Geo on Doan

Straw Poll, Is this the Mourne's real heart? Who else finds this their favourite of Down's pinnacle's? Answers on a postcard... Up here today for perhaps the fourth time, and found that there is another way besides the tried and tested from the Lough Shannagh side. We had come from the South off the Bann's Road after Slieve Muck, gone NE on the track which goes across the Shannagh river at the waterfall or thereabouts. The waterfall is a little gem and worth a few minutes of anyone's precious life. Anyway, to get back to the point we went on to Doan finding, by accident a track winding up from the SE. I couldn't believe that I'd never realised it's existence. DOH! to quote the great philosopher Homer (Simpson). I enjoyed this way up as one can do a little scrambling to add spice to the walk. Oh! and it makes a great stopping point for lunch, seating for at least fifty. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/290/comment/4477/

Read Less

gerrym on Doan

Doan, along with Ben Crom, is easy to overlook if walking along the higher hills surrounding it and was one of the last tops for me to climb in the Mournes. Having been up once I have made a point to go back on several occasions, working the climb into different routes. I have approached from the Ott track each time, giving quick access with not too much effort along fairly easy ground. To make up for this there are numerous options to explore areas of the Mournes from different angles. The top of Doan is quite small and on a windy day with ice or snow thrown in it is more exciting than its imposing neighbours. Can drop down the NE side for a quicker approach to Ben Crom over more challenging ground than following the tracks. From Ben Crom I have walked NE high above Ben Crom resevoir and climbed Slieve Bernagh away from the comfort of the wall. Picking up the wall a good circuit over Meelmore, Meelbeg and Slieveloughshannagh will come back to the Ott track. The most satisfying option I have taken is dropping down from Ben Crom to the resevoir, crossing the dam and climbing steeply up Slieve Binnian - wee Binnian - Moolieve and then crossing over the dam at Silent valley and climbing Slievenaclogh (over difficult ground until wall is reached). From here the track running up to Lough Shannagh brought me full circle around Doan, with a great time skirting its sandy shoreline on the way back to the col and the Ott track again (a long day which taught me to always have a headtorch in the pack as trying to walk in the dark isn't too pleasant). If you have left Doan as I had, try and build it into a more challenging outing or leave it to a rough day to fully appreciate the top. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/290/comment/819/

Read Less

ssames on Doan

In the morning we stepped on some ice. Maybe it can be considered strange but I do not thing I am alone when I say that I delight in the sound of crunching ice and snow underfoot. I felt like a child as I played on the mountainside.
We pitched tents at the side of a Loughshannagh deep in the Mourne Mountains in conditions which should have felt cold be actually felt pleasant. A lone Raven krunked nearby, welcoming us to her home. No wind.
On the side of Doan we practised our rope work and discussed safe anchors as the sun went down and revealed a range or deep colours that sank into our souls. These are the moments we are here for, in these mountains and in this life. Way better than Saturday night TV.
The temperature plummeted dramatically as the shadowed cloaks of the mountains dropped on us. It was already -2 as we shoveled our dinner into us. Dessert; guilt free.
Night navigation was practiced by a waxing moon. The moonlight cast long shadows and the stars rose and set like a clockwork blanket. The terrain was interesting, twice I had the rapid thought “hello ground” as I fell into hidden holes that left my armpits at ground level and my feet caught deep underground. The moon and stars kept turning.
Returning to camp took us past the frozen half of the Loughshannagh. We turned off the head-torches and threw chunks of ice and rocks across the half inch thick surface. We listened to the sliding ice and strained our ears for the splash. No matter how hard we threw, we heard no splash. Later on, the next day, we saw some of our rocks sitting on their own on the lake’s surface. Waiting for the moment of inevitable plop and sink when no one would be near to hear it. It was very cold.
Before crawling into our bags for the long cold night we gathered together and had a little tent party with laughter and a selection of fine cheeses. This was a luxury wild camp.
After a cold night that we have been told sank to -5, I woke up to grab my gas canister and nurse it to life while I had a brief snooze and then muesli in bed. Sleeping and hugging my cooker made me feel like a mountaineer. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/290/comment/3475/

Read Less

wicklore on Doan

Leaving the summit of Ben Crom I headed NW keeping the ridge on my left. I tackled the bog and followed the 450 metre contour line around until I crossed the Bencrom River at D (J307 265). The going was boggy and difficult at times. After the river the ground improved and I then headed SW to begin the climb up to Doan. Reaching the slope I moved to the west and picked up a rocky track leading to the summit. Doan had looked impossibly steep from Slieve Loughshannagh earlier, but in reality the track led easily right up on to the summit. It is steep on the final climb but no hands were needed. All the views have been excellently covered by other MV member posts. I can only add that I was amused to see the shelter at the eastern shore of Lough Shannagh that is marked on the OSNI map-strange to see such a symbol on the map appear in reality! I picked out some likely camping spots on the shore where Alex92 might have camped after reading some of his previous posts. Just like on Ben Crom I had the feeling of really being at the heart of the Mournes. I have marked Doan as being in my top 100 mountains; partly due to her profile, and also because of that Centre of the Mournes feeling. From Doan I could easily pick out the track below Slieve Loughshannagh that would next lead me to Carn Mountain. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/290/comment/3384/

Read Less

The view of Silent Valley

Doan is a fantastic mountain when it comes to camping. I frequently camp on the summit with my aul fella and uncle. It has spectacular views of Silent Valley and Loughshannagh in particular, as well as the surrounding mountains. It is relatively easy to reach with a pack on your back, and there is a large, flat clearing on the summit which in my own personal experiences, has been able to accomodate four tents. Another advantage is that you are high up and out of the way of midges, which can be a nightmare when camping. However, the only disadvantage is that you may have to make your way down to Loughshannagh to collect water, though that isn't too much hassle. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/290/comment/2587/

Read Less