Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => Meets, places, trips and reviews => Topic started by: Dowser on May 22, 2014

Title: Canoe the Blue
Post by: Dowser on May 22, 2014: I'm always partial to a camp with a difference, which explains the Bullseye Bivvy and the Ham Hock Hammock, so I would like to propose another with a similar rhyming title...

I'd like to present to you

"Canoe the Blue"

The idea is simple... Have you ever thought about paddling a canoe in the heart of the Mournes? Probably not, but I have so what I'm thinking is, we get our hands on two or three small boats and we carry them up to the Blue Lough at the top of the Annalong Valley.

We pitch camp by the lough shore and settle down for a days fun splashing about in canoes with a overnight camp surrounded by some of the nicest scenery in Ireland thrown in for good measure

If we had a group of 12+, and two or three small boats, I can't see it being an issue taking turns in carrying them up with 2 people per boat.

Once there we just take turns in having a shot on the lough till we all get bored of it and then get some grub on the go and a few drinkies by the fire.

The type of canoe I am suggesting would be these:

(http://i.imgur.com/bYbUR5f.jpg)

And the lough I'm suggesting looks like this:

(http://i.imgur.com/p9iWu27.jpg)

To register your interest in being involved with this crazy caper, or if you have any ideas or suggestions, please post below.

Also, we will be looking for boat owners who would be happy to volunteer their craft and would be willing to let others have a shot on the lough.

Weather will be a big influence on this camp so I would be aiming for a date in July or August, so you might want to buy a midgie hood if your planning to attend.

8)
Title: Re: Canoe the Blue
Post by: Fred on May 22, 2014: I love this idea although carrying canoes up into the mountains wont be much fun. I have often wondered if people would be allowed to canoe in the silent valley or ben crom reservoirs. I suspect not.

Fred
Title: Canoe the Blue
Post by: Kayakgirl on May 22, 2014: You can borrow my boat lol
Title: Re: Canoe the Blue
Post by: Dowser on May 22, 2014: Quote from: Fred on May 22, 2014
I love this idea although carrying canoes up into the mountains wont be much fun. I have often wondered if people would be allowed to canoe in the silent valley or ben crom reservoirs. I suspect not.

Fred

Being reservoirs for supplying drinking water I would be guessing water activities would be highly discouraged... Can't see there being to many complaints about us having a mess about on Blue Lough though.

Just need to get our hands on a couple of small, light weight, canoes now :)
Title: Re: Canoe the Blue
Post by: Dowser on May 22, 2014: Quote from: Kayakgirl on May 22, 2014
You can borrow my boat lol

That would be great Kayakgirl... Just need a couple more now and we've got ourselves a party :D
Title: Re: Canoe the Blue
Post by: specimanYak on May 22, 2014: What a grand idea.

The NI-Wild pirate flag needs to be brought along, Cap'n Dowser, aharr. ;D
Title: Re: Canoe the Blue
Post by: Dowser on May 22, 2014: Quote from: specimanYak on May 22, 2014
What a grand idea.

The NI-Wild pirate flag needs to be brought along, Cap'n Dowser, aharr. ;D

Now yer talkin' me hearty... We'll have to dig it out of the airing cupboard and blow the dust of it!!!
Title: Re: Canoe the Blue
Post by: Rich.H on May 23, 2014: Quote from: Fred on May 22, 2014
I love this idea although carrying canoes up into the mountains wont be much fun. I have often wondered if people would be allowed to canoe in the silent valley or ben crom reservoirs. I suspect not.

Fred

As far as I know all reservoirs have a strict no swimming/kayaking/canoeing/jetskis etc. The only time I have know any exception to this is when you have an outdoor activity center slapped right on the edge and they have a specific contract for using part of the water. I'm sure this is generally due to it being public water etc, though since it still has to go through treatment that makes no real sense at all. However no doubt part of the ban is possibly due to the number of folks who have drowned in them by not realising just how deep they are and how much trouble you are in if you get out of your depth per say in them.

