Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => Meets, places, trips and reviews => Topic started by: RedLeader on August 02, 2010
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We're thinking of having a family camp @ Meelmore Lodge on the Saturday night and watching the planes from the top of Commedagh. Plan is to leave the cars/tents @ Meelmore Sat morn, walking up to the top of Commedagh with the kids to see the show, then back down to Meelmore for a BBQ and camp. Anyones welcome. Thinking is that Commedagh will be quieter and its a chance to get the kids up it.
Meelmore are actually having a family BBQ that day anyway:Meelmore Lodge is holding a hillwalkers barbeque this year on the 7th August 2010. This is an ideal opportunity for everyone to come and enjoy a day on the hills and a relaxing barbeque in the afternoon from 3pm until 7pm. We will have a DJ on site and a bouncy castle for the wee ones! Tickets are £10 per person and that includes your barbeque and entertainment. You can contact Ruth on 07792320936 for further information and to book your ticket. A raffle will also be held on h day and all proceeds of that will go to Daisy Hill Hospital's neo natal unit in Newry.
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That sounds like fun :-) any chance you could do a route card Map thingy so I can try it tomorrow with my wee lad please
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It's not totally decided. We would usually do Meelmore -> Hares Gap -> Brandy Pad -> Commedagh/Donard Saddle -> Summit
However, we're pondering doing it from Slievenaglogh. Plus Suspectmonkey went a route at the weekend which avoided Hares Gap whioch sounded fun.
I've attached a map of the Slievenaglogh route. Technically it does 3 peaks but is still only 634m ascent so well less than Donard.
That sounds like fun :-) any chance you could do a route card Map thingy so I can try it tomorrow with my wee lad please
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Cheers I have never started from around meelmore usually just started at Donard ,bloody bridge etc. The route card to show the wife and make her worry less when I have one of the boys with me :-)
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I would have been keen to join you ar Meelmore this weekend but I am off to Kerry on Friday.
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That sounds like fun :-) any chance you could do a route card Map thingy so I can try it tomorrow with my wee lad please
If you fancy trying the alternate route rather than heading up Hares Gap, then take a look at the map below which shows our route back on Saturday.
Unfortunately my phone battery died which is what I was running the GPS app on so the route is cut short! Basically if you start by following the red line from Meelmore Lodge up the Trassey Track. Along the Trassey Track keep your eyes peeled for a grassy track on your left hand side which is roughly where the blue line begins. Then follow the blue line up to the stile on Slievenaglogh and over the summits to Commedagh.
(http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t253/suspectmonkey/Outdoors/ChimneyRockTrip.jpg)
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What app was you using on your iPhone?
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What app was you using on your iPhone?
Currently using MotionX GPS. I had been using the free "lite" version, but only recently upgraded to the full version. It only costs £1.79 and gives some great info when out on the trail. I havent tried to use it to navigate a route yet, but I believe you can import routes into it and check your position against the route.
Basically all I use it for is logging my route so I can import it to Mapyx Quo when I get home. For £1.79 its a superb application, but the major drawback is that you can only squeeze around 4-5 hours from the battery. Means its okay for most day trips, but on Saturday mine died about 45 minutes from the end. Might give one of these Freeloader Picos a try to see if that makes it more flexible :)
Hoping to do a proper write up on using the iPhone as a GPS unit soon!
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Along the Trassey Track keep your eyes peeled for a grassy track on your left hand side which is roughly where the blue line begins. Then follow the blue line up to the stile on Slievenaglogh and over the summits to Commedagh.
I have taken this track before when heading round to the pools on Lukes Mountain. The problem is that the going is hard due to the height of the plantlife when contouring Slievenaglough . Is there much of a path if I were to follow your track?
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I have taken this track before when heading round to the pools on Lukes Mountain. The problem is that the going is hard due to the height of the plantlife when contouring Slievenaglough . Is there much of a path if I were to follow your track?
Where the path begins is pretty clearly defined. Where that blue line ends on my map it literally keeps going in the same direction until it meets the red line that is the Trassey Track. The path starts as short grass, about 1-2 metres in width. Would almost remind you off a grassy track that has been made by a quad bike going over it. As it starts to head up 'naglogh the short grass gives way to a rockier path with a few slightly soft peaty bits, but its in much better condition than Hare's Gap or the track on the side of Bearnagh. Definitely no issues with heather or anything like that as long as you find the right path, and from the stile on the top of 'naglogh its all plain sailing following the wall. Mind you, I often find it difficult finding trails! Its worse when you are at a lower height and trying to find a small trail above you as you can never see them hidden amongst the rocks and heather. In contrast, when you end down from above a trail it seems so obvious! I don't know how many times I've struggled through bog and heather only to find out that I was never more than several meters away from a well defined track :D
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Thanks suspectmonkey.
I have taken the track you mention, small tractor of Quad width is exactly what we thought. I made the mistake of staying low and taking ages to cover little distance. I will try your one next time.
