Saturday gave an absolutely cracking crisp clear night and I was fortunate enough to get an overnight on Doan. It seems like I wasn't the only one who got to get out for a Mournes wild camp over the weekend. I've seen a few pics from some folk down by the Tollymore boundary wall and up on Meelmore (Chuck, if you read this, I'm convinced we were sending torch signals to each other).
It was such a still night and a rare one when the smoke from the fire went mostly straight up in the air.
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5695/31164940865_41fec8876a_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PtWt9D)
Orion lost the top of his belt, oops!
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5596/31021705902_b07339e0da_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Pghmoj)
Morning views
(https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5592/30357745453_7ab97ce406_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NfBo5n)
(https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5620/30343742564_92caa88662_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NenBvf)
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5781/30357764273_5429f45064_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NfBtER)
(https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5800/30343760204_2f816f356b_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NenGKo)
No trouble crossing any boggy sections with ice bridges over the top of them
(https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5526/31164983445_bfc6f60bba_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PtWFNM)
Not a morning for sticking to the path through Pollaphuca. Lethal!
(https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5514/31165004175_0a934a61aa_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PtWMYc)
Morning sun beginning to warm the Trassey River valley, meanwhile a sea of fog extends the whole way over to Slieve Croob
(https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5699/31051036011_8fb48e5edd_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PiSFcR)
(https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5716/31051045531_455c08ef8d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PiSJ2Z)
The moon quietly exits stage Spellack right
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5662/30357812073_1274197c16_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NfBHSZ)
(https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5510/31165015675_24f303207d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PtWRot)
I've enjoyed two camps on Doan this year, in May and in November. Both delivered handsomely. It's a wee gem.
Nice pics and write up mate mind you it looks cold brrrrrrr :o
Looks like you had a great trip! I envy you! I've enough trouble getting out of bed on a chilly morning nevermind on Doan ;D
Brilliant mate it must have been a beautiful night, you just can't beat it when it's clear and still like that 8) 8) 8)
That looks like a sweet trip, after seeing your pics Im even more gutted now that I couldn't make it! :(
Thanks for posting.
Looks brilliant, winter beats summer in my book no midges!
fred
Wonderful pics G, another well spent night out in the hills.
I find even in winter I don't have to wear too many layers when on the move. The sweat was lashing off me even with just a base layer and a wind shirt on. We benefited from a lack of wind chill around camp. I was colder walking round Junction One the next day, the lack of thermals worn had something to do with that.
Cheers for the comments guys. Anything is better than midges!
Wow. You certainly got a most fantastic night. The weather Gods were looking after you. Doan is my favourite hill. Day or night it is easy to see why. I'm motivated to get my act together and get my Wild country zephros I christened. Stunning pictures.
Lovely!
Doan is one of the few summits I have not yet camped on but I want to and now even more after seeing these photos. Cracker!
Looks fantastic! I can't wait to get out on a winter camp, seems like you had a cracker night there
Kool.
Great pics, looks like a top night out. Good to see a bit if wintry goodness.