Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
Outdoor Activities => Northern Ireland Hiking, Walking, Running, Orienteering and Geocaching => Topic started by: phil_b on September 17, 2012
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Thinking ahead to the Seven Sevens next year, myself and my brother are trying to spend a bit of time doing parts of the route in an attempt to get to know the layout of the mournes and build up fitness at thee same time. I had never been on Bearnagh, Meelmore or Meelbeg before so yesterday was my first time. Leaving the carpark on the Trassey road at 8.30 yesterday morning, we headed up the Trassey Track towards the Hares Gap. The weather was a bit of a mixed bag all day, it varied between mist and low cloud, rain and bright sunshine. Not the best for photography!
Looking towards Hares Gap
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8440/7997233064_601f685c0b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/7997233064/)
DSC_3672091712 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/7997233064/) by philip blair2011 (http://www.flickr.com/people/philblair/), on Flickr
It was a nice gentle walk to hares gap except for the last few hundred meters. Bearnagh on the right was covered in mist and cloud, not the most welcoming
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8442/7997226127_4c1d555c3b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/7997226127/)
DSC_3681091712 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/7997226127/) by philip blair2011 (http://www.flickr.com/people/philblair/), on Flickr
It was a decent climb to the summit past the north tor but we didnt hang about long due to high winds and rain. We followed the wall down in the direction of Meelmore, steep enough descent in places especially where there is a break in the wall. Quick breather at the stile and then up Meelmore which had just a hint of cloud at the summit
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8301/7997225613_5aafc85315.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/7997225613/)
DSC_3702091712 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/7997225613/) by philip blair2011 (http://www.flickr.com/people/philblair/), on Flickr
The sun was out when we reached the summit, my brother posing at the Tower
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8457/7997224751_ee92a6afb1.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/7997224751/)
DSC_3712091712 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/7997224751/) by philip blair2011 (http://www.flickr.com/people/philblair/), on Flickr
By this time the cloud and mist had cleared from Bearnagh so we had a good view of where we had came from
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8029/7997223331_162f9884c9.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/7997223331/)
DSC_3720091712 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/7997223331/) by philip blair2011 (http://www.flickr.com/people/philblair/), on Flickr
It was a quick descent from Meelmore and looking ahead to Meelbeg
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8031/7997229392_2c510862a3.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/7997229392/)
DSC_3731091712 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/7997229392/) by philip blair2011 (http://www.flickr.com/people/philblair/), on Flickr
Meelbeg was a simple enough ascent and at this stage we felt good and decided to head across country for Ben Crom dam as you would have to do this on the 7 7's. We followed the wall down towards Slieve Loughsgannagh a bit and then headed southeast towards the Ben Crom river and followed this between Doan and Ben Crom
Ben Crom in the center with Lamagan and Binnian in the background
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8304/7997228540_8ac15a6f58.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/7997228540/)
DSC_3746091712 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/7997228540/) by philip blair2011 (http://www.flickr.com/people/philblair/), on Flickr
There is some nice we waterfalls on the Ben Crom river, i am a sucker for a nice waterfall
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8455/7997221457_c8717a5650.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/7997221457/)
DSC_3753091712 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/7997221457/) by philip blair2011 (http://www.flickr.com/people/philblair/), on Flickr
We eventually branched off east from the river skirting around Ben Crom and came down to Ben Crom Dam nicely
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8435/7997227648_6d6ff90b12.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/7997227648/)
DSC_3760091712 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/7997227648/) by philip blair2011 (http://www.flickr.com/people/philblair/), on Flickr
I did wonder what would happen if we turned this wheel? How long would it take to drain the reservoir?
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8460/7997220335_6ddf04afb4.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/7997220335/)
DSC_3771091712 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/7997220335/) by philip blair2011 (http://www.flickr.com/people/philblair/), on Flickr
We then followed the track along the east side of the reservoir to the north end where 2 rivers run into it.
Looking back down the reservoir
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8299/7997226492_6fc8dbb4c8.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/7997226492/)
DSC_3774091712 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/7997226492/) by philip blair2011 (http://www.flickr.com/people/philblair/), on Flickr
Un-named river running into the reservoir
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8176/7997219137_4219cdb295.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/7997219137/)
DSC_3782091712 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/7997219137/) by philip blair2011 (http://www.flickr.com/people/philblair/), on Flickr
We crossed both these rivers and followed the track north back towards the Hares Gap. At this stage of the day it was a long drag. Hares Gap is away in the distance to the left (my brother has no patience while i stop to take photos!)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8298/7997224772_f455f1a2fc.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/7997224772/)
DSC_3797091712 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/philblair/7997224772/) by philip blair2011 (http://www.flickr.com/people/philblair/), on Flickr
From the Hares Gap it was a nice downhill the whole way to the car. I have been told it was around 10 miles in total. I really enjoyed the day and it gave me a good feel for parts of the 7 7's route. I hope someone finds this useful and of interest.
Phil
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Reminded me of our Saturday outing, not as fit as you, feeling it today. We went from Happy Valley up Meelbeg, Meelmor and Bernagh and back via Trassey track. Nice photos. ;D
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Nice circular route mate with some good photo's ,thanks for sharing,karma earned :)
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Good write-up and photos Phil. Thanks for sharing.
It's a pain when the mountain weather doesn't play along for the photos, but they look well here.
:)
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I am "the brother" and can I just say I was not posing and at no point did I feel "good" nor do i remember it feel like a "simple enough asent or quick"! can I also say I have not committed to any hair brained idea you have of climbing seven of these in a day, a week maybe! Having said that looking back it doesn't seem as bad now as it did on the day!
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LOL! :) :) :)
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I am "the brother" and can I just say I was not posing and at no point did I feel "good" nor do i remember it feel like a "simple enough asent or quick"! can I also say I have not committed to any hair brained idea you have of climbing seven of these in a day, a week maybe! Having said that looking back it doesn't seem as bad now as it did on the day!
Sounds like you're hooked fella. I did the 7 7's this year, spent most of it wondering what the heck I was doing there, the next day I started thinking about the following year. Time is a healer.