Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => Meets, places, trips and reviews => Topic started by: whoRya on July 02, 2012
-
With the recent bad weather and torrential downpours I had been watching the weather forecasts like a hawk and was getting excited as a window of decent weather seemed to be opening up for Friday night.
Rumblebum and I had wanted to do a summit camp on Slieve Muck for some time. The mountain has loads of routes up, bags of room for tents and with three walls meeting close to the summit, gives ample protection from the wind.
Our plan of attack was to approach from the Attical side, we soon found out that there is no such thing as a gentle approach to this mountain. Our route was up the grassy section on the left side of the mountain and then to follow the ridge to the summit. There was a lot more climbing than it first appeared.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7248/7482548836_34d9f6f4e9_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/76526252@N05/7482548836/)
Looking back down the ridge towards Cnocnafeola Wood.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7255/7482543380_57f9d4a483_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/76526252@N05/7482543380/)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8017/7482532848_ff38715611_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/76526252@N05/7482532848/)
Looking up at the summit from the lower cairn.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7257/7482537754_d619640694_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/76526252@N05/7482537754/)
Tents pitched in time, just before dark. My first night in my new Laser Competition.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8021/7482528940_0fcf7b6e9c_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/76526252@N05/7482528940/)
After my kids, I think these are my most photographed items. It is hard to beat the ambience a wee hobo stove creates.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8165/7482524484_6006cc852f_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/76526252@N05/7482524484/)
Strange shenanigans with the night exposure mode.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7125/7482518626_8974374015_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/76526252@N05/7482518626/)
Morning time at camp, after a really restful night’s sleep. It was good to hear a friendly voice first thing in the morning with Spud putting waking up early to good use and taking a wee jaunt up to see us.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8016/7482554822_4d212a5b3f_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/76526252@N05/7482554822/)
I think Slieve Muck offers my favourite view of the Mournes. There are some great views inside the high Mournes but this view from Slieve Muck just opens them all up to you.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8166/7482586164_4de42b32fe_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/76526252@N05/7482586164/)
We descended by following the wall back down to the Bann's Road, another really steep route.
It was a fantastic night in the hills and a spot to which I hope to return to soon.
-
:) glad to see i'am not the only one getting out,great photos & good write up guys
-
Don't think I've even been on Slieve Muck. Where did you park?
-
Looks great guys, sure wish i had the time on my hands to get out more.
Thanks for the pictures.
Regards wolf AKA Dave
-
When i saw the post, my first thought was theres no way they climbed from the banns road side with full kit on.
Fair play to yous all, we struggled up one sunday from crocknafoela wood side and got blew off completely about 100 yards from the top, actually thought we were going to lose one of the dogs at one stage with the wind, and that was with just a day sack on. Lovely view that you have there, might try it again from the deers meadow side some sunday (i know im a wimp! lol)
-
Nice photos whorya! I took the route from the ott carpark, up the ott track then followed the wall to the top, its a bit longer but not a tough walk.
-
Don't think I've even been on Slieve Muck. Where did you park?
Hi Redleader, our original idea was to park the car at the Attical road youth hostel, we had gave them a ring the night before to see if we were ok to leave our car there, it just felt a bit more secure to have it there rather than at the side of road overnight.
We ended up running a little later than planned and were eager to start walking so changed our plans a wee bit and asked a local resident would it be ok to park our car in their yard to which they kindly said yes. That was a great help.
We then started our walk up the Banns road heading for the summit as quick as we could,aware we were starting to loose daylight, i gotta say its been a while since ive had a good walk and my calfs reminded me of this, they were busted lol.
It was all worth it though, sitting on the summit, drinking our red wine, and eating our chicken tikka masala that we hauled up.
Good times :D
-
Cheers for the comments people.
:) glad to see i'am not the only one getting out,great photos & good write up guys
Maybe we'll even end up at the same camp one of these times :)
Don't think I've even been on Slieve Muck. Where did you park?
It is certainly worth even taking a quick run up from the Deer's Meadow car park (at the top end of the Spelga reservoir). It is steep but it doesn't last for ever, not a bad spot to enjoy a cup a soup or a sandwich.
-
Man I'm sorry I missed this one *jealous*
I'll be the jealous one next weekend.
-
Looking good guys. I've only been up when doing the Mourne Wall last year, but noted it has plenty of room to camp on top... and the views are super!