Overnighter - Friday 13th August, Antrim Hills

[suspectmonkey]

After a bit of discussion on the Red Arrows trip I'm trying to get an overnighter organised for this Friday, 13th August.  Usual plan of attack; head up after work on Friday, bivvi and home on Saturday for brunch.

So that's the "what" and "when", now just need to decide the "where"!  Summit camps on Binnian and Doan came up, but I'd be keen to have an overnighter in the Antrim Hills for a change of scenery.  I don't know the area very well, but Agnew's Hill looks like it has potential and can be accessed using the Antrim Hills Way.  There is a car park to the north of Agnew's Hill close to Robin Youngs Hill/Knock Dhu, or there are car parks to the south in Ballyboley Forest.  Not entirely sure of how secure they would be, or if there are any particular access restrictions in the forest park, but I can always give the Forest Service a call about that.

So, anybody interested?  All tents, tarps and bivvi's welcome!

Because we are a bit restricted as to what car parks we can use, we have decided to start out from Laragh Lodge near Glenariff Forest Park.  The route will follow part of the Waterfall Walk in the Forest Park, before joining a section of the Moyle Way.  Camping will be on top of Trostan or thereabouts.

Members going so far:
suspectmonkey
J
LennyJ1

Possibles:
Andy
Chuck

More info:
Antrim Hills Way - http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=51
Section map - http://www.walkni.com/d/walks/51/Antrim_Hills_Way_Section_4.pdf
Agnew's Hill info - http://mountainviews.ie/mv/index.php?mtnindex=533
Moyle Way - http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=187
Section map - http://www.walkni.com/d/walks/187/Moyle_Way_section_6_and_7.pdf
Trostan info - http://mountainviews.ie/mv/index.php?ids=summit_view&mtnindex=361
Laragh Lodge location - http://www.google.com/maps?q=55.018065,-6.098131&num=1&sll=55.040711,-6.063993&sspn=0.027178,0.038935&ie=UTF8&ll=55.019215,-6.097133&spn=0.005905,0.013754&z=16

[RedLeader]

Friday the 13th - not superstitious then?

I'm in for an ultralight bivvy if I can get perms from home. I'm bringing a lucky rabbits foot though!!!!

[LennyJ1]

I will come if I can get a lift.

[RedLeader]

Slemish might be worth a thought.

[suspectmonkey]

Friday the 13th - not superstitious then?

Not at all.  Whats the worst that can happen on a summit bivvi

Slemish might be worth a thought.

Had crossed my mind, but not sure where to park.  There is car park at Slemish but I don't think there would be much walking at all involved.  I did walk some of the route from Glenarm before, but the first few miles out of Glenarm are just an uphill slog on country roads... Zzzz

I will come if I can get a lift.

Whereabouts are you from Lenny?  Might be able to help you out if its en route.

[RedLeader]

Okay, we're considering parking at Larragh Lodge and walking in the general direction of Trostan. We'll probably camp somewhere about the forest.

Map attached.

Edit:
The distance on the map is the round trip, not one way!

[LennyJ1]

I am in North Belfast and have permission to go away this Friday. Can't have the car as I have it next weekend.

Cheers

[suspectmonkey]

I am in North Belfast and have permission to go away this Friday. Can't have the car as I have it next weekend.

Cheers

No problem, we should all be able to travel together so will drop you a PM about making arrangements soon!

Any other takers?  This is a good walk, we did it before and its easy going through a beautiful area of the country.  If you haven't been out in a while then its the perfect time to dust off your gear... and I'm sure there are a few folk who could do with cutting the shop tags and labels from their gear and airing it on the hillside rather than their back garden

[RedLeader]

I'm sure there are a few folk who could do with cutting the shop tags and labels from their gear and airing it on the hillside rather than their back garden

Harsh but fair

[Scribble]

What time would you be aiming to be there at ? I'm working till 8 but could try to sneak away early if possible

[RedLeader]

Hadn't organised a time yet but it's at least an hours drive for me so I couldn't see me being there before 730. I'd gladly sit and have a beer in the lodge waiting for any stragglers

What time would you be aiming to be there at ? I'm working till 8 but could try to sneak away early if possible

[suspectmonkey]

I'd gladly sit and have a beer in the lodge waiting for any stragglers

Thats a top idea... never even crossed my mind!  I'd say 7.30-8pm sounds like a reasonable enough time to meet at, but we can be a bit flexible as we dont have a massive distance to walk or anything.

[Scribble]

Cheers guys I will see what favours I can pull in . Will let you know

[LennyJ1]

I'll be free from 6pm.

[Scribble]

Going by google maps this should take me around an hour from Dromore ,this is postcode I can get bt44 0qx I have no 3G at minute so options limited