Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Information => Introductions => Topic started by: KittyKatArmstrong on April 05, 2011

Title: Just joined
Post by: KittyKatArmstrong on April 05, 2011
I'm an Explorer Scout leader in Fermanagh.  Just back from a weekend scrambling around the hills around Cuilcagh and thought I'd join up to find other like-minded mad people and to pick your brains on equipment and locations.  Had 14 young ppl away over 3 days and had a blast.  Went orienteering and geocaching along the way  :)ß
Title: Re: Just joined
Post by: Paul72 on April 05, 2011
Welcome to the forums!
Title: Re: Just joined
Post by: RedLeader on April 05, 2011
Welcome. I've canoed a bit in Fermanagh but that's about it. What's it like for wild camping?
Title: Re: Just joined
Post by: KittyKatArmstrong on April 05, 2011
Cuilcagh area / Florencecourt is good.  Camped in a disused quarry on Friday night and in a forestry plantation on Saturday.  We tend to push the boat out for the kids on training hikes 'cause they've a lot more camping experience than your average school-y DoE group, so encourage bivvys and lightweight if at all possible.  Was quite interesting to see the difference in pack sizes between the ones who've been in scouts for years compared to the two who only joined this year.  Trying to persuade them that if the kit weighs more than the food and water that they have too much kit  ;)

This is where we slept on Friday
(http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m482/Kat_Armstrong/Explorer%20Scouts/IMG_1009-1.jpg)

The quarry is on the hills between Swanlinbar and Florencecourt.  About a 2 mile hike from the main road although it is driveable.  Quite steep, 700 ft rise in 2 miles, first bit flat enough, end is 1:6.  Can go up from there a couple of miles and joins the Ulster Way to the top of Cuilcagh or can go downhill to Florencecourt.
Title: Re: Just joined
Post by: LennyJ1 on April 05, 2011
Welcome to the forum.
Title: Re: Just joined
Post by: MG1 on April 05, 2011
Hello and welcome
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Post by: big chris on April 05, 2011
A big hi and welcome Kittykat  ;D
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Post by: whoRya on April 05, 2011
Hi.  Good to get some perspective from the land of the webbed-feet  ;)

That area is on my list of places to go.
Title: Re: Just joined
Post by: KittyKatArmstrong on April 05, 2011
LOL, joke down here is that the cows are born with webbed feet so they can paddle.  There is a reason we have a very pretty lake right down the middle of the county you know  ;)
Title: Re: Just joined
Post by: VMCC on April 05, 2011
Hiya Hat, glad too see you joined up. Enjoy! Victoria
Title: Re: Just joined
Post by: 666_pack on April 05, 2011
hello and welcome ;D
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Post by: LandyLiam on April 05, 2011
welcome aboard
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Post by: Kayakgirl on April 05, 2011
Hello and welcome to the forum..
Title: Re: Just joined
Post by: Eamonn on April 05, 2011
Hello and welcome
Title: Re: Just joined
Post by: Allyc on April 06, 2011
hello, just joined my self, seems to be a great site!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Just joined
Post by: suspectmonkey on April 06, 2011
Welcome along!  Sounds like a pretty cool trip, I love Fermanagh but like a few others round here I haven't ventured over for any camping yet!  To do this Summer?
Title: Re: Just joined
Post by: KittyKatArmstrong on April 06, 2011
There's actually loads of places to camp, from 'normal' campsites right up to cliff faces.  Personally for comfort camping I like Cladagh Glen which is owned by the Scouts (shameless plug), there's a fire-pit and a tap as well as a cabin with toilets, kitchen and bunks if you need it.  Ground's fairly flat and there's loads of space.  Have to pay but it's cheap.

Littlest hiker (11) is trying to persuade me to go out again this weekend with her and a friend ...
Title: Re: Just joined
Post by: Hunter on April 06, 2011
Helloooooooooooooo