This following wee write up is a look at my first year on NI-WILD from our first hike back in the Mournes in about 20yrs to an amazing Christmas camp with about 25 other bods and a full Christmas dinner and a few wee libations.
It all started at the end of last year on a day out at Castlewellan forest, the son and I had completed the maze and were standing in the raised centre gazing at the Mournes and he says” “dad can we go up there” that was it the spark that reignited my interest in hiking and camping in the Mournes.
It was home and onto the old tinter net looking for a few wee walking routes and stumbled upon this excellent forum called NI-WILD and that was it talk about inspiration, with all the write ups, reviews and photos we couldn’t wait to get started.
Our first foray back into the Mournes was a hike up to Hares gap and along the Brandy Pad for a bit then back down to the car where I thought I was gonna have a heart attack and the wee fella was still bouncing limitless energy wish I had it but that was us HOOKED!!!
Next up a week or two later, up the Banns rd too Lough Shannagh and our first summit Doan.
Stopping here for a bit of lunch and to take in the views before heading back to the car via Slieve Loughshannagh and Carn.
This old hiking lark is easy so next it was Donard which was anything but easy but hay we made it in a misty cold old day no views so no photos sorry!!
After this we decided on a spot of camping was on the cards. A lot of info was milked out of various forum members on what type of gear was needed and used by them what they thought of it and best deals on where to get it (THANKS GUYS) and camping spots where to go and how to get there..
First night under the stars was Annalong wood.
Where we met our first forum member Scribble who was not some internet forum nut job (what gets into our wives heads) just a normal guy who made our first night out very enjoyable. Still think your mad going back down to get the wine though lol.
The rain came on in the small hours and chucked it down so it was up in the morning packing up soaked to the skin and back down the path which now could only be described as a river. Back at the car and me and the son grinning from ear to ear like two drowned rats there was no putting him off now I was on to a winner….
Next up was the Spinkwee river camp with another forum member SpecimanYak.
Another great night was had this was our first camp that also involved a bit of a hike..
SNOW
The Easter Camp was next our first organised NI-WILD camp and it was awesome, the fact that the whole of the Mournes were covered in a thick blanket of snow really made this camp for us a few of us took a dander on up towards the steps at the foot of the climb up to the wall at Donard truly breath taking views.
We also had an Easter egg hunt for the kids and a raffle for the adults which yours truly won. An NI -WILD hip flask very handy ahem ahem thanks guys..
We managed to squeeze in one more camp at annalong wood before we wrapped it up waiting on the cooler weather to come again this was always going to be a winter thing for us a lot of other stuff going on for us over the spring and summer months..
Managed another group camp in Annalong at the End of Summer camp where we met a few more members. Forgot my camera so no pics sorry..
Up next was another camp somewhere new for us with a few friends who had yet to do any wild camping Fri 13th Gibbs Island.
We found out about this wee spot through the forum on a trip report thanks Dowser a fantastic spot for a quick low key overnighter. We had an absolute blast first time cooking steaks over an open fire de lish our friends seemed to enjoy it to as the also joined us on our next camp back to Annalong wood a few weeks later..
New gear and finding Percy Bysshe Cave write up is on the blog so just a few pics!!!
Squeezed in a wee bit of pike fishing before or next trip into the hills..Bit of a slow start to our pike season this year with no big doubles so far 🙂
Back into the hills now and another first for us “Lets do Bernagh” he say’s.
We put a short notice invite up on the forum for this and were joined by LandyLiam who ended up following us from the garage at Clough as we were both running late but ended up there before us HA HA work that out.
Started off at the Cecil Newman car park straight up the Trassey Track and right up by the quarry Liam was doing guide for the day which was good cause I didn’t know where we were going anyway, “better to do the steep part first” in for a penny and all that. Up to the wall between Meelmore and Bernagh something was wrong I was still feeling good, fresh and plenty of life in the legs which was good because what came next sorted that out yes Liam was right it was very steep but not the slog that is Donard my previous summit nightmare I was enjoying this.. and in what seemed no time at all we were on the summit enveloped in thick cloud so it was out of the wind and a drink and a bit of lunch at which point Liam got a call from home and had to shoot off (he was a skud anyway) he was only away two mins and the sun came came out what a sight the whole of the eastern Mournes laid out before us.
After exploring around the two summit torrs it was down to hares gap another wee ten minute breather then straight down Trassey back to the car. Another great day in the Mournes and another mountain ticked Thanks Liam..
And last but by no means least The 2013 NI-WILD Christmas Camp+Feast of epic proportions.
What can I say? ABSOLUTLY OUTSTANDING sums it up for me.
Its been a FANTASTIC year thanks to everyone who was a part of it one way or another we have met some great people through this and are looking forward to meeting a lot more for more adventures in the big outdoors… And a big thank you to my son for that FIRST SPARK!
