Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => Meets, places, trips and reviews => Topic started by: kendogbaggio on September 14, 2009

Title: Mt. Errigal North ridge ascent 12/13th Sept
Post by: kendogbaggio on September 14, 2009
Hi all below is a bit of a photo diary of Neil, Sean and myself's ascent of errigal, altan lough camp and return journey to the car the following day enjoy... we certainly did, it was a memorable experience

Mount Errigal from our start point at the car... gr. 919,221
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3786.jpg)

Neil and Sean setting off
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3787.jpg)

Taking a short breather after the first steep approach hill
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3790.jpg)

View towards Lough Nacung Lower from the first of many approach hills
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3791.jpg)

Looking towards the north ridge obscured by many false ridges
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3792.jpg)

Approaching the bottom of the scree slopes
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3793.jpg)

Scree again
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3794.jpg)

We met this farmer with his 3 sheep dogs he told us he climbs it once a week to keep fit. For a man his age we had nothing but respect for the speed in which he went up this
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3796.jpg)

Having a well earned rest after a very steep approach
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3798.jpg)

Checking my kit is secure before the first push up the scree
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3800.jpg)

Sean doing the same Neil was still sleeping lol
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3802.jpg)

Sean pausing to work out his next move over the tricky scree
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3809.jpg)

Shot of the scree to show the angle of the approach
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3811.jpg)

Looking up our first gully
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3812.jpg)

Neil topping the gully to the first saddle of the north ridge
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3814.jpg)

Neil again waiting for us at the top of the gully
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3816.jpg)

Sean just behind me on the first gully.. pretty damn steep
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3817.jpg)

View up the north ridge
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3821.jpg)

Sean traversing across
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3822.jpg)

Neil approaching the first tor
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3823.jpg)

Again on the tor reflecting on his climb so far
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3824.jpg)

Having a rest on the tor with Neil glad i didnt look to my left!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3827.jpg)

View up through the arch at the top of gully 2
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3828.jpg)

Me topping out of gully 2 totally wrecked
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3830.jpg)

On the summit and as you can see its very touristy looking over the saddle to the lower summit 1
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3838.jpg)

Looking down the west face to Dunlewy Lough
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3839.jpg)

From right to left the mountains are Mackoght, Beaghy and Aghla More we would be setting camp at the foot of Lough Altan between Aghla More and Beaghy
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3841.jpg)

Having a bite to eat and rest in the cairn on the south descent of errigal
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3842.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3843.jpg)

Looking back up the east face of Errigal
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3844.jpg)

Rounding Beaghy towards our camp site
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3845.jpg)

Approaching the 1800's fortified Altan Farm where we would camp
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3849.jpg)

Stepping stones across the stream to camp
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3850.jpg)

All the cooking water we needed this water fall would later claim my cooking pot! Dont ask
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3851.jpg)

Dinner Started
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3853.jpg)

Beautiful sunset over Altan Lough
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3855.jpg)

Eerie view of the farmhouse overshadowing the campsite
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3861.jpg)

Sean finishing his dinner
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3865.jpg)

Last of the daylight
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3866.jpg)

Just like to take this opportunity to say how much the pro lite rocks
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3873.jpg)

Sean turning in for the night
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3874.jpg)

Then a friend joined us for some whiskey!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3878.jpg)

Making tracks the next morning along Altan Lough
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3884.jpg)

Neil reflecting on the journey
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3882.jpg)

Stopping for water with Mackoght left and Errigal right in the far distance
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3903.jpg)

Looking back down the Lough to where we camped in the far distance
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3901.jpg)

Nice find at the end
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3905.jpg)

Looking at the north face of errigal again which we climbed just 24hrs before
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3899.jpg)

This was an epic journey... something i wont forget for a long time and im sure Neil and Sean would agree.
I would recommend getting the OSI Discovery Series 1 map for this area it came up trumps for us every time



Title: Re: Mt. Errigal North ridge ascent 12/13th Sept
Post by: Wolf_Larson on September 14, 2009
Breath taking pictures, and im sure a breath taking time with the weather being good to you all.
The camp site is the best ive seen, glad you all had a safe amazing time, cheers for the pictures.

