Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => General Chat => Topic started by: baramech on March 08, 2012

Title: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: baramech on March 08, 2012
Hey guys.
Wee question for a few of you, and any help would be very much appreciated.

Anybody know of any locations currently being worked on/restored by the Heritage trust??
Tried emailing them to ask if any more is scheduled etc, have not got back to me, so want to see if anything is going on as of late.

(Oh and btw its partly to possibly do with a photo project im working on :D)

CHEERS BEYS AND LADETTES :D
Gary
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Samm on March 08, 2012
Anybody know of any locations currently being worked on/restored by the Heritage trust??

The Glen River path is the one they've been currently working on. Give them a call on 4372 4059.
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Mourneman on March 08, 2012
Hey guys.
Wee question for a few of you, and any help would be very much appreciated.

Anybody know of any locations currently being worked on/restored by the Heritage trust??
Tried emailing them to ask if any more is scheduled etc, have not got back to me, so want to see if anything is going on as of late.

(Oh and btw its partly to possibly do with a photo project im working on :D)

CHEERS BEYS AND LADETTES :D
Gary
Restored thats a laugh ;D,next thing will be draining the silent valley & ben crom reserve's & taking down the mourne wall as they're new feature & not in keeping with the mountain landscape.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/6958499413_633baf8948_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75601656@N07/6958499413/)
DSCN0002_7 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75601656@N07/6958499413/) by paul surginor (http://www.flickr.com/people/75601656@N07/), on Flickr

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7190/6958494259_0d16d1d319_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75601656@N07/6958494259/)
DSCN0966 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75601656@N07/6958494259/) by paul surginor (http://www.flickr.com/people/75601656@N07/), on Flickr

just follow the smell of diesel & i'am sure you'll find them
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Samm on March 08, 2012
Restored thats a laugh ;D,next thing will be draining the silent valley & ben crom reserve's & taking down the mourne wall as they're new feature & not in keeping with the mountain landscape.

The path work has to do with habitat conservation.
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Mourneman on March 08, 2012
Restored thats a laugh ;D,next thing will be draining the silent valley & ben crom reserve's & taking down the mourne wall as they're new feature & not in keeping with the mountain landscape.

The path work has to do with habitat conservation.

Habitat conservation please Samm come on!Can you explain this ???
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Samm on March 08, 2012
Habitat conservation please Samm come on!Can you explain this ???

Yes! While I'd be the first to admit that on most topics I am mostly talking shite, this is one of the few where I can speak with some confidence. I am one of a small team who monitors the condition (from a nature conservation point of view) of our natural habitats. One of the main things affecting the condition of the Mournes is erosion, one of the main causes of this erosion is the ever widening paths around the Mournes. This erosion is detrimental to the fragile heathland and bog habitats of the Mournes. In addition, the erosion along the Glen River is adding to the sediment load in the Glen River itself, which to the best of my knowledge is a salmonid river, to which high sediment loads can be destructive. So, it was believed that one of the most straightforward ways of tackling part of the erosion issue that's occurring in the Mournes was to do some path work. So, the state conservation agency has funded MHT to undertake this work.

I don't know what ulterior motives you think are in play here, but that is the honest truth about the whole thing. More than happy to chat about it at some stage if you want.

Sorry for getting all serious so early on a Thursday morning!
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: velvetmonkey on March 08, 2012
Would planting more trees make the ground more stable and less susceptible to erosion?
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Samm on March 08, 2012
Would planting more trees make the ground more stable and less susceptible to erosion?

Generally yeah, tree planting is great for limiting erosion in the right conditions.  Unfortunately the important habitats in the Mournes are heath and bog, so what you don't want to do is turn them into woodland.  I could go on, but I know I'd just end up giving a boring ecology lecture!  So the answer is yes but no!
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: baramech on March 08, 2012
Hey guys.
Find that very interesting Samm thanks for the info :)
I have been slightly obsessed with the word "conservation" as of late. So trying to respond photographically. Mainly i want to get a few shots just of whats going on, i am completely neutral to the situation to be honest, just find the sight of it happening to be interesting regardless of any stigma surrounding it.
Id love to hear more about conservation around the Mournes, whats happening etc etc.

