Eagle mountain trek

[Mourneman]

Joined today by my daughter Shannon,big E & his cousin Matthew,I spent some time last night & again this morning looking over guide books looking for some inspiration for our trek today,we ended up planing a circular route taking in Eagle mountain.

IMG_0263 by paul surginor, on Flickr


IMG_0266 by paul surginor, on Flickr


IMG_0273 by paul surginor, on Flickr


IMG_0286 by paul surginor, on Flickr

We left Letrim lodge carpark at 10 am crossing over the ford ( 226/253 ) ,leaving the Letrim lodge path we starting ascending along the Mourne way route.We took & followed a bearing for Rocky mountain summit,( 234/258 )


IMG_0294 by paul surginor, on Flickr


IMG_0296 by paul surginor, on Flickr


IMG_0297 by paul surginor, on Flickr


Crossing again over the Mourne way we made our way up the easy ascend onto Tornamrock were we took the oppourtuniy to study some map features  such as knolls & spurs that could be seen on Altataggart.


IMG_0314 by paul surginor, on Flickr


IMG_0330 by paul surginor, on Flickr


IMG_0345 by paul surginor, on Flickr


From our vantage point on Tornamrock we decided to trek along the Rocky river ascending towards Windy gap ( 247/237 ) again we searched for features on the map relating to what we could see in front off us,we discussed how we would explain where we were if bad weather closed in& that the sharp bends in the river & how it split towards Windy gap,( 238/243 )


IMG_0358 by paul surginor, on Flickr


IMG_0349 by paul surginor, on Flickr


IMG_0380 by paul surginor, on Flickr


IMG_0394 by paul surginor, on Flickr


IMG_0398 by paul surginor, on Flickr

Reaching Windy gap my flask of tea was calling,so it was time for a break,crossing over the boggy area beside the stile big E & Matthew opted to have their lunch within the comfort of a bothy while Shannon & myself took shelter behind the wall.


IMG_0402 by paul surginor, on Flickr


IMG_0403 by paul surginor, on Flickr


IMG_0407 by paul surginor, on Flickr


Looking up towards Eagles summit I watched as a lonesome hiker descended along    Batts wall towards us,the hiker which was a man around 65 stopped & we exchanged our intended treks,glancing down at my daughter the man said,"women  should be left behind as they only slow a group down & have no place in the mountains " what a gulp shit!,   I told him she was as fast if not faster than most & was quite an experienced hiker,some people never learn.Anyway we ascended the steep climb towards Eagles summit.


IMG_0411 by paul surginor, on Flickr


IMG_0444 by paul surginor, on Flickr


IMG_0458 by paul surginor, on Flickr


IMG_0465 by paul surginor, on Flickr

The view from  Eagles summit is quite special looking back towards Pigeon,Muck,Binnian,Bernagh to name a view.Big E took a wind reading using an anemometer,crossing  over the stile we discovered Eagles summit geocache.


Panorama509 by paul surginor, on Flickr


Now for the very steep descend into pierces bog,were we had to scramble along a fence,( 234/229 ) crossing Castle bog were were rewarded by an amazing sunset back towards the Cooley mountains in Co.Louth.Before long we found our selfs back on  the Letrim lodge trek,nearing the carpark we noticed  a glow on Crotlieve mountain, " it was Santa's cottage " for  those of you not in the know,for many a year Santa has took up residence on the Sandbank road,Mourne mountains.,anyway it was a fitting end to a good day out.


Panorama510 by paul surginor, on Flickr


IMG_0492 by paul surginor, on Flickr

movie from today-  http://youtu.be/jcE4PVfwVnk

[Spud]

Great pics mate!

[surfnscenic]

Your enthusiasm for getting out onto the hills makes me feel a bit lazy but more determined to make more of an effort to get out more often. 

Enjoyed the write up and photos.  You were rewarded by a beautiful day.  I like that part of the Mournes as it's not so busy nor spoilt as the eastern side.

I see your daughter was using an OMM ruck.  How'd it perform?

Thank you.

[phil_b]

I'm going to the mountains on the same day as you from now on, every time I go up I get rain, hail and snow. Even in the summer! Good pics and good day out by the looks of it.

[twentyclicks]

Can't believe what that old guy said! What a load of crap 

Anyway, looks like a brilliant winter hike. Really like the photo of the mossy plant with the water droplets, and the golden light in the one after it.

[LandyLiam]

sounds like you might have met my uncle, if so then he was only winding you up 

great pics as usual, saw santas cottage myself from tournamrock last week, impressive glow off it at night, hopefully visiting it this week, will bring my sunglasses 

[RedLeader]

Great pics, don't think I've even been on Eagle Mountain yet.

[specimanYak]

Fantastic photos and great write-up, looks like a beautiful day for it.
Really like the videos Mourneman, there should be an NI-Wild YouTube channel for all the various bits and pieces posted up.