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Our next walk Sunday 16^th of February follows an old smuggling path, “The Brandy Pad” through the mountains of Mourne. 

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 probably from Bloody Bridge and finishing up at the car park at the end of the Trassey Track. (Car parking here is very limited).

As you are aware the bus is completely booked and no one to date has dropped out. Please note 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, weather permitting will walk 13km and climb overall 800m, taking in Slieve Commedagh (the second highest mountain in the Mournes), as well as Slievecoragh and Slievenagloch. C group will stick to the Pad but will still walk 11km and climb 600m overall!!

Both walks are 4½+ hours.

Please note on the day the bus will leave promptly from the Gap at 10.15. Likewise we need to set off promptly from the walk starting point, this is important for everyone to understand because safety and the available daylight hours are a priority for the entire group’s safety. We cannot wait around for any late comers to meet up with us at the starting point, at the moment we have only around an hour’s extra daylight between a walk ending and darkness, this would have serious consequences if there was to be any incident/accident on either walk.

Remember all walkers must be properly kitted out, a waterproof jacket, hat and gloves, and deep tread walking boots are a must, gaiters and walking sticks are also recommended. Leaders will enforce this minimum requirement of equipment on the day. As it will be a long day and both are challenging walks at around 4½+ hours, be sure you have plenty of water a hot drink and enough lunch/snacks to sustain you!

Fitness will be important, if in doubt which group to walk with ask the Walks Leaders for their advice.  

South Cairn, Slieve Gullion

Yippee!! January is finally over and with the evenings visibly lengthening and the mornings brightening, hill walkers can chase the “January Blues” away. So, it’s time to get serious with that New Year resolution and in response to all the emails and messages, yes you do need a basic level of fitness to walk with us and yes you will need a basic level of kit!! Unfortunately we do not have the man power for a beginner’s group so if you are earnest about getting fit or fitter and joining our motley crew, you will need to put in some serious effort. On average our lowest grade walkers, or C Group, walk for 4/4.5 hours, cover 12/14km, and not content with 1 hill, normally climb a whole “flock” of hills on one walk. So here are a few pointers to get you started…

Fitness- As a baseline if you can walk from the Courtyard Car Park, to the South Cairn (Cave) 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 us. ( If you have any doubts at all about your fitness, please try this walk before coming out with our group. It is all on good surface and very well marked. If you aren’t sure of the route, get in touch with us.) Remember we have members from 18 to 70+ who are walking at this level, so please don’t be put off but it does mean you need to get out and put a bit of effort in. We aren’t all athletes and some people are happy to stay at this level. Membership opens again in April for the 2014-15 year, so with that as your goal, you have a couple of months to put in some serious training!!

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, (jeans) as they get wet and stay wet. Most outdoors wear is made with quick drying properties.

Highly Recommended:

Walking poles– poles take the pressure off 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, you step into a bog hole!

Waterproof over trousers – good for not only keeping you dry but also as protection against the wind

Our leaders and members are always happy to share their experience and advise new walkers on fitness and equipment, alternatively check out the FAQ section of our website  www.gaponorth.co.uk/faqs.html  for more information.

Good luck with the training regime and we look forward to welcoming you into our Group!

The forecast suggests that tomorrow whilst better than today, will be bitterly cold with temperatures dropping below 0 as we climb.There is the chance also of wintery showers and blustery conditions. All walkers therefore must be properly kitted out with deep tread walking boots, (trail shoes are not appropriate), layers of warm clothing, a waterproof/windproof jacket, gloves and hat, and in addition carry an extra dry fleece, gloves and hat in your rucksack. Waterproof bottoms, gaiters and poles would also be recommended.

If you are brave enough to face the elements and would like to know more about the history of the area we will be walking in and more particularly that of the “Long Woman”,  check out her story, at the link below.

http://www.carlingfordandmourne.com/myths-and-legends/the-long-womans-grave-the-windy-gap-omeath

Hopefully we won’t be reduced to hands and knees like those who scouted this Sunday’s walk!! The forecast for Sunday looks promising, (but it’s always advisable to keep an eye on it). We hope to see all those new walkers who joined us on Slieve Gullion back for a second time. Meet at the Gap for registration and safety briefing at 10 am. Remember all walkers must be wearing deep tread walking boots, have a waterproof jacket, gloves and hat, as well as a packed lunch. Jeans are not recommended as they get wet and stay wet, leading to uncomfortable grumpy walkers and we don’t want any of those!!

  Expect to be out for 4/4.5 hours. 

The forecast is giving Sunday as the best day of the weekend, so dust off the walking boots, make the lunch and meet at the Gap for registration at 10 am. We will be heading to the courtyard to begin our ascent of Slieve Gullion, as we will be on open hillside, expect after all the recent rain very wet conditions underfoot. Deep tread walking boots and a water proof jacket are a must, gaiters would be highly recommended!!

We will have 2 groups out, following a similar route but at a different pace, all new or inexperienced walkers must walk with our C Group for their first walk.