Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => Meets, places, trips and reviews => Topic started by: LandyLiam on March 28, 2013
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It was a long day at work on Tuesday (5.30am to 10pm), so decided i needed to take a day off and make the most of the snow before it disappears. A quick check of the forecast showed Wednesday evening to have light winds and a potential of broken cloud, that would be handy with the current full moon and snow covered ground, night hike and camp it was then.
I had a scout meeting on Wed night so threw all my gear into the car to show the scouts what to bring camping and how to pack (wife was pleased i hadn't littered the living room with all my camping gear again ;D ). I also got them to study the map to pick a convenient (and safe) camping spot. There had been a few avalanches this week so I was keen to avoid steep open ground. I had considered Lukes Mountain, but it was further than i wan't to go for such a late start (10pm), Donard saddle was another option but i didn't fancy the steep steps to the saddle, especially as i was travelling alone. Slievenamaddy was chosen, should only take an hour with a heavy pack and it was a spot i'd always wanted to camp on. So bag was packed and feeling rather heavy, had i packed too many luxury items? not to worry, it was only a 2.5km walk in, bit steep in places but i would be glad of my luxuries when i got there.
(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/P1280543Small_zpsc7b7236f.jpg)
Started at Donard Park, tried to get the right balance of clothing as i knew i would be sweating by the first bridge if i wore what felt comfortable in the start, decided to leave the down jacket and long johns in the rucksack and keep warm with a good pace. First signs of any decent snow where here at the 3rd bridge.
(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/P1280548Small_zpsae947ccc.jpg)
At the ice house now and the hills have a orange glow reflected off the low cloud from the streetlights of Newcastle.
(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/P1280550Small_zps85b02005.jpg)
Some decent snow at the Slievenamaddy Stile, despite the fact that you can easily walk around this stile i always feel i have to climb over it, its just part of the Mournes experience.
(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/P1280553Small_zps163523f7.jpg)
The going got a bit tougher with some knee deep snow in places, fortunately someone had walked this way in the last few hours so i had footsteps to follow most of the route. At Slievenamaddy I found my previously chosen spot with a great view over Newcastle and Donard to the rear. It was a bit slopy but I had brough a shovel so could easily make a flat spot for the tent.
(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/P1280559Small_zps7fa0a09d.jpg)
Tent up and time to play with the camera on a long exposure. Worth noting that i had brough a set of 12 inch plastic tent pegs, normal pegs would have been as much use as matchsticks. I also used the walking poles and ice axe to peg down the guy ropes.
(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/P1280560Small_zps2ab2ddd3.jpg)
The hard work all done it was time to sit back and enjoy the view with a cool (very cool) beer.
(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/P1280561Small_zps135e111e.jpg)
The cloud didn't break as i had hoped but it was still one of the magical experiences sitting back and enjoying the silence. Although with the bright lights of Newcastle below I never really felt like i was truly "in the mountains".
(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/P1280570Small_zpsec6547c1.jpg)
my sleeping arrangements:
highlander reflective mat at the bottom
mountain equipment helium 3.8 inflatable mattress above
topped off with an alpkit pipedream 400 down sleeping bag
i also had the ex-army goretex bivvy bag on standby at my feet in case it got a bit chilly
(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/P1280575Small_zpsd064a521.jpg)
I find that one of the key ingredients to a good night sleep is a good pillow, i have tried many i can thoroughly recommend the decathlon quecha inflatable pillow
(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/P1280573Small_zpsec2fde5d.jpg)
Here you can see my regatta tent slippers, very handy for keeping your feet warm before you get them into the sleeping bag.
(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/P1280577Small_zps2bbee52e.jpg)
The other main ingredient to a good nights sleep is warm feet so I had brought a hot water bottle and cheated by bring the hot water too ;D
(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/P1280571Small_zps840273d0.jpg)
A chewy bar for supper, although with the low temperature it became a crunchy bar!
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....................
Rise and shine at 6.30am, a good nights sleep was had, i managed to stay warm without resporting to long johns or the down jacket, did pull the bivvy up up during the night though.
(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/P1280579Small_zps3825c31e.jpg)
sunrise
(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/P1280587Small_zps8bf74935.jpg)
morning view of Newcastle
(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/P1280586Small_zps10789355.jpg)
Donard behind me
(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/P1280589Small_zpsf330c773.jpg)
Donard and Commedagh
(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/P1280598Small_zpsaf74cca1.jpg)
Donard Forest near the 3rd bridge, must say i had a lovely walk home through the forest, very pleasant, going downhill is so much nicer :)
So my first snow camp was a complete success, next challenge is a summit snow camp ;)
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Well done, so posh bringing slippers!
