Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => Meets, places, trips and reviews => Topic started by: RedLeader on March 29, 2010

Title: Easter 2010 Fri/Sat Overnighter 2/3 Apr
Post by: RedLeader on March 29, 2010
We will be doing an overnighter from Fri - Sat 3rd & 4th Apr - location undecided, route undecided.

In the event of no suggestions we will likely start at Meelmore and walk to Annalong Wood either over Hares Gap/Beg/Cove/Lamagan/Binnian or Hares Gap/Brandy Pad/Annalong Valley.

Contact me for info.
Title: Re: Easter 2010
Post by: MikeD on March 29, 2010
Hopefully, I'm gonna go to the Wicklow Mountains for a few days.   Picked up a second hand book called The Wicklow Way, it seems odd that - that book- was  in that shop - it must have been a sign.....
Title: Re: Easter 2010
Post by: suspectmonkey on March 29, 2010
Well me and Kat are off to Scotland on Saturday to start our week on the West Highland Way.  Thought would check the long range forecast, but then I saw this (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8591688.stm) on the BBC News website :)  Actually, I'm hoping the weather will be bad this week as it increases the chances* of it being better the following week.

*No scientific evidence to back this up I'm afraid, purely instinctive!

Quote
A blast of wintry weather is expected to hit parts of the UK later this week, dashing hopes for some sunshine as British Summer Time gets under way.  The Met Office has issued an early weather warning for Tuesday as heavy rain and snow is expected to fall over northern England and southern Scotland.  BBC Weather's Liam Dutton said hilly areas could see up to 50mm (2ins) of rain or 20cm (8ins) of snow.  Meanwhile, temperatures may drop to close to freezing in some parts.  Areas expected to be worst hit include Darlington, Durham, Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish borders.

Mike, I've been looking in to doing the Wicklow Way as well, so make sure you let us know how you get on.  I wasnt quite sure what the situation would be with camping, but from what I gather if you are going to be in a tent it may require some stealth :)  Definitely a sign finding that guide book though, you gotta do it now!

Hopefully, I'm gonna go to the Wicklow Mountains for a few days.   Picked up a second hand book called The Wicklow Way, it seems odd that - that book- was  in that shop - it must have been a sign.....
Title: Re: Easter 2010
Post by: MG1 on March 29, 2010
What about a day at a climbing wall?
Title: Re: Easter 2010
Post by: suspectmonkey on March 29, 2010
What about a day at a climbing wall?

That reminds me I meant to make a new thread about that! (http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=958.0)
Title: Re: Easter 2010
Post by: chris on March 29, 2010
What about a day at a climbing wall?

I'm in!
Title: Re: Easter 2010
Post by: RedLeader on March 29, 2010
Looks like me and Billy Backpack are going to try and get a tramp/camp sorted on Friday-Saturday. As usual, allcomers welcome!

At the moment we're thinking of the Annalong Horseshoe (the one over Binnian rather than through the Annalong Valley). Route would be starting at Carrick Little car park going over Binnian, Lamagan, Cove, Beg, Brandy Pad, Rocky and finishing in Annalong Wood for an overnighter. Next day either just straight back down to Carrick Little or back over Rocky and down the Glen River to Newcastle. It's quite an ambitious route but worth a try I think.

We're thinking of parking at Newcastle and getting a taxi to the start point as it's a notoriously dodgy spot for car thieves.

Allcomers welcome of course.
Title: Re: Easter 2010 Trip Ideas
Post by: chris on March 29, 2010
Hmmmm... Think I might be climbing at fairhead on friday however this is weather permitting. I'f Im back in time I might try and get down to the forest, if I can't join you for the walk.
Title: Re: Easter 2010
Post by: MG1 on March 30, 2010
Looks like me and Billy Backpack are going to try and get a tramp/camp sorted on Friday-Saturday. As usual, allcomers welcome!

At the moment we're thinking of the Annalong Horseshoe (the one over Binnian rather than through the Annalong Valley). Route would be starting at Carrick Little car park going over Binnian, Lamagan, Cove, Beg, Brandy Pad, Rocky and finishing in Annalong Wood for an overnighter. Next day either just straight back down to Carrick Little or back over Rocky and down the Glen River to Newcastle. It's quite an ambitious route but worth a try I think.

