Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => Meets, places, trips and reviews => Topic started by: RedLeader on May 28, 2010

Title: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: RedLeader on May 28, 2010
We'll keep this thread for discussions about the hikes we want to do and start a new post for each actual hike.

1) Meelmore & Meelbeg - 8 Jun 10 - http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1120
2) Donard / Commedagh Saddle - 15 Jun 10 - http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1169



Before Christmas we had a bit of fun doing short night hikes. Basically we'd all meet somewhere at 7ish on a weekday evening, do a circular hike/peak for a few hours and generally be home around midnight or so.

Does anyone fancy kicking it off again? With the longer evenings technically we could wander somewhere, make something to eat, then wander back.

Seems like a great way to explore and squeeze in some exercise through the week.
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: ChuckMcB on May 28, 2010
Up for this (doing it at the moment already but tend to get off the mountain by sun down). Tues/Wed suits me best. There is room for four (five?) in my jeep if anyone handy to Hillsbro' wants a lift.
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: Scribble on May 28, 2010
I would be up for this depending how my shifts are . I am in banbridge so might take you up on the offer chuck :) .
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: MG1 on May 28, 2010
We should pick off the hills we haven't done yet instead of going over old ground
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: RedLeader on May 28, 2010
Yep. I need to tick off Meelmore and Meelbeg to complete my seven sevens dancecard.

We should pick off the hills we haven't done yet instead of going over old ground
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: MG1 on May 28, 2010
If your doing meelmore and meelbeg you may as well do the wall. ;D
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: RedLeader on May 28, 2010
Not sure I fancy the whole thing in an evening  ::)

If your doing meelmore and meelbeg you may as well do the wall. ;D
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: suspectmonkey on May 28, 2010
If your doing meelmore and meelbeg you may as well do the wall. ;D

Agreed!  You up for it J?

As for the night hikes, count me in!  I've college classes on Monday and Wednesday evenings up until middle of June, but from then over the summer I will be free pretty much any week night.
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: Matthew on May 28, 2010
I'm in anytime after 28th July.
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: ChuckMcB on May 28, 2010
Yep. I need to tick off Meelmore and Meelbeg to complete my seven sevens dancecard.

Not sure how you guys would do it but here's a sneaky (read: bit hairy but quick and no doubling back on yourself) way of doing Meelmore and Meelbeg...start at Melmore Lodge...go up their wee path way....over the stile...then keep going straight up...follow a grassy gully up on the left, it's steep but do able.....pause at the top for a cracking view of Hare's Gap etc....from there on it's easy, head for the summit...then hang a right along the wall....over the Meelbeg...then down the valley to either Fofanney Damn or the car park at the woods...finally quick sprint along the wall back to Meelmore Lodge...would be do-able in an evening.


Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: RedLeader on May 28, 2010
I say we do it. You willing to show us the way?

Yep. I need to tick off Meelmore and Meelbeg to complete my seven sevens dancecard.

Not sure how you guys would do it but here's a sneaky (read: bit hairy but quick and no doubling back on yourself) way of doing Meelmore and Meelbeg...start at Melmore Lodge...go up their wee path way....over the stile...then keep going straight up...follow a grassy gully up on the left, it's steep but do able.....pause at the top for a cracking view of Hare's Gap etc....from there on it's easy, head for the summit...then hang a right along the wall....over the Meelbeg...then down the valley to either Fofanney Damn or the car park at the woods...finally quick sprint along the wall back to Meelmore Lodge...would be do-able in an evening.



Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: ChuckMcB on May 28, 2010
Yup, sure....are you willing to follow ;)
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: RedLeader on May 28, 2010
Well, I'm not exactly fast or fit but I'm game to give it a bash! What about an eve next week?

Yup, sure....are you willing to follow ;)
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: Eamonn on May 28, 2010
I'm up for this :)
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: ChuckMcB on May 28, 2010
Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday is ok with me....but would prefer Tuesday or Wednesday (gives me Monday night to recover from the weekend)

I'll be over that direction on Sunday, so I will do a recce to make sure the mountain's not moved or anything ;)
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: ChuckMcB on May 31, 2010
The mountain's still there all right just couldn't see it on Saturday. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4655183401/) When it did reveal itself on Sunday...the gully I did before confirmed itself as not a hands and knees scramble...but it's along way down if you slip ;)

Me and the dog were going to head for Meelmore Lodge Wednesday evening, normally get there on or about 7pm.

If the weather is good and the ground dry (and the walkers comfortable with the look of it):


If it's wet or we're not 100% comfortable with the gully route, we 'sprint' toddle gently along beside the Trassey Track and head up to Meelmore via the wall coming from Bearnagh. Adds an extra 0.5 mile onto the route, but the path is more mature.

The random weather generator on Google has Wednesday as fine and clear.

A guesstimate brings the full route out at 6 miles, with the last three down hill or on the flat...doable for me...but I tend to crack on a bit unless I'm walking with others.

Anyone in?
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: Diesyl on May 31, 2010
Hi all,

I could be up for this, but will need to confirm it tomorrow if its on Wednesday night.

I am off Thursday so might find somewhere to hang the hammock and stay over afterwards.

Diesyl.
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: RedLeader on June 01, 2010
Unfortunately this week has gotten a bit complex, I can't make a night this week but I'd be up for next Tuesday evening!
Although I'm not sure I like any description of a walk that includes the word 'sprint' ;) I'm a slow mover!
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: ChuckMcB on June 01, 2010
@Diesyl: Nearest woods would be at Fofanny Wood beside the car park....or push over to the woods overlooking the dam itself...or the wood leading up from the road directly to the Trassey Track. Not stayed in any of them myself tho.

