Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => Meets, places, trips and reviews => Topic started by: Typo-On on March 22, 2013
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With the desire of a snow camp becoming almost the only thing I can think about and the need to knock a camp on Donard of my list I'm heading to Donard this Saturday night.
My partner in crime (rumblebum) will also be braving the elements. All welcome but only come if you feel it's within your comfort zone and your prepared to sing happy birthday to one of my kids who kindly let daddy go camping because she knows how much I want it!!! :)
ATM the plan is to be down for about 18:30
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Bloody hell, have you looked outside :o
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Well we are hopeful the wind drops a bit, if not I'm sure we will select something more sensible :)
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I was on comedagh and slievenaglogh yesterday and anyone who wants to go and camp in that needs sectioned! ;D ;D I could hardly stand up straight.
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If its mental are yas gonna drop down a bit?? May be tempted as I'm not getting out of Dundonald today, wind mental.
I could be tempted but on my lonesome tonight was just too crazy.
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Yeah we plan to reevaluate if the conditions are not favourable. I'm willing to put up with a fair bit of wind but as its not a solo camp it needs to be good enough to chitter and I want to have a play in the snow :)
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A play in the snow?!
You're all mad. (And I love it).
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Where is the rvp? I may well meet you guys somewhere along the route......defo up for it though......tent needs tested other than my back garden if its ok I will join you guys? Snow time :)
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The plan is Donard Carpark and nope thats coolio. Im thinking since the wind is coming from the east we should be able to hunker down behind the wall.
What tent did you get?
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i've always fancied a snow camp in the pot of legawherry, should be well sheltered
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I got a wee Coleman cobra 2man......
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i've always fancied a snow camp in the pot of legawherry, should be well sheltered
Ohhh good suggestion Liam, I'm grabbing my map!
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I got a wee Coleman cobra 2man......
I have that tent too ;D
I have not tried it in extreame windy weather, so be careful.
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Mmm I'm liking the idea of the pot too
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Looks like it could be sheltered in there.
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just checking the map, I remember thinking donard carpark as the others may be hard to get to, looking at liams post about meelmore is it a pita to get to the pot from newcastle? routing it it looks a bit longer than I was expecting :(
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Could park at Bryansford or Tollymore mtn centre
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Could park at Bryansford or Tollymore mtn centre
Good thinking batman!! Never thought about the NOC. What's the score with parking there overnight?
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Which is the best route to get to the pot...... I would choose via hares gap?? Though I'm not so sure. I'm planning to go up after lunch as my hockey is off and have time now to do a dander first.
Is the pot confirmed or I'd donard still a goeer?
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Its all hit a bump. Rumblebum has had to pull out, I'll now need to renew assurances of safety to the better half as I dont want her overly worrying about me.
If I go Im still going to try Donard, Ive never actually made it into the Pot where as I've done the Donard route loads.
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I agree, never been the pot and would prefer to stay to the routes I know best.....I'm still planning to do it, hopefully park in donard park opposite police station, would prefer meelmore but not so sure how my car would get over to it. Up via glen river path, and either commedagh or donard if you are coming.
If its too extreme then ill go to saddle then retreat to donard wood.
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np hopefully see you later, I should be leaving about 17:30ish so fingers crossed be in newcastle for 18:30
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Be careful guys, stay safe.
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Here typo on ill pm you my mob and we can hopefully meet at say the saddle of commedagh donard.
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Another potential spot is just before the river crossing at the bottom of the steps to the saddle, no steep climbs so should be a lot safer, also theres a handy wee ridge there good for making snow caves ;)
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Yep sounds like a plan.
We will go with that as a meet point.
You give me an eta
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Hmm..ignore me didn't see all the other posts :/
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Getting to the pot from hares gap is no go in this weather..
Options to get to the pot: trasey->side of Luke mountain> down to and follow the spinkwee (sp).
Or
Out through to top gate of tollymore and follow the spinkwee (sp)...
