Hello.

[Michael B]

Hi, I'm based in Newtownabbey but have been up Annalong wood a couple of times and looking for good sites anywhere in NI for wild camping. I need to get my fitness levels up so haven't done anything too challenging yet but hope to work towards that. Spend most of my time in front of a computer editing videos so love getting up the Mournes away from technology for a while.

Been hovering about for a while now and hoping to pick up some tips and advice from the experts.

Thanks, Michael.

[Glenn B]

Hi you'll get plenty of advice and tips here don't know about the experts bit though. If its camping your after why not jump straight in and try and get up to the Donard Wood easter camp this saturday you know you want to lol. Oh and welcome aboard!!!

[Michael B]

Thanks Glenn, yeah I love camping but need to get fit before I can do any serious hiking. I think some regular walks up the cavehill would be a good start. Afraid I'm working all weekend but hoping to be up the mournes later in April again.

Thanks, M

[Doctor Who]

hello Michael. First things first, welcome to niwild.

There is a annalong woods easter family wild camp on the 6th april. just click this link for further details.

http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/members-only/easter-wild-camp-annalong-wood-67-april-2013/msg44945/?topicseen#new

[KyleL]

A few good tips I've picked up since joining, or learnt through experience;

1. Don't rush to spend money on expensive gear, ask here for cheaper options.
2. Start small. Routes look easy on a map but actually walking them can take ages! Especially if they involve any uneven terrain.
3. Solo camps are great, but bring a phone and maybe GPS
4. Cold is the enemy.

[ChuckMcB]

Welcome Michael

A few good tips I've picked up since joining, or learnt through experience;

1. Don't rush to spend money on expensive gear, ask here for cheaper options.
2. Start small. Routes look easy on a map but actually walking them can take ages! Especially if they involve any uneven terrain.
3. Solo camps are great, but bring a phone and maybe GPS
4. Cold is the enemy.

All this. Incoming karma click.

[Rusty Madra]

Hello and welcome! .... Yeah everything they've said is bang on!

[Michael B]

Cool, thanks for welcomes and advice so far.

I have some "ok" gear but nothing that would stand up in current conditions. Most of the friends I currently head off with are too used to their comfy houses so hopefully I'll get to meet some others that appreciate a simple night out and then I'll consider buying new stuff when I need it.

M.

[specimanYak]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

[KyleL]

Cool, thanks for welcomes and advice so far.

I have some "ok" gear but nothing that would stand up in current conditions. Most of the friends I currently head off with are too used to their comfy houses so hopefully I'll get to meet some others that appreciate a simple night out and then I'll consider buying new stuff when I need it.

M.

That's the right attitude. I have only one or two mates that I could coax on the odd occasion to come with me - but that's rare so I prefer to just get used to going alone. I love solo camping.

Saying that though, I'm still trying to get a few camps done with people of the forum here - just keeping my eye out in the meet up section for a trip that suits.

Here's a pic from my last solo camp; (I'm really just testing the new tapatalk feature :p)

[Michael B]

Brill, I've never really considered solo camping but I don't see why not. Would be something very peaceful about lying in the middle of nowhere reading a book with no one to bother you.

Currently reading through the suggested wild sites threads. Until I get fit again I need somewhere without too much of a climb but shouldn't take me too long to get back to fitness again once I get into it.

[KyleL]

I would without a doubt suggest the Spinkwee River site. (It's actually pictured above).

You go through tollymore forest and follow the Spinkwee river for about 1 to 200 metres and you are there. It's about a 1.5hr walk through the forest, which is uphill but nothing worth crying about when you take a break or two.

As for solo camping, go for it! Just tell someone where you are, when to raise the alarm if you don't come back - and take a phone, easy!


Spinkwee River:

[Michael B]

Looks great and that's about the distance I have been doing to not too tough. Do you have coordinates by any chance?

[KyleL]

Courtesy of MourneMan;

[Michael B]

Thanks, must try that sometime.