@J: Sorry for scaring you  ;D ....note the single quotes around the word 'sprint'
Rule number one of group walking: you always walk at the pace of the slowest. We all know our capabilities, in a group no-one should feel forced to walk longer/faster than they feel comfortable doing.
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: Diesyl on June 01, 2010
bah, completely forgot i am going out on wednesday night.

oh well, another time, maybe next week.

Diesyl.
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: ChuckMcB on June 01, 2010
no problem...any time.
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: RedLeader on June 01, 2010
How about we schedule this for next Tuesday 8th June?

Edit:
Thread here:
http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1120

We'll keep this thread for general night hike discussions and start a new post for each actual hike.
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: Eamonn on June 01, 2010
Anyone up for this tomorrow or thursday night?
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: chris on June 01, 2010
Anyone up for this tomorrow or thursday night?

Working mate.
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: ChuckMcB on June 02, 2010
I'm still heading up to do Meelmore/Melbeg tonight anyhow. Aiming to hit Meelmore Lodge Car park 7pm or a bit before.

Update: Got out of work a bit earlier, will be at Melmore Lodge Car park but 6.30pm...if anyone's about about look for the silver Jeep, the dashboard will have a Lucy cartoon (http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=451.msg9792#msg9792) on it with my mobile number on it, hit me with a text and wait for you.
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: RedLeader on June 09, 2010
First one done! Info here:
http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1120.msg10037#msg10037 (http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1120.msg10037#msg10037)

So what's next?
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: ChuckMcB on June 14, 2010
(moved (http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1169))
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: suspectmonkey on June 14, 2010
I'm still up for a Tuesday night hike, but want to get my last week of college over with!  Last class is this Wednesday so I'd be up for an outing on Tuesday 22nd June if that suits any one?
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: RedLeader on June 14, 2010
Hike 2 is here:
http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1169

A quick hike to the Donard / Commedagh Saddle to check out a pitch for the Iplod.
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: RedLeader on June 17, 2010
Anyone fancy doing a quickie next week?
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: suspectmonkey on June 17, 2010
Anyone fancy doing a quickie next week?

Yep! 

Speaking of which, I came across the image below when I was clearing out some files on my work hard drive.  Apologies for the poor quality of the mapping, but you get the idea!  Might make a good one for a night hike?  The start point is the big stone gates at the entrance to Annalong Wood.  Its about 1 mile or so before Carrick Little car park and there is room there for around 5-6 cars.  The walk heads up the forestry track in Annalong Wood for about 3km before crossing the Annalong River.  The route then follows another small river to the track that runs from the Carrick Little car park to the col between Binnian and Lamagan.  Up and over Lamagan, back down the other side and head back for the forest.

I can only vouch for the first half of this route, as its the only bit I've done before.  Plenty of scope to add in some extra distance as well, or to make some changes to the route.


(http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t253/suspectmonkey/Outdoors/Slievelamagan.jpg)
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: RedLeader on June 17, 2010
7.5 miles and 565m ascent. Doable but would be a late one.

I'd still quite like to do Doan since we didn't make it on Sat. (Well, only Chuck who doesn't need sleep).
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: suspectmonkey on June 17, 2010
7.5 miles and 565m ascent. Doable but would be a late one.

I'd still quite like to do Doan since we didn't make it on Sat. (Well, only Chuck who doesn't need sleep).

If we started at Carrick Little it would probably cut the distance down quite a bit.  On the return leg after coming off Lamagan you could follow the trail under the Lamagan slabs and then join the Carrick Little trail at Blue Lough.

If we were doing Doan then we could park at the start of the Banns Road (http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=54.125909,-6.035872&sll=54.127619,-6.036344&sspn=0.012071,0.027509&ie=UTF8&ll=54.127871,-6.033468&spn=0.012071,0.027509&z=15).  Then follow Banns Road to Lough Shannagh, hop up Doan and back the way we came.  Although perhaps Banns Road is a bit of a lengthy walk in for a night hike?  Other option then would be to park at the Ott car park, follow the Ott track the route Mike et Chuck took and tackle Doan that way?
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: suspectmonkey on June 21, 2010
Anyone fancy doing a quickie next week?

Not sure if this is still going ahead, but Tuesday night is definitely out for me this week.  Friday night is out as well, which is a bummer as I fancied doing another quick overnighter :(
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: Scribble on August 03, 2010
Anyone fancy one of these soon ???
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: RedLeader on August 03, 2010
I defo do - the quick evening hikes are a great way to pep the week up. Just had allsorts on these last weeks.

Anyone fancy one of these soon ???
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: Matthew on August 03, 2010
I'm having outdoor withdrawal symptoms I'm up for something soon esp an overnight, anytime after next week is grand for me. I am treating myself to another holiday.
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: LennyJ1 on August 03, 2010
maybe you could join us on the 9th Aug

http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1308.msg11642#msg11642 (http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1308.msg11642#msg11642)
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: Scribble on August 03, 2010
I defo do - the quick evening hikes are a great way to pep the week up. Just had allsorts on these last weeks.

Anyone fancy one of these soon ???
Does next Thursday suit anyone for a wee dander
Title: Re: Night Hikes 2010
Post by: Matthew on August 03, 2010
maybe you could join us on the 9th Aug

http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1308.msg11642#msg11642 (http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1308.msg11642#msg11642)

I would love to but at that time I should be right about here

(http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRClyho-0jSsT8vF1lEig_ssF9G8iRiL-xiF_mPGDELJTkynLI&t=1&usg=__p1bDBA3m-Etge9g71h78OYvuJiM=)
(http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSGtIjMbgjtEbZ4_65MiW5bJ_43-Qd0BjmYTGwFTSj1ZzQaVl0&t=1&usg=__VSOPWTeQ2rq-hKvOHRvyz0MxNKk=)