A Winter Camp | Bluestack Mountains | Donegal

[@MiriamKennedy]

You did well to catch that weather Gerry!! 😎 I yelped at the sight of the sausages, rashers and egg - says more about me possibly!! 😇 Your camp spot at Lough Belshade was well worth the extra effort to get to...I was 99.9% sure you wouldn't be meeting anyone there, especially in January!! Beautiful light in the evening and morning and such a treat to be out in the tent in those conditions, I look froward to a winter camp again. The few extra minutes already that we're getting of daylight hours are much appreciated! No shortage of water this time of year for you in the Bluestacks! Happy planning for you next trip Gerry 🤩

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers Miriam👍 Always on the look out for the weather window that fits in with other things in life👍 I think I was 99.9% sure there would be no one else there, though again surprising at how many people seem to have wild camped there over the years. It was beautiful throughout the trip though the evening and morning light was pretty cool☀ The evenings are really starting to move now after a slow start and I am looking forward to those 11pm sunsets out west, though not the midges😊 Happy planning for your nest trip too👍

[@JenniferLupine]

You show us the best of Ireland, thanks Gerry! Loved joining you on this one- wonderful views and amazing to start off with a rainbow! Beautiful lochs, creeks and sky! Must have been amazing to have a clear night sky and a quiet, peaceful evening. Good that you kept warm enough, looked like quite a bit of frost! Great way to start off a new year of wild camping! All the best, Jen 👌🌟🌟🌟

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers Jennifer👍 It was a beautiful camp and definitely a great way to start 2024😊

[@patrickobrien8902]

Brilliant walk, camp and video as usual Gerry. Some amazing footage.

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers Patrick👍 I have loved the Bluestacks for many years, probably because it was one of the first mountain areas that I explored that seemed really wild and remote where no one else seemed to go (at least not when I was there). I think that has stayed with me and has pushed me to seek out other similar areas in Donegal and down in Mayo😊

[@marievicky1274]

What a magnificent area for camping. Those mountain ranges are amazing.

[@gerrymcveigh]

The Bluestacks are brilliant for walking and even better for wild camping👍😊

[@SiobhanBladebla-lu1mo]

Absolutely stunning landscape Gerry. Brilliant video and editing as always! Love you wit. Thankyou for taking us along with you on your adventure!

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers Siobhan👍 The Bluestacks are a stunning area and it is such a pleasure to visit them and take in all that is there. Thank you for coming along👣😊

[@pipandbenji]

Wonderful, thanks for sharing your adventures Gerry.

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers George👍 It was a cool wee adventure to start 2024😊 A few other ideas for new places in my head which will hopefully translate into actual trips😊

[@keithmcshane8005]

Wow you are so right that was 30 hours very well spent what a superb trip and the views where outstanding 👏 👍

[@gerrymcveigh]

It was a class trip with pretty much all going to plan and getting that great weather with the cold and the sharp views😊

[@shanefoley3341]

Great video Gerry. It's been a good few years since I camped on that beach. Thanks for giving me the location for my first wild camp for 2024.

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers Shane👍 Again I continue to be surprised and amazed that a good few other people have wild camped at this amazing spot👍 It is a brilliant place to spend some time with no other worldly distractions and is certainly good for the soul😊

[@inkedgermanexplorer]

Beautiful footage absolutely love the light you had and the rainbow, some real mint conditions for your camp, Yes the longer darkness is probably the only downside on winter camps 🧡 Lovely fry alright 😊. Thank you for sharing your cold adventure🧡

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers👍 The weather and the light were about as good as you could get for the time of the year I think😊 The camp was fantastic and walking around that little beach in the dark looking up to the stars was just amazing. As long as I can get a decent sleep the long nights are okay - nothing worse than having an unsettled night and it felling never ending. Breakfast and tea is always important and it has to be hot🔥😊

[@GeoffGreenawayOutdoors]

Fantastic watch Gerry. What a wonderful peaceful place there and as for where you pitched the tent that looked amazing. I loved how you could see all them mountain tops near the end of the video. 👍

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers👍 The Bluestacks are a fantastic range of hills that i have been visiting for many a year and that I keep going back says it all. I have camped in a good few places in the Bluestacks and that spot at Lough Belshade definitely takes the biscuit, though many other places still to try out for the first time too😊 Yep there were cracking views to the other hills all around with the lovley and clear NW air.

[@Karl_with_a_K]

Excellent Gerry, a tonic!

