Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => Meets, places, trips and reviews => Topic started by: RedLeader on December 09, 2009

Title: Walk the Lecale Way - 2010
Post by: RedLeader on December 09, 2009: We are postponing this for a few weeks. Watch this space!

Route info:
http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=0

Map here:
http://www.walkni.com/d/walks/0/Lecale_Way_Overview_Map.pdf

Quote
Lecale Way extends from the shores of Strangford Lough to the seaside resort of Newcastle. Tower houses, castles and ancient monuments are dotted throughout its landscape and a wealth of wildlife can be discovered along the contrasting shores of Strangford Lough and the Irish Sea.

It's 40 miles end to end so it would effectively be two 20 mile walks with a camp somewhere in between. Obviously we'd be thinking of as ultralight as possible with probably a bit of gear sharing.

Definites:
Jonno
666_Pack
MG1
Billy_Backpack
Chris_8764

Possibles:
UlsterWalker
Suspectmonkey
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - Jan09
Post by: 666_pack on December 09, 2009: I'm in. Was talking to Gareth and date wise how about 23-24?
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - Jan09
Post by: RedLeader on December 09, 2009: Quote from: 666_pack on December 09, 2009
I'm in. Was talking to Gareth and date wise how about 23-24?

Sounds as good a place to start as any. Of course, I'll have to get permission from the chief first.
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - Jan09
Post by: 666_pack on December 09, 2009: still gonna be tough but really looking forward to this now...... ;D
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - Jan09
Post by: RedLeader on December 09, 2009: Still, it's easier going further in the flat than shorter up a mountain.
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - Jan09
Post by: RedLeader on December 11, 2009: So lets talk gear and food!
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - Jan09
Post by: 666_pack on December 11, 2009: Quote from: jonno on December 11, 2009
So lets talk gear and food!

total calories for a 12 stone man to walk 40km = 2,726 calories

so you'd heed 1500 calories per day on top of your 2500 RDA.
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - Jan09
Post by: RedLeader on December 11, 2009: Quote from: 666_pack on December 11, 2009
Quote from: jonno on December 11, 2009
So lets talk gear and food!

total calories for a 12 stone man to walk 40km = 2,726 calories

so you'd heed 1500 calories on top of your 2500 RDA.

Or a sedan chair and two fit blokes from Portadown to carry you on it :)
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - Jan2010
Post by: 666_pack on December 11, 2009: yes oh forum master we are but your humble servents ;D
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - Jan2010
Post by: 666_pack on December 11, 2009: don't think food will be that much off an issues as we can pick it up enroute only have to worry about what we eat before we bed down, same with water as we pass through a fair few towns.

Gear will be the same as always apart from on the old feet as I will probably opt for trainners as we'll be on paths.
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - Jan2010
Post by: ulsterwalker on December 11, 2009: Not to rain on your parade but I would maybe consider doing a different walk than the Lecale Way. Its got great parts to it, no doubt, but also has shed loads of road to be walked (as do quite considerable parts of the Ulster Way). Parts of the coastal paths have became quite overgrown and a bit of battling was needed during the summer, might have died down a bit by now though.

If you go forward with walking it you could do so picking up food on your way, and also make it into a bit of a staggering pub walk. For water get it refilled in whatever pub is closest, I always had a pint in any establishment I asked for water in, for courtesy's sake ;) I would recommend dropping in at the Minerstown Tavern, me and Alan dropped in while walking the Ulster Way and got a great reception. It looked closed but there were a couple of peeps in and we ended up getting a couple pints donated to the cause and also the piss taken out of us :D One of the guys in the pub even let us two stinky walkers sleep in his caravan and sorted us with breakfast as well! Also witnessed "skittles" being played something I'm sure quite a few people ain't seen or heard of before!

For camping from St Johns point round to Killough falls in around the right millage and offers plenty of opportunities to get a tent up and probably a bit of sea fishing or maybe swimming if you are a bit crazy in the head.

If I were to spend 2 days walking and wanted to do circa 40 miles I'd look at the Moyle Way, starting at Glenariff forest crosing Trostan and then through various forests, moorland and bogs before finishing in Ballycastle for the night. Its a nice enough section and probably the most consistently wild/off road part of the Ulster Way.
Finding your way through the forest before coming to Trostan is quite "fun" as the markers are tacked onto the actual trees, the fact that I found that entertaining might have something to do with having spent too much time in my own company. I ended up camping just down from Trostan in the worst rain I saw during the walk on the worst pitch of the walk in the least mountain worthy tent I have slept in, fun times.

From Ballycastle The Giants Causeway is 18 and a half miles following mainly the coastal path but also at the beginning quite a busy B road. The coastal path is definately one of the best sections of the Ulster Way and highly recommended for anyone who hasn't done it. If you wanted to hit your 20 miles then another couple miles would take you into Portballintrae or Bushmills.

That would be my suggestion anyways, even if it means you can only frequent a pub at the very end of each day, which is probably not too bad a thing.

