Topic: First time on Bearnagh, Meelmore and Meelbeg (Read 10149 times)

phil_b · « **on:** September 17, 2012 »

Thinking ahead to the Seven Sevens next year, myself and my brother are trying to spend a bit of time doing parts of the route in an attempt to get to know the layout of the mournes and build up fitness at thee same time. I had never been on Bearnagh, Meelmore or Meelbeg before so yesterday was my first time. Leaving the carpark on the Trassey road at 8.30 yesterday morning, we headed up the Trassey Track towards the Hares Gap. The weather was a bit of a mixed bag all day, it varied between mist and low cloud, rain and bright sunshine. Not the best for photography!

Looking towards Hares Gap

DSC_3672091712 by philip blair2011, on Flickr

It was a nice gentle walk to hares gap except for the last few hundred meters. Bearnagh on the right was covered in mist and cloud, not the most welcoming

DSC_3681091712 by philip blair2011, on Flickr

It was a decent climb to the summit past the north tor but we didnt hang about long due to high winds and rain. We followed the wall down in the direction of Meelmore, steep enough descent in places especially where there is a break in the wall. Quick breather at the stile and then up Meelmore which had just a hint of cloud at the summit

DSC_3702091712 by philip blair2011, on Flickr

The sun was out when we reached the summit, my brother posing at the Tower

DSC_3712091712 by philip blair2011, on Flickr

By this time the cloud and mist had cleared from Bearnagh so we had a good view of where we had came from

DSC_3720091712 by philip blair2011, on Flickr

It was a quick descent from Meelmore and looking ahead to Meelbeg

DSC_3731091712 by philip blair2011, on Flickr

Meelbeg was a simple enough ascent and at this stage we felt good and decided to head across country for Ben Crom dam as you would have to do this on the 7 7's. We followed the wall down towards Slieve Loughsgannagh a bit and then headed southeast towards the Ben Crom river and followed this between Doan and Ben Crom

Ben Crom in the center with Lamagan and Binnian in the background

DSC_3746091712 by philip blair2011, on Flickr

There is some nice we waterfalls on the Ben Crom river, i am a sucker for a nice waterfall

DSC_3753091712 by philip blair2011, on Flickr

We eventually branched off east from the river skirting around Ben Crom and came down to Ben Crom Dam nicely

DSC_3760091712 by philip blair2011, on Flickr

I did wonder what would happen if we turned this wheel? How long would it take to drain the reservoir?

DSC_3771091712 by philip blair2011, on Flickr

We then followed the track along the east side of the reservoir to the north end where 2 rivers run into it.

Looking back down the reservoir

DSC_3774091712 by philip blair2011, on Flickr

Un-named river running into the reservoir

DSC_3782091712 by philip blair2011, on Flickr

We crossed both these rivers and followed the track north back towards the Hares Gap. At this stage of the day it was a long drag. Hares Gap is away in the distance to the left (my brother has no patience while i stop to take photos!)

DSC_3797091712 by philip blair2011, on Flickr

From the Hares Gap it was a nice downhill the whole way to the car. I have been told it was around 10 miles in total. I really enjoyed the day and it gave me a good feel for parts of the 7 7's route. I hope someone finds this useful and of interest.

Phil

Hound of Ulster · « **Reply #1 on:** September 17, 2012 »

Reminded me of our Saturday outing, not as fit as you, feeling it today. We went from Happy Valley up Meelbeg, Meelmor and Bernagh and back via Trassey track. Nice photos.

Mourneman · « **Reply #2 on:** September 17, 2012 »

Nice circular route mate with some good photo's ,thanks for sharing,karma earned

Shan Doan · « **Reply #3 on:** September 19, 2012 »

Good write-up and photos Phil. Thanks for sharing.

It's a pain when the mountain weather doesn't play along for the photos, but they look well here.

ARB1000 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 20, 2012 »

I am "the brother" and can I just say I was not posing and at no point did I feel "good" nor do i remember it feel like a "simple enough asent or quick"! can I also say I have not committed to any hair brained idea you have of climbing seven of these in a day, a week maybe! Having said that looking back it doesn't seem as bad now as it did on the day!

phil_b · « **Reply #5 on:** September 20, 2012 »

LOL!

whoRya · « **Reply #6 on:** September 21, 2012 »

Quote from: ARB1000 on September 20, 2012

I am "the brother" and can I just say I was not posing and at no point did I feel "good" nor do i remember it feel like a "simple enough asent or quick"! can I also say I have not committed to any hair brained idea you have of climbing seven of these in a day, a week maybe! Having said that looking back it doesn't seem as bad now as it did on the day!

Sounds like you're hooked fella. I did the 7 7's this year, spent most of it wondering what the heck I was doing there, the next day I started thinking about the following year. Time is a healer.

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Author Topic: First time on Bearnagh, Meelmore and Meelbeg (Read 10149 times)

phil_b

First time on Bearnagh, Meelmore and Meelbeg

Hound of Ulster

Re: First time on Bearnagh, Meelmore and Meelbeg

Mourneman

Re: First time on Bearnagh, Meelmore and Meelbeg

Shan Doan

Re: First time on Bearnagh, Meelmore and Meelbeg

ARB1000

Re: First time on Bearnagh, Meelmore and Meelbeg

phil_b

Re: First time on Bearnagh, Meelmore and Meelbeg

whoRya

Re: First time on Bearnagh, Meelmore and Meelbeg

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