Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Information => Introductions => Topic started by: Michael B on March 25, 2013

Title: Hello.
Post by: Michael B on March 25, 2013: Hi, I'm based in Newtownabbey but have been up Annalong wood a couple of times and looking for good sites anywhere in NI for wild camping. I need to get my fitness levels up so haven't done anything too challenging yet but hope to work towards that. Spend most of my time in front of a computer editing videos so love getting up the Mournes away from technology for a while.

Been hovering about for a while now and hoping to pick up some tips and advice from the experts.

Thanks, Michael.
Title: Re: Hello.
Post by: Glenn B on March 25, 2013: Hi you'll get plenty of advice and tips here don't know about the experts bit though. If its camping your after why not jump straight in and try and get up to the Donard Wood easter camp this saturday you know you want to lol. Oh and welcome aboard!!!
Title: Re: Hello.
Post by: Michael B on March 25, 2013: Thanks Glenn, yeah I love camping but need to get fit before I can do any serious hiking. I think some regular walks up the cavehill would be a good start. Afraid I'm working all weekend but hoping to be up the mournes later in April again.

Thanks, M
Title: Re: Hello.
Post by: Doctor Who on March 25, 2013: hello Michael. First things first, welcome to niwild.

There is a annalong woods easter family wild camp on the 6th april. just click this link for further details.

http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/members-only/easter-wild-camp-annalong-wood-67-april-2013/msg44945/?topicseen#new (http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/members-only/easter-wild-camp-annalong-wood-67-april-2013/msg44945/?topicseen#new)
Title: Re: Hello.
Post by: KyleL on March 25, 2013: A few good tips I've picked up since joining, or learnt through experience;

1. Don't rush to spend money on expensive gear, ask here for cheaper options.
2. Start small. Routes look easy on a map but actually walking them can take ages! Especially if they involve any uneven terrain.
3. Solo camps are great, but bring a phone and maybe GPS ;)
4. Cold is the enemy.
Title: Re: Hello.
Post by: ChuckMcB on March 25, 2013: Welcome Michael

Quote from: KyleL on March 25, 2013
A few good tips I've picked up since joining, or learnt through experience;

1. Don't rush to spend money on expensive gear, ask here for cheaper options.
2. Start small. Routes look easy on a map but actually walking them can take ages! Especially if they involve any uneven terrain.
3. Solo camps are great, but bring a phone and maybe GPS ;)
4. Cold is the enemy.
All this. Incoming karma click.
Title: Re: Hello.
Post by: Rusty Madra on March 25, 2013: Hello and welcome! .... Yeah everything they've said is bang on!
Title: Re: Hello.
Post by: Michael B on March 25, 2013: Cool, thanks for welcomes and advice so far.

I have some "ok" gear but nothing that would stand up in current conditions. Most of the friends I currently head off with are too used to their comfy houses so hopefully I'll get to meet some others that appreciate a simple night out and then I'll consider buying new stuff when I need it.

M.
Title: Re: Hello.
Post by: specimanYak on March 25, 2013: Hello and welcome to the forum.
Title: Hello.
Post by: KyleL on March 25, 2013: Quote from: Michael B on March 25, 2013
Cool, thanks for welcomes and advice so far.

I have some "ok" gear but nothing that would stand up in current conditions. Most of the friends I currently head off with are too used to their comfy houses so hopefully I'll get to meet some others that appreciate a simple night out and then I'll consider buying new stuff when I need it.

M.

That's the right attitude. I have only one or two mates that I could coax on the odd occasion to come with me - but that's rare so I prefer to just get used to going alone. I love solo camping.

Saying that though, I'm still trying to get a few camps done with people of the forum here - just keeping my eye out in the meet up section for a trip that suits.

Here's a pic from my last solo camp; (I'm really just testing the new tapatalk feature :p)

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/26/a7u2utur.jpg)
Title: Re: Hello.
Post by: Michael B on March 25, 2013: Brill, I've never really considered solo camping but I don't see why not. Would be something very peaceful about lying in the middle of nowhere reading a book with no one to bother you.

Currently reading through the suggested wild sites threads. Until I get fit again I need somewhere without too much of a climb but shouldn't take me too long to get back to fitness again once I get into it.
Title: Hello.
Post by: KyleL on March 25, 2013: I would without a doubt suggest the Spinkwee River site. (It's actually pictured above).

You go through tollymore forest and follow the Spinkwee river for about 1 to 200 metres and you are there. It's about a 1.5hr walk through the forest, which is uphill but nothing worth crying about when you take a break or two.

As for solo camping, go for it! Just tell someone where you are, when to raise the alarm if you don't come back - and take a phone, easy!

Spinkwee River:

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/26/nyjyne7y.jpg)
Title: Re: Hello.
Post by: Michael B on March 25, 2013: Looks great and that's about the distance I have been doing to not too tough. Do you have coordinates by any chance?
Title: Hello.
Post by: KyleL on March 25, 2013: Courtesy of MourneMan;

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/26/e3uduta2.jpg)
Title: Re: Hello.
Post by: Michael B on March 25, 2013: Thanks, must try that sometime.
Title: Hello.
Post by: Spud on March 25, 2013: Welcome Michael
Title: Re: Hello.
Post by: Mourneman on March 25, 2013: welcome michael
Title: Re: Hello.
Post by: GMB on March 26, 2013: Howdy Michael :D

With regards to your fitness mate, don't underestimate the benefit of just walking out the front door and getting a mile or two in if you are squeezed for time. Scenery might not be the same though :(
Time on your feet building a bit of muscular endurance will pay dividends when up in the hills. How close are you to Woodburn Forest? Some nice walking to be had up there with a good mixture of gradient. Ballyboley Forest is handy to Newtownabbey also and you can venture over onto Shane's & Agnew's Hill if you fancied :)
Title: Re: Hello.
Post by: Michael B on March 26, 2013: Hi, I live in Glengormley not too far from the Sandyknowes. I have a car so any of those spots aren't too far away. I'm actually the only person in our street that's went anywhere since Thursday. I have a Hilux which has proven quite useful, and good fun too.

I was cycling 60-70 miles a week last summer but got out of it over the winter. Once I start it shouldn't take too long to get back but it's just getting motivated to start and then you can't wait to get out. Never heard of Shane's and Agnews. Must have a look for them.

Appreciate all the advice so far. I've a busy couple of weeks with work coming up and then I finally get a decent break for the first time in ages. Want to make the best of it.

Thanks, M.
Title: Re: Hello.
Post by: summit86 on March 26, 2013: Welcome to the forum Michael
Title: Re: Hello.
Post by: whoRya on March 26, 2013: Hi Michael, welcome to the forum.

If you drive down the Larne Line and approach the roundabout at the top of the Hillhead Road and turn to look into the distance at 1 o'clock you'll see Ballyboley forest, just to the right and above is Agnew's Hill. The smaller hill in front and to the right of Agnew's Hill is Hilltown. You can climb these from a carpark on the Larne-Ballymena Line, it's part of the Ulster Way.

If you haven't already (most haven't) then Carnmoney Hill is a great spot for a blast up. I'd usually start from the playpark in Rathfern estate.
Title: Re: Hello.
Post by: RedLeader on March 26, 2013: Hi and welcome!