• Welcome to Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more.
 

Slievenamaddy Snow camp - 27/3/13

Started by LandyLiam, March 28, 2013, 11:51:04 AM

Previous topic - Next topic
Print
Go Down Pages1 2
User actions

LandyLiam

March 28, 2013, 11:51:04 AM
It was a long day at work on Tuesday (5.30am to 10pm), so decided i needed to take a day off and make the most of the snow before it disappears. A quick check of the forecast showed Wednesday evening to have light winds and a potential of broken cloud, that would be handy with the current full moon and snow covered ground, night hike and camp it was then.

I had a scout meeting on Wed night so threw all my gear into the car to show the scouts what to bring camping and how to pack (wife was pleased i hadn't littered the living room with all my camping gear again  ;D ). I also got them to study the map to pick a convenient (and safe) camping spot. There had been a few avalanches this week so I was keen to avoid steep open ground. I had considered Lukes Mountain, but it was further than i wan't to go for such a late start (10pm), Donard saddle was another option but i didn't fancy the steep steps to the saddle, especially as i was travelling alone. Slievenamaddy was chosen, should only take an hour with a heavy pack and it was a spot i'd always wanted to camp on. So bag was packed and feeling rather heavy, had i packed too many luxury items? not to worry, it was only a 2.5km walk in, bit steep in places but i would be glad of my luxuries when i got there.



Started at Donard Park, tried to get the right balance of clothing as i knew i would be sweating by the first bridge if i wore what felt comfortable in the start, decided to leave the down jacket and long johns in the rucksack and keep warm with a good pace. First signs of any decent snow where here at the 3rd bridge.



At the ice house now and the hills have a orange glow reflected off the low cloud from the streetlights of Newcastle.



Some decent snow at the Slievenamaddy Stile, despite the fact that you can easily walk around this stile i always feel i have to climb over it, its just part of the Mournes experience.



The going got a bit tougher with some knee deep snow in places, fortunately someone had walked this way in the last few hours so i had footsteps to follow most of the route. At Slievenamaddy I found my previously chosen spot with a great view over Newcastle and Donard to the rear. It was a bit slopy but I had brough a shovel so could easily make a flat spot for the tent.



Tent up and time to play with the camera on a long exposure. Worth noting that i had brough a set of 12 inch plastic tent pegs, normal pegs would have been as much use as matchsticks. I also used the walking poles and ice axe to peg down the guy ropes.



The hard work all done it was time to sit back and enjoy the view with a cool (very cool) beer.





The cloud didn't break as i had hoped but it was still one of the magical experiences sitting back and enjoying the silence. Although with the bright lights of Newcastle below I never really felt like i was truly "in the mountains".



my sleeping arrangements:
highlander reflective mat at the bottom
mountain equipment helium 3.8 inflatable mattress above
topped off with an alpkit pipedream 400 down sleeping bag
i also had the ex-army goretex bivvy bag on standby at my feet in case it got a bit chilly



I find that one of the key ingredients to a good night sleep is a good pillow, i have tried many i can thoroughly recommend the decathlon quecha inflatable pillow


Here you can see my regatta tent slippers, very handy for keeping your feet warm before you get them into the sleeping bag.



The other main ingredient to a good nights sleep is warm feet so I had brought a hot water bottle and cheated by bring the hot water too  ;D



A chewy bar for supper, although with the low temperature it became a crunchy bar!



zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....................


Rise and shine at 6.30am, a good nights sleep was had, i managed to stay warm without resporting to long johns or the down jacket, did pull the bivvy up up during the night though.



sunrise



morning view of Newcastle



Donard behind me



Donard and Commedagh



Donard Forest near the 3rd bridge, must say i had a lovely walk home through the forest, very pleasant, going downhill is so much nicer  :)


So my first snow camp was a complete success, next challenge is a summit snow camp  ;)


think outside, no box required

phil_b

#1
March 28, 2013, 12:51:12 PM
Well done, so posh bringing slippers!

Rumblebum

#2
March 28, 2013, 01:11:35 PM
Nice one Liam, looks like you had a great wee night, you and your hot water bottle ;D
Youl never walk alone, youuul neveeer walllk......

Typo-On

#3
March 28, 2013, 01:13:27 PM
Nice one Liam :) I've often wondered if a platypus would be ok filled with hot water to act as a hot water bottle. Although it would be nice to warm the bag if i feel 'cold' in my bag now its early morning and fingers crossed since I stopped wearing my baselayer in my bag I don't have that 'cooling' feeling I used to get almost throughout the night.
'Why are you wearing your pajamas?'
'They're not pajamas! It's my warm-up suit'
'Why do you need warming up for?'
'For doing stuff'
'What kind of stuff?'
'Super-cool stuff you wouldn't understand'
'Like sleeping?'

RedLeader

#4
March 28, 2013, 01:28:13 PM
Brilliant. Can't believe there's been so much snow and I've not so much as left the house!

Big Dod

#5
March 28, 2013, 01:30:33 PM
Lovely :)
Great pics.

Just home yesterday from Denmark to find we've had worse weather here, lol...

Feeling the need to get out again myself. 
Summit86 is back home soon so hope the snow lasts til then for a snowy summit camp too.
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -- WOW-- What a Ride!"

LennyJ1

#6
March 28, 2013, 01:35:44 PM
Well done liam, great write up  :)
No one goes inside to clear their head

Fred

#7
March 28, 2013, 02:35:24 PM
It looks brilliant Laim, well done!
I wish we got winters like this more often.

Fred
Theres nothing like an Irish summer...
...Except an Irish winter

Glenn B

#9
March 28, 2013, 03:01:48 PM
Well done Liam looks like you had a great night liking the the slippers and water bottle dissapointed you didnt go the whole hog though no silk dressing gown??   ;D ;D
great pics btw 8) 8)
Take your time you'll see so much more!
Without goals you cannot score!

Kayakgirl

#10
March 28, 2013, 03:50:25 PM
Well done Liam. I think I have spare tent slippers that I can give you which are too big for me.


Stress dissolves when exposed to water..

Wolf_Larson

#11
March 28, 2013, 04:15:11 PM
Amazing !!!!!!!

Well done mate !!!!!!!!

Respect !!!!!!!!

8) ;D :D :)
The core of mans' spirit comes from new experiences.

summit86

#12
March 28, 2013, 04:15:37 PM
Quote from: Big Dod on March 28, 2013, 01:30:33 PM
Lovely :)
Great pics.

Just home yesterday from Denmark to find we've had worse weather here, lol...

Feeling the need to get out again myself. 
Summit86 is back home soon so hope the snow lasts til then for a snowy summit camp too.

Great job Liam! Looks stunning up there!

Big Dod! We are up on Tuesday! But I'll see you when I get home on Sunday to arrange! Should be back in town by 1ish.....
"Men Wanted: For hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success." - Ernest Shackleton

Doctor Who

#13
March 28, 2013, 04:47:32 PM
Well done liam, great pictures. you got a karma from me. ;D

specimanYak

#14
March 28, 2013, 06:07:54 PM
Looks like you had a serene night Liam, photos are brilliant, the contrast of the orange and blue headlight at the base of Donard is perfect, you really know how to take care of yourself and enjoy the harsh conditions, kudos and karma.
Print
Go Up Pages1 2
User actions