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers Karl👍 It was definitely a tonic for me😊 It is just brilliant to be able to spend a couple of days (pretty much all on my own) in such a cool place and to have had great weather, super views and even a fry for breakfast😊

[@richardjohnson3463]

Awsome walk Gerry. Wonderful location and scenery. You were fortunate with the weather. As usual the images and sounds of running water are mesmerising, thank you for sharing your walk. Bet those Ginger Nuts tasted good! Best wishes for 2024 to you and yours.

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers Richard👍 There haven't been too many good weather windows over the past few months so I took this one even if was dark shortly after 4pm😊 Everything tasted good on this trip though stopping for that final cup of tea with some biscuits before descending, with the warmth of the sun on my face, views to a frozen lough and time to take it all in was pretty cool😊 All the best to you and yours for the year to come too👍

[@BarnabyNutt]

Spectacular surroundings and really nicely shot as usual Gerry.

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers👍 Lough Belshade is a truly beautiful spot and a great place to spend the night whilst exploring the hills👣😊

[@paulkennedy5021]

Super sights and sounds Gerry. Really enjoyed it.👍🏻

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers Paul👍 I really enjoyed that trip too😊

[@Kev_Russ]

Cracking spot Gerry. Sometimes it's better low doon than up high. Cracking morning. 😎 Breaky looked good., 😋

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers Kev👍 I would take camping lower next to a lough like that any day over being on top😊 First good weekend weather in quite a while over here. It was cool to have the fry though probably back to cereal as it is much easier all round😊

[@BigFly028]

As usualy Gerry, beautiful footage, well edited and some cracking scenery. A long night in the tent, but your up fairly early, possible easy to lie in if your warm and comfortable. Look quite frosty in the morning? Loved that shot of the pinkish cloudes and blue sky reflecting in the lough. Have a fansastic 2024.

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers Aidan👍 It can be hard to get up in the morning if you are all warm and cosy🔥 especially if it is cold or wet outside☀ it was a morning☀ well worth getting up for though and in such a cool location. The reflections on the lough were amazing - I had clouds, stars, the moon and aeroplane trails all reflected clearly in the water. You have a great 2024 too👍

[@Andrew.........]

Hi Gerry, a nice winter walk and camp. It's definitely down booties weather 😂. The Bluestacks were looking well in the winter sunlight. Its a long night in the tent for sure. All the best for 2024

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers Andrew👍 The light at this time of year is beautiful with the low angle of the sun and the golden colours of the hills☀️ A long night in the tent alright though we'll worth it. Looking forward to the 5 hour nights later in the year😊 All the best for your adventures in 2024👍

[@TomMcClean]

On the road again Gerry! You are the man! Ice on the ground! Aaaaah! New hat, new jacket, maybe Christmas boxes? lol Spectacular views once again! 3 layers and pretty toasty! lol Great stuff Gerry. Get that fry into you! You deserve it! Magical surroundings at your campsite. Yo keep safe! Best wishes from the Castlereagh hills.

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers Tom👍 My hats keep falling apart with all the use they get so it was good to get a new one😊 I was toasty🔥 all the way, even with 12 hours in the tent😊 It was a magical place to spend the night and I know I am so fortunate to be able to get to do that👍 Haven't done a fry in the hills for years and might do a few more😊

[@TomMcClean]

A good fry in the hills will do you the world of good Gerry! Got to keep the energy flowing!

[@IrelandOutdoors]

Ah Gerry, brilliant, I really enjoyed that. This may sound weird but I love those close up shots interwove throughout the video, especially the frost on everything in the morning! That must have been a cold one, hopefully the feet didn't get too cold! ❄👣 That camp spot is amazing, I remember your last video there too and you didn't want to leave either, don't blame you for wanting to go back! Looking forward to more of your adventures this year! ATB.

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers Gary👍 It was a brilliant trip - love going to places that are so cool and there is literally no one else there😊 Those shots are just the style I have developed over the years so it definitely doesn't sound weird that you like it😊 It is a fantastic camp spot though I think it is time to leave it and explore new places to camp in 2024. All the best for your adventures in 2024👍

[@lifesahobby]

Nice shots . Thanks for taking us

[@gerrymcveigh]

Thank you for coming along😊👍

[@EireRider.motorcycle.adventure]

Lovely morning. Nice fry up too. Thanks for the video Gerry.

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers Ben👍 It was a beautiful morning☀ and well worth 12 hours in a tent☀ Tea and a warm breakfast are essential😊

[@EireRider.motorcycle.adventure]

@@gerrymcveigh hopefully you were warm enough. I'm heading to Mayo this year part of my main content. Looking forward to it.