We're thinking of parking at Newcastle and getting a taxi to the start point as it's a notoriously dodgy spot for car thieves.

With a trek like mate, it looks like your preparing for CMD arette  ;)
Title: Re: Easter 2010
Post by: RedLeader on March 30, 2010
Considering how bad the weather is looking I'm trying to persuade Andy to do something a little easier. It's supposed to be rain and snow right through the week so I daresay there'll be a few new rivers about ::)

Looks like me and Billy Backpack are going to try and get a tramp/camp sorted on Friday-Saturday. As usual, allcomers welcome!

At the moment we're thinking of the Annalong Horseshoe (the one over Binnian rather than through the Annalong Valley). Route would be starting at Carrick Little car park going over Binnian, Lamagan, Cove, Beg, Brandy Pad, Rocky and finishing in Annalong Wood for an overnighter. Next day either just straight back down to Carrick Little or back over Rocky and down the Glen River to Newcastle. It's quite an ambitious route but worth a try I think.

We're thinking of parking at Newcastle and getting a taxi to the start point as it's a notoriously dodgy spot for car thieves.

With a trek like mate, it looks like your preparing for CMD arette  ;)
Title: Re: Easter 2010 Trip Ideas
Post by: NeilB on March 31, 2010
Have you and andy decided what you guys are going to do now mate? Still the trek you had planned or some else?

Also thinking there if climbing wall for a day has been mentioned, what about days climbing wall down at tollymore it's a good wall also. 
Title: Re: Easter 2010 Trip Ideas
Post by: RedLeader on April 01, 2010
The weather has been so changeable we can't decide what to do. We're definitely doing an overnighter somewhere, just not sure where.

Have you and andy decided what you guys are going to do now mate? Still the trek you had planned or some else?

Also thinking there if climbing wall for a day has been mentioned, what about days climbing wall down at tollymore it's a good wall also. 
Title: Re: Easter 2010 Trip Ideas
Post by: LeeBeard on April 01, 2010
Im busting to get out for an overnighter,   but tis a bit far for me at the min. Guess this means i can spend friday and sat marking coursework instead... whoop whoop! :'(

have a great time.

p.s canoeing was much fun thanks

Lee
Title: Re: Easter 2010 Trip Ideas
Post by: RedLeader on April 01, 2010
Was great to meet you. I'm defo up for the canoeing again - next time its the kayaks down the white water course rather than gentle paddling!

Im busting to get out for an overnighter,   but tis a bit far for me at the min. Guess this means i can spend friday and sat marking coursework instead... whoop whoop! :'(

have a great time.

p.s canoeing was much fun thanks

Lee
Title: Re: Easter 2010 Trip Ideas
Post by: RedLeader on April 01, 2010
We're not doing the Annalong Horseshoe now as the weather has been a bit wet and we're not sure what the conditions will be like. If anyone else fancies a trip let me know - we are still definitely doing an overnighter somewhere and we're open to suggestions as to where and either with or without a walk.

In the event of no suggestions we will likely start at Meelmore and walk to Annalong Wood either over Hares Gap/Beg/Cove/Lamagan/Binnian or Hares Gap/Brandy Pad/Annalong Valley.

Some potential routes attached to this post.
Title: Re: Easter 2010 Fri/Sat Overnighter
Post by: billy backpack on April 01, 2010
The route choices look really good I just hope the weather holds !
Title: Re: Easter 2010 Fri/Sat Overnighter 2/3 Apr
Post by: 666_pack on April 01, 2010
sorry I'm missing this one lads.  :(
Title: Re: Easter 2010 Fri/Sat Overnighter 2/3 Apr
Post by: billy backpack on April 01, 2010
Ah come on, I'm sure you could work something out  ;)
Title: Re: Easter 2010 Fri/Sat Overnighter 2/3 Apr
Post by: NeilB on April 01, 2010
So is that the final route guys, and what time are you setting out on friday
Title: Re: Easter 2010 Fri/Sat Overnighter 2/3 Apr
Post by: RedLeader on April 01, 2010
We'll pick one of the 3 potential routes at the Castles depending on the weather. Not sure about leaving time - probably as early as we can all meet up.

