I'm thinking of a quick up'n'down bivvy on Friday night. Meet somewhere 7ish, have a bit of a hike, some grub and a bit'o craic, then down first thing Saturday morning and home for breakfast. We were considering Agnews Hill in Antrim but secure parking might be an issue.
QuoteI'm thinking of a quick up'n'down bivvy on Friday night. Meet somewhere 7ish, have a bit of a hike, some grub and a bit'o craic, then down first thing Saturday morning and home for breakfast. We were considering Agnews Hill in Antrim but secure parking might be an issue.
Do you think the cars would be alright just in the layby car park on the A36 at ballyboley forest?
Tempted. (as long as we're not in the forest (http://thelongestlistofthelongeststuffatthelongestdomainnameatlonglast.com/haunted26.html) when night falls :o )
I'm seeing (http://www.forestserviceni.gov.uk/ballyboley-walks.pdf)a "Touring caravan park" towards the south of the forest, if that's open maybe cars could be left there. (I don't know the area, so perhaps this is taking us too far away from Agnews Hill etc?)
In :)
I'm definitely in if ya's end up somewhere in the Mournes. I think Antrim may be a bit far for me having to ask my parents for a lift.
Why don't we keep this simple then and head for the Mournes since they're easily accessible. Any suggestions?
I haven't been up Ott either, although I have been on Carn, Meelbeg and Slieve L'shannagh before.
My vote goes for Mourne Way > Ott > Carn then do a recce for a pitch around Lough Shannagh before popping up Doan for sunset!
Sounds like a plan..
Doan is close enough (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4520751230/in/set-72157623728388497/) to flat grassy area at the north of the Lough (if that's where we're planning on staying) to be an after dinner/before breakfast dander. Would recommend it for the morning, since the view's going to be better in the morning light (sun rise is at 0450am...who wants to watch the sun come up from the top of Doan?). Fri pm/Sat am are looking about the same weather wise.
Sounds like a plan..
Doan is close enough (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4520751230/in/set-72157623728388497/) to flat grassy area at the north of the Lough (if that's where we're planning on staying) to be an after dinner/before breakfast dander. Would recommend it for the morning, since the view's going to be better in the morning light (sun rise is at 0450am...who wants to watch the sun come up from the top of Doan?). Fri pm/Sat am are looking about the same weather wise.
I'm certainly up for a trip up Doan to watch the sunrise. Any idea of Numbers for this yet J?
Also, will anybody be heading from near Ballynahinch direction?
I'm thinking of a quick up'n'down bivvy on Friday night. Meet somewhere 7ish, have a bit of a hike, some grub and a bit'o craic, then down first thing Saturday morning and home for breakfast.We were considering Agnews Hill in Antrim but secure parking might be an issue. However, I'm game for anywhere.We're now thinking of the Mournes as it's handier for everyone.
Anyone fancy?
Potentials
J
Andy1984
Matthewrblack
Suspectmonkey
Tim
Chuck
Sounds like a plan..
Doan is close enough (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4520751230/in/set-72157623728388497/) to flat grassy area at the north of the Lough (if that's where we're planning on staying) to be an after dinner/before breakfast dander. Would recommend it for the morning, since the view's going to be better in the morning light (sun rise is at 0450am...who wants to watch the sun come up from the top of Doan?). Fri pm/Sat am are looking about the same weather wise.
I'm certainly up for a trip up Doan to watch the sunrise. Any idea of Numbers for this yet J?
Also, will anybody be heading from near Ballynahinch direction?
:AndyD and LennyJ1mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm sounding good
I'd certainly aim to be back home by mid morning. At 5.5 miles theres probably a few hours of walk back to the cars and if we break camp at 7 or 8 then we'd hope to be back in Meelmore by 10 or 11. An earlier start is always possible I suppose.
