Thursday, 31 December 2020

EXTREME COLD WEATHER IN THE MOURNES

 EXTREME COLD WEATHER  IN THE MOURNES



So come take a look at another hobby of mine which has been in my blood from about the age of 12. The mountains is a place I love to escape to when I’m not sailing you can create that same feeling that your away from the rat race it’s back to you against nature no room for messing up are the consequences are serious. I bring an old lifelong friend with me on this one to get his first winter camp in during these conditions. So showing Tam around and taking it easy we went first to Percy Byshee Cave then up to Blue Lough at the base of Slieve Lamagan. There is a little American history from around here during ww2 the Americans practiced bombing up here on Blue lough and Slievelamagan in the Mourne mountains and not far from this spot over on Chimney Rock Mountain a bomber crashed in bad weather ...so if your from over the pond and like that kind of history get onto the web.. ..anyway here is something different for you before the next sailing video is out ..Hope you enjoy.

Percy Byshee Cave

The 'PERCY BYSSHE' rock outcrop in the Mournes is named after the English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley who is believed to have visited the area around 1812. It is near the Blue Lough on the Binnian side of Slieve Lamagan. The left hand side has a narrow, deep cave used by Mourne smugglers in past centuries.

Chimney Rock Mountain Crash


Read the full story of five crew members of B26 41-18150 ("Winnie Dee") who lost their lives on Chimney Rock Mountain on the 10th April 1944 in the service of the their Country RIP

Avoid Hypothermia and Frostbite

When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body’s stored energy. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because a person may not know it is happening, therefore won’t be able to do anything about it.

Hypothermia is most likely to be a danger at very cold temperatures, but it can also occur even at cool temperatures (above 40°F) if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water.

Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas. It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation. The risk of frostbite is increased in people with reduced blood circulation and among those who are not dressed properly for extremely cold temperatures.






NEW YEARS DAY - GREETINGS FROM THE MOURNE MOUNTAINS - NORTHERN IRELAND

 NEW YEARS DAY - GREETINGS FROM THE MOURNE MOUNTAINS


Just a normal guy taking on new adventures from the oceans to the mountains

Thursday, 17 December 2020

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL - FROM SKIPPER JAMES

 MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL.




Just like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a wonderful productive new year. It’s been great having you all there with me while I adventure it’s been great meeting people on my travels and connecting with so many through the channel also Instagram and my Facebook. I’d just like to thank you all from family,followers,friends along with Van Spares Ltd a local business and everyone that’s donated on the go fund me page to help me keep the adventures going it’s very much appreciated so again I wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR 

Check Out the Round Britain Stages Done before the Mourne Venture and gradually being uploaded in date order as we circumnavigated the UK in Style 2020

Wednesday, 16 December 2020

A Year In Review with Skipper James - Round Britain - A Quick Guide

A Year in Review Round Britain 2020

                     

Well I thought I'd just put the Epic Round Britain 2020 into Context . we circumnavigated the waters in an Anti-Clockwise Direction . In case you have'nt realised you can see all the Legs on the 2020  UK Adventure on the Maps YELLOW Legs Feature My Journeys Map  on the right which also links directly to my You Tube . Here is a brief overview of some of the Legs of the Journey we followed working backward to were we started . As we observed and explored we stopped off and made Videos at the Ports , marinas that we stopped at . We were in no hurry to leave the Hebrides and as you can see from my Blog and the You Tube Channel we made many videos of Castles , Mountains and everything we came accross as we travelled. My crewe on the journey was of course Mr Boyd who is worthy of thanks for his hard work and antics !! We had the " Just Because " my Sigma 33 Boat  on the Waves form March till the Beginning of October and what a time we had . - One Life - Live It !!!

When I finishing uploading the last journey leagues I'll be adding to this post and review  by adding comments to the journey legs telling of the highs and lows of the adventure. I'll also fill in some of the posts with links , history , images and details should you set your course to make a similar visit  again A BIG Thank You to EVERYONE who made a donation on the GO FUND ME page to help make it possible to bring you these Videos and to promote Sailing for Ordinary Folk

Please pop back and revisit the post when I have updated with highlights and comments summing the Round Britain Epic as I load  the last legs of the journey 


FINISH 

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Caernarfon to Dinorvic

Pwllheli to Victoria Dock

Dale Anchorage (Milford Haven) to Pwllheli

Newlyn to Milford Haven ( Dale Anchorage)