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Nice one Liam, looks like you had a great wee night, you and your hot water bottle ;D
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Nice one Liam :) I've often wondered if a platypus would be ok filled with hot water to act as a hot water bottle. Although it would be nice to warm the bag if i feel 'cold' in my bag now its early morning and fingers crossed since I stopped wearing my baselayer in my bag I don't have that 'cooling' feeling I used to get almost throughout the night.
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Brilliant. Can't believe there's been so much snow and I've not so much as left the house!
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Lovely :)
Great pics.
Just home yesterday from Denmark to find we've had worse weather here, lol...
Feeling the need to get out again myself.
Summit86 is back home soon so hope the snow lasts til then for a snowy summit camp too.
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Well done liam, great write up :)
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It looks brilliant Laim, well done!
I wish we got winters like this more often.
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/slievenamaddy-snow-camp/
Contact if you would like any changes or a login for the Blog (http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/forum-news-information-and-help/contacting-ni-wild/)
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Well done Liam looks like you had a great night liking the the slippers and water bottle dissapointed you didnt go the whole hog though no silk dressing gown?? ;D ;D
great pics btw 8) 8)
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Well done Liam. I think I have spare tent slippers that I can give you which are too big for me.
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Amazing !!!!!!!
Well done mate !!!!!!!!
Respect !!!!!!!!
8) ;D :D :)
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Lovely :)
Great pics.
Just home yesterday from Denmark to find we've had worse weather here, lol...
Feeling the need to get out again myself.
Summit86 is back home soon so hope the snow lasts til then for a snowy summit camp too.
Great job Liam! Looks stunning up there!
Big Dod! We are up on Tuesday! But I'll see you when I get home on Sunday to arrange! Should be back in town by 1ish.....
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Well done liam, great pictures. you got a karma from me. ;D
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Looks like you had a serene night Liam, photos are brilliant, the contrast of the orange and blue headlight at the base of Donard is perfect, you really know how to take care of yourself and enjoy the harsh conditions, kudos and karma.
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Love it! Always worth putting up with extra weight when in such cold weather - those little luxuries really help moral!
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Nice one Liam.
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Sweeet.
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Thanks for all the nice comments :) I forgot to add that i'd brough a firelog up to get a nice pic for the photo comp this month but it wasn't until i was going to bed that i remembered it when i pulled it out of my rucksack :( . Also I think i'd be better putting the reflective matt above the inflatable one for better heat retention, just not sure how well it would stay in place with me wriggling about all night.
So some tips for snow camps:
Bring longs pegs, or use sticks if they are handy. (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/25-TENT-PEGS-CAMPING-AWNING-PEG-LONG-SERIES-12-inches-/350749442248?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_HikingCamping_Tents_JN&hash=item51aa4bc0c8)
Walking poles are pretty essential, can also be used as pegs, if really desperate 1 pole can make 3 big pegs.
The snow gets into the end of the tent poles making it difficult to get them into the lugs. Something pointing would be handy for clearing them out.
Warm your refreshments on the raditor before leaving, you can easily cool them down in the snow later if required.
Bring a stool if you can, saves you freezing your ass off in the snow. (for once i didn't bring mine!)
Bring hot water bottle and prefilled flask, pure heaven :)
i'll add bits to the list as i remember
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Hot water bottle! Why haven't I thought of camping with one yet? I'm packing mine now.
As for a heat mat, I use the emergency heat blanket in my first aid kit and cover the whole floor, has a nice effect on heating the whole tent.
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Hi Liam, great wee write up, and brilliant pics. thats a spot i,ve meant to camp on for a while. i live just below your pitch on tullybrannigan rd.Have camped up by Commedagh summit a couple of times, but snow is a different ball game.but changes the character of the mournes. beautiful..so ta for posting :)
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Don't leave it too late if you want to camp there, that spot can be mad for the midges in the summer :(
Heres some pics of the place in summer
(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/P1050305Small_zps5aa3185a.jpg)
(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/P1050297Small_zpsd587b02f.jpg)
(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/gpsrouteimage2Small_zps912abb84.jpg)
and here's my route, it would be worth going slightly higher than i did to get a flatter pitch
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Don't leave it too late if you want to camp there, that spot can be mad for the midges in the summer :(
Was at that exact same spot last year during the summer and my dogs and me were covered in midges.
Wont be going back there again during warm weather - it was crazy.
Never experienced anything like it before.