Saturday 19th December 2015
Ott, Carn and Doan
Thanks are due to Frank Hughes for filling a vacant slot in the SRS calendar on Saturday December 19. The rendezvous point was Ott Car Park and despite the short notice, 12 walkers gathered. Everyone savoured the first dry Saturday for some weeks, although overnight rain had left the ground pretty soggy. En route to the start, we had noted that Spelga Dam was spilling over, while all the streams had turned into torrents. Given the shortness of daylight, Frank had set a reasonably achievable target - the summits of Ott, Carn and Doan. The most challenging element was the climb up the back |
stairs of Doan, which was enlivened by a decidedly brisk side wind. This called for concentration as the ascent was made with the emphasis on safety rather than speed. But happily the temperatures remained unseasonably mild, and the wind was from
the south. Although it was what might be called a brooding sky, we marvelled at the views across the various peaks and even caught occasional glimpses of brightness on the Irish Sea. Our first lunch was taken at the shoreline of Lough Shannagh, where we were able to gaze in awe at the challenge to come, the looming mass of Doan. Second lunch was taken after the |
summitwas climbed, sheltered from the wind on the north side of Doan. Then as time marched on, we headed downhill and across the peat hags to a path leading up to the wall again. The various streams were all successfully negotiated although some skill was needed to use the stepping stones.
Back at the cars by 3.30pm and on the road just as the sky darkened and a cloudburst enveloped the view. Thanks to Franks for being such a caring and attentive leader and for helping us get a breath of fresh air and a bit of exercise prior to the excesses of Christmas. Robin Morton |
Saturday
|
|
Saturday 10th October 2015Slieve Foy
The weather was mild but with cloud sitting on the top of Slieve Foy. Seventeen members left the village of Carlingford and walked to the northern end of the forest path before ascending to the top of the ridge. As we stopped for lunch, the clouds broke and we enjoyed the surrounding views of Carlingford Lough and the Mournes beyond and out to Dundalk Bay and beyond. We descended back into the "Halloween bedecked" Carlingford by 5.30pm and most of the group enjoyed dinner together in PJs. A wonderful Autumnal walk. Thank you David and Rachel. |
|
Saturday 3rd October 2015Mournes
|
|
Saturday
|
|
Saturday 5th September 2015Slieve Binnian
About 15 Spartans enjoyed sunshine on our walk from Carrick Little and along the Annalong Valley to Blue Lough and ascending to the North Torr of Binnian from the saddle with Lamagan. We descended via the wall and some of us enjoyed refreshments afterwards in Newcastle. Nigel |
|
August Bank
|
|
Saturday 15th August 2015Mournes
18 walkers turned up a lovely walk around the less walked area of spalga and craigdoo mountains. |
|
Saturday 8th August 2015Meelmore
Thanks to the good offices of Ken Bradley, SRS was invited to join forces with Northern Ireland Civil Service Ramblers for a walk on Saturday August 8, a date which had been blank on our calendar. Six Spartans set their alarm clocks for the earlier start time of 10am at Meelmore Lodge and were rewarded by one of those magically sunny and still mornings which have been all too rare this summer. We joined forces with a dozen of Ken's regulars for a nine-mile walk which NICS Ramblers rated as B but felt to us rather more like an A! From Meelmore Lodge we passed the camping field noting an abundance of tents and families sitting outside in the sun enjoying a late breakfast. But we were bound for the hills and our first challenge was Spellack, which is always a stiff ascent, involving a bit a scramble up a gully. After a pause at the top to gather ourselves we continued on up the well worn path to Meelmore (708m), where a first lunch was called. Sadly the weather had by now gone off the boil, and it was cloudy with a pretty stiff breeze. Still, we still had the benefit of good views across the hills. As we chatted, we discovered that a couple of the NICS regulars had participated in the SRS 7X7 event the previous Saturday and had thoroughly enjoyed it. The results, incidentally, are featured on the SRS website. Keeping up a good pace, our group then followed the Mourne Wall to Meelbeg (704m) and then swept on over Slieve Loughshannagh and down to the coll between Loughshannagh |
|
Saturday 18th July 2015Doan