Regards Dave.
Title: Re: Mt. Errigal North ridge ascent 12/13th Sept
Post by: RedLeader on September 14, 2009
Amazing pictures, thanks for sharing. It looked like a proper hard climb up the scree. Wouldn't fancy that when the weather was bad... Good to see the Pro Action Lites getting an airing...

Congrats on an epic weekend!
Title: Re: Mt. Errigal North ridge ascent 12/13th Sept
Post by: Cardnim on September 14, 2009
Great pics Kendog! Thanks for sharing them mate.

Never done any walking around Errigal but after seeing the awesome scenery (& amazing old farmhouse!) its on my wish list.  :)
Title: Re: Mt. Errigal North ridge ascent 12/13th Sept
Post by: 666_pack on September 14, 2009
First class guys.
Errigal is now top of my to do list. ;D I love a bit of scree me ;D
Title: Re: Mt. Errigal North ridge ascent 12/13th Sept
Post by: kendogbaggio on September 14, 2009
Thanks guys, was a great weekend tough would of loved to have spent more time there, maybe 2 or 3 nights

First class guys.
Errigal is now top of my to do list. ;D I love a bit of scree me ;D

Sorry you couldnt make it this weekend Michael.. i had a total mix up with dates etc but no doubt we will be going back again this side of christmas so will keep you informed if we plan anything else

Regards,

David
Title: Re: Mt. Errigal North ridge ascent 12/13th Sept
Post by: 666_pack on September 14, 2009
Thanks guys, was a great weekend tough would of loved to have spent more time there, maybe 2 or 3 nights

First class guys.
Errigal is now top of my to do list. ;D I love a bit of scree me ;D

Sorry you couldnt make it this weekend Michael.. i had a total mix up with dates etc but no doubt we will be going back again this side of christmas so will keep you informed if we plan anything else

Regards,

David

good man david. ;D
Title: Re: Mt. Errigal North ridge ascent 12/13th Sept
Post by: kendogbaggio on September 14, 2009
Remembered Neil took a few shots to be stitched together for a panoramic view

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3818Stitch.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/kendogbaggio/IMG_3901Stitch.jpg)
Title: Re: Mt. Errigal North ridge ascent 12/13th Sept
Post by: Spark on September 14, 2009
Looks like the weather was great the one and only time I have been up Errigal it was during a coast to coast race and there was a 90/100mph wind left from the car park at the bottom it was unreal getting blew up the side of it and at one point didnt think i was gonna be able to stand upright again....!! then on the way down was so mad having to fight into the wind my brother was standing into the wind at a 45 degree angle at one point waitting on me....lol all i could think was if the wind stops hes gonna do a face plant...lol and all this in 50 mins it was fun........!!

Thanks for the pics just brought the memory of that all back....!
Title: Re: Mt. Errigal North ridge ascent 12/13th Sept
Post by: billy56 on September 15, 2009
The pictures at the top amazed me, when i was at the top it was pitch black blowing a
gale and vertical up rain! Now i wish i,d done it in the summer!!!
Title: Re: Mt. Errigal North ridge ascent 12/13th Sept
Post by: MG1 on September 21, 2009
Looks like a great trip guys keep informed of the next one.
Title: Re: Mt. Errigal North ridge ascent 12/13th Sept
Post by: whoRya on September 06, 2010
These pictures are amazing .  It's a bit depressing though realising that this trip was, but for a day, exactly a year before I am planning to have a go at this bad boy, meanwhile I'm listening to the wind howling and the rain beating off the side of my house.  Yikes!
Title: Re: Mt. Errigal North ridge ascent 12/13th Sept
Post by: LennyJ1 on September 07, 2010
Great review. I took on the mountain in howling winds and diaganal rain.

As previously said wish I went up on a sunny day instead.

Well done
Title: Re: Mt. Errigal North ridge ascent 12/13th Sept
Post by: Hunter on September 07, 2010
Well done lads looks like yous had a good weekend !!