Bernagh Summit Camp (solo)

[KyleL]

Yesterday I returned from another trip in the hills. I finally managed to predict the weather correctly and spent the night on top of slieve Bernagh. I think I'm in love with this mountain.

Nightfall:





Morning:









A fantastic place to fall asleep and wake up in. Even if the sheep do insist on a 4am wake up call.

[Rumblebum]

Well done Kyle at last youve cracked her!!

Its a pretty darn good feeling being up there for a wee camp, getting the fire lit and sippin on some wine, so many folks dont know what their missing.

So wheres next on your hitlist?

[KyleL]

Thanks RB!

I'm not sure, though I think I'm taking a fancy for Commedagh!

[t18con]

I'm not fit enough to reach to summit of Bernagh with a full pack on!!! will manage it some day though. weekend was gorgeous. where did you park? photos look good. Bernagh is a hard enough climb even without a pack on, lol

[KyleL]

It was tough enough - I packed heavy too.

I parked in the small car park on trassey road just up from meelmore lodge.

[t18con]

I parked in the small car park on trassey road just up from meelmore lodge.

I had thought it a bit too far off the beaten track for security at night tbh

re the packing heavy, you didn't happen to weigh your pack? we packed 'light' but still managed 3.5 stone in my pack, so I would be interested to hear what others overnight packs weigh..... sorry thread steal, lol

[KyleL]

Ah it's not stealing, it's recycling

I didn't weigh it, but I'd guess it was something similar, lets see;

Tent: 1.7kg
Sleeping bag: 1.45kg
Roll mat: 0.8kg
Rucksack: 2.45k
Water: 1.9kg (2Litres, awkward but necessary for summit camp IMO)
Firelog and disposable BBQ: 1.5kg (as above, though in hindsight the firelog was not really needed)
Food: 0.5kg

Throw in another 2 kilos for first aid kit, knife and extra socks, fleece and coat, milk, sauces etc.

That gives just over 12kg - let's call it two stone as I doubt I've included everything.

[t18con]

we had probably a full two days worth of food, same water in bladders but an extra litre for top-ups second day, and probably more emergency stuff than we needed. trying to analyse (over analyse maybe) what we bring to try to get weight down a bit. I had similar clothes-wise but the wife definitely had more (pyjamas etc.).

[KyleL]

Yea, I prefer to struggle during the day for a more comfortable night.

[Wolf_Larson]

Well done mate

[Mourneman]

Bernaghs a real classic summit camp,well done kylel,some great photos,anytime I've summit camped it I've contoured after the steep first steps to the stream then ascended via the stream,makes it a lot easier especially with a full pack

[t18con]

Bernaghs a real classic summit camp,well done kylel,some great photos,anytime I've summit camped it I've contoured after the steep first steps to the stream then ascended via the stream,makes it a lot easier especially with a full pack

had noticed the wee binnians doing it that way too, is the stream right around as if you're approaching from doan?

[whoRya]

re the packing heavy, you didn't happen to weigh your pack? we packed 'light' but still managed 3.5 stone in my pack, so I would be interested to hear what others overnight packs weigh..... sorry thread steal, lol

I don't get silly about reducing weight but when I worked that out for metric I did do a bit of a double-take.  I think it sounds fairly weighty t18con, at over 22kg.  It's not just about the headline weight, it must feel fairly heavy?  The concept lightening up for me is simple - it makes it more fun.  You can go higher, move free-er, stay longer, go faster   

My gear wouldn't differ a whole lot from what Kyle said, and about 12kg sounds about right.

Good one Kyle by the way.  It isn't often Lady Bearnagh lets you camp right bang on top where you did.  Did you buy the tent?

Mourneman:  Is the alternative route about missing out the climb to the North Torr or looking for more gentle contours?

[KyleL]

I'd been watching the weather for months, as last time I was up there I came face to face with a 60mph wind.This time was flat calm.

Yes the tent is a Vango blade 100, a good size one man (you could say 1.5man) about seventy five quid. Impressed with it so far, though I'm still in love with the tempest, the blade is great for easy weight and pitching on my own.

[Fred]

Nice one Kyle
Its great that you had the summit all to yourself in spite of the fact that it was a lovely weekend. I think that 12kg is about right for one night, any more is just punishment.

fred