sorry again boys.

Matthew
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: Dowser on December 28, 2010
Did anyone make it into the hills for this one and was there any snow left when you got there?
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: twentyclicks on December 28, 2010
I didn't.  Between covering sick people in work and delayed family gatherings I only have Fri & Sat free this week.

There will be a fair number of snow patches where it was deeper or more sheltered, but I reckon it's pretty mucky in general up there at the moment  :P
Title: Re: White Christmas !
Post by: whoRya on December 30, 2010
I was up yesterday, starting at Meelmore we went via Trassey Track up Bearnagh, Meelmore and Meelbeg.  Visibility was very poor, we even got disorientated missing the turn off for Hare's Gap instead ending up at the quarry (heading for Pholluca).  Navigation would have been tricky were it not for the wall.  There were only three of us but we lost one whilst scrambling around the summit torr of Bearnagh.  It took a good 15 minutes to meet up again because of the poor visibility and wind.

It was seriously wet, a fair bit of our descent alongside the river between Meelbeg and Sl. Loughshanagh was 'wading' through marsh about half way up our gaiters.  That was at least preferable to taking a higher route with bad visibility.  It never rained as such but was that constant mist that really soaks you through.  I'm beginning to think I attract the stuff!

There was some snow along the wall, as deep as 3 foot in some places, from memory there was most on Meelbeg, the lookout tower on Meelmore (?) was still fairly full of snow.

We only saw about a dozen other walkers the whole day, apart from a large group along the Ulster Way on the way home.

I'm suffering today with a head cold, definately not going there looking for sympathy at home.  You know the craic, self-inflicted ;)