Western Mournes ramble

[henryb]

This week-end's walk saw me take in a circular route around the lower summits of the western Mournes. Starting from Leitrim lodge car park I ascended Rocky mountain. Turning right I made the straightforward traverse to Tornamrock and Pierces Castle. Thereafter I traversed marshy terrain to Tievedockaragh as views opened up of the southern Mournes. Following the wall I walked to Altataggart before descending to a good track back to Leitrim lodge. Total distance was just under 10km.


Altataggart and Tievedockaragh from Leitrim Lodge:



Slieve Roosley and Leckan Moor:



View southwards from Rocky mountain:



Slievenamiskan and the central Mournes and Donard:



Eagle, Shanlieve, Altataggart:



Hen and Slievenamiskan from Tornamrock:



Central Mournes from Pierces castle:



Western Mournes from Pierces Castle:



Kilbroney forest, Carlingford Lough and Slieve Foye:



View from Tievedockaragh:



Sheep Hill, Rocky and Slieve Croob:



Following the wall to Altataggart:



From Commedagh to Rocky:



Eastern and central Mournes:



Sheep Hill:



Rocky mountain and Sheep Hill:



Rocky, Hen, Slievenamiskan from Altataggart:

[richardh1905]

I really MUST get over the water and visit the Mourne's, Henry; I first saw them from the top of the Great Orme on the North Wales Coast about 3 decades ago. Once I have completed my move South, Stranraer will be only half a day's drive away.


A bit of feedback on your photography, if I may - I've noticed that the horizon often slopes down from right to left on your shots - easy to correct with one of the free photo editing programs. Microsoft Photos will allow you to rotate to the nearest degree; NCH PhotoPad to one hundredth of a degree if you are feeling really finicky. 

[richardh1905]

I really MUST get over the water and visit the Mourne's, Henry

Bl**dy hell - the ferry isn't cheap! Would cost £300+ return for the 3 of us at a sensible hour.

[Owen]

I did a couple of mountain marathons in the Mournes back in the early nineties. It really is a special area, well worth a visit.

[April]

Great stuff henry 

Is Altataggart new to us on the forum? I can't remember seeing this name before, I recognise the other names 

[April]

Bl**dy hell - the ferry isn't cheap! Would cost £300+ return for the 3 of us at a sensible hour.

I've just checked the fares from Carlisle airport to Belfast and Dublin - it says from £39.99 to £44.99, not sure of that is one way or return. There is a free shuttle bus from Carlisle railway station to the airport too. Not sure if it will be any cheaper than the ferry for 3 people once you factor in car hire. Doesn't seem too bad for us two, we might venture there next year, with Carlisle airport being so close by.

[beefy]

Nice one henry

I've just checked the fares from Carlisle airport to Belfast and Dublin - it says from £39.99 to £44.99, not sure of that is one way or return. There is a free shuttle bus from Carlisle railway station to the airport too. Not sure if it will be any cheaper than the ferry for 3 people once you factor in car hire. Doesn't seem too bad for us two, we might venture there next year, with Carlisle airport being so close by.

[richardh1905]

But what about Squeaky? 

[April]

But what about Squeaky? 

  Can dogs not go on planes? I've never had one so I don't know these things.

We might have to rethink, Squeaky has to come too 

[beefy]

Can dogs not go on planes? I've never had one so I don't know these things.

We might have to rethink, Squeaky has to come too 

Let's go to Arran instead 

[henryb]

Thanks for the replies everyone   Altataggart isn't new but this time I finished on Altataggart; normally I would start on Altataggart