:AndyD and LennyJ1mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm sounding good
I'd certainly aim to be back home by mid morning. At 5.5 miles theres probably a few hours of walk back to the cars and if we break camp at 7 or 8 then we'd hope to be back in Meelmore by 10 or 11. An earlier start is always possible I suppose.
my bivvy has not arrive yetTKMax sell a TrekMates cheapy one for £20. (I took my £60 rab one back and have been using the cheapy one since)
Andy is there anywhere particularly handy around Ballynahinch or out Dromara or Annahilt direction for you to get me if you do come my direction?message sent ;D
There is a quicker route back to Meelmore Lodge From Lough Shannagh (attached) if anyone wants a quick escape in the morning. Takes the route down to 3 miles. If folks are going to be up and kicking about from (before) day break, getting off the mountain would be possible by early morning.my bivvy has not arrive yetTKMax sell a TrekMates cheapy one for £20. (I took my £60 rab one back and have been using the cheapy one since)
I'm in Annahilt area if anyone still needs a lift.
Jonno, I just e-mailed you a GPX file only to find out you've already posted pretty much the exact same route, d'oh!Hmm...just to ask what may be obvious, but I take it we all know that the route up to Ott (following the black --o--o--o--o-- line) is not actually a path but a boundary line?
Jonno, I just e-mailed you a GPX file only to find out you've already posted pretty much the exact same route, d'oh!Hmm...just to ask what may be obvious, but I take it we all know that the route up to Ott (following the black --o--o--o--o-- line) is not actually a path but a boundary line?
Its a well travelled route. Shouldn't think it will cause any problems.Furry muff. :)
what's the price of the Meelmore car park these days?
£4 per 24 hourswhat's the price of the Meelmore car park these days?
£4 per 24 hourswhat's the price of the Meelmore car park these days?
Nearly forgot about that! Better bring some change... could be handy for grabbing an egg soda there in the morning as well ;)
Think I'll go too and I might bring the dawg......
Any plans for a wee fire - do we need to bring firelogs ?
And if we did, are there already fire pits where we are going ?
Shizer, no Prog ! Surely !
Well, don't we need to organise a few fire logs? Say a firelog each? Anyone with any experience of firelogs - how many we'd need - how long they last ?
There are no fire pits on the north end of the Lough, the shore is quite sandy so we take some sand/gravel from it protect the grass then shovel it back again when we're done...I'm bringing my (very clean) honey stove, if other hobo stoves where to come along that could work for burning the fire logs as J suggests.
However, firelogs are quite solid and it took me a while with an axe and hammer to get bits that were small enough which wouldn't be that feasible to do there.Ahh right, I may not have time to smash one up in the garage before I leave this evening. :(
Tim, let me know if you need a lift in the end and I can pick you up. I can take the Saintfield - Ballynahinch route so its on my way. Just fire me a PM to organise :)
However, firelogs are quite solid and it took me a while with an axe and hammer to get bits that were small enough which wouldn't be that feasible to do there.Ahh right, I may not have time to smash one up in the garage before I leave this evening. :(
But with any sort of open flame then we'd have no choice but to have drinkies and prog!
But with any sort of open flame then we'd have no choice but to have drinkies and prog!
That sounds like a plan to me J.
Thats a pity Andy, hope you and your son are feeling better in time for the next night out and hopefully see get to meet you out there the next time.
Have fun ce soir folks!! I would have liked to camp out by the lough!! Thanks for the Honey Stove Jonny btw! Will be trying it out tonight!
AFAIK Meelmore sell firelogs any way.Will prob. be closed by the time we get there, but I'll pick one or two as well just in case.
really want to come tonight, seeing you all chat about it is making me jealous.
really want to come tonight, seeing you all chat about it is making me jealous.
Bung your kit in the car and meet us there, the last one was some serious banter
Matthew
and the odd "Lucy Come here" and "Lucy go to sleep"
What hills did you s do guys?
It;s pretty bloody warm outside. Think I'm defo going home to bin the down gilllet.
Good clean fun!! Got a few good pictures too that I'll stick up.
Thanks to chuck for a tarp setting up lesson - I'd have been screwed if I was on my own - it was like very high winds!!
Lucy had fun too !
Ott and CarnWhat hills did you s do guys?
Is the Meelmore Lodge Car Park secure?
Evening all, I managed to get the tens sent back yesterday to Terra Nova for 6 pounds recorded delivery. Was speaking to the woman who does the repairs today and she said they would sot the ripped pole sleeve and replace my pole all for free...Whoop Whoop... ;D ;D ;D ;D
Handy enough. How did you repair it in the end? The pole broke mid section, yea? Black tape with a wire peg to keep the broken section straight? Or did you get the peg up the middle of the pole?