Topic: PATHWAY WORK (Read 23108 times)

Dowser · « **Reply #15 on:** March 13, 2012 »

Quote from: Mourneman on March 13, 2012

Quote from: Dowser on March 13, 2012
I know there has been path work taking place on Binnian and Lamagan also but I haven't been up in a while to check it out.

Has anybody seen it recently? How's it look? Is it an eyesore or well disguised.

I will reserve judgement till I see it myself but I can honestly say I'm not keen on the idea of it.

http://www.walkni.com/Article.aspx?ID=330&oni=true

Photos would be good if you have any
Quite right about the work done on Binnian ,but Lamagan remains untouched & yes it is an eyesore,gleaming crusted granite pounded into the mountainside.

DSCN5961 by paul surginor, on Flickr

Thanks for that Mourneman... I have to agree, that does look pretty awful. Maybe it will blend in a bit more over time

whoRya · « **Reply #16 on:** March 13, 2012 »

The new look will be lost over time. I think my concern would be an attitude of "That's done, where next?" Where that to be adopted then we'd soon be looking at places that don't really need done. Or even starting to tackle a particularly bad section, but thinking we'll "do the whole bit since we are here".

There could be a fine line between conservation and development.

Samm · « **Reply #17 on:** March 13, 2012 »

Quote from: whoRya on March 13, 2012

The new look will be lost over time. I think my concern would be an attitude of "That's done, where next?" Where that to be adopted then we'd soon be looking at places that don't really need done. Or even starting to tackle a particularly bad section, but thinking we'll "do the whole bit since we are here".

There could be a fine line between conservation and development.

To the best of my knowledge (I could be wrong), it's only Binnian and Donard that were being done. Nobody even notices anymore the steps up towards the saddle on Donard, or comments negatively on them, so I'm sure that the pathwork will similarly blend over time.

mregan · « **Reply #18 on:** March 13, 2012 »

Who here uses walking poles? My advice is try leaving them at home and walk without them. Poles cause more damage than walking boots ever will. Just a thought!

Dowser · « **Reply #19 on:** March 13, 2012 »

Quote from: mregan on March 13, 2012

Who here uses walking poles? My advice is try leaving them at home and walk without them. Poles cause more damage than walking boots ever will. Just a thought!

Does Mountain Biking in the hills not cause erosion at all?

mregan · « **Reply #20 on:** March 13, 2012 »

It does indeed. But not as much as a walking pole can do.

Dowser · « **Reply #21 on:** March 13, 2012 »

Quote from: mregan on March 13, 2012

It does indeed. But not as much as a walking pole can do.

I'm definitely guilty of using a walking pole. I find it invaluable for balance ascending/descending steep terrain, balancing whilst crossing rivers and supporting my Tarp when I reach camp.

I would never have believed a pole would cause much damage compared to a size 10 boot but, a quick Google seems to suggest it does

I will be more aware of this from now on and only use the pole when really needed.

mregan · « **Reply #22 on:** March 13, 2012 »

I think there are plenty of people that don't realise this. I think if used right you can cut down on the damage. Also there are flatter end caps you can use to create a larger surface area.

Some places poles are completely ban even that flat bottom poles.

I am not having a go at anyone btw The mountains are for all in my eyes.

Some people have to see a wider picture. Erosion has been caused and if it isn't sorted it will get a lot worse.

LennyJ1 · « **Reply #23 on:** March 13, 2012 »

The mountains have been eroding long before I was born and even after me and my poles have been all over them then I still will be eroding.

I think that prevention is always better than cure but the damage is done now and all we can do is limit the damage by some conservation.

I am not saying that this is the answer.

Quote from: Dowser on March 13, 2012

DSCN5961 by paul surginor, on Flickr

But something must be done.

whoRya · « **Reply #24 on:** March 13, 2012 »

Quote from: mregan on March 13, 2012

Who here uses walking poles? My advice is try leaving them at home and walk without them. Poles cause more damage than walking boots ever will. Just a thought!

I don't know what evidence you have but my gut feeling is that sometimes when I don't have a pole on a steep boggy incline, the ground gives under my foot leaving a big smear on the landscape. I'm surprised that a small well-placed point of a pole could be deemed to be more damaging.

Spud · « **Reply #25 on:** March 13, 2012 »

They aren't putting paths where there aren't already very well worn tracks, the paths will cut down on erosion, and if it makes it a bit easier for people to enjoy the hills that maybe couldn't have before, I think that is a good thing, as long as they are properly kitted out etc? I have been on the binnian path and although it is still strange to see it there, I think when it gets weathered and the heather closes in then it will look better, just my opinion! The binnian path is easy to make out in dense cloud, I think I'd be glad of it of I needed to get down from there in a hurry! As I said, just my tuppence worth!

sjh1 · « **Reply #26 on:** March 14, 2012 »

I like the new paths.

However, although working in the field I sometimes doubt some of the rational behind the whole idea of conservation.

... but that's probably a different topic and it might also just be because I'm a contrary bastard.

mregan · « **Reply #27 on:** March 14, 2012 »

Quote

I don't know what evidence you have

Physics!
When a force is applied perpendicular to a surface area, it exerts pressure on that surface equal to the ratio of F to A, where F is the force and A the surface area. Hence, the formula for pressure (p ) is p = F /A. One interesting consequence of this ratio is the fact that pressure can increase or decrease without any change in force—in other words, if the surface becomes smaller, the pressure becomes larger, and vice versa.
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/pressure.aspx

Quote

I'm surprised that a small well-placed point of a pole could be deemed to be more damaging.

Thats the point I am trying to make. Most people are surprised to hear the damage it causes. I was never saying dont use poles but as you say above well-placed point is the difference. Put the point on a stone or a rock increases the surface area to weight ratio hence less damage. I know this isnt always possible but do you need to be proding the poles in everywhere you walk? It seems like such a small thing but why would they be ban on other trails in different parts of the world if it was'nt proven to cause so much damage?

There is always going to be erosion even if it isnt caused by us. What has happened by us is we have sped up the process. We can all do our bit to slow it down. It will still happen even with all the measures to slow it down.

Mourneman · « **Reply #28 on:** March 14, 2012 »

In fairness the spike in a walking pole does not cause as much damage as a braking mountain bike or a misplaced foot

Ed · « **Reply #29 on:** March 14, 2012 »

I'm all for avoiding erosion, but I draw the line and putting erosion prevention above avoiding a ripped up knee or ankle.

My trekking pole has saved me from many a nasty twist or fall

Maybe that's selfish of me, but there it is.

Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Useful Links

Follow NI-Wild

Author Topic: PATHWAY WORK (Read 23108 times)

Dowser

Re: PATHWAY WORK

whoRya

Re: PATHWAY WORK

Samm

Re: PATHWAY WORK

mregan

Re: PATHWAY WORK

Dowser

Re: PATHWAY WORK

mregan

Re: PATHWAY WORK

Dowser

Re: PATHWAY WORK

mregan

Re: PATHWAY WORK

LennyJ1

Re: PATHWAY WORK

whoRya

Re: PATHWAY WORK

Spud

Re: PATHWAY WORK

sjh1

Re: PATHWAY WORK

mregan

Re: PATHWAY WORK

Mourneman

Re: PATHWAY WORK

Ed

Re: PATHWAY WORK

Bottom Sponsor

Recent Topics