Thanks
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I used to dig a bit o turf around where that blue line ends. I used to borrow Tommy McSpaddens tractor and trailer (A TVO fergie and modified Horse cart) and take it up along there to get turf for the fire. Tommy McSpaddens place is now Meelmore Lodge. That was in the days when digging turf was acceptable. ;)
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Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, but the Reds, in common with all other RAF Hawk aircraft are currently grounded due to a potential fault in the ejection system.
If the flying aspect is important to you check before travelling.
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Sarah and I are up for this. We are booked into the campsite ;D
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Splendid. Did you have any probs getting booked in this time?
Sarah and I are up for this. We are booked into the campsite ;D
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Splendid. Did you have any probs getting booked in this time?
Sarah and I are up for this. We are booked into the campsite ;D
I dont think the problem is booking, its just actually getting on to the site when you arrive there ;D I've got a plan though - tracksuit, some bling and 36 tins of Special Brew at the ready. Seems to be the required "look" to get you on the site :D
Looks like I will be going to this one. I forgot I had posted in this thread but havent actually confirmed I'm going to be there!
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If I can get myself back in the good books with SHMBO, we may head up to Commedagh for the 'plane watching, then down to Meelmore for the BBQ...and I'll wander back into the hills for a bivvy (Bearnagh perhaps), while she heads back home. May sneak our 2man tent along...but don't fancy my chances of getting her in it even in Meelmore...
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Chuck your just making my day worse :-( your going for a bivvi , I have been told I have a wedding party to go to . I hope weather improves as I just got drenched walking the dogs .
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Chuck your just making my day worse :-( your going for a bivvi , I have been told I have a wedding party to go to . I hope weather improves as I just got drenched walking the dogs .
Im going to a wedding this weekend aswell in the belfast castle.
such a downer
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Splendid. Did you have any probs getting booked in this time?
Sarah and I are up for this. We are booked into the campsite ;D
I dont think the problem is booking, its just actually getting on to the site when you arrive there ;D I've got a plan though - tracksuit, some bling and 36 tins of Special Brew at the ready. Seems to be the required "look" to get you on the site :D
Looks like I will be going to this one. I forgot I had posted in this thread but havent actually confirmed I'm going to be there!
ha ha thats funny. ill have to look out my track suit, we will be down later in the afternoon prob 3. I am sure we can work out come method of getting the tents in the same area perhaps someone will be kind enough to park their car over where ill be pitching till I get there.
on the topic of tickets I just phoned, they seemed to have a load lefft
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Just heard that the Red Arrows are still happening this weekend, they inspected their ejector seats and all seems ok
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We'll probably be heading down in the morning. If you wanted to throw me your tent we could stick it up for you (but you'd still need to get your car in ofc).
Splendid. Did you have any probs getting booked in this time?
Sarah and I are up for this. We are booked into the campsite ;D
I dont think the problem is booking, its just actually getting on to the site when you arrive there ;D I've got a plan though - tracksuit, some bling and 36 tins of Special Brew at the ready. Seems to be the required "look" to get you on the site :D
Looks like I will be going to this one. I forgot I had posted in this thread but havent actually confirmed I'm going to be there!
ha ha thats funny. ill have to look out my track suit, we will be down later in the afternoon prob 3. I am sure we can work out come method of getting the tents in the same area perhaps someone will be kind enough to park their car over where ill be pitching till I get there.
on the topic of tickets I just phoned, they seemed to have a load lefft
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suppose you could just throw up a few "dummy" tents to reserve the spaces, if you're anything like me you'll have a few spares (damn those car boot sales ::) )
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And there was me thinking car camping just meant rolling up, reclining the drivers seat and snuggling up in your sleeping bag :D
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If nothing unexpected crops up I'm gonna do a solo Wild Camp/Bivvi on Friday night and meet you all on the top of Commedagh Saturday for the Red Arrows.
Starting Point and campsite still to be decided.
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We'll probably be heading down in the morning. If you wanted to throw me your tent we could stick it up for you (but you'd still need to get your car in ofc).
Cheers for the offer J but I could not accept that, its far too much trouble. We will just get our asses there at the same time then go into the town for a bit.
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At the minute we're trying to be at Meelmore for 1130 to give enough time to get the tents up before tackling Commedagh. If anyone needs to spot us I'll have a Vango Juno Teepee (orange/green I think) and SuspectMonkey has a Vango Tempest and we'll be in his black Seat.
We'll have the walkie talkies on channel 6 if anyone has them.
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I'll have a Vango Juno Teepee (orange/green I think)
;D
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That many tents he forgets what they look like :D
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I've not had it up in a year ::)
I'll have a Vango Juno Teepee (orange/green I think)
;D
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If anyone needs to spot us I'll have a Vango Juno Teepee (orange/green I think) and SuspectMonkey has a Vango Tempest and we'll be in his black Seat.
We'll have the walkie talkies on channel 6 if anyone has them.
