Slieve Moughanmore - Friday 21 Nov 14

[whoRya]

Are strangers welcome on this?

I promise I'm not scary 

If so, what time are you all planning on departing at?

You're no stranger, you're on NI Wild!  Although I do have a personal rule of not sharing a tent on the first outing, beware others who don't have that rule 

I think there are a couple of weather-watchers waiting to declare their hand and another who is feeling a bit under the weather but may make it out still.  Fred and I should hopefully be travelling together.

Obviously there have been a couple of routes mentioned, amongst other possible ones.  The NI Wild way can be to come from all sorts of directions to meet up somewhere.

My preference would still be to head in from the Hen/Pigeon Rock track since it is probably the shorter of the two routes and I don't want to push my luck with an injury I'm carrying at the moment.  It would also save a wee bit of time for the walk out and the drive home the next day...commitments and all that.

I'd hope to be down there for about 8:15pm, to set off shortly after.

What were the thoughts of some of you other guys?  Would you be more keen to approach from Attical?  Or are you hoping to stay in and have a bath in baked beans instead

[Fred]

Are strangers welcome on this?

I promise I'm not scary 

If so, what time are you all planning on departing at?

How do you know that we aren't scary? The last stranger that turned up on one of our trips was eaten!

fred

[Rumblebum]

Are strangers welcome on this?

I promise I'm not scary 

If so, what time are you all planning on departing at?

How do you know that we aren't scary? The last stranger that turned up on one of our trips was eaten!
fred

Your right Fred, it's hard for anyone to tell tales, when their dead! Remember, leave no trace

[RedLeader]

Well I don't know about eating strangers but Landyliam's dog once ate my chicken which I think is infinitely worse!

Are strangers welcome on this?

I promise I'm not scary 

If so, what time are you all planning on departing at?

How do you know that we aren't scary? The last stranger that turned up on one of our trips was eaten!

fred

[Spud]

Are strangers welcome on this?

I promise I'm not scary 

If so, what time are you all planning on departing at?

You're no stranger, you're on NI Wild!  Although I do have a personal rule of not sharing a tent on the first outing, beware others who don't have that rule 

I think there are a couple of weather-watchers waiting to declare their hand and another who is feeling a bit under the weather but may make it out still.  Fred and I should hopefully be travelling together.

Obviously there have been a couple of routes mentioned, amongst other possible ones.  The NI Wild way can be to come from all sorts of directions to meet up somewhere.

My preference would still be to head in from the Hen/Pigeon Rock track since it is probably the shorter of the two routes and I don't want to push my luck with an injury I'm carrying at the moment.  It would also save a wee bit of time for the walk out and the drive home the next day...commitments and all that.

I'd hope to be down there for about 8:15pm, to set off shortly after.

What were the thoughts of some of you other guys?  Would you be more keen to approach from Attical?  Or are you hoping to stay in and have a bath in baked beans instead

I wanted to have a bath in baked beans, but rumblebum burnt them on the fire! [emoji2]
I am still a possible for this, will keep you posted!

[RedLeader]

Sorry guys, looks like I'm out of this one. Is going to be a bit relentlessly moist to be taking the boy out at night.

[Fred]

That's a shame. Miserable nights in the rain are always better shared.

fred

[whoRya]

I've got a micro-tarp packed Fred, it doesn't need to be miserable and besides the forecast gives 10% chance of dry weather 

[Spud]

Lads I'm not gonna make it out tonight, good luck have a good un!

[Fred]

Those of you who dropped out missed a memorable night. There are worse ways to spend a Friday night but not many. Graeme and I headed up as planned in spite of the poor weather. Conditions were quite unpleasant with wind driven heavy rain, as forecast, which had turned most of the track into a shallow river. Although it had been raining for several hours, I was surprised by the high volume of water coming off the hills. We eventually reached a point where a swollen river was crossing our track which was not negotiable. Attempts to skirt around it failed so with regret we retreated to the relative shelter of trees at Leitrim Lodge. It was quite disappointing since we had suffered a couple of hours plodding in the rain without the reward of a summit camp. A hot brew up and the heat of a firelog lifted our spirits at the end of the night though.
This morning we made a quick and pleasant ascent of Rocky mountain in drier conditions. The summit has several good potential camping spots and would be worth considering for a future overnighter. Nobody got pregnant and we didn't eat anyone so I suppose it was a good trip. Thanks to Graeme for planning this but never again!

The problem with the great outdoors is that its pish!
Fred

[LandyLiam]

Karma for sticking that one out     while driving home from work last night I was seriously considering joining you to test out my new bivvy tent, my wife even encouraged me to go out  but after a last look at the forecast I wimped out, good thing too as I got a call at 6am to go into work 

[Rumblebum]

Lol, fred I have to say you last three lines have made me laugh hard, we done mate for having a try!

Will we be seeing you at the christmas camp?

[specimanYak]

Fair play to you guys. That's a wonderful write-up of a wretched night. Karma.

[whoRya]

I fought the rain and the rain won.

Good summing up Fred.  Not a trip for getting camera out of the rucksack.  Rocky Mountain was a pleasant climb and very different on top to what I was expecting.

A nice stretch of the legs, but no classic.  Sod's law of course, last night was a beautiful starry night. 

[Fred]

Will we be seeing you at the christmas camp?

Im not sure if I can make the Christmas camp, I have a couple of other engagements on that weekend. Of course if there's torrential rain forecast, it might be hard to resist!

Fred