Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
Information => Introductions => Topic started by: Moonpie on March 23, 2016
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Another lurker coming in. I'm 49, from Dromore Co. Down and enjoy walking and wild camping in the Mournes, although I'm always looking for new areas to explore. Most recently got myself a walking buddy in the shape of a labrador so a bit limited to distances/durations as she is only 5 months old, but the companionship is well worth the wait.
Came here after a few searches around gear and wild camping spots so I welcome any help with those topics as my pack never seems to go much below 25Kg and most of the spots (Annalong Forest) I seem to find are littered with beer/food cans and even a tent that somebody obviously thought wasn't worth carrying back to the nearest bin.
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Welcome to the forum. That pack sounds awfully heavy. I don't think I have ever carried as much as that, even on multi day trips.
Fred
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Welcome Moonpie. Alas, rubbish is not a new thing and I don't see it stopping any time soon. All the popular spots are always a bit of a tip, it's very frustrating.
As far as weight of pack goes, it's always hard to get the weight down, especially at the start. The best advice is to take everything out every time you come home and make a note (mental or otherwise) of what you didn't use. After a few trips you'll start to see stuff you routinely lug all over the place but don't really need and it can be left at home 8)
If you post a kit list I'm sure the ultralighters will soon come along and give you some advice :D
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Welcome to the forum.
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Welcome Moonpie. Alas, rubbish is not a new thing and I don't see it stopping any time soon. All the popular spots are always a bit of a tip, it's very frustrating.
As far as weight of pack goes, it's always hard to get the weight down, especially at the start. The best advice is to take everything out every time you come home and make a note (mental or otherwise) of what you didn't use. After a few trips you'll start to see stuff you routinely lug all over the place but don't really need and it can be left at home 8)
If you post a kit list I'm sure the ultralighters will soon come along and give you some advice :D
Stopped over Friday night in Fofanny forest and there wasn't as much rubbish as Annalong so might be my new go to spot.
As far as the weight goes my pack is over 30 years old (Karrimor Jaguar) as well as my trangia but they're in pretty good condition so changing them isn't an option. I haven't really figured out how much water I need so I'm keeping an eye on that, normally around 4 litres. Food is usually a protein bar (breakfast), a Pasta and Sauce and a chocolate bar for dinner are pretty much all I carry, (dog carries her own :D). I'll keep an eye on the forum for useful hints and tips for gear but right now I'm looking for new boots as my feet got absolutely soaked on Friday. ::)