Are you scared to fly the NI Wild Jolly Roger in case they kick you out of Meelmore???
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The Jolly Roger will be coming too - forgot about that! Arrrr meharties.
If anyone needs to spot us I'll have a Vango Juno Teepee (orange/green I think) and SuspectMonkey has a Vango Tempest and we'll be in his black Seat.
We'll have the walkie talkies on channel 6 if anyone has them.
Are you scared to fly the NI Wild Jolly Roger in case they kick you out of Meelmore???
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Hopefully see you all tomorrow on Commedagh for the Red Arrows. I'm gonna be setting off at about 6pm tonight from Carrick Little and plan to Wild Camp/Bivvi on Slievelamagan tonight. My route is shown below. I'll have my Walkie Talkie (http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1320) turned on and tuned in to Channel 6 at all times, except when I'm snoozing!!!
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That's a top route. As a reward once you get to Meelmore you can have whatevers left of a bottle of Grouse and a packet of ribs ;) ::)
I'm jealous of the summit camp. I really enjoyed Chimney Mountain - can't wait to get out again.
Hopefully see you all tomorrow on Commedagh for the Red Arrows. I'm gonna be setting off at about 6pm tonight from Carrick Little and plan to Wild Camp/Bivvi on Slievelamagan tonight. My route is shown below. I'll have my Walkie Talkie (http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1320) turned on and tuned in to Channel 6 at all times, except when I'm snoozing!!!
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What time are we thinking of meeting down there at? Ill be leaving Dundonald aprox 11:15
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Aiming to be @ Meelmore for 1130, leaving for Commedagh roughly 1230.
What time are we thinking of meeting down there at? Ill be leaving Dundonald aprox 11:15
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No worries I'll be in touch via text tomorrow
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Awesome!
No worries I'll be in touch via text tomorrow
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I canne go as I have this family wedding party to go to :-( which ain't to bad as I was suppose to be going to wedding but I talked my way out of that. hope you all have fun
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Good to see y'all again, and nice to meet you Liam! Was a great wee weekend, and I'm still mightly impressed at getting to see a Hawk T1 tearing through the gap between Donard and Commedagh practically at eye level. Awesome stuff :)
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good to put some faces to names, still think it was a bit strange to see a bivvy at a campsite ;D but will have to try it myself sometime soon so having a wee look at ebay for an auld bag
was in Newcastle today (only at sea level as legs sore from yesterday :'( ) and a few old planes flew over the beach, not as loud at the Red Arrows but much closer
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Annoyed I never got to this and missed the red arrows but yesterday made up for it my 5year old done binnian with me I only expected him to make it view point at Ben crom . We got to see 2 old planes which made the day even more memorable . I am one proud daddy today :-)
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We'd another truly awesome weekend. Great walk and great nights craic round the fire and the Red Arrows were blummin brilliant, we had a great view from the top of Commedagh and they flew down the valley between Commedagh and Donard a few times where they were effectively at eye level!
I'll link a few images but there's more in the Flickr group @ http://www.flickr.com/groups/niwild/ (Cheers Suspectmonkey for the photographic aid!)
This was the route we walked:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4872348674_8e96a2d4c4.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4871735389_0322e5e0a2.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4872343132_831858cbfb.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4871736037_7fd86072f2.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4871736301_6a6d6527f0.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4871736693_6ae3cdbcf6.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4872344628_b46a77b5eb.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/4872344762_ec323306ec.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4871737955_92de69ebe8.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4871738129_60a376c18f.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4872345740_7a570c2ce5.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4872345978_7a4fa5b8ae.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4871734951_28e331cef6.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4872346646_e221705c89.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4872346704_90e76ed6ec.jpg)
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@Andy: Ditto. Was grounded the whole weekend. Sat afternoon looked great...and a clear night would have made for a great bivvy (grumble grumble)
Good stuff...start them young :) Not a peep out of him today?
@J: excellent pics.
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Those planes tearing through the gap must of made some roar and sight pics look excellent indeed :-)
Chuck he was up at 7 this morning looking to climb donard :-) he wants his own bivvi bag also to sleep on top of torr on Binnian
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I should definitely have started Pete sooner. Though he was stellar at the weekend - did the whole hike carrying his own bag without a single moan, then sat up to 130am round the fire with us. Wont be long before he's making me look bad on the hill too ;)
Those planes tearing through the gap must of made some roar and sight pics look excellent indeed :-)
Chuck he was up at 7 this morning looking to climb donard :-) he wants his own bivvi bag also to sleep on top of torr on Binnian
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My 4yr old loves camping but hates the walking so I am trying to find a happy medium with them both .. Hopefuly the Niwild super meet does happen and I will get both up to it
blue lough
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51397326@N02/4872265645/in/photostream/
first scramble
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51397326@N02/4872876654/in/photostream/
lunch on north torr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51397326@N02/4872882816/in/photostream/
sorry for hijacking thread but im very proud :) not sure how you make photos appaear with out link