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• NI-WILD MOURNES WILD CAMP: August 08, 2009

[RedLeader]

Who fancies a night in the Mournes on Saturday 8th August.

The plan is to park in Donard Car Park at Newcastle and camp up opposite the Ice House in the forest. We were considering ideas about paddling to Salt Island but it's complex for people with no easy access to boats whereas a wander into the lower Mournes is something everyone can do with a minimum of fuss.

Location is totally flexible but I think we should keep it to somewhere that doesn't have too much of a walk to get to and that we can light fires at without getting hassled. I'm thinking in the wood by the shepherds gate close to the wall. (If anyone wants to recommend a spot but doesn't want to let it be known on the internet just PM me.)

We've all talked about getting together but never managed to get round to it, this is our chance. We'll get a fire going, have a few light ales and shoot the breeze. We can also consider either a bit of a walk or some gentle bushcraft.

All interested post below - you know you want to
(I'm no angel but we would want to be considerate campers and leave the spot either as we found it, or better.)

Update 7 Aug
Final(ish) list
Jonno
MG1 (99% - arriving later)
666_pack
Hound of Ulster + 1 + 2 kids
chris_8764
billy backpack + 1 kid
Belfastman1958 +2 (Arriving later)
A few others possibly coming for a few hours

Update 6 Aug
With it only being 2 days away I think we need to start getting the finer organisational details sorted. Where and when to meet, a final list of who's coming and to swap mobile numbers.

Probably the best bet is for everyone coming to PM me their mobile number, real names and number of people in their party. If anyone who was undecided can't come if could they let me know too. Then I'll send everyone my number so people can keep in touch on Sat morning for last minute cancellations etc.

At the minute the best bet seems to be to all meet by the toilets in Donard Car Park at 11am Sat morning.

As ever, any better suggestions below and obviously it's not too late to add your name to the list if you want to come too!

Can I also just say again that we're leave no trace campers so can everyone please not bring anything up that they don't intend to bring back. (I know I probably didn't need to even mention that but I thought I should anyway)
Also when we were up last week the place was pretty messy and I think we should give some consideration to having a bit of a general tidy round before we come back down.

Just a reminder also that although we are organising a trip on this website, NI-Wild can take no responsibility for it! IE, if you poison yourself on undercooked sausages or fall out of your incorrectly hung hammock it's your own responsibility!

Update 4 Aug
Currently the weather for Saturday is for sunny spells, 7mph winds. Is looking good!

Update 3 Aug
Potential campers:
Jonno
MG1 (Potential)
666_pack
Hound of Ulster + 1 + 2 kids
chris_8764
billy backpack + 1 kid (potential)
Belfastman1958

The bushcrafting chaps have some other commitments so we dropped a few bods:
7 definite, 3 possible

Has anyone camped up here before and if so where, in the wood or at the riverside? We need recommendations for exactly where we want to stay. I'm keen to try the hammock so trees would be well useful

Here's a related post on gear choices for a weekend which would be helpful:
http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=362

The view:

[Celt_Ginger]

I'd be up for that.

[MG1]

I,d be up for it to if the boss lets me.

[666_pack]

I'm in.

[RedLeader]

I'd be up for that.

Excellent, I'm hoping you can fill me in on hammock camping, will be my first time.

I'm in.

I knew I could count on you, you can't keep a good man down (from the mountains)

[666_pack]

I'm still in the process of getting a trip report but the terrible tale of the gullie traverse will sound so much better with a few drinks and the glow of the campfire.

[ulsterwalker]

Wouldn't mind dropping in, however will unfortunately be on the mainland for that weekend, maybe get a chance to drop in on one of the other get togethers

[emmadilemma]

Im workin niteshift nxt weekend grrrrr.....will come next time tho 

[Hound of Ulster]

Would love to come, can I bring the tater tots?  10 and 12. Her in doors is off and says I can go if she can go too. 

So sound like it could be a family affair, with a couple of nights camping, cider and great craic.

Hound.

[RedLeader]

Would love to come, can I bring the tater tots?  10 and 12. Her in doors is off and says I can go if she can go too. 

So sound like it could be a family affair, with a couple of nights camping, cider and great craic.

Hound.

I have no objection, more the merrier. I'd expect a few ales to be drunk but nothing too exciteable.

[chris]

count me in chaps!

[billy backpack]

Depending on my work situation there should be another pair joining the party (thats me and my 10yr old son).
Sounds like it could be a real blast and am really looking forward to meeting everyone and putting faces to names.

[RedLeader]

At the minute it's looking like up to 15 if everyone makes it. Could be a cracking weekend!

[Belfastman1958]

Hi there.

I have camped near this very spot on a couple of occasions. it is indeed a good spot to camp at.

The walk, although all uphill, can be done in about 90 mins at a slow pace. And it;s not a strenuous walk at all.

Alan.

[RedLeader]

The BBC are showing as the image for Saturdays weather. Fingers crossed it might be nice for the weekend!

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