Despite the prediction from BBC forecaster Geoff Maskell that it would be a "usable day", and a bright start as seven Spartans gathered at Ott car park, the weather went off the boil at lunchtime. With leader Marie Doran setting a steady pace, we had crossed the wall and reached the summit of Doan in an impressive 75 minutes. But as we settled down to partake of first lunch the cloud lowered and the mist which had already encircled the higher peaks descended to our level, blanking out the view. Shortly afterwards a thin mizzle enveloped us and Marie wisely decided to abort the original plan to cover Ben Crom. And so we descended in a brisk wind to a path which led us across the contour above the grey waters of Lough Shanagh and up to the saddle again. At least we were below the mist so we did get some nice views down over the lake. The very acceptable Plan B involved an ascent of Loughshanagh mountain, where it was rather too windy for a sit-down. And so we descended part way down the slope and found a more sheltered spot for second lunch. From there it was back down to the saddle and on across to the peak of Ott, by which stage the rain had intensified and a cross wind was whipping across the hillside. One compensatory |
|
11th - 18th July Trip 2015
Clifden, Connemara
19 Spartans gathered at the fabulous and convenient facilities of Benbaun House a short hop from Clifden town centre on Saturday 11 July for the annual week long summer trip. The walk programme was ably led by David Wiggins, Richard and Henry to whom we owe many thanks. Sunday saw a group tackle the Benchoona Horseshoe (Benchoona, Garraun and Altnagaighera) and a walk along Killary Harbour with a higher level return to the cars giving splendid panoramic views over the lakes, mountains and coastline with a stop at Paddy Coynes at Tully Cross our post walk reward. A walk along a stretch of the Western Way from Lough Inagh to Leenaun was our main walk on Tuesday, again relaxing afterwards in Gaynor’s pub in Leenaun. Wednesday was the best day of the week weather-wise and full advantage was taken with the great scenic walk of the Ben Lettery horeshoe (Ben Lettery, Ben Gower and Ben Glensky). The weather held for an enjoyable BBQ that evening. The weather took a turn for the worse from Thursday. There was no official walk was |
|
Saturday 4th July 2015
The weather at Meelmore Lodge was very misty and with strong winds - so we weren't sure how much of the planned route of Meelbeg, Meelmore and Bearnagh we would complete.
We decided to just ascend the Happy Valley to the saddle between Meelmore and Meelbeg and by that time the predicted improvement to the weather had happened and our group of 13 members enjoyed terrific views for the rest of the day.
We decided to just ascend the Happy Valley to the saddle between Meelmore and Meelbeg and by that time the predicted improvement to the weather had happened and our group of 13 members enjoyed terrific views for the rest of the day.
Saturday 20th June 2015Rathlin Island
A beautiful early Summer's day on Rathlin Island with a walk to the West Lighthouse from Church Bay and back. The island was looking at it's best with beautiful green fields and hedges and lots of wild flowers, butterflies and birds. The nesting sea birds at the West Lighthouse were as spectacular as usual. We returned to Ballycastle and dined in The Marine Hotel. Thank you to David and Rachel for a great day out. |
|
May Bank Holiday Trip
|
|
Saturday 16th May 2015Cushendun to Ballycastle
There were 10 in the group that set off from Cushendun on Saturday. The weather was a mixture of bright intervals and quite wintry showers - some with hail and strong north west winds. Because of the cooler temperatures and the showers, we walked at a reasonable pace and took our first tea break in the little copse of trees by the drover's path and just before our ascent towards Carnanmore. The most powerful shower of the day arrived as we ascended to Carnanmore. The only blessing was that the strong wind accompanying it was at our back. We rested by the cairned burial chamber at Carnanmore and headed north west to the derelict buildings at 215405. The weather seemed to improve later and there were very few showers - although the wind remained quite strong. We soon had views of Murlough Bay and the profile of Fairhead. We could see the Mull of Kintyre in the distance - looking a little hazy and that haze meant that we could not sight the islands of Jura and Isla. We took another little breather at the top of Grey Man's Path and peered down the |
|
May Bank Holiday Trip 2015Sligo