*edited to remove profanity, thought it was a bit much
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - Jan2010
Post by: NeilB on December 13, 2009: so whats happening guys? are we still doing a 40 miler?

moyle way sounds good but im up for either
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - Jan2010
Post by: RedLeader on December 13, 2009: I have official permission so I'm in!
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - Jan2010
Post by: chris on December 13, 2009: are those dates def 100% then? i'll book it off work, been slamed at the min been missin gettin out with you guys. as always I don't care where we go. Does this mean we've given up on the bivvy challange? ;D
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - Jan2010
Post by: RedLeader on December 14, 2009: Quote from: chris_8764 on December 13, 2009
are those dates def 100% then? i'll book it off work, been slamed at the min been missin gettin out with you guys. as always I don't care where we go. Does this mean we've given up on the bivvy challange? ;D

Okay then - the 23-24 Jan suit me too so we'll pencil it in as the official date. I still think the Lecale is the one to do - Ulsterwalker has a few bad points but my main interest is something longer but on the flat so this being coastal ticks all my boxes plus a bit of road walking doesn't bother me.

The bivvy challenge has to be 80km+ over 2 nights so I'm still game for it - we should do it next - this can be our warm up.
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: MG1 on December 14, 2009: I'm in too guys the dates suit me.
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: billy backpack on December 17, 2009: I'm in and can't wait ;D
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: RedLeader on December 18, 2009: Quote from: billy backpack on December 17, 2009
I'm in and can't wait ;D

Good lad... I thought you'd dropped off the face of the earth!
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: billy backpack on December 30, 2009: Have we any idea of numbers yet and what about start points, times, kit etc or is it a bit early to plan :D
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: chris on January 01, 2010: Quote from: billy backpack on December 30, 2009
Have we any idea of numbers yet and what about start points, times, kit etc or is it a bit early to plan :D

Too early to plan! its never to early. Maybe its just me but I love the planning stage, nearly more than the actually plan!
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: ulsterwalker on January 02, 2010: I'll pencil myself in as a possible, however, if the weather looks like its gonna be 24/7 aids I'll probably bin it. Getting a bit soft in my old age!
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - Jan09
Post by: billy backpack on January 03, 2010: Quote from: jonno on December 11, 2009
So lets talk gear and food!

What about this kit sharing any further thoughts ?
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: billy backpack on January 03, 2010: Quote from: ulsterwalker on January 02, 2010
Getting a bit soft in my old age!

After sleeping in a snow hole in Scotland ;)
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: ulsterwalker on January 03, 2010: I would like to point out that it was an igloo not a snowhole! ;) ;D

Clearly the joints got smoothed off with excess to snow to give it a smooth exterior and that lovely iced gem igloo look! Probably could have slept 4 or 5 people if there were enough people willing to give up their beds for the night.

(http://i1017.photobucket.com/albums/af292/ulsterwalker/PC274093.jpg)

(http://i1017.photobucket.com/albums/af292/ulsterwalker/PC284107.jpg)

The snow is quite pleasant to be in and even though it was -10 that night it felt quite warm, It felt warmer in bonnie Scotland with a couple inches of snow on the ground than it does over here, whatever thats about I don't know.

I'll stick by my last post and say that if the weather is proper dump I'll busy myself in a public house somewhere instead of getting soaked to the bottom.
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - Jan09
Post by: RedLeader on January 04, 2010: Quote from: billy backpack on January 03, 2010
Quote from: jonno on December 11, 2009
So lets talk gear and food!

What about this kit sharing any further thoughts ?

I'd take my Banshee 300 and share. Seems stupid to all bring one man tents.
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: 666_pack on January 04, 2010: ahh it's good to be back hope you all hade a great christmas.
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: 666_pack on January 04, 2010: there also room in my tadpole.
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: billy backpack on January 04, 2010: Well looks like thats 5 bods sorted, how many are goin ? what about cookin ?
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: MG1 on January 07, 2010: Do we have a numbers yet for this trip, Where we camping? what way we working the cars?
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: RedLeader on January 07, 2010: I've amended the first post. Looks like 5 definites and a few possibles.
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: RedLeader on January 13, 2010: Think it would be a good time to make some final-ish plans for our walk on the 23rd.

First order of business - stick with the Lecale Way which Keith has pointed out is largely road or switch to The Moyle Way instead which would be a more fun off piste track taking in the hills of Antrim and would possibly allow an overnight camp in a forest.

My vote goes with The Moyle as I don't fancy miles down the side of a road and if it goes south we can all head for Andys for bacon sarnies :)

Details on the Moyle Way here:
http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=756.0
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: 666_pack on January 13, 2010: one thing I will say is that there was a serious amount of snow on trostan and the section of the moyle way we used and with this milder weather there will be some serious melt and alot of excess water about(read boggy as hell)......I still think the lecale way should go ahead.
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: ulsterwalker on January 13, 2010: I think as 666_pack has suggested the condition for walking the Moyle way might not be great. There was quite a lot of bog hopping in the middle of summer so god knows what it'll be like when the snow melts and the weather returns to constant rain? However the alternative is quite a lot of road walking, but at least you're fairly guaranteed of actually covering the distance, even if your knees do disintegrate into the tarmac.
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: 666_pack on January 13, 2010: Quote from: jonno on January 13, 2010
Think it would be a good time to make some final-ish plans for our walk on the 23rd.

