Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => Meets, places, trips and reviews => Topic started by: andymcinroy on May 19, 2014
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Hi folks,
Just back from my first overnight trip to the Mournes. I was very impressed by the extent of wild camping / bivi options on the high tops. My three friends opted to sleep under the shelter stone near the smaller NE tor of Slieve Bernagh. It was a bit tight for 4 and I wasn't sure that my Exped inflatable mat would survive the sharp grit floor so I pitched my Coleman 2 at the col on the lee side of the wall where I could safely listen to the gale force winds whistling over the top.
The weather wasn't brilliant. But I'd like to share with you this photo I took looking towards Slieve Binnion.
(http://www.andymcinroy.com/temp/mournes.jpg)
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Bernagh's a cracker of a mountain I was up it last year with the son for the first time we didn't camp though just a day hike. Spent a good hour or two exploring the two summits and taking photos, well done on the overnighter karma added...
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Lovely photo Andy, I fancy having a wee bivvy in that shelter stone myself some night.
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I haven't actually heard of anyone stay under the bivvy stone before. Great to hear. Were the other guys on karimats or SIMs? If you have any more pics Andy I'd love to see them.
So are you are smitten by wild camping in the Mournes?
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Very atmospheric photo :o
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whoRya. yes the shelter stone was reasonably viable as an overnight shelter. It had been used before as there were some old stub candles and a small piece of unburned firelog inside.
I would say it would be very tight for 4 people. The person at the back would literally have their nose to the 500 tonnes of rock over their head. My three friends had a reasonably comfortable night in it. Two of them were using closed cell foam mats the other was using a tougher thermarest style mattress. I don't think my thin Exped UL synmat would have taken the rough ground. They mentioned that it was a bit draughty but they seemed to enjoy it. It didn't rain in the night so I have no idea if puddles form inside it. It seemed quite dry to me though.
I'll try and get some pics up of the stone.
Yes, I'm definitey inspired by the Mournes. It's accessible. It is great underfoot. There are clean water supplies. There are loads of excellent looped routes. And of course, the scenery is beautiful. For camping, the wall offers an interesting dynamic as it is possible to find sheltered pitches in conditions when a summit camp would usually be out of the question.
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Here's a couple of pics of the stone to give you an idea.
(http://www.andymcinroy.com/temp/stone1.jpg)
(http://www.andymcinroy.com/temp/stone2.jpg)
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Good stuff Andy, the shelter stone looks great for a different nights experience instead of under canvas. Great moody photo of Binnion.
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Love the idea of a night under the stone. Looks perfect for me and my son. Great experience.
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Really like the look of that shelter stone. I have been up there a couple of times but never noticed it. Think i will have to talk a couple of mates into a bivi.