But its tough going out there at the moment..deep snow and fresh stuff falling at the moment...so choose life choose somewhere a bit easier to get to :)
Good luck every body!
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Good luck guys wherever u end up!
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Anyone know if they went ahead?
Stay warm lads and ladets!
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I was tempted to have a go at this but a warm coal fire and chinese takeaway has swayed me yet again, i'm such a wuss :(
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Yea me too, I was meant to go for a hike in the Mournes today with a mate but we chicken out and used the excuse that our cars wouldn't make it to Newcastle.
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I spoke to dave there and himself and Clarebear are both safe and having a good night.
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Enjoy and good luck!
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Nice one guys,respect,hope you got some shelter!
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Well we didnt make i up :( by choice more than weather.
Claire text me on the way down to say she had made it to the river crossing and was heading back to the forest as it was pretty unpleasant. I met her in the forest and made a half hearted stab at it but with darkness closing in as I hit about level with the pot of pulgarve (about half way between the crossing and the end of the tree line) I thought I would just head back and enjoy the company of a young lady and her dog for the night.
We both agreed if we had set out earlier and if we had communicated better ( Claire didnt know I had a snow shovel and a bundle of snow anchors for the tents with me) it would have been doable although hard going. I forgot what carrying a heavy rucksack was like :( I had stuff I normally dont carry and I certainly felt it lol
So Im still on the search for a proper snow camp, I considered camping in the deeper snow in one of the clearings where trees have fell along the tree line but it seemed like an anticlimax and a poor comparison to the plan which went from the summit gradually down.
It got deeper swift
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8236/8585609440_64973464e8.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/89502764@N04/8585609440/)
Brownie points have to be earned even from the kids
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8090/8585610408_ce1a87c05e.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/89502764@N04/8585610408/)
The pic of shame :)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8098/8585611362_0e20ba37c6.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/89502764@N04/8585611362/)
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No shame at all dave,another day pal :)
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Nice try guys kudos for giving it a shot. Did you get a fire going in the forest?
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No shame at all dave,another day pal :)
Cheers :) yup they will still be there, might just be next winter :-/
Nice try guys kudos for giving it a shot. Did you get a fire going in the forest?
We both had a firelog so we just lit those.
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This post has been immortalised for posterity in the NI-Wild Blog.
http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/blog/2013/03/slieve-donard-summit-camp/
Contact if you would like any changes or a login for the Blog (http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/blog/2013/03/slieve-donard-summit-camp/)
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No shame at all dave,another day pal :)
Cheers :) yup they will still be there, might just be next winter :-/
Nice try guys kudos for giving it a shot. Did you get a fire going in the forest?
We both had a firelog so we just lit those.
Good to hear that your both back safe and ready for another challenge mucker.
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Well done guys for even making the effort to get out fair play to you both. Karma!!
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Great effort Typo and Claire (and hound), it looks like a snow camp to me, karma. :)
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Hope this works, trying out on the app thing.
Weather inN Ireland is wick, it's now Easter and when I'm planning a day out with a camp snow is a factor! Mental but I was determined to push on with it anyway. I had arranged to meet up with typo-on at the bottom of the steps where the river crosses the path. I managed to get my hands on army rations which I quite like, and my new vango stove, coleman cobra tent, Gelert 1200 sleeping bag and mat all need tested. Perfect.
1st stop was for a chicken legend and thick shake, I can justify this as I will be burning it off. The roads were ok but I knew not to try the trassy road from past experience. I parked opposite the police station hoping that this would be safe enough. It's been a good few years since I went up from donard wood so I was looking forward to it. Taking my time I got up to the ice house and it was handy enough going, (http://http://flic.kr/p/e5HVyu)
Up past the tree line and as expected more snow and wind, lots of it. Trudged on up and after a few hip deep staggers in the snow I was rolling around like mrs blobby. I pushed on close to the river crossing but I knew there was no way I was staying up in this. I texted typo on and said I was heading for the wood campsite at the ice house.
