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[Ed]

Something I've noticed, on Cavehill in particular, is people (myself included) wearing outdoor gear (like a berghaus, pair of crags, boots and gaiters - nothing too elaborate, I'm not talking a visor and crampons here) getting strange looks or sometimes even a chuckle, from passers-by wearing jeans, a hoodie and a pair of plimsoles.

Anyone else experienced this?

Perhaps it's because cavehill is such a small peak, people think you're "taking it too seriously" - but to my mind being up to your ankles in mud, or soaked in water from a stream in a pair of gutties - is as undignified an experience on cavehill as it is anywhere else. I have to say it doesn't entirely make sense to me.

I see plenty of people about cavehill in outdoor type clothing, gaiters to spare their trouser legs, proper boots to keep their feet dry - I can't say I understand the reaction they receive. Perhaps it's that cavehill is more accessible, I don't tend to see it as much in other places that take a bit more effort to get to.

Curious what others' thoughts are

Ed

[Ed]

I've never experienced that, but I have given it in reverse!  I remember walking the across the bog of donard and seeing a guy in slip on dress shoes, denim and leather jacket 

I think I've met the same bloke, he was out with a woman trying to impress her with his nonchalant approach to hillwalking. When I was getting it tough going at the steep climb to the saddle he starts cracking jokes, laughing and taking pictures (and not in the banter kinda way). I affably reminded him (only half joking) my upper half was still fine and he could have a crack in the jaw if he wanted one.

I got a "ooooh grumpy!" - and we all wound up doubled over with laughter!

[Mourneman]

I've never experienced that, but I have given it in reverse!  I remember walking the across the bog of donard and seeing a guy in slip on dress shoes, denim and leather jacket 

Mate,i would have been running the other way,some strange folk in the hills

[LandyLiam]

just look at this weirdo on donard with jeans and trainers in the snow 

[Drongo]

You should climb Croagh Patrick on Reek Sunday...

I did rescue cover on it two years ago and there were people in Sunday Suits, Flip Flops, Dresses, Barefoot, Chunky Sole Rocker Trainers...

One guy passed us in his underpants and nothing else...!!

It was a gawd awful day too, we ended up lifting 2 people down the whole way as it was too rough for the helicopter...!!

I still wouldn't wear Gaiters on Cavehill though... ;o)

[zootnanook]

One morning during the Christmas week I went up Cavehill and was taking a breather just under the entrances of the caves when this coloured gent came over and started talking to me, he was dressed in trousers,shirt and jacket and had on a 3/4 length tweed overcoat and a pair of slip-on shoes, a very nice man and we chatted for awhile as I caught my breath,he told me he was waiting on some friends and they were going to climb into the first cave !! we shook hands and parted company and I could smell his aftershave on me the rest of the day.....very strange !!

[whoRya]

This topic has come up on the forum before, about feeling overdressed on Cave Hill. 

It's a small hill but it is enough for me to get hot walking on it and so there are some items of clothing I am likely to wear for my own comfort.  I hate walking in sweaty jeans, so it's a pair of walking trousers for me and a windshirt is my preference as an outerlayer now so it's that on top.  I was up during Christmas also, pretty sure mine was the only bit of Paramo that I noticed.  I did notice that many people were very well dressed for the occasion.  My only thought was that they were going to end up pigging and ruining some good clothes. 

[Oisín]

Well dressed people with aftershave and shiny shoes climbing up to cavehill?

Are you sure there are no "events" held here? 

[RedLeader]

I've had no strange looks but I've given a few myself. The first few times I did cave hill I didn't realise there was a top car park and thought everyone had to come up from at least the castle car park. I kept meeting young couples where the bloke would be head to foot Superdry (or suchlike) and the girl would be in heels and a skirt. Considering the slog it took me to get to the top I was always gutted that everyone seemed to be able to dance up wearing their Sunday best. Of course, once I spotted the top car park I found out their dirty little secret!!

Also, once on Black Mountain trail, coming around the back it was exceptionally boggy and I passed a family obviously straight out of church heading the other way. I dread to think how that turned out since they were all dressed to the nines and wearing school/work shoes. Even worse considering I'd had to tackle a good few cows which as everyone knows are the most deadly beast known to man!

[LandyLiam]

i remember meeting a young lady while i was descending donard, she was at the river crossing about half way up (just below the steps to the saddle) so she would have had to have crossed the boggy bit after the forest, now she had white trainers on and a white coat, with not a splash of mud near them, i was impressed, if that wasn't enough she also had a small white poodle which apart from muddy paws, was still perfectly clean, so she must have carried the dog and found a way through the boggy bit hopping from stone to stone while carrying the dog, or maybe she had just put plastic bags on her feet 

[twentyclicks]

Popping into Sainsburys on the way home from work for bits: cap on head with headtorch, trouser clips around the softshell,  and clipping around in roadie white cycling shoes as my normal bike was busted... I'm quite sure there were looks but I'm not one to care, it was only 5mins and needs must! 

[RedLeader]

If you want strange looks the one to watch is a certain member of this forum known to fill his stove fuel bottle from the petrol pump at the Barbican service station dressed entirely from head to foot in DPM military gear. The staff must routinely assume the zombie invasion has kicked off and everyone's stocking up on petrol bombs. 

[Ed]

If you want strange looks the one to watch is a certain member of this forum known to fill his stove fuel bottle from the petrol pump at the Barbican service station dressed entirely from head to foot in DPM military gear. The staff must routinely assume the zombie invasion has kicked off and everyone's stocking up on petrol bombs. 

I laughed for a full five minutes at that.

Had to get up from my desk and get a glass of water. Priceless!

[sjh1]

A couple of years ago I'd camped out and walked the Brandy Pad then back into Newcastle via Tullymore. It was a wet weekend and all my clothes were soaked through. My wee dog was soaked and knackered, so when I got to Newcastle I wrapped her in a towel. Didn't think it was that weird but I was waiting outside a chippy when two aul boys walked past. One of them looked at me and said to his mate, "Bloody foreigners!"

[Oisín]

I just realised that I got/get looks like that all the time. The typical one is where your in the town centre with a bit waterproof jacket and boots on with a day bag, not to mention the scout shirt and brightly coloured neckerchief.

I remember once being in a small town in Cumbria and being stopped by a bunch of middle aged american women having stereotypical tea outside a tourist cafe. They seen us and and wanted our picture.

**Distinct American accent "Oh look at you guys, are you all little boy scouts?"
'Yes we are'
"Where are you guys from?"
'Northern Ireland'
"Oh, wow, the north of ireland. I love that singer from there, the one who sings that song, you know"
'Oh right'
"That one you know, **turns to husband** who is that singer from ireland I like. **Husband without missing a beat**"ronan keating"** Oh yeah, that guy I love him. He must be big over in Ireland"

Didn't have the heart to tell her he wasnt big at all. 

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