Summit Camp/Bivvi - Back by popular demand - 15/16 Jan 11

[Kirth]

Well Done Guys, I was thinking of you all a few times through out Saturday, at about 4.30 in Belfast I was doing a football match and the rain was sideways, the other Photographers were all complaining about the rain, and I just laughed and though that this is nothing to what you guys are experiencing.

I woke up in the middle of the night and the windows were getting battered by the rain, and I think the words eejits & Mad came into my mind.

But fair play to you all.

[suspectmonkey]

That was a bit of a classic!  Really enjoyed the walk up and over Slieve Meelmore, the final Seven that I needed to visit.  Also well chuffed that all my gear coped really well so won't have any worries if get caught out in weather like that.

As has already been said, respect to the guys who came up in the dark.  Sorry never got to chat much to Craig, Chuck and Tim but I was too cosy in my cocoon!  Thanks to Matt for doing taxi duties and Jonno and Dowser for keeping the fire toasty.

Looking forward to hearing about MG1 and 6 Packs trip, sounds like it was an epic?!  Wasn't hard to figure out where you spent the night when I spotted the Buckfast empties the next morning  

[Dowser]

The only thing that got wet through on Saturday night was my gloves.  They were just a pair of Thinsulate things, but there was no way I was putting them on again the next morning.  I ended up using my spare pair of Bridgedale socks as mittens which worked a treat but looked a bit silly to passing hikers.

So I've learnt from my experience and have just bought a pair of these from Ebay for £14.99.  If your on a budget you can get them for £9.99, or less, second hand but I never take the risk and always buy my kit new.



Waterproof, Windproof and Breathable
These are Lightweight Goretex Outers
Label Reads 'Mittens Outer Extreme Cold Weather'
Designed for cold weather use with inners
Draw cord tie to pull tighter
Wrist adjuster to make smaller if required
Genuine Military Issue Kit NSN 8415-99-869-3505

Think that's me totally waterproof now!!!

[admin]

Writeups on the trip here
http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/blog/2011/01/bog-of-meelmore/
http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/blog/2011/01/slieve-meelmore-summit-cam/

[suspectmonkey]

As I was starting to write a trip report for the weekend I did some research on the summit tower of Slieve Meelmore. Found out some fascinating information which might be of interest. As it's quite lengthy I'm posting the trip report in two parts, but there are some B&W photos to see in Part 1.

I can't believe I didn't notice the initials carved into the tower, although in fairness it was dark and the weather was foul. Did anyone that went up the following day spot the initials?  I fear I may need to do another trip to see them with my own eyes!

http://www.jonpatterson.co.uk/2011/slieve-meelmore-part-1/