(http://flic.kr/p/e5HW9f)
Found the campsite no problem and my wee tent went up handy enough, glad I practiced it in the garden. Cash was I wondering what strange thing this was, when I got him in and warm he soon found his sleeping bag and slept.
(http://flic.kr/p/e5HW9f)
Here's the wee tent,
typo on had arrived and off he went to see how the going was. After an hour or so he was back, though I know he was keen to stay in the snow on his own wasn't so sure.
Dinner ate, and firelog lit. Hit the doss bag and warm it is too.
All in all a success and my gear was the biz.
Will take better photos next time, BBC is up for me summits on Binnian bernagh and commedagh. No snow though!
(http://flic.kr/p/e5HW9f)
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Nice write-up Claire, sounds like tough going with a hefty rucksack and hip deep snow, kudos.
(Pics don't seem to be showing btw)
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Nice one guys, fair play for getting out there!
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(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8094/8586083736_1df7462323.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/92181818@N04/8586083736/)
Camera Roll-78 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/92181818@N04/8586083736/) by clairebearNI (http://www.flickr.com/people/92181818@N04/), on Flickr
url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/92181818@N04/8586087030/](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8531/8586087030_d927645a7a.jpg)[/url]
Camera Roll-81 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/92181818@N04/8586087030/) by clairebearNI (http://www.flickr.com/people/92181818@N04/), on Flickr
url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/92181818@N04/8586085694/](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8532/8586085694_cf499965e5.jpg)[/url]
Camera Roll-80 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/92181818@N04/8586085694/) by clairebearNI (http://www.flickr.com/people/92181818@N04/), on Flickr
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8227/8584982321_0323c17311.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/92181818@N04/8584982321/)
Camera Roll-79 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/92181818@N04/8584982321/) by clairebearNI (http://www.flickr.com/people/92181818@N04/), on Flickr
Hopefully this will work
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I love that tent. nice pictures. the snow looks very deep.
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Good one Typo-on and Claire, there is no such thing as a 'pic of shame' on a winter camp. Did you send the birthday greeting in the morning?
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Hi Clairebear
First of all well done on your camp and in those conditions 8) 8) in your thread you mentioned parking at the police station i picked up on this as im heading up to the easter camp next week and just wanted to ask had you to walk back down the road to get into Donard carpark or is there a way in at the station end?
PS love your last pick Snug As A Bug In A Rug ;D ;D
Glenn.
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Donard Wood is a great spot, the last time I was there was over Christmas after being beaten back by heavy winds. It feels all the better after coming back down from battling the elements higher up. The last pic does look cosy.
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Hi Glenn b I just dandered down only a 10 min stroll and it's all foot paths. Maybe there is a way in from there as it would save you a walk but for 10 mins I was happier to park there.
Cash was loving his sleeping bag, I'm glad I got it now!
Good wee spot as its sheltered will def use it again if weather is unbearable.
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Yup and many hugs received lol kids are so easily pleased... Well sometimes lol
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Well done for braving it and persevering, I dont envy you at all!
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Good effort Claire, you are braver than me.
Cash looks lovely too.
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Well done folks. Im glad that it it worked out well.
Fred
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This post has been immortalised for posterity in the NI-Wild Blog.
http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/blog/2013/03/slieve-donard-summit-camp/
Contact if you would like any changes or a login for the Blog (http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/blog/2013/03/slieve-donard-summit-camp/)
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here's my pic of shame for that evening 8)
(http://huntingbusinessmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Cabin-Fire-Wine.jpg)
glad to hear you played it safe and lived to camp another day
if its any consolation i did stay of the wine that night in case i got a phone call ;)
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here's my pic of shame for that evening 8)
(http://huntingbusinessmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Cabin-Fire-Wine.jpg)
glad to hear you played it safe and lived to camp another day
if its any consolation i did stay of the wine that night in case i got a phone call ;)
I know your short Liam but never thought you were smaller than a table :o ;D
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Looks great, well done.