Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => Meets, places, trips and reviews => Topic started by: 666_pack on November 24, 2009

Title: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: 666_pack on November 24, 2009
Hi all,
There will be night hike up Cave Hill this monday meeting about 6pm.

All welcome ;D
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: RedLeader on November 24, 2009
6pm.... I can't imagine you chaps getting there for 6pm. When you say six I assume you actually mean seven ;)

And I'm in of course.
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: 666_pack on November 24, 2009
yeah you know about 6.............ish ;D
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: MG1 on November 24, 2009
I'm in ;D
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: 666_pack on November 27, 2009
alright guys weather update...


looking good for views

(http://charts.netweather.tv/gfsimages/gfs.20091127/06/87/ukprec.png)

pretty calm

(http://charts.netweather.tv/gfsimages/gfs.20091127/06/87/ukwind.png)


don't think you'll have to worry about over heating this week

(http://charts.netweather.tv/gfsimages/gfs.20091127/06/87/ukmintemp.png)

whoop ;D
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: RedLeader on November 27, 2009
Cave Hill isn't bad as long as it isn't too windy. After Commedagh and Binnian it'll be a a doddle!
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: MG1 on November 27, 2009
Happy dayz. Whats the numbers is it the usual four?
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: Belfastman1958 on November 27, 2009
Would love to go, but these days I'm built for comfort and not for speed, and i would only lag behind.

But i'll look out my window and see if you can be seen.

Alan.
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: MG1 on November 27, 2009
You should go for it mate, its not a race. it s good crack. ;D
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: 666_pack on November 27, 2009
Would love to go, but these days I'm built for comfort and not for speed, and i would only lag behind.

But i'll look out my window and see if you can be seen.

Alan.

yeah mate come along clear skies a plenty. We're always waiting for jonno anyway ;)
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: Nightjar on November 27, 2009
  Hi Alan  I am from 1958 myself and intend on going.... I dont believe in rushing up mountains either....

Philip
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: Belfastman1958 on November 27, 2009
Ok then guys......give me the details.

I live near the Abbeycentre and can be "on the hill" in 10 minutes.....(although I've been over the hill for years now)

Looking forward to it.

Alan.
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: Nightjar on November 28, 2009
  Might I suggest starting from the top of the Old cavehill road. take the route through the forest till we reach the bit before the Caves. Visit Cave 1  go right along the devils punchbowl until we reach the heather . walk along top of Napoleons Nose to McArts fort take photos admire view etc . Then take the track down from the fort to the cars. ( There is a shorter route from the Caves to McArts fort which is difficult enough in day light) any thoughts
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: MG1 on November 28, 2009
Sounds good mate. I've never been up cave hill so i'm just following.
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: Belfastman1958 on November 28, 2009
Or, alternatively, we could meet at the carpark at Belfast Castle and start/finish right on the hill.

What're your thoughts?
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: Nightjar on November 28, 2009
 My only concern is about the gates, do they close at a certain time?
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: Nightjar on November 28, 2009
http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/parksandopenspaces/cavehillcountrypark.pdf

check out the map on this document maybe give us some ideas
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: Belfastman1958 on November 28, 2009
No. Tha gates are open late. We can ask the security man when we're there.

Alan.
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: billy backpack on November 28, 2009
Hi Guy's as usual I'm in..................posting has been difficult recently with work load and all but have been able to keep an eye on things.