David and Rachel had arranged accommodation at the Benwiskin Centre, Ballintrillick, County Sligo for 18 members of the club to enjoy a weekend of walking in the area. The Benwiskin Centre is a 28 bed Holiday Hostel and Self Catering Accommodation Centre in the rural village of Ballintrillick, approx 5 miles from Mullaghmore, one of the 'Signature Discovery Points' on the Wild Atlantic Way's long distance touring route. The Centre is located in a beautiful scenic rural location in the shadow of Benwiskin Mountain, part of Ireland's Dartry Mountain range, with the only tabletop mountain in Europe, Benbulben, within eye view. The weather on Saturday was a little inclement -with low cloud and strong winds and rain - so we opted for a coastal walk from Raghly Point on the northern shore of Drumcliff Bay which took us eventually into the environs of Lissadell House - the seat of the historic Gore-Booth family and regular haunt of W.B. Yeats. We ended our activities here with coffee. The weather for Sunday was a little more pleasant - despite the many forecasts and we headed for the Glencar valley with it's beautiful lake and ascended through the trees to near |
|
Saturday 25th April 2015Dart and Sawel
Blue skies and bright sunshine accompanied the Spartans on their hike over Dart and Sawel Mountains in County Tyrone. It was a very clear day with perfect views of the Co Donegal Mountains of Errigal, Aghla Beg and Muckish. From another view point, Cuilcagh Mountain in County Fermanagh could also be spotted on the horizon. The hike was 8 miles long. Skylarks and primroses abounded on a beautiful Spring Day ... a very enjoyable Saturday ... James & Audrey McKeown |
Easter Trip 2015Lake District
A group of twelve Spartans travelled over for a week of walking in the Lakeland Fells - staying in a little converted fisherman's cottage - Dolphin Cottage - in the small coastal village of Flookburgh on Morecambe Bay. The largest town was Grange-over-Sands and we were close to the picturesque medieval village of Cartmel - home to a beautiful Norman Priory. ... and famous for it's sticky toffee puddings!! We were lucky for the week to be blessed with a high pressure system that brought sunny, bright days with no rain. Our walks included around the beautiful village of Coniston; Coniston Old Man; Hawkshead - Latterbarrow; Eskdale Valley and Scafell; Langdale - Stickle Tarn; Harrison Stickle; Pike of Stickle. On our last night, we dined in The Pheasant Inn, Allithwaite before returning home via the Cairnryan to Belfast Ferry. |
|
Saturday 11th April 2015Mournes
Having consulted the ever reliable yr.no Norwegian weather website for the Mournes, our leader Henry Bowman was quietly confident that our walk would not be marred by rain and despite the gloomy BBC NI forecast, it turned out that he was correct, although we did encounter one very short burst of hail. Apart from that, it was dry and sunny, albeit with a stiff breeze, and after the heavy overnight rain, the visibility over the white-capped peaks and beyond was magnificent. Our rendezvous was at Meelmore Lodge car park where SRS groups qualify for a £1 discount on the usual parking fee of £4.50. With nine walkers in evidence, we organised ourselves into two cars and drove to Deer's Meadow car park, which turned out to be that layby just beyond Spelga Dam. From there we hit the ground running and it was a steep but steady ascent up the flank of Muck (674m), with Henry reassuring us this was the steepest climb of the day. At the top we paused to admire the scenery and partake of a brief refreshment stop. From there we followed the Mourne Wall north, along what Henry calls the central ridge of the Mournes. After a brief descent it was upwards again to Carn Mountain (588m), and on over to Slieve Loughshanagh (619m), down to the coll and then up again, this time a fairly stiff ascent, to Slieve Meelbeg (708m) where we stopped for a well deserved lunch. All too soon we were off again, down to the next coll and then up again to the impressive peak of Meelmore (682m). Henry had advised that after Meelbeg, Meelmore was a "giveaway" but some of us remained to be convinced. An information panel in the stone |
|
Saturday 28th March 2015Slieve Roosley
The rain of Friday night and early Saturday had given way to a wonderful early Spring day - not as breezy as forecast and with an odd shower and plenty of bright sky in the beginning of the walk. A group of around a dozen met in Kilbroney Park and then consolidated to drive to an area that I had never been to before - marked on the map as Carmeen. We climbed to the trig point at 361 metres - where it was definitely breezy but with excellent views all around. We came out onto a small road and walked NE before turning S up a track and onto the side of Gruggandoo (that's what it says on this map!!!) - where we had a lunch stop before beginning our walk down the ridge of Wee Roosley, Slieve Roosley and Leckan More. Rain was forecast for the evening and as we descended to Ballymoney Wood on the edge of Rostrevor we could sense the change of weather - which luckily for us did not arrive until we were enjoying a cuppa in The Kilbroney Centre at the end of a delightful day's walking. Thank you David. |
|
Saturday 21st March 2015 There were 18 members on the walk from Dunnywater entrance and along to Rourke's Park and around and above the quarry to Round Seefin.
