Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => General Chat => Topic started by: Neanderphil on September 07, 2014

Title: Bothys or shelters in the mournes
Post by: Neanderphil on September 07, 2014
I'm  planning to walk/camp the mourne wall with my son in a week or so but I'm worried about the change in weather. I know we'll be ok camping in the forests where we can get a fire going if push comes to shove. My question is are there any bothys  or shelters along the wall.
Title: Re: Bothys or shelters in the mournes
Post by: specimanYak on September 07, 2014
I only know of three stone built shelters on Donard, Commedagh and Meelmore (maybe there's more, i'm not sure). They're large enough for a few folks to get in, out of the weather and brew up some tea or cook some grub, bring a few fire-logs and a hobo stove for warmth if needed.
Title: Re: Bothys or shelters in the mournes
Post by: Neanderphil on September 08, 2014
I'm familiar with the one on summits d but I was wondering if there where any in the valleys. Thank tho I didn't know about the one on meelmore
Title: Re: Bothys or shelters in the mournes
Post by: RedLeader on September 08, 2014
There's nothing unfortunately, there's the odd ruined stonemasons hut around but they would be roofless and possibly safe to stay in.

The Mourne Wall is a seriously difficult walk, if you're wary I'd not consider it unless the weather was looking good.
Title: Re: Bothys or shelters in the mournes
Post by: Neanderphil on September 08, 2014
I'm thinking that myself, think I may have left it a bit to late in the year. Am thinking of just doing the section between the reservoir and Donard
Title: Re: Bothys or shelters in the mournes
Post by: RedLeader on September 08, 2014
If it's just a hiking / camping / outing you're after you could try something different as a tester and see how it goes with a view to a run at the wall another time.

I'm thinking that myself, think I may have left it a bit to late in the year. Am thinking of just doing the section between the reservoir and Donard
Title: Re: Bothys or shelters in the mournes
Post by: DrMonkFish on September 08, 2014

There is shelter near lough shannagh.
Title: Re: Bothys or shelters in the mournes
Post by: Neanderphil on September 08, 2014
Kinda have to do the wall and summit Donard as my son has his heart set on now.
Is there a shelter at lough shannagh? That's where I'm planning to spend the first night before  crossing the valley to binnian
Title: Re: Bothys or shelters in the mournes
Post by: DrMonkFish on September 08, 2014

Yup, seems to have been an old fishermans hut

http://www.geograph.ie/photo/2562942

Title: Re: Bothys or shelters in the mournes
Post by: Neanderphil on September 08, 2014
Happy days. Should make for an interesting camping trip
Title: Re: Bothys or shelters in the mournes
Post by: whoRya on September 08, 2014

Yup, seems to have been an old fishermans hut

http://www.geograph.ie/photo/2562942

I was by it on Saturday.  It's a bit damp and littered with rubbish.  It could do a job to shelter in for a while in a bad storm but a tent would be preferable for sleeping in.
Title: Re: Bothys or shelters in the mournes
Post by: DrMonkFish on September 08, 2014

Yeah, I wouldn't fancy spending more time in it that I needed. But in a pinch it would do.
Title: Re: Bothys or shelters in the mournes
Post by: Neanderphil on September 08, 2014
Oh I know. I was planning to walk the wall and was wondering if there where any shelters along the way if the weather got hairy as my companion is a 10yr old.
Now tho I'm thinking of coming from ott and camping there before heading to annalong then on to Donard. We have from Friday afternoon to Sunday to do it.
Do any of you know if the rambler services still runs from newcastle
Title: Re: Bothys or shelters in the mournes
Post by: specimanYak on September 08, 2014
You're out of luck Phil, it finished for the year a few weekends ago.

Mourne Rambler (Service No 405) – Operates 5 May - Sunday 31 August 2014:

http://www.walkni.com/news/6965/2014-rambler-timetable-released/


Do any of you know if the rambler services still runs from newcastle
Title: Re: Bothys or shelters in the mournes
Post by: Neanderphil on September 08, 2014
Cockwinkel. I'll sort something thanks yak
Title: Re: Bothys or shelters in the mournes
Post by: LandyLiam on September 09, 2014
Best bet is to bring your own bothy shelter. My kids love stopping for lunch in it, gets really toasty inside very quickly. I wouldn't be without one if I had kids with me, and lets face it, its cheaper than buying them all the good goretex gear  ;D

(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/Mobile%20Uploads/P3230117Small_zpsbfc29686.jpg)

http://www.jackson-sports.com/en/Storm-Shelters/c-98.aspx
Title: Re: Bothys or shelters in the mournes
Post by: Neanderphil on September 09, 2014
Class pic. I'll be bring a tent anyway the shelter question was more for a worst case scenario had I of been doing the full walk with him