 Brixham to Newlyn

Portland to Brixham

Solent to Portand Harbour

 Dover to The Isle of Wight

Lowestoft to Ramsgate

Scarborough To Lowestoft 

Blyth To Scarborough

Scrabster To Blyth

Hebrides Aillsa Craig

Hebrides Cape Wrath

Stornaway to Loch Chadh Fi

Lochmaddy To Scalpay

Rum to Canna

Ulva To Rum

West Coast Of Mull

Hebrides Jura

Loch Tarbert & Jura

West Loch Tarbert & Jura

Goat Island to Eilean Traighe

Hebrides Goat Island

Wednesday, 2 December 2020

THE BIG MOURNE CHALLENGE - 40 MILES - 21 PEAKS - FOR MENTAL HEALTH CHARITY

 The Big Mourne Challenge - 40 Miles - 21 Peaks For Mental Health Charity



Well a mega challenge 40 miles and 21 summits just one short on what was planned. The Mournes 7 peaks challenge followed by the Mourne wall challenge two hard routes in the kingdom of Mourne Northern Ireland (google them) and what makes this harder is doing it at this time of year leaving from a tent that we stayed in as our base not from the comfort of home. It was completed in a day and a half. The challenge was as follows 7 peaks first done by Jason and myself and the second part the Mourne wall was all three of us. We done this challenge for Mental health UK. Just like to say thank you to all who donated. I want to make this clear this is no easy task and I do not advise it if you do not have the know how skill are kit because things can turn bad here in a blink of an eye and death is very possible. So please take caution in the mountains in winter. It’s very important to fuel well stay well hydrated during this challenge. The 7s challenge went reasonably well but wind rain and cold soon played a major part to this the very last mountain we had to ditch due to conditions worsening extremely high wind and driving rain with wind chill factors...I was not risking having anyone go down this day because help is a long time away and hypothermia is very fast mover...so we made along the Annalong valley which was a wet mucky track then we had to veer of for the saddle at Donard which isn’t pathed because I wanted the fastest route out of these hills and back to base camp...you could say we were in survival mode. Once back to camp Mark had a blazing fire lit not something I normally do but it was essential to warm up and dry clothes as we had a short rest period before moving again we also had kit to sort and replenish the rucksacks with fresh food 02.30 it was was now time for the Mourne wall challenge which all three of us was for doing...but first it was time to get well fed and coffee down the neck...I also had a quick talk over what was going to happen. This time the weather was better to us for most of the hike. The first mountain soon got my legs working again and it was down Donard and of for silent valley taking in the mountains involved following the wall....there was a brief stop for a few Ibuprofen. This challenge turned into a complete blur as we headed for Slieve Muck...the next few mountains were knocked out without hardly a word from anyone as it was brutal going ...but we were doing this clock wise which I think made it more brutal especially on Muck (I now hate that mountain) anyway we batters on mountain after mountain to big bad Slieve Bearnagh we were now exhausted but the goal was in sight we had to get this done ...there was a few slips and slides as we finished the last few mountains off but we made it we 🤬 nailed it. When back at camp we got food again and packed up camp leaving no trace ..but we know had 3 times the weight on our backs taking all the kit back down it was evil but we done it. So big thanks to the lads for coming along and taking on such a bitch of a challenge and nailing it. A massive thanks to those who donated to the charity. It was all about mental health and this challenge represented it well...because no matter how hard things are if you keep moving forward no matter how slow you will get through it. Remember it’s good to talk....it’s also good to get out there into nature go on give it ago ....you got this 👊👊 

A SPECIAL THANKS AND WELL DONE TO JASON AND MARK ON  THE BIG PUSH


Friday, 27 November 2020

BIG MOURNE CHALLENGE FOR CHARITY

 BIG MOURNE CHALLENGE FOR CHARITY



Well you all know I like a challenge and pushing my body hard from time to time.. but this time it will be pushed to it’s limits in a 40 mile hike with 22 mountain summits in a day and a half max. I’ve left it for a day and a half as I have two new guys doing this with me Jason and Mark. Mark is completely new to this stuff and hasn’t done much of this kind of stuff so he will only be joining myself and Jason on the second half. Jason should have a fair idea what’s involved for the whole task including lots of pain and exhaustion. The date is set and will be going down in less than a week regardless to weather conditions. I do not advise this unless you know what your doing are you are with someone that knows exactly what they are doing. Remember if you want to do greater things put in the effort put in the work days weeks months years before it happens then you will be ready. The challenge I’m doing for the mental health uk. Why mental health? Well I can relate to it. I also know people that suffer some PTSD,Depression,Anxiety. Drinking hard ....it’s all to do with that old head...it’s nothing to be ashamed of and you know what you can still achieve stuff. Lots of people look at others and think ...hasn’t he are she got an awesome life they are always smiling and doing stuff I want to be like that ...be careful what you wish for because because people hide things well and you really don’t know what demons they fight you just keep looking forward and living your live. Anyway check out my Facebook page there is a public post of the donations for mental health UK FB. James Harrison (skipper James) and feel free to support.