Gary :D
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: baramech on March 11, 2012
Went up on Friday there to the Glen River.
Decided i wanted to take some shots on a borrowed 5x4 camera.. so alot of weight,
had planned to set up on the opposing river slope, get a few nice wide angles...
Spent around 45 mins setting up whilst my friend who had never been hiking before contented her hyper self.
Lone behold the beast of a camera decided to fail.. gutted we decided to go up to the saddle and then choose between donard and commedagh. The wind was very fierce so we stuck close to the wall and went up Commedagh then down to the Castles.
All in all i think a few return trips, gentle little hike overall.
Anything more you have on the conservation issue would be lovely peops :) opinions, facts??

Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Al Fresco on March 11, 2012
Im sorry but I disagree with the pathwork that is being done in the name of conservation. I think turning one of the last wild-ish places in the country into a paved country park is an awful idea.
The Mournes have been around for about 54 million years, in that time they have undergone extreme climate and temperature changes including an ice-age.

They have in more recent years withstood thousands of tonnes of rock being carried over them by many hundreds of men to build the mourne wall, and the Silent Valley and Ben Crom resevoirs, the building of Watertown and a railway to move over 1 million tonnes of materials for the dams. They built a tunnel through Slieve Binnian as well, plus many quarries excavated granite within the mournes.
They have been shelled by the United States Navy as target practice during the second world war.

Tens of thousands of people have hiked and camped over them for many many years, as well as sheep and farming on them too.

Yet we still find them a place of beauty, the salmon still come up the Glen river and the boglands still exist with a healthy flourishing heath and wildlife.

So Why oh Why do we think that we need a stupid path to save these 54 million year old hills from some kind of impending doom.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/yourplaceandmine/down/A1068518.shtml
http://www.oracleireland.com/Ireland/Countys/down/z-silent-valley.htm
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Mourneman on March 11, 2012
Well said alfresco,the MHT is just a big cash cow,what's next street lighting,litter bins,some work is needed,but not pathways,any works should be just a natural repair to the natural trail,not air-lifting diggers in to rip up a straight granite lined road
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Al Fresco on March 13, 2012
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7201/6831909328_1f4d0d59a5.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/millenaire/6831909328/)
4317454493_9ff2112f50 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/millenaire/6831909328/) by stoked_ni (http://www.flickr.com/people/millenaire/), on Flickr

The Mournes in 5 years if MHT have their way  :)
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Dowser on March 13, 2012
I know there has been path work taking place on Binnian and Lamagan also but I haven't been up in a while to check it out.

Has anybody seen it recently? How's it look? Is it an eyesore or well disguised.

I will reserve judgement till I see it myself but I can honestly say I'm not keen on the idea of it.

http://www.walkni.com/Article.aspx?ID=330&oni=true

Photos would be good if you have any  :)
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Mourneman on March 13, 2012
I know there has been path work taking place on Binnian and Lamagan also but I haven't been up in a while to check it out.

Has anybody seen it recently? How's it look? Is it an eyesore or well disguised.

I will reserve judgement till I see it myself but I can honestly say I'm not keen on the idea of it.

http://www.walkni.com/Article.aspx?ID=330&oni=true

Photos would be good if you have any  :)
Quite right about the work done on Binnian ,but Lamagan remains untouched & yes it is an eyesore,gleaming crusted granite pounded into the mountainside.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/6979036889_086b2fcf64_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75601656@N07/6979036889/)
DSCN5961 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75601656@N07/6979036889/) by paul surginor (http://www.flickr.com/people/75601656@N07/), on Flickr
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Dowser on March 13, 2012
I know there has been path work taking place on Binnian and Lamagan also but I haven't been up in a while to check it out.