So since we're talkin routes, has anyone thought about going over the "camels humps" it has been a while since I was up there and it involves a little off piste but once there you can come up the rear of the nose on the quarry side across McArts and down the scree past the nose to the caves if we feel adventurous enough and back to the car park.
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: Nightjar on November 28, 2009
 The 'camels humps'  sorry will only do those in daylight they involve quite a bit of scrambling, also the scree is no longer safe to cross ,you would need to dig out footholds
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: billy backpack on November 28, 2009
As I say been quite a while since I was up close and personal with those areas so its good to get advice but as they say "its the thought that counts"  :)

I wonder does anyone have any other thoughts for interesting routes ?
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: RedLeader on November 29, 2009
I'm game for any route but it would prob be easier to start from Belfast City Castle car park. It's easy for everyone to find.
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: Nightjar on November 29, 2009
 I checked this out today. The main entrance gates via innisfayle park are never closed. the security man said it might be ok to park in the carpark directly beside the castle......
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: RedLeader on November 29, 2009
All meet at the carpark on the left just before the security barrier at Belfast Castle at 6pm. Easiest place to find!
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: Belfastman1958 on November 29, 2009
Ok folks......cya there.
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: Nightjar on November 29, 2009
me too
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: 666_pack on November 30, 2009
alright guys see tonight.
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: RedLeader on November 30, 2009
alright guys see tonight.

6pm.... That's when the big hand is at the 12 and the small hand is at the 6 ;)
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: 666_pack on November 30, 2009
alright guys see tonight.

6pm.... That's when the big hand is at the 12 and the small hand is at the 6 ;)

 ;D
thanks for that mate......we'll be on time.
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: RedLeader on November 30, 2009
I totally forgot my camera so if else could bring one then we could get a few piccies.
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: Belfastman1958 on November 30, 2009
I'll bring one along.
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: 666_pack on November 30, 2009
weather update.

looking good for views  ;D

(http://charts.netweather.tv/gfsimages/gfs.20091130/06/12/ukprec.png)

chilly on the summit

(http://charts.netweather.tv/gfsimages/gfs.20091130/06/15/ukmintemp.png)

still calm
(http://charts.netweather.tv/gfsimages/gfs.20091130/06/15/ukwind.png)

all in all it looks like a cracking night for the hills. 8)
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: RedLeader on November 30, 2009
Weather is awesome in Belfast at the moment. Dry, clear and not too cold.
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: RedLeader on December 01, 2009
Another successful wander lads. Top night and great to meet some new people. That said, by the time I got home I was bloody FREEZING :) Should have put a fleece on!
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: 666_pack on December 01, 2009
yep great night.....bit more urban than I'm used to but glad I have finally got up cave hill and into the cave. ;D
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: MG1 on December 01, 2009
Good nite. Bit defferent than usual, the temp was -1 when i got back to Portadown.
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: Belfastman1958 on December 01, 2009
Hi Guys.....

Sorry I had to turn back. Don't know what came over me. Hadn't been feeling good all day.

Sorry.......Looking forward to next time.

Alan.
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: 666_pack on December 02, 2009
no bother mate the hills will always be there and there will be plenty more chances to get some hill time ;D

Good to meet you by the way ;D
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: 666_pack on December 02, 2009
so then what about next week then?
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: billy backpack on December 02, 2009
Sorry you were feeling so unwell Belfastman, I feel sort of awful I didn't see you before you turned back as it just seemed one minute you were there the next I was told you had went back down. Hope to see you out on the next one :)
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: Kirth on January 25, 2010
Are you guys planning on doing anymore of these night hikes up Cavehill?  Never even heard of night hikes before!
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: RedLeader on January 25, 2010
Are you guys planning on doing anymore of these night hikes up Cavehill?  Never even heard of night hikes before!

I do cave hill quite a bit. Moreso in the brighter nights tho.
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: Nightjar on January 25, 2010
 I do quite a bit of camping during the spring to autumn  in the forest just up from the castle..... Just one thing I am a recovering alcoholic and would prefer the company of those who don't drink, too much temptation for me otherwise...


Philip
Title: Re: Monday night hike (Cave Hill)
Post by: 666_pack on January 26, 2010
Are you guys planning on doing anymore of these night hikes up Cavehill?  Never even heard of night hikes before!

There  was a few before xmas. We Hit Donard, Binnian and went out with a bang on cave hill ::)

I'm sure there will be more in the pipeline.....If there's a route you fancy stick it in a post there will always be someone to join you.