Mourne Way - Jan 2012

[Matthew]

Excellent trip, well the first day up to the incline at Spelga pass, when my first dealing with cramp set in right down the inside of my right thigh.  A break sorted this out but that was really the name of the game from then on in, stop start stop start.

Just like the last time I did this walk, some navigational errors crept in and this can be seen from GPS info.

Red is the Mourne way route
Blue Black our route



As soon as we had our camp setup and a good feed in us my mood brightened and forgetting the rain it was a good night to sat around a fire with a bunch of good mates. On the other side my Rab neutrino sleeping bag was excellent and am very impressed after its first outing.
Well done to all the guys for finishing in ardours conditions. 

[Spud]

On the sofa after a huge sunday dinner, think i have just about dried out! Cracking night and day, despite the weather today! Well done to all who participated, was good to meet you all! Thanks to Alan and Liam for the lifts, to Chris for the tea and dave for the pint! Gents all! Hope to get out with yous all again in the future (when my legs recover!  )

[LandyLiam]

I parked at meelmore lodge this morning and dandered towards fofanny knowing there was a fair to middlin chance i would bump into the ni-wild posse.



the murky view from meelmore



met them near the happy valley car park




this was the easier of the river crossings






i talked them into a little detour (i didn't have to ask twice  )



drool



there were 3 of them before June cooked the fry 



onwards into tollymore forest



a quick check of the map (i find forests very hard to navigate in)



in many parts the mourne way is poorly marked, but here it just gets ridiculous 



craigy dances across the stepping stones in spectacular style
(look close to see the level of that water against his foot!)






THE END 

[Craigy123]

I love Matthews new name. It seems I have become the NI wild action man....or circus monkey. I'll leave that one open. I laugh in the face of the bog of despair. 

[twentyclicks]

Excellent work guys! Good to see you all finish and have a bit of fun despite the drenching.
Very sneaky detour though... wonder can I order a sausage/bacon bap to be ready for me at the end of the meelmore lane when I pass in June 

[Kayakgirl]

Damp Gelert solo for sale.. Only used once needs new poles lol..

[Spud]

Some pics I took on my phone, quality not great!

Chat round the fire



Day slowly breaks






Alan and Dave doing their dishes



Hotel Fofanny



The forest suite







Follow the arrows



View from nearer the reservoir



Another potential campspot





On site spa with jacuzzi and power shower

[Rumblebum]

A big thank you to all who made it this weekend, we really did have some serious crack between us. That was 1badass day lol, but im ready for our next adventure

[Spud]

A big thank you to all who made it this weekend, we really did have some serious crack between us. That was 1badass day lol, but im ready for our next adventure

Well said that man!

[whoRya]

Jeepers lads looks like you ended up back in that Headhunters bar, as happy as he may look, yer man is a rocket, glad you got out ok!



Sounds like a good trip folks, always interesting to read/hear the craic.  I was very jealous yesterday, when I looked out today...not so much!  Fair play all of you.

[Al Fresco]

I went to Newcastle today, the weather was horrific 
quick change of plan, and I have to say the classic car show in the Slieve Donard hotel was great

[RedLeader]

Great stuff guys, looks like we missed a cracker on Sunday, interesting to see Liam managed to join the group somewhere between the hard part of the walk and the boozer

I was pretty pleased with Saturdays dander, was just short of 14 miles and although my feet were sore the last 4 miles or so, I was dandy once I got a seat. Man was I jealous of the steaks though, the dried food just isn't a substitute and should be saved for endurance events and zombie invasion!

[LennyJ1]

That last bit of saturday was a killer to go up, my legs are feeling it today, was weird taking of my pack on sunday, almost floated away.

Would go back and do it tomorrow.  (after a 2 lol)

[BrianT]

Hi,
Congrats. to all -I'm sure that even with the sore legs and all you look back and get that great sence of achievement and can't wait for the next one .I'm jealous ! I was looking any advice on route as I'm planning a charity hike of full route in one day in March.I will be travelling a lot lighter than yourselves and will probably have a few friends along with me .I intend doing the route from Newcastle back to Rostrevor and would appreciate any first hand knowledge.Is route good as it is marked or should I make any detours?

[LandyLiam]

my shoulders hurt today, which is strange as i wasn't carrying a rucksack  so god knows how you poor guys feel