Has anybody seen it recently? How's it look? Is it an eyesore or well disguised.

I will reserve judgement till I see it myself but I can honestly say I'm not keen on the idea of it.

http://www.walkni.com/Article.aspx?ID=330&oni=true

Photos would be good if you have any  :)
Quite right about the work done on Binnian ,but Lamagan remains untouched & yes it is an eyesore,gleaming crusted granite pounded into the mountainside.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/6979036889_086b2fcf64_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75601656@N07/6979036889/)
DSCN5961 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75601656@N07/6979036889/) by paul surginor (http://www.flickr.com/people/75601656@N07/), on Flickr

Thanks for that Mourneman... I have to agree, that does look pretty awful.  Maybe it will blend in a bit more over time  ???
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: whoRya on March 13, 2012
The new look will be lost over time.  I think my concern would be an attitude of "That's done, where next?"  Where that to be adopted then we'd soon be looking at places that don't really need done.  Or even starting to tackle a particularly bad section, but thinking we'll "do the whole bit since we are here". 

There could be a fine line between conservation and development.
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Samm on March 13, 2012
The new look will be lost over time.  I think my concern would be an attitude of "That's done, where next?"  Where that to be adopted then we'd soon be looking at places that don't really need done.  Or even starting to tackle a particularly bad section, but thinking we'll "do the whole bit since we are here". 

There could be a fine line between conservation and development.

To the best of my knowledge (I could be wrong), it's only Binnian and Donard that were being done.  Nobody even notices anymore the steps up towards the saddle on Donard, or comments negatively on them, so I'm sure that the pathwork will similarly blend over time.
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: mregan on March 13, 2012
Who here uses walking poles?  My advice is try leaving them at home and walk without them.  Poles cause more damage than walking boots ever will.  Just a thought!  ;)
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Dowser on March 13, 2012
Who here uses walking poles?  My advice is try leaving them at home and walk without them.  Poles cause more damage than walking boots ever will.  Just a thought!  ;)

Does Mountain Biking in the hills not cause erosion at all?  ;)
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: mregan on March 13, 2012
It does indeed. But not as much as a walking pole can do.
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Dowser on March 13, 2012
It does indeed. But not as much as a walking pole can do.

I'm definitely guilty of using a walking pole.  I find it invaluable for balance ascending/descending steep terrain, balancing whilst crossing rivers and supporting my Tarp when I reach camp.

I would never have believed a pole would cause much damage compared to a size 10 boot but, a quick Google seems to suggest it does  :o  I will be more aware of this from now on and only use the pole when really needed.

 8)
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: mregan on March 13, 2012
I think there are plenty of people that don't realise this. I think if used right you can cut down on the damage. Also there are flatter end caps you can use to create a larger surface area.

Some places poles are completely ban even that flat bottom poles.

I am not having a go at anyone btw The mountains are for all in my eyes.

Some people have to see a wider picture. Erosion has been caused and if it isn't sorted it will get a lot worse.
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: LennyJ1 on March 13, 2012
The mountains have been eroding long before I was born and even after me and my poles have been all over them then I still will be eroding.

I think that prevention is always better than cure but the damage is done now and all we can do is limit the damage by some conservation.

I am not saying that this is the answer.

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/6979036889_086b2fcf64_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75601656@N07/6979036889/)
DSCN5961 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75601656@N07/6979036889/) by paul surginor (http://www.flickr.com/people/75601656@N07/), on Flickr


But something must be done.
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: whoRya on March 13, 2012
Who here uses walking poles?  My advice is try leaving them at home and walk without them.  Poles cause more damage than walking boots ever will.  Just a thought!  ;)

I don't know what evidence you have but my gut feeling is that sometimes when I don't have a pole on a steep boggy incline, the ground gives under my foot leaving a big smear on the landscape.  I'm surprised that a small well-placed point of a pole could be deemed to be more damaging.
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Spud on March 13, 2012
They aren't putting paths where there aren't already very well worn tracks, the paths will cut down on erosion, and if it makes it a bit easier for people to enjoy the hills that maybe couldn't have before, I think that is a good thing, as long as they are properly kitted out etc? I have been on the binnian path and although it is still strange to see it there, I think when it gets weathered and the heather closes in then it will look better, just my opinion! The binnian path is easy to make out in dense cloud, I think I'd be glad of it of I needed to get down from there in a hurry! As I said, just my tuppence worth!  ;D
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: sjh1 on March 14, 2012
I like the new paths.

