White Christmas !

[MikeD]

Np Dowser, I'll get 2 - plan to go back on friday, and I'll give him another chance to mend his ways !

[MikeD]

I remember last year, the snow around hares gap was really really deep, and nobody was really walking through it, they were sticking to the Donard Wood side of the wall.   It was waist high.  "Pure Class"

[whoRya]

I remember a fun time jumping off the roof of the lookout hut on top of Donnard into deep snow, mind you it is so long since fresh snow, I'd check it isn't ice first before trying!!

I'm hitting the hills on Wednesday all being well.  I look forward to seeing your efforts.

[twentyclicks]

I was in work this morning at 7 to attack a massive delivery.  Alas, only 3 Mammut Alligator shovels... they're £40 too.

The guy at Smithfield likely wont budge on price... demand is outstripping supply on such items.
We sell out of those Yaktrack grips for the shoes within hours of getting them in: could probably charge twice the price (like Amazon were).

I'll keep an eye on this thread.  Our Christmas plans are all up in the air so I don't know when I'm free.

[MikeD]

2 folding shovels secured.  No discount.

[Dowser]

2 folding shovels secured.  No discount.

Nice one Mike... Bummer about the discount though.  They should be a great addition to our kit snow, or no snow!!!

I'll square you up when I see you next week.  Thanks  

[MikeD]

So what time suits people? Doesn't need to be too early, maybe Donald car park at 2?

Let me know what you think?

[Dowser]

Sorry guys, I'm gonna have to miss this one.  I've just been out for a walk with the dog and I'm really struggling still, with having the flu the last couple of days.  I feel ok in the house, but out in the cold my chest is playing up and I'm overheating ironically!!!  Still a bit feverish.

Sorry again... Never like letting people down 

MikeD... Could you PM me your mobile and I'll give you a shout about collecting my shovel and getting you some dough for it.

[MikeD]

No worries dude

[LandyLiam]

oh no, the snow's melting 

[Matthew]

Lads sorry to say I am out. I have been looking down the big white telephone in the bathroom chatting to HUGH all night, not good times.

Sorry again boys.

Matthew

[Dowser]

Did anyone make it into the hills for this one and was there any snow left when you got there?

[twentyclicks]

I didn't.  Between covering sick people in work and delayed family gatherings I only have Fri & Sat free this week.

There will be a fair number of snow patches where it was deeper or more sheltered, but I reckon it's pretty mucky in general up there at the moment 

[whoRya]

I was up yesterday, starting at Meelmore we went via Trassey Track up Bearnagh, Meelmore and Meelbeg.  Visibility was very poor, we even got disorientated missing the turn off for Hare's Gap instead ending up at the quarry (heading for Pholluca).  Navigation would have been tricky were it not for the wall.  There were only three of us but we lost one whilst scrambling around the summit torr of Bearnagh.  It took a good 15 minutes to meet up again because of the poor visibility and wind.

It was seriously wet, a fair bit of our descent alongside the river between Meelbeg and Sl. Loughshanagh was 'wading' through marsh about half way up our gaiters.  That was at least preferable to taking a higher route with bad visibility.  It never rained as such but was that constant mist that really soaks you through.  I'm beginning to think I attract the stuff!

There was some snow along the wall, as deep as 3 foot in some places, from memory there was most on Meelbeg, the lookout tower on Meelmore (?) was still fairly full of snow.

We only saw about a dozen other walkers the whole day, apart from a large group along the Ulster Way on the way home.

I'm suffering today with a head cold, definately not going there looking for sympathy at home.  You know the craic, self-inflicted