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This Sunday 2nd Feb. we will be staying local and heading for Slieve Gullion walking behind the beautiful Killeavy Castle. There will be 2 groups B & C. Both will walk 3.5 – 4 hrs in total, both heading for the North Cairn, across Ballard track and kesh. Dont forget the gaiters and flask of out ta!

We are also collecting for the Mournes bus for following walk, Sunday 16th Feb, this is £7.00 for those who would like to come. Its filling up fast so come on down this Sunday and get your name down!

All walkers should meet at the Gap o’the North Pub at 10am for registration and a walks/safety briefing.
🚩All walkers must have walking boots, a waterproof jacket &hat.

🚩Bring a packed lunch.

🚩Sticks are highly advisable for this walk, and every walk.

🚩 See the link for FAQ – http://gaponorth.co.uk/faqs/

🚩Walks schedule –  http://gaponorth.co.uk/calendar-walks/

🚩Enjoy!

Walk’s Schedule 2020, Rain, hail or hill, the Gap will walk it. Just because we can 😍⛰😍

Calendar Walks

The 2nd walk of the New Year, this Sunday, 19th of January 2020 we will be starting near the Victoria Lock before taking to the hills above Fathom.  

For those who don’t know the history of Newry Canal, construction began around 1730 and took almost eleven years to complete at a cost of £1,000,000 (around £19 billion in today’s money!) It was undoubtedly a great piece of engineering and resulted in Newry becoming one of the most important ports in Ireland during the eighteenth century, beginning three miles south of Newry it runs parallel to the Newry – Omeath road, and it is this section that we will be following on Sunday. Northwards it continues for another 18 miles to the upper Bann River.

In 1750 the Albert Basin at Newry and Victoria Lock were completed. The lock is 205 ft by 50 ft. With the exception of the iron sheeted outer gates installed in the 1930’s, it has changed little since it was completed to Sir John Rennie’s design. Carlingford limestone was used for the walls and the original gates had English oak frames. Intrigued???

If you are intrigued and would like to see for yourself why not come along and join us? We meet at the Gap O’ the North Pub, Jonesborough at 10 am for registration, before car pooling and driving to our starting point. You will need walking boots, a waterproof jacket and a packed lunch.  Please note there is a steep pull up into the hills at Fathom, so a reasonable level of fitness is needed, you can check out our website FAQ Page for more information on fitness and kit recommended. www.gaponorth.co.uk

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 join our motley crew!

To get you started you could try out our first walk of the New Year this Sunday, 5th of January. It is a fairly low-level walk behind the Lumpers/Revensdale. Check out the beautiful views from the scouting ❤⛰❤.

We’re a very friendly group and you will be made very welcomed. We meet at 10 am in the Gap O’ the North Pub, Jonesboro’ for registration and a safety briefing. 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. 

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!

All at the Gap O’ the North Hill Walking Club would like to take this opportunity to wish our Members and friends a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas and Best Wishes for an active 2020.

We would like to extend a welcome to everyone to come join us on Saturday 28th of December for our Annual Festive Family Ramble. This is open to Members, their family and friends as well as Non -members. So if you’re tired of the festivities and want to stretch your legs come along and join us, registration is from 11.30 am at the Gap O’ the North Pub, Jonesborough we will be setting out at 12 noon and will be out for 3/3.5 hours.

Our route is a leisurely 10 km walk on forest trails and roads. But please note it is not suitable for pushchairs or very young children and no dogs allowed. Children must be accompanied by an adult whose responsibility they remain.

Bring a packed lunch and a waterproof jacket, comfortable footwear a necessity!!

If you’re very good Santa himself might join us in the forest for some mulled wine/ hot chocolate before he returns to the North Pole for some well deserved rest.

Afterwards we’re all back to the Gap for a bite to eat and entertainment, with a magician for the kids around 3.30pm and the McCollum Brothers playing in the back bar at around 4pm. Music until late.

No cover charge, raffle tickets and an honesty bucket on the day to cover costs, so come join us for some festive fitness and fun!