MOURNE MOUNTAINS - HARES CASTLE PT 1

 MOURNE MOUNTAINS - HARES CASTLE PT 1

So again of I go into the mountains solo hiking.I leave from Carricklittle car park and aim for my pitch at Hares castle just on the side of Annalong valley. This is part one of a set of two. So the reason I’m setting of from here again is to give you are an inexperienced hiker/Walker a good look at the ground round this area and if it’s your first time heading up here you can look at this and a few previous videos and you will get an eyes on something you can’t get from a map. One thing I will ask people is learn to read a map and compass and carry one.. when your out test yourself it’s great fun and your learning new skills I promise it’s rewarding. Don’t be fooled thinking weather will never change in the mountains as it can go from beautiful to angry and life threatening very fast. Another good skill to learn in the outdoors world is weather ..watching it,reading it and learning it. I’ve become pretty good at reading things due to having to be very weather wise in my offshore sailing and big adventures to things like this ..so weather is important. So even if you can’t get to the mountains there is so much you can learn and do from home to prep yourself for your adventure ..your fitness,learning weather and reading maps and compass. Ok so my pitch at Hares castle was decided because of the wind direction not only that it was nicely out of the way with stunning views of Annalong valley and in nice striking distance for chimney rock mountain. The wind was a lot less than forecast so no worries the temperature was good and no frozen boots this time. I set off to hit chimney rock mountain the site of a crashed world war 2 American bomber in search of the engine which can still be seen sticking out of the ground. Do I find it tho? The weather was great and I enjoyed this little hike. No laughing at my little survival tips as it could save your life someday. Anyway I hope you enjoy coming on this little hike with me taking in the beautiful mountains of Mourne in Northern Ireland it’s great for your fitness and your mental health. Hope you all have a great week.

"The Hares Castle in the Annalong Valley, well known to shepherd and stone man, gets its name from its resemblance to the animal, but the better known Hare's Gap is called  after the O'Hare family who used to farm the land in Clonachullion...'"

From Mourne Country by Estyn Evans, p84

Engine Location

Irish: geotagged! J 36266 25560 [1m precision]

WGS84: 54:9.6598N 5:54.8774W