First order of business - stick with the Lecale Way which Keith has pointed out is largely road or switch to The Moyle Way instead which would be a more fun off piste track taking in the hills of Antrim and would possibly allow an overnight camp in a forest.

My vote goes with The Moyle as I don't fancy miles down the side of a road and if it goes south we can all head for Andys for bacon sarnies :)
Details on the Moyle Way here:
http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=756.0

Come on jonno if you don't have faith in your own route how do you expect others to follow?

It'll be fine and we can always stop for a pint on the lecale way.(http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/party/party0016.gif)(http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/party/party0012.gif)
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: RedLeader on January 14, 2010: No worries, I'm game to give the Lecale a burn.

I've rechecked the route and I'm vaguely confident that WalkNI.com is wrong as their map starts in Downpatrick when the walk should start in Raholp - someone might want to double check that.

Keith says that St Johns Point round from Killough is roughly half way and would be suitable for camping. That would mean we could carry no proper food and stock up as we passed through which would be an interesting idea. Alternatively we could just have dinner in the nearest boozer but I'm not sure how easy getting tents sorted would be in the dark when we don't know the area so that might be time dependant.

Planning wise we need to work out who's driving and where we can safely leave cars.
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: billy backpack on January 14, 2010: We are def goin to have to sort out a time for an early start, and a system for the retrieval of vehicles. Are we any clearer on numbers yet or is it still the same as per the updated 1st post on this thread ? It's just so that we can sort out if everyone is flying solo or if we can work out how to carry less ;D
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: 666_pack on January 15, 2010: would it work if we all meet at Newcastle leave some cars then drive to the start point?........are am i just stating the obvious.
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: RedLeader on January 15, 2010: Quote from: 666_pack on January 15, 2010
would it work if we all meet at Newcastle leave some cars then drive to the start point?........are am i just stating the obvious.

Yep, sounds like a plan. I'm going to try and get a drive down this Sunday to check the start, finish and camp points.
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: suspectmonkey on January 15, 2010: I should know if I am free for this by the end of this weekend, so will confirm then if thats okay. Got some over time going on at work currently, but given the choice I know what I'd rather be doing ;)
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: 666_pack on January 15, 2010: your more than welcome to come along mate.
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: RedLeader on January 15, 2010: Quote from: suspectmonkey on January 15, 2010
I should know if I am free for this by the end of this weekend, so will confirm then if thats okay. Got some over time going on at work currently, but given the choice I know what I'd rather be doing ;)

There's no problems with late decisions, hope you can join us.
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: MG1 on January 16, 2010: Sorry guys i'm going to have to give this one a miss >:(
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: RedLeader on January 16, 2010: Quote from: MG1 on January 16, 2010
Sorry guys i'm going to have to give this one a miss >:(

That sucks. What's up?
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: MG1 on January 16, 2010: Work all the part timers are going to back to uni or have exams, i thought they were off till the following week, but i was wrong >:(
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: 666_pack on January 16, 2010: bad luck stain.....is there no way you can make it?
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: RedLeader on January 16, 2010: Or what if we postpone the Lecale until Feb and just get a night in the Mournes under our belt. Plus Gareth might be able to get up later on Sat.
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: chris on January 17, 2010: any updates on this guys?
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 23/24 Jan 2010
Post by: RedLeader on January 17, 2010: I gave the Lecale a quick drive today and as Keith said, there are huge portions of road with no footpath to be walked so since MG can't make it this weekend I think we'll postpone for a few weeks till it's a bit lighter later in the day. St Johns point looks like an awesome place to camp but I wouldn't like to hit it in the dark in winter not knowing where to pitch.

I'm still itching for a weekends camping so I've started a new thread here for planning:
http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=781
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 2010
Post by: 666_pack on January 17, 2010: i'm still a bit in the dark as to why this has been put on hold......we all had a fair idea as of the terrain but i post what i think is suitable alternative in the linked thread. but i do think all involved with the trip should decide if it's off. there my still be people who wanna do it.
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 2010
Post by: RedLeader on January 17, 2010: MG1 can't go and I thought we'd want to do it when everyone could go. If everyone still wants to try it then I'm still game, it just seemed more sensible to postpone. There are a few logistical issues. I couldn't find anywhere suitable to leave a car overnight at Raholp and Gareth would have been one of the cars at the the finish. Also at St Johns Point on the lighthouse side are no tresspassing warning signs. There may be places to camp on the other side but it would be sketchy to get organised in the dark without having checked it out in advance.
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 2010
Post by: 666_pack on January 18, 2010: I take it form the activity of this thread we are putting this on hold then.......looks like we might need to reece a few sections but I take it it will go ahead at some point.
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 2010
Post by: MikeD on March 04, 2010: I'm up for this walk too... 8)
Title: Re: Walk the Lecale Way - 2010
Post by: darren on January 20, 2011: is this walk going to be done again this year.??
anyone have ideas for any other walks.