[@gerrymcveigh]

Another great place to explore👍

[@DroneViewsMedia]

That was a fantastic little hike in the bluestacks. Great video, Gerry 👍

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers👍 It was pretty cool to spend time in the Bluestacks in some rare good weather☀😊

[@nialloutdoors]

Brilliant as always Gerry. Loved following along the journey on the Outdoor Active app. It was interesting to see exactly where you were. Good call to go on down to Lough Belshade. The sky at 5pm and 9am were more than worth it and once it warns up the wee beasties will probably stop any camping there for a while. I plan to get up there later this year and you've given me a good idea for camping up at Croaghbarnes, another one added to the planner box 😂 Thanks for bringing us along 👍😊

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers Niall👍 Lough Belshade is a brilliant spot though probably time to look for other places. Camped on the summit of Lavagh More many years ago and have a hankering to go back. If you get to Croaghbarnes before me you can sort out the best camp spot😊 Cool to know that house is uninhabited, it is quite a diversion around it if following the river. It is a house I have always thought would be amazing to live in due to its location. See you on the hills👣😊

[@paulpayton8238]

Gerry you've got guts buddy 😊all the best from me in England 😊

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers Paul👍 It was a super trip which pretty much went all according to plan. It was lovely to walk over the frozen ground on the second day and to have super views with the clear air. All the best to you over there👍

[@paulpayton8238]

@@gerrymcveigh thanks gerry stay safe and keep warm it's freezing 🥶 😫

[@eddieforde]

Bluestacks looking absolutely fantastic again Gerry. Had to laugh when you were concerned about someone else being at your spot, I’d imagine there’s not too many folks staying up mountains in the northern half of the country in the middle of winter. 🥶 A cracking start to 2024 👍🏻

[@gerrymcveigh]

Eddie, as you know there are areas that pull us back time and again because of the reach they have into our heart and soul and this is one of them for me😊 It isn't often I meet another person walking, never mind wild camping in some of these remote places, though when you have a plan there is always some doubt that creeps in that it will all work out😊 All cosy when you have half decent gear🔥😊

[@chrisbhoy6247]

Amazing Gerry!

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers👍 It was an amazing trip with pretty much everything coming together, including the weather the camp and the fry😊

[@HikingandcampingwithAdrian]

Another enjoyable video to watch Gerry thanks. Lovely place there looks very peaceful and quiet. I've got to get myself there for a camp hopefully soon if I get the time 😂

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers Adrian👍 It was a great wee trip and it was beautiful to be able to spend a night at the lough with a clear sky full of stars reflecting on the still waters🌟😊

[@gercampbell3226]

Another great video!!

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers Ger👍 I really enjoyed the trip - had great weather, beautiful winter sun with that golden light and. All the time in the tent wasn't too bad either as I got some decent sleep💤😊

[@foreverirish132]

Another great video 😊 well done 👏

[@gerrymcveigh]

Thank you👍 I have been walking and camping in the Bluestacks for over 15 years and never fail to be impressed every time I return😊

[@adventurousdavee]

Nice Camp Gerry🙂 . I had to bail on my last one. In the dark lashing it down and down the back from Slievenaglogh (had not been that way before) . The m8s tents got flooded. I should have looked closer at the forecast lol .

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers👍 Have had to bail the odd time too, even after checking the weather forecast😊 They are cool learning experiences though👍

[@OthmarsVlog]

well done . . . thumbs up 👍🎇🔥

[@gerrymcveigh]

Thank you😊👍

[@ruangilmu8588]

camp and video as usual Gerry

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers👍 It was a pretty cool trip😊

[@WyeExplorer]

Gotta have the Gaiters on gerry otherwise you end up like hiker trash. Wet but fantastic on top there. I can see why you wanted to pitch where you did though - another beauty of a lake. Timing - perfect! Ha, a little more effort but good seeing you crack an egg in the fresh morning. Re-sitting down we wouldn't do the stillness any justice if we didn't appreciate it. Lovely spot! Well, good going as always. Take care. Mark

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers Mark👍 It was a super trip with so many beautiful things to take in, which (as you know) have that calming and soothing effect - the simplicity of taking time to notice. It was really cool to see the stars and the moon reflecting on the still waters of the lough amongst everything else. A lot more effort to have a fry up rather than my usual cereal though good to mix it up now and again. Thank you for watching and take care👍

[@WyeExplorer]

@@gerrymcveigh A pleasure as always gerry. Oh, for sure calms us no question - it's our go to place eh especially when the stars are out. Yeah, I might try a fry up some time. A pleasure as always.