Have a look at Ben Crom at the waters edge on a sunny day and see how fast the shoreline drops away to dark deep water.
Title: Re: Canoe the Blue
Post by: RedLeader on May 23, 2014: Genius. I'm in but canoe-less.
Title: Re: Canoe the Blue
Post by: Fred on May 23, 2014: I have always fancied the idea of canoeing in the mourne lakes and had even considered buying one of the better inflatable kayaks like the Advanced Elements boats. Although they would fit in a rucksack they are still quite heavy, perhaps 15 kgs.

With regard to the reservoirs, its a shame that it is not allowed.

Fred
Title: Re: Canoe the Blue
Post by: RedLeader on May 23, 2014: Inflatable might be the ticket
http://www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/sevylor-riviera-kayak.html

Quote from: Fred on May 23, 2014
I have always fancied the idea of canoeing in the mourne lakes and had even considered buying one of the better inflatable kayaks like the Advanced Elements boats. Although they would fit in a rucksack they are still quite heavy, perhaps 15 kgs.

With regard to the reservoirs, its a shame that it is not allowed.

Fred
Title: Canoe the Blue
Post by: clairebear on May 23, 2014: I'd be up for it but no canoe also. Would be a bit of Craic though the miggies are a mare.
Title: Re: Canoe the Blue
Post by: specimanYak on May 23, 2014: I like the idea of this origami kayak, the Oru-Kayak:

http://www.orukayak.com/
Title: Re: Canoe the Blue
Post by: LandyLiam on May 23, 2014: Brilliant idea Dowser, canoes shouldn't be too difficult to bring up if they had a couple of poles strapped across and 4 people lifting, old car seatbelts could be used to take the weight onto your shoulder. Could maybe even use those 1 ton sand bags with a bit of modification.

p.s. I checked the Pyranha website and their kayaks are only 15-22kg each.
Title: Re: Canoe the Blue
Post by: Rich.H on May 23, 2014: If you put the beers into the canoes and place a locking lid over the top. You can be sure they will make it one way or another, no one is likely to leave them anywhere then. 8)
Title: Re: Canoe the Blue
Post by: polroger on May 23, 2014: You had me right up to the mention of midgies. I'm a magnet for them and the warbles they leave on me are up there with the best Hammer Horror!! :'(
Title: Canoe the Blue
Post by: Kayakgirl on May 23, 2014: I also have purchased an inflatable SUP board that could be used on the lake. Sure that would be better craic
Title: Re: Canoe the Blue
Post by: Dowser on May 25, 2014: I've just got back from seeing my all time favourite band, One Direction, in Croke Park and it's great to see the interest in this little excursion...

If we can get a couple of kayaks, inflatable or not, that would be great... but failing that, even one of these would be kinda awesome for a bit of a mess about. Highly dangerous in the sea , incase you get blown off shore, but the worst that can happen in a lough is that you get blown to the other side and you gotta walk back lol:

(http://i.imgur.com/q7RMmcW.jpg)
Sexy lady not included :'(

A few of these ans we've got ourselves a dinghy race: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/1849466.htm

8)
Title: Re: Canoe the Blue
Post by: whoRya on May 25, 2014: Quote from: Dowser on May 25, 2014
I've just got back from seeing my all time favourite band, One Direction, in Croke Park and it's great to see the interest in this little excursion...

If we can get a couple of kayaks, inflatable or not, that would be great... but failing that, even one of these would be kinda awesome for a bit of a mess about. Highly dangerous in the sea , incase you get blown off shore, but the worst that can happen in a lough is that you get blown to the other side and you gotta walk back lol:

(http://i.imgur.com/q7RMmcW.jpg)
Sexy lady not included :'(

Who? Ah right, hadn't even noticed her til you mentioned it. It is a good looking dinghy ;)
Title: Re: Canoe the Blue
Post by: Dowser on June 09, 2014: There's been a decent amount of interest in this so I'll try and firm up a date in August and we can start making a few plans.

Stay tuned ;)