However, although working in the field I sometimes doubt some of the rational behind the whole idea of conservation.

... but that's probably a different topic and it might also just be because I'm a contrary bastard.
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: mregan on March 14, 2012
Quote
I don't know what evidence you have
Physics!
When a force is applied perpendicular to a surface area, it exerts pressure on that surface equal to the ratio of F to A, where F is the force and A the surface area. Hence, the formula for pressure (p ) is p = F /A. One interesting consequence of this ratio is the fact that pressure can increase or decrease without any change in force—in other words, if the surface becomes smaller, the pressure becomes larger, and vice versa.
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/pressure.aspx (http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/pressure.aspx)

Quote
I'm surprised that a small well-placed point of a pole could be deemed to be more damaging. 

Thats the point I am trying to make.  Most people are surprised to hear the damage it causes.  I was never saying dont use poles but as you say above well-placed point is the difference.  Put the point on a stone or a rock increases the surface area to weight ratio hence less damage.  I know this isnt always possible but do you need to be proding the poles in everywhere you walk?  It seems like such a small thing but why would they be ban on other trails in different parts of the world if it was'nt proven to cause so much damage?

There is always going to be erosion even if it isnt caused by us.  What has happened by us is we have sped up the process.  We can all do our bit to slow it down.  It will still happen even with all the measures to slow it down. 

Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Mourneman on March 14, 2012
In fairness the spike in a walking pole does not cause as much damage as a braking mountain bike or a misplaced foot ???
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Ed on March 14, 2012
I'm all for avoiding erosion, but I draw the line and putting erosion prevention above avoiding a ripped up knee or ankle.

My trekking pole has saved me from many a nasty twist or fall

Maybe that's selfish of me, but there it is.
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Mourneman on March 14, 2012
I'm all for avoiding erosion, but I draw the line and putting erosion prevention above avoiding a ripped up knee or ankle.

My trekking pole has saved me from many a nasty twist or fall

Maybe that's selfish of me, but there it is.
well spoken Ed,walking poles seriously :-Xnever mind the off-roaders,quads,bikers,poles play very little in the scale of things!
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Dowser on March 14, 2012
I'm all for avoiding erosion, but I draw the line and putting erosion prevention above avoiding a ripped up knee or ankle.

My trekking pole has saved me from many a nasty twist or fall

Maybe that's selfish of me, but there it is.

Here here  ;)
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Dowser on March 14, 2012
I'm gonna get myself one of these from Leki  :P

(http://i.imgur.com/NtAYm.jpg)
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: mregan on March 14, 2012
As I have said above I am not saying dont use them just be careful in how you use them.  In the same way a mountain biker can be careful about how he rides a mountain.  Pulling the brakes and sliding like a 12 year old is obviously going to wreck the ground.  Ride the same bit and apply the brakes a bit more easy and it isnt going to cause the same damage.

Quote
poles play very little in the scale of things!
Its not me its him  ::)

I dont see any quads or motorbikes on the steeper mountains yet there is plenty of erosion.  If you keep denying your part in the bigger picture then you cant very well have a go at those making improvements, trying to prevent further erosion or conservation. 

As I have already said we can all do our bit! 

