I NEED THE HILLS

[MG1]

I haven't been able to get out much this year and its starting to crack me up, but it seams there are only a few on here getting into the hills as well?

Anyone any thing planned for the summer months?

I think we need some epic trips planned

[Oisín]

I'd love this summer to be full of camping.

I would love to meet up on a camping trip!

[LandyLiam]

I'm still getting up the hills once a week but its always just a quick jaunt up only 1 mountain, looking forward to a few epic weekenders this summer.

[surfnscenic]

Agreed.  All the routine mundane things that life has to offer is getting in the way-work, domestic tasks, to name a few.  Feel like running away to a mud hut with running water nearby.  Anyone else coming?

[LandyLiam]

does it have broadband 

[surfnscenic]

That's an optional extra.  The bad news is that people would be able to get you.  Escape, escape don't have anything.  Well maybe one or two little luxuries.  perhaps I'll start a new thread:- "What three items would you bring to a deserted mud hut for a one month stay?"  Electrical or other powered item excluded.

[Paul72]

Agreed.  All the routine mundane things that life has to offer is getting in the way-work, domestic tasks, to name a few.  Feel like running away to a mud hut with running water nearby.  Anyone else coming?

I have the exact same feeling but I'd prefer a log cabin!

[RedLeader]

I'm in the same boat, can't seem to find any time. Think this year will be day hikes and quick camping overnighters! Lets get the Devils Coachroad lined up.

[whoRya]

I was taking the opportunity of a family break down in Sligo this weekend to get out and charge up a hill in an unfamiliar part of the country.  Not all went to plan.

Aware of stories of access issues in and around the area, I was closely following others experiences and picked a route I thought was able to afford me the opportunity for a quick up and down the hill of Benbulbin.  Indeed another walker seemed to use this route just a few weeks earlier.  

I set off up a track passing farmland on either side, climbing steadily towards the open mountainside.  After climbing about 150m I reached the top of the lane and the final gate to be met with this sight (see below post).  Picture courtesy of pquinn572 on mountainviews.ie

As you can see from the picture, it is pretty much open hill past this gate.  Notwithstanding any difficulty actually getting over the gate (barricade) I decided that anyone that would go to such extremes to keep you out would not be best pleased to find you had carried on regardless.  I walked back down the lane to check out the next gate but the uppermost horizontal had barbed wire twisted round it.  The next gate I came to was unprotected but was too far down the hill and would have necessitated me walking through fields and trying to get through hedges and over fences, all the time aware that these fields probably belonged to the same landowner.

I was so angry.  Why block it off?  The track had already given me progression past all the farming land, It's not like I was wanting to tramp over someone's corn field.  Literally no one would have known I'd been there.  
I was left to ponder just whether the privilege of land ownership ought to come with an obligation to permit reasonable access to the upperlands beyond it?

[surfnscenic]

Frustrating to find this.  I'm wondering is there any local history to it.  I mean has this particular landowner had a run in with walkers in the past or is this attitude common in that area?   

[LennyJ1]

I would just carry on. I know that some would disagree but I am a strong beliver that the hils are ther eto be enjoyed and unless the is a danger such as un exploded artilery shells or if its a conservation area they its there to be explored.

[silverback]

I'm in the same boat, can't seem to find any time. Think this year will be day hikes and quick camping overnighters! Lets get the Devils Coachroad lined up.

Done the Devils Coachroad a couple of years ago.  Its was bloody tough, should really have had proper climbing gear as it was 3 point contact most of the way up! 

[LandyLiam]

I was chatting to my wife's uncle today about the devils coachroad, he did it recently, only company he had was the 2 dogs which he had to push up the hill as it was so steep they couldn't get grip! But he said he's not stupid and wouldn't go down it alone 

[whoRya]

Yes there is quite a bit of history in the area.  One of the landowners who calls himself "The Bull" actually got into a spot of bother when he was fined €300 for threatening walkers.  He refused to pay and spent 2 weeks in prison.  I think that spurred others in the area to become awkward also.

The Bull (McSharry) apparently values his land at €5 per metre if used by walkers.  And that is the thrust of it.  "If you want to use my land you can pay for it".  I should note that there was one path through his land that became accessible (a mine track) in 2009, I'm not sure that is still the case.  I thought I was doing well staying away from his land.  It seems others are like-minded.  

Lenny, from some of what I've read you may be risking your car if you just pushed on.

[surfnscenic]

Agreed.  Some landowners take it really seriously and wouldn't hesitate to be forceful.  As well as potentially comitting a civil tresspass they might even allege you have caused criminal damage of some sort.  I think you took the correct action WhoRya.