Winter Camping in the Mournes - Snow in Oct?

[Jimmy Ray]

Call me mad but im hoping to camp in the Mournes when the weather is a bit more extreme, Snow everywhere and beautifully white crisp mornings.

One night but longer is fine.

If anyone else is kitted for the occasion and is planning on going, or would like to come it would be great.

Seeing as we usually dont get snow its always just been frozen ground and frost.

Open to all suggestions and flexible of weekends to go!

[LennyJ1]

I think you may get a few wanting to do this.

I will be up for it dates depending.

[Oisín]

I'd like to do something similar. It's something I have never done.

It would probably cost me a bit getting down, but I'd love that chance to get some lovely photos for my Flickr.

[Jimmy Ray]

That's powerful already there's replies! The photo's in the snow are amazing, i got some a few years ago on Donard.

Im getting quite excited at the prospect of a proper snow covered mountains.

Soon as forecast hints at snow its time to start thinking dates.

[RedLeader]

We've had a good few camps in the snow. I actually prefer winter camping to summer. Since it can be bloody cold on a clear night in summer my kitlist for winter isn't actually much heavier and I find the walking easier when it's not so warm.

Xmas dinner camp was pretty icy (nothing short of awesome)
http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1500

Now we're in Autumn it shouldn't be long!

[Oisín]

I find usually you can see the sky alot better at night during winter. And in the mountians hopefully they will block out the light pollution. Always one of the benefits of sitting out in the freezing cold.

[RedLeader]

Stargazing is better because the sun goes down earlier but also it goes down further. In Summer/Spring the sun doesn't go completely below the horizon leaving a glow that disrupts star gazing. In winter / autumn you don't get this.

We did do a bit of stargazing around Donard Wood and with long exposure photos there was still a glow from light pollution beyond the mountains that was only visible on long exposure photos. Probably the best spot to hit would be either around Doan or Spelga for a decent view of the night sky.

I find usually you can see the sky alot better at night during winter. And in the mountians hopefully they will block out the light pollution. Always one of the benefits of sitting out in the freezing cold.

[Jimmy Ray]

As i originate from coldest deepest parts of Grampian, Scotland (Banff) it was snow a whole lot of the time, might as well have been Banff, Canada....

The Snow is my friend lol, the flies in summer are horrible, the heat is uncomfortable.

Its just so much more fun in the snow.

Im looking forward to bringing the camera too as usually just use the good old geo tagging iPhone.

[Oisín]

It's always a decision whether or not to carry around the DSLR, especially in snow I can imagine.

[RedLeader]

We'll be on Binnian towards the end of Oct. Why don't you come along - never know, might get some snow!

Thread is here:
http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2464.0

[Jimmy Ray]

I spotted the trip up Binnian, looks good. Ill have to cart half pint up there too, she hasn't been on top of Binnian yet so it would be a good time to do it when were near there.

REDLEADER- I noticed a photo on here with a Winch & some rail tracks - looks like somewhere id like to go. it is easy to find so me and "The Machine" brother in-law could do it.

But where about is it?.....(i think you posted the photo? was last night so my memory is fading fast   

[RedLeader]

Hmm. Only place I can think of is the side of Chimney Rock Mountain?
Thread was here: http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1269.msg11529#msg11529

Don't remember any winch but there is definitely a cart and some track.

I spotted the trip up Binnian, looks good. Ill have to cart half pint up there too, she hasn't been on top of Binnian yet so it would be a good time to do it when were near there.

REDLEADER- I noticed a photo on here with a Winch & some rail tracks - looks like somewhere id like to go. it is easy to find so me and "The Machine" brother in-law could do it.

But where about is it?.....(i think you posted the photo? was last night so my memory is fading fast   

[Jimmy Ray]

http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2222.msg23615#msg23615

found the thread here! I never knew it was there - one for a day with no kids.

Hmm. Only place I can think of is the side of Chimney Rock Mountain?
Thread was here: http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1269.msg11529#msg11529

Don't remember any winch but there is definitely a cart and some track.

I spotted the trip up Binnian, looks good. Ill have to cart half pint up there too, she hasn't been on top of Binnian yet so it would be a good time to do it when were near there.

REDLEADER- I noticed a photo on here with a Winch & some rail tracks - looks like somewhere id like to go. it is easy to find so me and "The Machine" brother in-law could do it.

But where about is it?.....(i think you posted the photo? was last night so my memory is fading fast   

[LennyJ1]

Just put a kit list together for this trip and thought I would try out my new nerdy spreadsheet with the weights on (GOD HOW SAD AM I TO GIVE IN TO WEIGHING YOUR KIT - I HAVE CHANGED )

Final weight before food and water 7kg

[Jimmy Ray]

That actually sounds like a cool idea. You could upload the spread sheet?