The only reason I bring up walking poles is those that use them  either genuinely dont realise how much damage they do cause or are ignorant to the damage they cause.  I find it laughable that some then can judge others as to what should or shouldnt be done on a mountain.
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: mregan on March 14, 2012
I'm gonna get myself one of these from Leki  :P

(http://i.imgur.com/NtAYm.jpg)

It would do less damage  ;D
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Oisín on March 14, 2012
I've been listening and not talking on this topic because I personally don't have much experience with walking poles or experience in witnessing erosion. But I think I should say that I know for a fact no matter what you do it has an impact on something, and this cant be changed. Newtons law of motion - Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

For an example every wave no matter how small, hitting a mighty cliff, it will still have an effect. This erosion may not be noticeable until a thousand years later a big chunk of the cliff breaks off into the sea. Dunluce castle knows this well.

So are we not eroding the mountains no matter what way we use them? Be it with a bicycle or metal stick or even a shoe. I like to think that if I can change the way I go about doing something even if it is small it will be a small help, and small things add up. So even if that was a small thing like using a wooden walking stick instead of a metal one so it didn't put scars on the face of rocks, would that not help? Or be it a small thing like not leaving litter behind. A small thing like not throwing glass bottles into a campfire. A small thing. Just a small thing helps.
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: mregan on March 14, 2012
Quote
So are we not eroding the mountains no matter what way we use them? Be it with a bicycle or metal stick or even a shoe. I like to think that if I can change the way I go about doing something even if it is small it will be a small help, and small things add up. So even if that was a small thing like using a wooden walking stick instead of a metal one so it didn't put scars on the face of rocks, would that not help? Or be it a small thing like not leaving litter behind. A small thing like not throwing glass bottles into a campfire. A small thing. Just a small thing helps.

Exactly!
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Ed on March 14, 2012

So are we not eroding the mountains no matter what way we use them? Be it with a bicycle or metal stick or even a shoe. I like to think that if I can change the way I go about doing something even if it is small it will be a small help, and small things add up. So even if that was a small thing like using a wooden walking stick instead of a metal one so it didn't put scars on the face of rocks, would that not help? Or be it a small thing like not leaving litter behind. A small thing like not throwing glass bottles into a campfire. A small thing. Just a small thing helps.

Agreed, in part anyway. I see it as a balance of harms type issue, I'll gladly do anything I can to help the mountain environment, to an extent. When the choice is between the miniscule erosion imparted on a rock by my trekking pole - and risking knee or ankle injury however, I can live with the erosion.

I wouldn't ask a mountain biker to not bother breaking to spare the soil - and in so doing crash into a tree, I see trekking pole use in a similar light.

I use a plastic basket on the end of my pole for the rocky areas, it helps somewhat, at least I hear less scratching.

http://www.tiso.com/shop/trekmates/rubber_tip_ferrule/ (http://www.tiso.com/shop/trekmates/rubber_tip_ferrule/)

When we talk about erosion by trekking poles it is important to remember that it is small. Yes small adds up, but we're not talking about the Appalachian Trail here.

When we get down into minutiae like trekking poles scratching rocks, we beg the question why not just leave the boots and bikes at home altogether, that would after all help with the erosion problem. Of course that's a silly suggestion, but it demonstrates the cost / benefit weighing which needs to be done for any suggestion.

I never get too worries about erosion, my pole might have scratched the odd rock on a given day, but I've also cleared the aftermath from some prick's picnic. Net effect was positive :)

Ed
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Oisín on March 14, 2012
Is there no other way of working it so you don't risk injury? As in taking more caution or by using ankle support straps? Or is the trekking pole the only option?

The funny thing is that the places where these are banned are the places that you are most likely to need them. Example on the long distance treks and very mountainous areas compared with the mournes which could be seen as hills in comparison to other mountains.

