First Official Walk of the Year - Djouce on a windy day

Hey Hill Walkers, well that is number one down for the year, Djouce Mountain, so tick it off your hillwalking bucket list for those that have not done it before. We started the day wanting to follow the Wicklow Way from Lough Tay, but with extreme winds we decided to head to deer Park, and attack the mountain from the otherside. Despite my pleasdings to turn around, you guys had your heart's set on reaching the summit, and some of us nearly took flight with the wind on the top of the summit.


As a result our first walk of the year was a lot more challenting than we expected. So well done everyone! And it is good preparation for the Camino in May 2012.

Here are some more pictures kindly supplied by Jacky again - thanks Jacky!


Wow jacky, this is the shot of the year so far. Amazing.



It looked steeper in real life!!!!


Ahh the sugar loaf. It also looked steeper when we walked down it in the dark!

 Most important part of the day lunch. Right before Fiona started a mutiny! Another one!!! 

Love the hat Tony!

The Irish - showing their usual disdain for authority!!!!

A grizzley - or just Tony when he discovered there were no more cups left for tea at the end of the walk. 

Another successful day in the hills - thanks team - and great to have so many new people along and in the club.

Lough Dan Ramble - January 2012

Hey all,


Please take a look at these amazing photos submitted by Jacky from the club, as we walked in the vicinity of Loch Dan.

Some of them are really amazing. So a huge thank you to Jacky for these wonderful shots. 

 
 

The boat house, on Lough Dan, just waiting to be converted into my grand design!

 
Knocknaclogue - we shall scale this mountain next time! When we can actually cross the river.

 

 





  



 

 




  Martin was upsetting us all, so we sent him off alone!!!! Only Joking!

 

Above - Bondi Beach! Well not quite the same weather, but beautiful all the same. 

 

































  Below - Your fearless leader, exploring the swamp for a path through.

 Thanks for another great walk guys!



More info on our club can be found at http://www.walkaboutwicklow.com/

A gentle start to the New Year - Lough Dan and the Beach

We started the year with somehting nice and easy. A gentle ramble from Old Bridge down to Lough Dan, and the fantastic beach area located at the Southern end of the Lough. It took us a few attempts to avoid the marshland and find the rode down to the beach area, but it was definately worth the effort. We then moved up the valley trying to find a crossing point for the river, but with no easy crossing point in sight, we opted to halt at what looked to be an old mass rock, and have our lunch. After lunch it was a reasonably quick hike back to the bus for some tea, coffee and tasty treats.

Still can't believe we got such a great turn out for the first walk of the season, and an early one at that! Well done everyone, and until next time.

Last walk of the year - Three Rock and Johnnie Fox's Pub!!!

Hey Guys,

I hope you all enjoyed the last walk of the year and the lunch at Johnnie Fox's Pub afterward, I know I certainly did! Here is the photo as promised.

All Those that attended the walk on Saturday were awarded with a highly fashionable Walkabout Wicklow baseball cap, woolly hat or scarf. And you all look stunning modeling the new kit! Those that were unable to make the walk, can pick up their gear in the New Year on our first walk back.

Is it just me or is the Three Rock mobile phone mast perfectly placed???

Again, here is a reminder of the hills we have marked off the list during 2011.

Lugnaquilla – 925 m

Mullacghcleevaun – 849 m

Mullacor – 657 m

Slieve Donnard – 850 m

Camaderry/ St Kevins Way – 698 m

Tonelagee – 817 m

Luggala – 592 m

Djouce – 725 m

Maulin – 570 m

Lough bray – Circa 500 m

Bray to Greystones - NA

Scarr – 641 m

Knocknacloghe Valley - NA

Black Hill – 602 m

Seefin, Seahan, Seafingan and Corrig – 724 m

Arts Lough – Circa 700 m

Table Mountain - 701

Prince Williams Seat – 555m

Great Sugar Loaf – 501 m

Sorrel Hill – 599 m

War Hill – 686 m

Next year promises more walks to more deffierent locations. Have a great Christmas everyone and I will see you all in the New Year!!!! Take care and until next year!

The Back of Derrybawn and beyond

Well it was an easy day out last Saturday in the end, but still incredibly pleasant. Having warned you all of the challenges of Camaderry, and having scared most of you away, the fog made me change the plan and embark on something at a lower altitude. As a result we skirted around the side of Derrybawn, giving us wonderful views of the monastic site. We then headed around behind the Spinc and discovered the magnificent Prezen Rock. A valley of peace and solitude, well away from the usual Glendalough crowds. For November it was incredibly warm, and all in all it was a fairly successful day out in the hills. Here is the pic looking down on the Monastic Site.

I think from the group picture standing near Poulanass falls it is pretty obvious that we are a good looking bunch!

Don't forget our next walk will be accompanied by food and drink, so I will expect all to attend!

Thanks Betty for the cool photos, and for emailing them on. Until next time!

And thanks for this pic Phil! A new member of the group but a great contribution with a lovely photo of Poulanass.

A Stroll in the Knocknacloghe Valley - Scarr Mountain and Kanturk

Hey all,

Here are the shots from our hillwalking adventure to the top of Scarr and Kanturk. Another magnificent day out in the hills, and a damn sight better than our Tonelagee adventure. Again, a huge thank you to Jacky, our official photographer, for getting some of these great shots!

 This is my favourite shot Jacky!!!!

Stay safe in the hills guys, and remember to take your bearing from your map, set your compass, and off you go!!!!

Arts Lough in fine fog

Walkabout Wicklow hillwalkers, check out the picture from Arts Lough. A pretty amazing place! Despite the fog obscuring the views, it was a good day out, ignoring the trample through the Everglades at the end! Not so much a river crossing, but more of a swamp crossing. Another story to tell at our Christmas function!

Well done on the descent off the mountain and through the forest. It was pretty steep in places, and I thought it would take us a bit longer, but we pretty much hammered along. As a colelctive we are definately getting faster. Dont forget next weekend the course is heading to Tonelagee.