With the weather getting a bit nicer, and not having been in a tent since August, a wee trip was planned. Originally it was to be a jaunt in the wicklow mountains taking in Duff hill, Mullacleevaughn east top and a camp at Cleevaun Lough. Return would be via Black hill (yes there are two black hills in the area, one in English and one in Anglicised Irish - Black hill and Duff hill). However, this would not pan out due to time and weather. Instead I did Duff hill and dropped down to camp 200m below Cleevaun Lough. A very wise decision.
Anyway, here is the final route
At mid day I was dropped off at the entrance to a Coilte forest plantation. The weather was ...hot and the trail, along forest roads, would be long enough. My pack was rather heavy with 4 litres of water and a can, yes only one, of Bulmers plus food.
In the distance I could see duff hill on the left and the line of hills leading to Mullaghcleevaun on the right
Finally, the forest track ended. I would now be entering Wicklow National park where it is legal to wild camp but first a few obstacles
Forestry machinery makes bogs...
And this fence is easy if you dont have a massive heavy pack. Aforesaid pack was thrown over the fence.
I was now on the stretch to Duff hill. It looked sort of a gentle incline on the map...
Most unusually, there was no path. Could Duff hill be that hump looming ahead. The last section looks a bit steeper than I thought but so far it is a dawdle
apart from the sun beating down and only snow goggles in my rucksack. No fashion police up here so snow goggles it is. Wish I had a sun hat though.
And there is the intended destination. The Coire below Mullaghcleevaugn with a bit of snow still clinging on.
Still got to get up Duff hill
but I did
The top was a bit windy and clouds were coming over. Sunset was at 18:45. I descended to the col between Duff hill and Mullacleevaugn East top. One look at the peat hags and the terrain and I knew my late start had put paid to my original plans. A quick look at the map and I had found an alternative spot.The coire below the col had a watershed with flat areas. As long as they weren't bog it would be fine.
Descending from the col I heard multiple warning clicks from deer. Three herds were bouncing through the heather away from me. I was soon down and saw telltale signs of deer grazing. Thanks deer. A better mown flat pitch would be hard to find on many campsites'
Tent up, mat and sleeping bag in and ready to cook or rather boil water..
It would be interesting how the new insulated air mat went. The temperature was dropping rapidly.
So, Down jacket, outer shell, gloves and dinner was eaten and cider drunk. I then wandered around a bit and went for a nap.
Now, my sleeping bag is a down three season. The temperature dropped to -10 celsius.
I was in my bag with hat, gloves and down jacket. Two pairs of wool socks kept my feet warm but my legs were only clad in my thermals' The evening was spent watching a netflix film I had downloaded to the phone and I eventually dozed off to waken at 6am.
Nature called so I opened the tent to get a load of frost down my neck. I hadn't put the nikon battery in the sleeping bag so it was kaput. Luckily my Chinese phone lived up to it's promise of working down to -20 so some photos were taken.
My water bottle was slushy and my petrol stove refused to prime. That was fixed by pouring petrol over it and setting it light. That melted any frozen condensate and cheered me up. In the spirit of leave no trace, no grass was burnt. I always prime the stove on an old trangia frypan. The whole stove and fuel bottle was covered in ice. Coffee was made and I started packing. The sun came up and melted the ice but the tent was soaking. At least the pack was about 6 kilos lighter.
I got off that hill at some speed catching the wife out who had not even left to pick me up. An hours wait at the trail head and I was home to unpack, dry the tent out and have a long hot shower.
Cheers! Glad you enjoyed it folks.
I have been given 'permission' to invest in a 5 season lightweight bag. I might not though. I reckon a pair of down trousers will do the trick at about £50. The mat did a fine bit of work but I reckon I could have been warm with the same bag and a karrimat 30 years ago. Then again, 30 years ago the pack would have felt lighter, the miles would have flown by and I would have yomped the whole lot in half the time.
Next month I hope to do another.
I bought a paria recharge xl. A US company but made in China. It replaced a half size vaude norrsken which had gone mouldy inside. The paria has a pump sack so should stop mildew forming from my breath. It is thicker than a klymit and about half the price of an exped or thermarest.
It is insulated inside. I only go for insulated air mats.
The sleeping bag is a Kelty cosmic 20 down bag. Good to 20 Fahrenheit.
Quote: Originally posted by spiritburner on 12/4/2019
Great report. Old school prime - non of your piezo malarky!
I think I should have taken the svea. I find petrol stoves with remote fuel bottles often have problems on a cold morning. My theory is that the fuel pipe gets slushy. Now the weather is better it will be back to the trangia.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: First camp of 2019
via mobile 25/3/2019 at 9:54pm