So is that the final route guys, and what time are you setting out on friday
Title: Re: Easter 2010 Fri/Sat Overnighter 2/3 Apr
Post by: billy backpack on April 01, 2010
So is that the final route guys, and what time are you setting out on friday

Are you contemplating joining us for some fun ?
Title: Re: Easter 2010 Fri/Sat Overnighter 2/3 Apr
Post by: NeilB on April 01, 2010
I was mate until i realised that fri-sat is not going to happen, bloody nursery is closed tomorrow, they charge about 135 a week to keep the wee man then close when i need them.
I took last couple of days off and friday to use up annual leave I was going to lose, will try and meet up with you guys sat morning
Title: Re: Easter 2010 Fri/Sat Overnighter 2/3 Apr
Post by: RedLeader on April 01, 2010
All other things being equal we should be in Annalong Wood somewhere.

I was mate until i realised that fri-sat is not going to happen, bloody nursery is closed tomorrow, they charge about 135 a week to keep the wee man then close when i need them.
I took last couple of days off and friday to use up annual leave I was going to lose, will try and meet up with you guys sat morning
Title: Re: Easter 2010 Fri/Sat Overnighter 2/3 Apr
Post by: NeilB on April 01, 2010
with the skull and cross-bones flying lol!

give me a marker to go for
Title: Re: Easter 2010 Fri/Sat Overnighter 2/3 Apr
Post by: Matthew on April 01, 2010
Raging, why do I just get back from holiday to find that meets have been arranged, typical......


Matthew
Title: Re: Easter 2010 Fri/Sat Overnighter 2/3 Apr
Post by: RedLeader on April 01, 2010
I'm not bringing it this weekend. Not carrying any more than I have to :D

with the skull and cross-bones flying lol!

give me a marker to go for
Title: Re: Easter 2010 Fri/Sat Overnighter 2/3 Apr
Post by: chris on April 01, 2010
I'm not bringing it this weekend. Not carrying any more than I have to :D

with the skull and cross-bones flying lol!

give me a marker to go for

yeah that gram might tip you over the edge! Sre you shed all that weight from your ruck sack you can afford to carry yor flag and the D3000!
Title: Re: Easter 2010 Fri/Sat Overnighter 2/3 Apr
Post by: NeilB on April 03, 2010
Well how did the overnighter go guys
Title: Re: Easter 2010 Fri/Sat Overnighter 2/3 Apr
Post by: billy backpack on April 03, 2010
The camp was awsome but the getting there was another epic adventure !

J should have the actual route up soon, as I think it might be a tad different to what we thought  ;D

Conditions in the Mournes on Friday were truly awful ... rain, sleet and high winds with severely limited visibility. Underfoot was snow, ice and lots of bog !

To do Beg, Cove and Lamagan given the conditions was not going to happen (it would have been achievable but there were lots of other factors that had to be considered).It was pretty hard going and reminded me of the last Mourne wall attempt but with snow and ice ! We struggled hard all day against the elements and could hardly lift our head and eyes up because of the driving sleet and to see Annalong wood appear was a real boost.

At one point J couldn't feel his fingers and leebeard had gone over that many times he had done real damage around his knee and had to go real slow and use two walking poles just to be able to continue !

It was a real good hike imo and it's just a pity we couldn't get more peeps on it.

Title: Re: Easter 2010 Fri/Sat Overnighter 2/3 Apr
Post by: chris on April 03, 2010
brings back the memories of the morne wal attempt! That whole knee business sounds nasty mate, hope its nothing serious.
Title: Re: Easter 2010 Fri/Sat Overnighter 2/3 Apr
Post by: billy backpack on April 03, 2010
Lee was limping pretty bad this morning I just hope it dosn't put him off as yesterday was a real baptism of fire !

Title: Re: Easter 2010 Fri/Sat Overnighter 2/3 Apr
Post by: RedLeader on April 03, 2010
This is the route. Am absolutely knackered but it was an awesome weekend. Another classic :D
Title: Re: Easter 2010 Fri/Sat Overnighter 2/3 Apr
Post by: LeeBeard on April 06, 2010
Well im still alive,

Knee was sore until i woke up this morning so it couldn't have been anything too serious.

Baptism of fire is right, that was tough going. But i enjoyed it and i sure wont forget it any time soon. Loved waking up in the sunny forest... lovely

Thanks Guys

Lee
Title: Re: Easter 2010 Fri/Sat Overnighter 2/3 Apr
Post by: RedLeader on April 07, 2010
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