Guy walks into a forum...

[andy1984]

Very nice trip!

I must get myself a tarp and bivy asap! Now i've done a summit camp in tent, i really wanna experience it in a bivy.. especially on a clear night, that wud be amazing!

[RedLeader]

DD Hammocks for a tarp and Alpkit for a bivy will get you sorted for £60 the lot!

[andy1984]

DD Hammocks for a tarp and Alpkit for a bivy will get you sorted for £60 the lot!

i know i think thats the combo i'll go for 

sorry to hajack the thread but do self inflatable mats ( eg the 3/4 length one from alpkit ) feel alot warmer than a cheap foam mat?

[ChuckMcB]

Only thing I would say, it get yourself a decent camera, trips like these should be well snapped.

Yea, the camera phone snaps suck at times, but give cracking results (IMHO) at other times (was particularly pleased with some of the stuff my old Nokia 6230 took during the WHW..but this 'new' E61i is much poorer). I'll fire a new thread into the gear forum, get some suggestions for a suitable camera upgrade.

do self inflatable mats ( eg the 3/4 length one from alpkit ) feel alot warmer than a cheap foam mat?

They would take more bumps out of the ground, would be interested to test to see if my 16st would 'push' down a inflatable mat so my shoulders (and sleeping bag) are touching the ground anyhow. Perhaps it's time to jump up on that mat table in Cotswolds and see.

[Tim]

Looks like a great trip Chuck. Ordered myself a tarp today so looking forward to getting up there to try it out.

[ChuckMcB]

Nice one Tim. Bit of time sent in the back-garden pays off (as it a trip to millets/tiso to buy a load more pegs)...Do you use walking poles? Or are you planning to use it in woods?

[Tim]

Yep i'll be straight into the garden when I get it testing out a few different set-ups. I haven't used walking poles before but I'm planning on getting a pair today, they'll make setting up camp a lot easier without having to look for a forested area etc. Plus I'm sure they'll come in handy for walking as well.

[ChuckMcB]

Poles are ace...I spent the first 10 minutes tripping over myself....the first day feeling a right knob for using them...but the extra speed boost they give you going up hill, reduction of knee shock when going downhill make them well worth it...being able to vault across bogs and rivers around the Mournes is a Brucie Bonus as well.

[suspectmonkey]

I haven't used walking poles before but I'm planning on getting a pair today, they'll make setting up camp a lot easier without having to look for a forested area etc. Plus I'm sure they'll come in handy for walking as well.

If you are trying out poles for the first time then take a look in TK Maxx.  They have a pair of Trekmates poles for £12.99.  They seem decent enough and if you are just using them for pitching and trying out walking then its a good way to give them a try without spending too much.  No point spending money on a fancy carbon pair if it turns out you don't like them; Marmite I guess

[Tim]

If you are trying out poles for the first time then take a look in TK Maxx.  They have a pair of Trekmates poles for £12.99.  They seem decent enough and if you are just using them for pitching and trying out walking then its a good way to give them a try without spending too much.  No point spending money on a fancy carbon pair if it turns out you don't like them; Marmite I guess

Haha that's exactly the pair I bought myself this morning. Seem like a decent pair for the price, especially as I'm just starting out with them.

[ChuckMcB]

Woo...35lb (16kg) pack for one overnight with my Dad Glad we are going directly to the pitch.

Fair enough that includes a two man Vango (rather than just my tarp and/or a one man tent)...and some heavier food that I wouldn't normally take.

Any ideas how you are meant to fit your ruck's rain cover over your foam mat attached to the top and a large tent on the bottom? (my cheapy ruck stating to show it's flaws perhaps?)

Edit: ended up beside Trassey River: pics.

Edit #2: Playing with a new cheapy GPS logger:

Day One:
Google Earth file
.gpx file

Day Two:
Google Earth file
.gpx file

[RedLeader]

Jealous. Wish I was on the hill!

Woo...35lb (16kg) pack for one overnight with my Dad Glad we are going directly to the pitch.

Fair enough that includes a two man Vango (rather than just my tarp and/or a one man tent)...and some heavier food that I wouldn't normally take.

Any ideas how you are meant to fit your ruck's rain cover over your foam mat attached to the top and a large tent on the bottom? (my cheapy ruck stating to show it's flaws perhaps?)

[ChuckMcB]

Any ideas how you are meant to fit your ruck's rain cover over your foam mat attached to the top and a large tent on the bottom?

Answer: you use as much of the cover as you can...with a bulldog clip securing it to itself around the bottom of the bed roll at the top.

[andy1984]

hi chuck,

what is the summit of cove like? many places for a 2 man tent? cheers

[ChuckMcB]

There is loads of room, but it's quite flat so very exposed right at the top (no wall to pitch beside), there is a couple of dips in the ground and the rocks towards the Ben Cromb Reservoir side of the summit, where I bivvyed, but that gets the wind from up the valley (doubling pegging advised). Ground is quite soft.
Some more substantial shelter and room to be had at the side of Cove facing Lamagan where the peat hags are much bigger (saw a couple of tents set up there when I did it).

Cove gives (on a clear day) cracker views of Donard, Brandy Pad to Hare's Gap, Ben Cromb Reservoir, Doan. Setting sun goes down from Carn/Lough Shannagh direction, rising sun comes from Donard Direction. All good.