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NB: IN THE INTEREST OF YOUR OWN SAFETY, TAKE STOCK OF YOUR EQUIPMENT MUST HAVE: - Walking Boots-Raincoat and Leggings - Adequate clothing (layers are the best option) - Hat-Gloves - Packed lunch and at least 1 litre water SHOULD HAVE: - Torch- Extra Batteries- Whistle - Bivvy Bag- Basic First Aid (at least plasters and bandages) COULD HAVE: - 1:25000 Mourne Country Map (For the Mournes) or Sheet No. 36 OSI 1:50000 (for the Cooley's) - Compass GOOD IDEAS: - Carry some emergency rations - Have a change of clothes in the car (The Leader can refuse to allow you on the walk if you do not have the basics)
Sunday 13^th Nov 2011 – Slieve Meelmore. Meet at Bridge Street Car Park, Newry at 10.00 OR Mealmore Lodge (J305 307) Click Here for Google Map Directions. . Please Note: There is a car parking fee to members if you go into the coffee shop and pay £3.
The Leaders who will be leading this walk are: Grade A: Peter Kirke, Mick O’Driscoll. Grade B: Robert Thompson, Samzie Hale, Pat Gaskin, Jock McArdle Grade C: John McCauley, Noeleen Mone and Kathy Dawson. Après Walk: Betty Dorans.
Christmas Party: Following the great success of last year’s Wee Binnian Christmas Party; this year’s party will again be in the Carrickdale Hotel, Pinewood Suite, on Friday 2nd December at 8pm. This your opportunity to lose those waterproofs, get on the glad rags and meet your Wee Binnian friends in a nice environment for a great evening with a splendid 4+ course Christmas Dinner. You can dance the night away until the wee hours and maybe win one of our many novelty spot prizes too. Tickets are limited to 120 persons. They are available at €30 or £25 from committee members. (Picture show last Christmas Party.)
Basic Navigation Training Course: Do you fancy learning how to read maps and learn how to navigate yourself around the mountains? A Basic Navigation course is being organised by Thomas McKenna and Eoghan Bailey. The course is run over one evening and one day. The evening part takes place on Thursday the 1^st Dec 2011 at 7.00 pm and will be based in the Southern ITEC building on the Armagh Road, Newry with the full day section on Sunday next, 4^th Dec 2011 at Leitrim Lodge starting at 10.00am. This will allow participants to put into practice all that was covered on the Thursday night. (Please note that the class is on a Thurs and not on Fri as before)
The Southern ITEC Building is on the Armagh Road out of Newry. The easiest access from south is to bypass Newry as if heading to Belfast, then turn back into Newry at the 5-Ways roundabout (B&Q)- the 4th exit on the roundabout. Southern ITEC is about 500m on the left hand side. From Newry take the Armagh Road out of Newry and the building is on the right. You can park inside gates. So why not give it a go by turning up on the evening. You need only bring a compass and map of the Mournes if you have them and a pen and paper. This is strictly limited to 20 paid up members and is free of charge. You may contact Eoghan Bailey (eoghanbailey@gmail.com / +353(0)86 843 4440) or Thomas Mc Kenna (thomas_mckenna@btinternet.com ) +44 (0)28 30861759) for further information.
Trip to Samoens France June 2012 – Update: This Sunday sees the third stage payment opportunity for those wishing to pay by instalments. To date our flights are booked and paid for to avail of the cheaper flights offer. To cover this cost we are asking anyone who has not given a second stage payment (another €100) to date, please do so this weekend.
Braveheart and Tartan Walks: The kilts are on again and Winter is upon us, so its time for Roger Connelly’s annual Braveheart and Tartan Walks. The walks take place on Sun 11^th December starting at 5am in Newcastle (Donard Park) and finishing between 4pm and 5pm at the Kilbroney pub in Rostrevor. The Braveheart Walk is 32km long and crosses all the peaks on-route while the Tartan Walk crosses a few less peaks but is still 28km long. Over the past years Roger and his fellow kilt wearing band have raised £1000’s by this venture in aid of The Childrens’ Hospice. Roger has sponsorship cards and may be contacted at 028 41754140. Roger and any of the walkers will accept donations. For walkers who wish to park in Rostrevor, Des McConville is arranging taxis from Rostrevor at 04.15am.