I still think they aren't an essential bit of kit, the only reason for this is the fact that there has been many before us that has managed and succeeded without them. I don't see why we need them all of a sudden.
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Al Fresco on March 14, 2012
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7191/6982456365_2dde671131.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/millenaire/6982456365/)
zimmer (http://www.flickr.com/photos/millenaire/6982456365/) by stoked_ni (http://www.flickr.com/people/millenaire/), on Flickr

What about an inflatable zimmer frame, kind to the pathways, lightweight and easy to pack away when not in use lol.
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Al Fresco on March 14, 2012
Seriously though folks, as I posted previously, the Mournes are 54 million years old, have survived extreme climate change and an ice-age . They have endured thousands of men tramping over them with thousands of tonnes of rock for the mourne wall and the dams, over 1 million tonnes of material for the dams as well quarrying and shelling from the US Navy, tens of thousands of hikers over the last hundred years walking and camping on them, and sheep and other forms of farming.
They still exist and flourish with bogland and heath, so in the bigger picture of things do you really think that your mountain bike or walking pole or boots are going to lead to an environmental catastrophe or some kind of permanent damage that wont grow back?
In my opinion everywhere is in a constant state of change and evolution and is influenced by many factors, man, animal, weather, time and the topography and materials an environment consists of. The rain and wind and sun will have a far greater influence on the degradation of the plants and soil erosion than hillwalkers ever will in the mournes. Should we build a canopy over the hills to protect them from that too?
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Mourneman on March 14, 2012
Very good Al fresco,must say i agreed,if you want to follow a path go to Botanic gardens,lets try keep the Mourne's wild
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Al Fresco on March 14, 2012
http://www.mournelive.com/mourneheritagetrust/tenders/index.asp

The tender and details for the next phase of path repair is only £204,000 excl VAT seriously, though i think/hope that the construction/ repair from 1000m to 400mm wide is a typo. :)

Make of it what you will....
p.s. how does taking rock from mountain quarries and moving it up a mountain class as environmental protection?
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Oisín on March 14, 2012
Reading that long paragraph it sort of came across as a dont care attitude.

Yes the ice age has made them the way they are but I don't think the shelling target practise can be put into the same category. I dont know why they were ever allowed to do so in the first place.

Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Al Fresco on March 14, 2012
For an example every wave no matter how small, hitting a mighty cliff, it will still have an effect. This erosion may not be noticeable until a thousand years later a big chunk of the cliff breaks off into the sea. Dunluce castle knows this well.

So are we not eroding the mountains no matter what way we use them? Be it with a bicycle or metal stick or even a shoe.

What you are saying here is basically the same thing i am saying, and yes small things in your approach and usage of the habitat will minimise the effect you have in the short term.  But buliding granite paths that are not a natural part of the environment that will remain for thousands of years with diggers which cause massive damage, with rock quarried from the mountains, and they make the natural environment ugly as they are an eyesore is not exactly the best way to preserve the natural habitat is it.
The point is I care a lot, but because I don't agree with your point of view, you think I don't care?

Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Daithi2004 on March 14, 2012
This topic seems to have been covered before

 http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=3039.msg32854#msg32854 (http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=3039.msg32854#msg32854)

So my comment on this post would also apply top this thread...

I came across this photo on my facebook account from one of my "friends" and he agrees with this argument. I don't. There are merits to reconstruct paths up into the mountains. The reason I think is cause by the number of people talking up the hillwalking, rambling and mountaineering. While I agree that we shouldn't interfere with the mountains, we have to manage the pathways for environmental reasons. There has been some discussions about this on Facebook. Just want to hear your views.


(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/422035_182663358510035_100002991160257_275949_474470586_n.jpg)


just noticed we started the same thread ;D,me i neither for or against,be interesting to hear some views

Was up at the glen river at the weekend and yes, it is a mess. Unfortunately this has to be done. Others are saying walking poles are doing the damage. Should we not be saying, WE as hillwalker & ramblers, are causing the damage because of the high volume of people wanting to walk the hills? I will be attending a meeting with the MHT next Tue.
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Mourneman on March 14, 2012
meeting with the MHT,where,when,i'dlove my voice to be hear ;D
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Oisín on March 14, 2012
No not at all, just in that statement it sounded as if you were saying that it doesn't matter what you do in the mountains as they have already survived target practise for the navy so what's the point in caring? Or did I just read it different than everyone else.

Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Samm on March 15, 2012
So today I took a dander up the Glen River path, up as far as the steps up to the saddle. While I understand the rationale behind doing the work (and the rationale is the rationale, whether nor not you agree with the science behind it is an entirely different matter), I wanted to go have a look for myself. And there's no question about it, it looks an absolute mess. But that's just temporary. The network of paths between the ice house and the top of the forestry has always been an eyesore, in my view. Natural is not a word I could use to describe that area. In some parts the path had diverged into so many routes that the whole area between the forest and the river was just one giant path. Continuing on my walk I got past the area of the current path work and on to the existing path. By existing path I mean granite slabs marking a pathway up to the saddle. The contrast here is amazing. Instead of lots of paths taking a variety of routes, resulting in ever widening loss of vegetation, there is predominantly just one path with the vegetation growing right up to the path edge - people and nature both happy! I am more than happy to hold my hands up and say I wholeheartedly agree with path maintenance work on this route. This older section just proves how successful it can be. I'm a blow-in to these parts but am interested to know if when this older section was put in, how did it initially look? Did it take a few years to disappear into the landscape? No one wants managed paths across the length and breadth of the Mournes, but this is one length of path management on an existing route, a route that has already been extensively managed.

One thought that did cross my mind today was this. One of the mountain bike trails that is planned in the Mournes will be put through an area of pretty much undisturbed heathland. There are a few sheep trails across this area, but no existing human tracks or trails. Now, MTB trails are slightly different to walking trails, but nevertheless, this will be the creation of a whole new track, not just maintenance of an existing one. (Before all the mountain bikers get at me, there are positives about this trail!). But my reason for mentioning it is, I wonder will the creation of a whole new track cause the same uproar as the management of an existing one?
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: mregan on March 15, 2012
Quote
But my reason for mentioning it is, I wonder will the creation of a whole new track cause the same uproar as the management of an existing one?
Good Point Samm
I hope not as the part you mention is a very small section. The majority of the trail is through the forest.  As you know the designers dont just wade in and dig up a path.  There is a lot of thought and time spent making sure there is little or no damaging effect to the environment.  Yes there will be a slight change to the landscape where the single track will run.  After it beds in properly and the edges grow in around it then it just blends in with the existing sheep trails etc.  The guys designing these trails have been monitored in past projects as to the impact to the environment/wildlife etc. Once the trail is in place Mountain bikers stay on the trail along that section.  There wont be the same wide spread mess up at glen river where walkers have just spreadout across the land cutting in numerous trails.
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: LandyLiam on March 19, 2012
I'm just back from a week in the Cairngorms where they have a LOT more footfall than here in the Mournes. Saw lots of evidence of pathwork repair having a great effect on minimising erosion and blending in well with the surroundings. Also saw many areas where paths had not been created, looked messy. So if they leave the low footfall areas alone (basically thats most of the mournes) and concentrate on the very few busy paths then well done to MHT  :) .
Title: Re: PATHWAY WORK
Post by: Daithi2004 on March 23, 2012
Here is an interesting news fro the Mountaineering Ireland Website


http://www.mountaineering.ie/news/viewdetails.asp?ID=673

Quote from: http://www.mountaineering.ie/news/viewdetails.asp?ID=673
Sliabh Liag proposed work consultation

23 March 2012

Karl Boyle (Chief Officer) and Helen Lawless (Hillwalking, Access & Conservation Officer) visited Slieve League, Co Donegal yesterday to walk the cliff path and discuss erosion management with Donegal County Council, trail advisers, and representatives from the North West Mountaineering Club and the Sliabh Liag Walkers.

Donegal County Council is preparing plans to undertake path repair work during 2012.

(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/p480x480/525347_10150696176956670_277721306669_9642324_22919569_n.jpg)