At Long Seefin we had a little rest and enjoyed the beautiful sunshine and views across the Annalong Valley. Our steepest climb of the day was to the top of Rocky where we enjoyed lunch in the sunshine. Certainly the sunniest day of the year. We then descended to join the wall and followed it to The Bog of Donard. After following the Brandy Pad for a few minutes we turned south and parralled the Annalong Buttress down to Hares Castle and our second lunch stop. Our return to our cars was via the Dunnywater Wood. Nigel |
Saturday
|
|
Saturday 31st January 2015Slievenagarragh
With just a hint of apprehension [from me anyway] twelve of us headed up from Bloody Bridge in bright sunshine and strong northerly winds. From below, the Mournes looked magnificent in its winter coat of snow and ice. making good time along the Miners track we eventually reached the mine and a Spartan tea break. With wooley hats pulled well down we entered the snowline and reached the wall and saw a truly magical sight before us. We all agreed that this could easily be the Alps or the Himalayas, [well, it could!!!] Sammy recorded on his latest gadget windspeeds of nearly 60mph - thankfully on our backs as we headed up Chimney Rock in a snow shower. As we walked the ridge along Chimney Rock to Slievenagarragh in late January sunshine the views all around where just stunning. Heading back down was also exhilarating as we all enjoyed crossing deep snowfields before meeting up again with the Miners track and back down to Bloody Bridge. We all agreed that today, thanks to the snow, had been a good one. Jack. |
|
Saturday 24th January 2015Slievenabrock
Seventeen Spartans turned out for the walk which started at Donard car park Newcastle. When we arrived in Newcastle there was a cool chilly wind, so we didn't waist much time getting geared up. The route took us through Donard woods to Shepherds Lodge, where we made our way across the open ground to enter Tollymore forest. Keeping to the top track past the Drinns, we stopped for a break before leaving the forest. When we where about 100 mtrs short of the bend in the track at The white plains, we went over the stile in the wall and began our climb of Slievenabrock. We had to endure a cool sharp wind coming from the west as we climbed, so we kept going ,passing the knoll with the two large boulders on its summit. these two boulders could be seen quite clearly from the forest track and are a feature of this little knoll. Its interesting to see that Harvey Map of the Mournes has these two large boulders marked on the map. I stopped to take a photo of the first boulder and that's when I noticed the two memorial plaques screwed unto the boulder in memory of, JIM BROWN, AND WESLEY FRAYERS. |
|
Saturday 10th January 2015Slieve Croob
10 hardened walkers gathered at Windy Gap for the Slieve Croob Walk. It was cold with snow flurries.We walked along the lonan to Leganney Dolmen in sunshine only to be hit by a snow blizzard when we thought of a coffee stop. As a result we moved on a bit further to have our stop in shelter near a ruined cottage. Next we climbed Slieve Leganney with great views of the Mourne Range. Lunch was at the bottom of Slieve Croob in another snow shower. Gerrard and Jack sat in a shelter tent! Next up Slieve Croob which was very windy on top and then back along the ridge to Seeconnell. We did the walk in 4 .5 hours a record I think! David |
|
Saturday 3rd January 2015
Commedagh
A large group of Spartans turned up at Meelmore Lodge to start the New Year with a walk up Commedagh. As we stood in the carpark looking at the low lying mist we wondered if we were wise but Henry reliably informed us that the mist was going to lift in about an hours time and so we proceeded to walk towards the 'green lane' and on up Slievenaglogh. We had our first lunch here on the other side of the stile where we were quite sheltered from a chilly wind. We then proceeded to continue up towards Slieve Corragh protected by the wall. It was at this point that we heard the first of Henry's WOWs - the mist had briefly lifted to reveal the top of Bearnagh sitting above the clouds and it certainly was a WOW moment. As we progressed up Corragh we started to notice the first patches of snow and the higher we got then the heavier the snow. The mist was continuing to tease us by lifting to reveal another marvellous view and then closing in again. When we reached the top of Commedagh we had our 2nd lunch sitting in the snow by the wall - the mist had lifted - the sun was shining and glistening off the pristine snow - it truly was a winter wonderland. It was a shame to leave |
|