[@paddymurphy-oconnor8255]

It makes me so sad to visit that valley and see all the ruined houses. The last man, by the name of McAloon, no longer lives in the valley and I don’t know what happened to him. I met him on the road once several years ago and he waved. It’s sad that the likes of them will never be seen again and the valley will be silent apart from the forlorn bleating of sheep.

[@gerrymcveigh]

Paddy, I am with you. There is a distinct lack of life in the valley and even knowing more about the Old Schoolhouse and how many children were taught there at a time tells a tale of how life has changed. I did think someone lived in the farmhouse down the hill from the grotto and across the river, though have been told it is uninhabited.

[@paddymurphy-oconnor8255]

The house down the lane and over the bridge from that grotto is unoccupied. If I win the lottery, I'm buying it along with that entire valley and as much of the Bluestacks as I can afford. 😁@@gerrymcveigh

[@BoomBoom7621]

Some incredible vistas across the Bluestacks and beyond there Gerry. Glad to see the addition of the fry as well! The campspot at Lough Belshade still looks excellent even with the beach mostly submerged. I was wondering - do you decide on the destination for your trips at the last minute or do you have an idea in your head a way out where you want to go for your next few trips?

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers👍 I had brilliant weather with clear and cool air coming from the NW giving those long views. The fry was different, though not sure if it will become a permanent addition to my wild camps😊 That spot at Lough Belshade is outstanding and it has been so cool to have it all to myself twice in the past year. I will have a couple of ideas in my head far out. This year I have a couple of beaches on loughs in the mountains that I want to camp on in Donegal and Mayo so I will plan a trip and then go for it when there is a weather window. Sometimes I do decide nearer to the time when there is good weather and I can travel and it is thinking about where can I go - not an easy thing if I am wanting to do somethign different😊

[@EireRider.motorcycle.adventure]

Go pro issues.. Lol tell me about it. Nice day to head out but it's gonna be cold. Lovely dry clear weather.

[@gerrymcveigh]

Ben, the gopro can be a nightmare with those batteries though keeping it inside the jacket did the trick and I had no issues👍 It was fantastic weather☀ and there hasn't been much of that over the past few months🌨

[@EireRider.motorcycle.adventure]

@@gerrymcveigh I reckon two of my 3 batteries are knackered. Still charge up but last about half there power. Dry weather at the moment. Make the most of it but the rain is making a comeback soon.

[@landsleaflets4002]

Hi Wonder could you help me we're is the best place to go your first wild camping please flat and not to hilly

[@gerrymcveigh]

Not sure if I can remember my first wild camp! I have had some great wild camps that were only 5 or 10 minutes walk from the car, perhaps at a local beach, forest park of lake. It might pay to start looking for locations if you are out walking at these and other locations - somewhere that you know you could set up in the evening and pack up in the morning without anyone noticing.

[@paddymurphy-oconnor8255]

Please stop publicising this area! 🤫

[@frosty_soda]

Seriously? Wise up. As long as people leave no trace. You're not gonna get one night campers going that remote and leaving their nonsense. I'm with Gerry on this. We are not gatekeepers of who knows what. Those folks who "dont disclose the location" are, for the most part, up their own arse. Granted, some people genuinely believe they're doing the right thing. The thing is, Ireland isnt yours, its not mine, its everyone's who lives here and wants to enjoy it. Please, dont be so elitist. SHARE the locations and get more people outdoors, responsibly! 😊

[@shanefoley3341]

Anyone venturing into The Bluestacks are serious hikers/wild campers. Your definitely not going to get the pop up tent folk hiking up there with a slab of cans.

[@SiobhanBladebla-lu1mo]

Why?

[@deekelley891]

I don’t care if you save your favorite spots for yourself. If anyone wants to find them, they can get a map and do so. And the less people traipsing around in the same place, the less bother to the environment. Looks like there’s plenty of room for folks.

[@gerrymcveigh]

Paddy, I have been walking and wild camping in the Bluestacks for over 15 years and making videos for the last 10 - it is still rare for me to meet someone else on these wild and rugged hills😊 I am not sure if that something about the reach of my videos😊 or just that this area does take some serious effort, confidence and perhaps experience to access. Certainly not like Errigal where there is a readily accessible carpark and an easily identifiable path to follow. In that respect I don't think it will change much in terms of who will come and walk the area, though in my heart that is the way I would like it to stay👍 I do find that many people who watch my videos are those who would never otherwise get the opportunity to experience what it is like in person - either because of where they live or that lack of experience, confidence and skill in walking on open mountain. It sounds like you know the area well and want it to remain a place that is special, as do I👍