Topic: Satruday 12 November Overnighter (Read 12283 times)

surfnscenic · « **on:** November 12, 2011 »

I'm thinking of doing an overnighter today. Park car at the Mounre Lodge hostel at Attical, they will provide transport to Banns Road, then walk from Banns Road to Lough Shannagh for overnight camp. Flexibility available to move elsewhere depending on mood and daylight.

From Mairead at the Mourne Hostel:-
You are welcome to park here for £3 per day
We can also leave you to the hills and you can use our facilities when you return.
There will be a cost but we can discuss when you have more info

Mairead

Anyone else doing anything?

Scribble · « **Reply #1 on:** November 12, 2011 »

im just finished shaving with my knife , now putting on my camo paint then heading to Ballymena

enjoy your night out

surfnscenic · « **Reply #2 on:** November 12, 2011 »

You'll need to be very, very careful in Ballymena hey.

ChuckMcB · « **Reply #3 on:** November 12, 2011 »

Have fun George, looks like a cracker day.

Spud · « **Reply #4 on:** November 12, 2011 »

Enjoy your trip, great day for it!

surfnscenic · « **Reply #5 on:** November 12, 2011 »

1400Hrs.

Just about to head off. ;DWeather looks good around Anahiltand hopefully it'll be good around the Mournes. Weather forecast gives it good.

I'll update later.

George

ChuckMcB · « **Reply #6 on:** November 12, 2011 »

Gimme a beep on the way past

Have fun.

RedLeader · « **Reply #7 on:** November 12, 2011 »

Great stuff, have a top day. Take plenty of pics of the Zephros

surfnscenic · « **Reply #8 on:** November 13, 2011 »

Drove to the Mourne Lodge Hostel at Attical but found it was closed so didn’t fancy leaving my car there. Made other local arrangements for parking my car overnight.

Walked the Banns Road to Lough Shannagh. The light was fading and I located my head torch from my rucksack in good time. The clouds were slipping over the surrounding peaks like cotton wool wrapped around delicate merchandise.

On reaching the lough it was time for some artificial light. The route along the eastern shore of the Lough wasn’t easily found and I sunk ankle deep many times as I carefully trod my way through the gorse and bog.

When I reached the stone hut at the northern end of the lough the water was running high and fast over the outlet, the short way to cross onwards. I’ve never found this to be an option and so again I had to wander downstream to find a suitable and safe crossing point.

Once over the river I had to negotiate more bog as I headed towards the small area suitable for camping. As previously experienced the ground was soft underfoot and picking a path wasn’t exactly easy in the fading light.

Eventually I reached the camping area on the northern shore of Lough Shannagh and to my horror was met by the disgusting aftermath of previous campers. The rubbish was strewn about like confetti, like a landfill site on a windy day. I had to clear an area before I could pitch my tent (More later).

Pitching the tent by torchlight wasn’t too difficult and soon I had the Zephyros 2 standing proud on its first outing. I quickly unloaded my rucksack, sleeping mat unrolled, sleeping bag laid out and cooking utensils assembled ready for the evening feast.

A very tasty re-hydrated meal accompanied by a little Cabernet Merlot was gratefully consumed under a cloudy sky. Occasional glimpses of the moon and stars added to the occasion but unfortunately the cloud cover was dominant diminishing my much awaited star studded Saturday night entertainment.

The wind was starting to pick up and so retiring to the tent seemed the sensible decision. A little music and some reading whiled away some time before I succumbed to the calling of my sleeping bag.

Despite the howling wind I was comfortable enough though I was a little concerned about the ferocity of the wind. I had to my best efforts pitched the tent end on into the then prevailing wind. Either I didn’t get it exactly right or the wind changed direction. In any event the side of the tent frequently came inwards under the pressure of the strong wind.

In the morning the much awaited view down the lough was hampered by low cloud. There were very occasional glimpses of the sun through the swirling mist which in some way was a poor substitute for a clear sun drenched expanse of Lough Shannagh.

After some hot breakfast I struck camp and headed back along the reverse route. This time in daylight I found that the way was easier if I kept right close to the shore line. This minimised the need to risk the soggy bog land that surrounds Lough Shannagh.

Overall Lough Shannagh is a good place for a wild camping experience however on this occasion this was overshadowed by the filth that previous users had left behind. After I had eaten on Saturday night I set about gathering as much of the rubbish as I could and put it one place. There was simply too much to even contemplate bringing out with me. There was a saucepan, a metal plate, un-opened cans of food, food and drinks cans, loads of hand wipes, food cartons and wrappers, disposable BBQ wire grills and broken tent poles.

I didn't have a bag strong enough to put some of the rubbish in. My own rubbish was minimal and went into my lunch box again.

The scene was absolutely sickening. What else can I say?

Anyway, I hope that you can someday enjoy the real beauty of Lough Shannagh sometime yourself.

Due to the weather I was only able to take a few photos.

http://imageshack.us/g/62/loughshannagh12nov20110.jpg/

LennyJ1 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 13, 2011 »

Great write up. Really enjoyed it.

Rumblebum · « **Reply #10 on:** November 13, 2011 »

Hi Surf, thanks for the pics and write up, it looks like you have plenty of room in the tent and even in the porch area,i didnt think it would be as big as it is.

I think there was quite a few of us out walking today, i went from Ott carpark across to Doan but the wind and fog was crazy, i couldnt see a thing, just heard the odd voice or dog barking.

surfnscenic · « **Reply #11 on:** November 13, 2011 »

Yea, the fog was bad. Saw quite a few walkers out, mainly in groups.

The Zephyros 2 tent is reasonably roomy in that it's brilliant for one and for two you'd need to to have a god understanding of how to move about in a rsetricted area.

The maximum headroom is in the middle, two people could sit up if they sat side by side. The porch provides for a good cooking area with the flysheet open or even closed. When closed more caution is required.

Mourneman · « **Reply #12 on:** November 13, 2011 »

Very good write up,it's disappointing that some walkers,campers leave their rubbish behind,I saw that rubbish at loughshannon,spend about 20 mins lifting beer cans & rubbish with mountain goat

RedLeader · « **Reply #13 on:** November 14, 2011 »

Great writeup, cheers. It's a great spot, shame someone's left it in such a state.

wee gaz · « **Reply #14 on:** November 14, 2011 »

what gets me about all that rubbish is it`s so heavy to carry all the way in to camp but would be so light to carry out if bothered. great write up george

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Author Topic: Satruday 12 November Overnighter (Read 12283 times)

surfnscenic

Satruday 12 November Overnighter

Scribble

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ChuckMcB

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Spud

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