Nearly a Commedagh Summit

[clairebear]

After the last attempt in the snow I was determined to get up and defeat commedagh.  I have it in my head that the first three summits of this year will be bernagh, Binnian and commedagh (bbc).  So after a hard weekend on the liver I needed to blow off some cobwebs, careful planning ensued as I knew I'd be solo and although the weather was to be ok you never know up there. 

First stop was to Cotswold for some snow pegs, what a godsend theses were.

I headed up planning to get started earlyish round 1pm.  I parked in donard park this time as my tax had ran out and all post offices were still closed.  Didn't fancy a clamp! 

My Bergan was heavier than normal as I had a small flask of soup and lunch in as well as dinner and breakfast.  Also had my old intrenson tool in for clearing my pitch. I packed a firelog as well though I didn't use it.

Up to the saddle was grand though I couldn't wait for lunch to get rid of the soup and bagel, underfoot was ok poles a definite must. 



Met a few walkers and a man with his son who had camped in annalong valley.  They said it got windy but was grand.  Pushed on up after lunch and to the summit.  Once up there the side where the wall sheltered the wind was crappy snow and ice and where I would have had a good pitch the wind was howling.  I knew the wind was gonna pick up so I decided that was never gonna happen.  The ground is rock solid so I wasn't gonna get a peg in there. 



I knew my only safe option was to drop down to the false summit as its latish and see how it looked.  I really wanted to stay but I went with my gut instinct.  Happy days down here was soft snow and decision made,Bergen off and set about making my home for the night. 



My pitch



Wee cobra up



Dinner on, army rations again which are quick and easy.  I just melted snow which is quick enough. 

Time for a dander up to watch the sunset before bed and radio2. 







The wind picked up but the tent was secure and I would never have been that high without my snow pegs.  I used my Bergman liner under my sleeping mat to have an extra layer against the snow.  Worked great and I was snug all night. 

I learnt this time to get warm before getting into my bag, I had forgot this last time.  After my walk up to the summit it was night night.

Me and Cash had a Brilliant time and I loved being that high, it's so much better being up away from civilisation.  Only thing was I had no signal so I was aware that people worry and next time up this area ill know to pre warn before panic in civilisation.

Last few photos.

[Wolf_Larson]

Well done nice pictures !

[whoRya]

Nice one Claire, glad you got a good winter camp in.  If the ground up top was anything like that summit tower I can completely understand how a summit pitch would have been really difficult. 

The irony is that if the weather was its' seasonal norm then you probably wouldn't have got to pitch where you did, since the ground would have been too wet and boggy!

Thanks for sharing the pics and trip report.

[LennyJ1]

Good effort Claire. Great write up, happy for ya

[Typo-On]

Nice one Clair, glad you got one in the bag

[Rumblebum]

Nice one Claire, cash must be having a ball this weather.

well done 

[clairebear]

Me too, I wasn't gonna let the snow pass without a wee night in it.  Now it needs to thaw so I can get to the BBC!

[clairebear]

The cashman is loving the camping and being a beagle he is in his element with all the trails to follow.  I let him into my bag last night but he was taking up too much room so he got put back in his wee gelert lol

[RedLeader]

Geez, you guys are making me look terrible, I spent Easter on the sofa drinking beer and watching the Star Wars saga while eating trifle directly from the bowl....

This is a great achievement, more-so since it was solo. What were the steps to the wall like? I've been up there when it was icy/light snowy and they were treacherous, can't imagine them after a fall this heavy.

[Spud]

Nice one Claire well done

[Ed]

Geez, you guys are making me look terrible, I spent Easter on the sofa drinking beer and watching the Star Wars saga while eating trifle directly from the bowl....

<Leonard mccoy>good god man!</Leonard McCoy>

At least put it in a bowl first!

[phil_b]

Good work Claire, well done.
Were you using crampons on the way up? I am hoping to get up that way tomorrow and am a bit worried about the icy conditions.

Phil

[clairebear]

I don't have any crampons but its ok underfoot.  I stuck to the edges on the stairs and soft snow on the way up the wall.  Was icy but not too bad.  If I had them I would have stuck em on but not essential. 

Enjoy the sun phil

[specimanYak]

Excellent write-up and great photos CB, well done to you and Cash, karma. 

[KyleL]

Brilliant! Great photos.