Topic: Was anyone up the Mournes on Sat 21/01? Proper windy (Read 2207 times)

whoRya · « **on:** January 22, 2012 »

I spent a few hours yesterday doing a hill circuit of the Silent Valley. It was fairly windy from the outset but coming up on to Slieve Binnian via Moolieve and Wee Binnian I was sheltered from worst of the Westerly wind by the wall. On reaching the top of Binnian however it was mental. I sought what refuge I could from the Torrs and the Back Castles but I think they only made the wind stronger as it moved between them. I had to stay down hill from the exposed top but still had to crouch regularly and ride-out the gusts.

It was odd to see the mountains so empty, I didn't see, let alone meet another walker the whole day. There literally wasn't another soul even looking down over the Lamagan/Slieve Binnian col. I guess anyone coming up Slieve Binnian from any other route other than the one I took would have had the wind hitting them more or less head-on and may have thought better of it.

The last section from the Buzzard's Roost down to the col I had to go down more or less like a crab on all fours. By the time I got down to the dam at Ben Crom I was exhausted after fighting the wind for so long. I've never felt wind as strong before and frankly it was a relief to get down.

Was anyone else up in the Mournes and found it as bad as I did?

Samm · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2012 »

I was down there today and was thinking of posting a similar question. The combination of gale force gusts and wet slopes had me slipping, sliding and bouncing down Bearnagh. I was blown off my feet a few times, was very glad to get down to lower levels again. No matter what shelter you sought the wind found you, it changed its angle of attack constantly. I know I sound paranoid but I swear that wind was after me!!

Ed · « **Reply #2 on:** January 23, 2012 »

Was up cavehill yesterday and the wind was pretty fierce - and cavehill isn't even all that tall!

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Author Topic: Was anyone up the Mournes on Sat 21/01? Proper windy (Read 2207 times)

whoRya

Was anyone up the Mournes on Sat 21/01? Proper windy

Samm

Re: Was anyone up the Mournes on Sat 21/01? Proper windy

Ed

Re: Was anyone up the Mournes on Sat 21/01? Proper windy

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