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This Sunday, 15th February, we will be following an old Smugglers’ Route through the heart of the Mournes, “The Brandy Pad”. During the 18^th century the coast around Newcastle was a favourite spot for landing contraband shipped from the Isle of Man. Brandy as well as tea, coffee, tobacco, soap and wine were all loaded onto pack ponies which then trekked from Bloody Bridge River, through the Mournes to their destination in Hilltown.

We will be following in the footsteps of the smugglers on this linear route starting from Bloody Bridge and finishing up at the car park at the end of the Trassey Track. (Car parking here is very limited) Please be aware that there is a lengthy road distance between the starting and finishing points, the bus will not be available to drop people back to the starting point so anyone choosing to drive will have to make their own arrangements for getting back to their cars.

On the day, B group will walk around 13 km and climb overall 800 m, taking in Slieve Commedagh (the second highest mountain in the Mournes), as well as Slievecoragh and Slievenagloch. They will eventually join the Brandy Pad and C Group back to the bus.

C group will stick to the Pad but will still walk around 11 km and although no big climbs, overall they will climb around 600 m.

Both walks are 4½+ hours.

Our Beginner’s group will also be out, they will decide on the day whether they will travel to the Mournes or if instead stay local. Beginner’s walks are usually 2/2.5 hours, but add travel time if the decision is made for a Mournes’ walk.

Weather could be hit or miss this Sunday with rain possibly in the forecast for the afternoon, as this is a changing situation it’s best to check the weather forecast Sunday morning for more up to date information. Do expect a chilly wind and it’s highly likely the B group will encounter snow at the summits.

All walkers must be wearing walking boots, have a water/wind proof jacket as a minimum. Bring a packed lunch and warm drink. We meet at The Gap O’ the North pub, Jonesboro’ for 10 am registration, B and C Groups will be travelling by bus, there are still places available at a price of £5 /person. The bus needs to be leaving at 10.15 am so please all walkers be on time!!!

The evenings are lengthening and the mornings brightening so it’s time to get serious with that New Year resolution about getting fit, or fitter and joining our motley crew!

To get you started you could try out our Beginner’s Walks which we are including in the schedule for January/February, so if you are worried about fitness or just don’t have 4/4.5 hours to commit to our longer B and C Group walks, why not try out these shorter 2/2.5 hour walks? They will run on the same day as our normal walks, just come along at 10 am to the Gap O’ the North Pub Jonesboro’ and register. Your first walk with us is free, then if you wish to join, membership is £20 or 25 euros for the year with membership running from the first of April to the end of March. Our next walk is Sunday 18th of January.

Here are a few pointers to get you started…

Fitness- As a baseline if you can walk from the Courtyard Car Park, to the Cairn at the top of Slieve Gullion and back within 3 hours you could comfortably walk with our C Group. So if you’re more “couch potato” than “super athlete” you will have to put in some personal effort to attain the necessary level of fitness before walking with our B or C Groups.

Kit- From the outset get used to carrying a rucksack. We recommend one with a waist strap as this helps distribute the weight on your hips rather than pulling on your shoulders and back. You should be carrying: a personal 1^st aid kit with the basics- plasters, blister patches, headache tablets etc., a whistle and head torch, a dry layer of warm clothing, and at all times of the year, even Summer, a hat and gloves. In addition always carry food, a hot drink and water, it takes only the slightest mishap to turn a gentle 3-4 hour walk into a mammoth 6-8 hour hike!

The following are non-negotiable:

Boots- deep tread walking boots, these protect and support the ankles from sprains and breaks

Jacket– a proper outdoors water/wind proof jacket- all jackets designed for outdoor activities carry a rating for precipitation, anything with a rating over 10,000 is the ideal.

Clothing– layers of clothing is best, avoid cotton and denim as they get wet and stay wet. Most outdoors wear is made with quick drying properties.

Optional Extras:

Walking poles– poles take the pressure of the knees, the most common problem for avid hill walkers is bad knees!

Gaiters- these clip onto your boots and cover the lower leg, thus keeping feet and trouser bottoms dry when you are crossing streams or as invariably happens, step into a bog hole!

Our leaders and members are always happy to share their experience and advise new walkers on fitness and equipment, alternatively check out the F.A.Q. section of our website-www.gaponorth.co.uk for more information. Good luck with the training regime and we look forward to welcoming you on one of our Walks!

This Sunday, 7th of December we are in the Mournes and will be following roughly the yellow route marked on the map above.  From our starting point on Banns Rd. we follow the track to Lough Shannagh, the largest of the Mournes natural lakes, then weather permitting onto the summit of Doan, (from which in good weather there are some of the best views of the Mournes) and finally onto the Ott track to the car park above Spelga.

As this is a linear walk, a bus is organised at a cost of £5 /person. There are still some places available and will be filled on a first come, first served basis, on Sunday morning. Please be punctual as with limited daylight hours available we want to be away at 10.15 promptly from the Gap.

There will be 3 groups out on Sunday with variations in route length, difficulty and pace. All walkers must have walking boots and a waterproof jacket, bring a packed lunch and a drink. B and C Groups have a river to cross and when scouted a fortnight ago this was in full flow, so gaiters are probably a good idea!

B and C groups will be out for 4+ hours, Beginner’s group for 2+ hours. In addition factor in travel time in each direction.

This is our last walk before Christmas. Our next outing is the Family Christmas Walk on Sunday 28th of December.

For the first time a Group has made it to the top of Tiffcrum Mountain! It was a bit of a scramble in places but well worth the effort!!

We will make Club history this Sunday 23rd of November when for the first time we will climb to the summit of Tiffcrum Mountain, as part of our Forkhill to Flurry walk. Both B and C Groups will walk from Forkhill back to the Gap, over Tiffcrum and Carrickbroad Mountains, a long walk so we need to be away promptly Sunday morning, as daylight hours are limited. The forecast is for good weather over the weekend so we should be guaranteed some great views.  All walkers will need walking boots and a waterproof jacket, gaiters are advised as in places the heather is quite high. Walking poles are always a good idea. Bring a packed lunch and a drink.

Our Beginner’s group will be in the same area but will complete a shorter walk, (around 2/3 hours), it is suitable for any reasonably fit person. So if you fancy giving Hill Walking ago, why not join us this Sunday and explore the beautiful Ring of Gullion.  We meet at 10 am in the Gap pub Jonesboro’ for registration and a coffee, newcomers are very welcome. Your first walk with us is free, if you enjoy it and want to come back membership is £20 / year running from April to the end of March.

Check out the FAQ section of our website for further information re: fitness levels and kit required. http://gaponorth.co.uk/faqs.html