Our New Walks Programme is now online – Click Here
October Weekend Report: Wow, what a weekend we had, weather wise, We had it all. Wind and rain and, yes, we did have some sun. Everyone arrived on Fri evening at different time. After sorting out rooms and sampling the delights of the hotel swimming and leisure, we all met up in the lounge. Next morning bright and early, we started our bus journey to the start of our walk to the Galty Mountains. It started in the forest were we had heavy rain. When we went out on the open top, we had very windy conditions. When we reached the top of Galtymore (919m), it was very hard to stay on your feet. We had to get down out of the winds. We had sunshine on top which was great. From here we went on to
Galtybeg and then down. The “A” group went on to do another mountain whilst the “Bs” and the “Cs” did the same route. All groups arrive down at 4.30 to 5.00 for the bus. After the walk, back to the hotel. There, we got complimentary tea/coffee and hot whiskeys. A welcomed treat. That night we had a superb meal. Our chairperson, Mick O’Driscoll got up to say a few words. He thanked the staff for the lovely meal and thanked all the organisers of the trip for booking such a wonderful hotel and the route planners. Again the next morning, everyone was up bright and early. Then off to the Knockmwealdown Mountains. We started and ended with rain. The terrain of the walk was tough going as we climbed to the top of Knockmealdown. We went on to Sugarloaf Mtn by following a track. We met members a group from the Glenwalk Group who are from Dublin. We also met this club last year in the Commeragh’s. After we climbed up Sugarloaf mountain, the terrain got difficult even though we were going down. With the map and the compass out and with the help of the GPS, we navigated our way back to the bus. Well done all leaders who did all the navigation in difficult terrain and weather conditions. After the walk, the bus took us back to the hotel. The hotel allowed us to use their showers to clean up after the walk before we went home. Even thought the weather wasn’t great, I think everyone enjoyed the craic. It was also great value. Again, thanks to all who organised the hotel, the buses and the routes. (David Sloan) (Pic: By Eoghan Bailey – Click on picture to enlarge) PS – Lost. Eoghan Bailey has one blue gaiter that someone left behind on Sunday in Clonmel. Contact him at 00353 (0)86 843 4440
Other News:
			Did you find boots that were left behind in Splega Car Park: A pair of Brasher boots was left behind after the walk at Splega Car Park last Sunday 23^rd Oct. If you have found them, please email weebinnians@eircom.net or you can text the Secretary Eoghan Bailey at 00353 (0)86 843 4440. The owner would be eternally grateful. Left behind in Clonmel: Eoghan Bailey has one blue gaiter that someone left behind on Sunday in Clonmel. Contact him at 00353 (0)86 843 4440
Walking Holdiay: (For your information only) At some point in your walking calendar you may be considering a week’s walking abroad in the sun, Guided Club Hillwalking Tenerife offers you a week's holiday, in the sun walking and trekking and exploring the magical island of Tenerife, a volcanic island of contrasts, with dramatic and beautiful landscapes. With our varied, extensive walking program you will explore spectacular coastlines with contrasting sheer black cliffs and azure seas, farmland and remote villages (including the stunning Barrarnco Del Masca) native laurel woods, canarian pine forests, the Lake District and "Lunar" landscapes. Read more or for more information on the walks offered visit their website www.walkingtenerife.com or Email them at martin@walkingtenerife.com.
Winter Lecture Series: Mick Fowler: Date 1^st December 2011. Time: 19.00. Venue Tollymore National Outdoor Centre. Mountaineering Ireland in association with Berghaus is delighted to announce as part of the 2011/12 Winter Lecture Series Mick Fowler – the “mountaineers’ mountaineer”. A lecture will take place in Tollymore National Outdoor Centre on Thursday, 01 December at 7.00pm. Click Here for more details....
Andy Kirkpatrick: Date: Wed 7^th Dec 2011. Time: 19.30. Venue: LT1 in the Queens University MBC, Lisburn Road, Belfast, Other Information: "British mountaineer Andy Kirkpatrick and author of the award-winning Psychovertical will be giving a talk this Autumn on the subject of his new book, Cold Wars. (The lecture contains strong language and adult content.) Cost: Tickets can also be purchased on the door. [£10 / £8 M.I.] Click here for more information. He is also on in Dublin: Date: Thur 8^th Dec 2011. Time: 19.30. Venue: MacNeill Theatre, Hamilton Building, Trinity College, Dublin. Cost: N/A
Our Next walk: Sunday 27^th Nov 2011 – Slieve Binnian – Meet at Bridge Street Car Park, Newry at 10.00am OR Silent Valley (J306 210). There is a car parking fee £4. The Leaders who will be leading the next walk are: Grade A: Ted Stewart, Peter McGowan. Grade B: Tom Kohoe, Paul Fegan, Des McConville, Edward McGuiggan Grade C: David Sloan, Roger Connolly and Stephen Kerr. Après Walk: Kilbronney Inn, Rostrevor
Other Information: Did you miss the last Newsletter?. Click here for the last Newsletter Safety Gear List: We ask members, particularly new members or people who are thinking of joining us, to read this information. Click Here Weather Forecast BBC Weather , RTE Weather, Our Website: Wee Binnian Walkers Website, Other: Walks Programme. Our Email address: weebinnians@eircom.net
Contacting Our Club Secretary: Secretary Eoghan Bailey - ROI 00353 (0)86 843 4440 or Assistant Secretary Eileen McKeever.- 0044(0) 759 239 3801. (You may wish to take note of these numbers for future reference and we ask members to store these numbers into your mobile and store them as “Wee Binnians”) Newsletter compiled by: David Sloan. Articles submitted by: Eoghan Bailey, Eileen McKeever
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