Useful Information &  Map Links On The Mourne Mountains







Mountain List

MountainElementHeightIrish GridLat/LongMap Links
Altataggart Mountain445mJ22823954.14931,-6.12175OSMGoog
Annalong Buttress530mJ34827054.17413,-5.93683OSMGoog
Ardglash320mJ27629754.20021,-6.04588OSMGoog
Ballynagelty370mJ19516754.08543,-6.17507OSMGoog
Ballyvally Mountain300mJ17425254.16224,-6.20384OSMGoog
Ben Crom526mJ31226054.16609,-5.99236OSMGoog
Black Stairs370mJ36429154.19257,-5.91140OSMGoog
Blaeberry Mountain520mJ36425154.15665,-5.91321OSMGoog
Butter Mountain505mJ27527954.18408,-6.04817OSMGoog
Carmeen310mJ18626054.16915,-6.18516OSMGoog
Carnadrannasummit360mJ18126154.17016,-6.19278OSMGoog
Carnadrannasouth peak365mJ18025954.16839,-6.19439OSMGoog
Carn Mountainsummit588mJ28825954.16580,-6.02912OSMGoog
Carn Mountain (2)lesser NE summit557mJ28926454.17026,-6.02738OSMGoog
Chimney Rock Mountainsummit656mJ36425754.16204,-5.91293OSMGoog
Chimney Rock Mountain (2)Carrs Face550mJ36726254.16645,-5.90812OSMGoog
Chimney Rock Mountain (3)The Long Mountain520mJ36725554.16017,-5.90844OSMGoog
Chimney Rock Mountain (4)North west face630mJ35926154.16576,-5.92040OSMGoog
Cloghmore Glen300mJ19117254.09001,-6.18098OSMGoog
Cock Mountainsummit504mJ25326854.17474,-6.08230OSMGoog
Cock Mountain (2)lesser summit500mJ25226654.17297,-6.08392OSMGoog
Cove Mountainsummit655mJ33627054.17445,-5.95520OSMGoog
Cove Mountain (2)Upper Cove600mJ33526954.17358,-5.95677OSMGoog
Cove Mountain (3)Lower Cove410mJ33626054.16547,-5.95564OSMGoog
Craigdoo408mJ27129754.20034,-6.05353OSMGoog
CraigdooSE lesser peak, Sheepfold407mJ27329554.19849,-6.05055OSMGoog
Crannoge350mJ36626754.17097,-5.90942OSMGoog
Crenville460mJ20718654.10221,-6.15598OSMGoog
Crossone544mJ36727454.17722,-5.90757OSMGoog
Crotlieve Mountain347mJ20923854.14886,-6.15085OSMGoog
Deers Meadow370mJ27225954.16619,-6.05360OSMGoog
Doan593mJ30226154.16724,-6.00762OSMGoog
Eagle Mountainsummit638mJ24423054.14084,-6.09764OSMGoog
Eagle Mountain (2)The Slates580mJ24623254.14259,-6.09450OSMGoog
Eagle Mountain (3)Great Gully520mJ24822354.13446,-6.09182OSMGoog
Finlievesummit579mJ23620454.11769,-6.11094OSMGoog
Finlieve (2)Red Bog490mJ24220254.11575,-6.10185OSMGoog
Finlieve (3)Red Moss470mJ24719954.11293,-6.09433OSMGoog
Finlieve (4)Finlieve More360mJ23319254.10699,-6.11601OSMGoog
Glen Fofanny340mJ37427454.17704,-5.89686OSMGoog
Glenmore300mJ18526254.17097,-6.18662OSMGoog
Gruggandoo380mJ20125654.16521,-6.16237OSMGoog
Grugganskeagh310mJ18926154.16998,-6.18053OSMGoog
Hares Castle430mJ34425454.15987,-5.94367OSMGoog
Hares Gap435mJ32228654.18917,-5.97592OSMGoog
Hen MountainSummit Tor360mJ24527654.18212,-6.09422OSMGoog
Hen Mountain (2)South Tor340mJ24627554.18120,-6.09273OSMGoog
Hen Mountain (3)The Tower330mJ24327554.18127,-6.09732OSMGoog
Hen Mountain (4)West Tor330mJ24327554.18127,-6.09732OSMGoog
Knockchree305mJ27117054.08631,-6.05887OSMGoog
Knockshee346mJ22116054.07854,-6.13564OSMGoog
Leckan More355mJ18621554.12874,-6.18693OSMGoog
Leganabruchan410mJ37427554.17793,-5.89682OSMGoog
Long Seefin345mJ35727554.17839,-5.92283OSMGoog
Lough Garran350mJ19917054.08803,-6.16884OSMGoog
Lugagour360mJ27029254.19587,-6.05528OSMGoog
Lukes Mountain391mJ32730454.20521,-5.96747OSMGoog
Millstone Mountain459mJ37328454.18604,-5.89794OSMGoog
Millstone Mountain (2)Drinneevar310mJ37628754.18865,-5.89321OSMGoog
Moolieve332mJ31221854.12838,-5.99418OSMGoog
Mullagharve330mJ19826154.16977,-6.16676OSMGoog
Ott Mountain525mJ28326954.17490,-6.03635OSMGoog
Percy Bysshe355mJ32925054.15667,-5.96679OSMGoog
Pierces Castle465mJ23423954.14916,-6.11257OSMGoog
Pigeon Rock Mountainsummit NNW536mJ26125054.15838,-6.07081OSMGoog
Pigeon Rock Mountain (2)Pigeon Rock440mJ26323654.14577,-6.06834OSMGoog
Pigeon Rock Mountain (3)Left Hand Buttress405mJ26523454.14392,-6.06536OSMGoog
Pigeon Rock Mountain (4)Right Hand Buttress410mJ26623654.14569,-6.06375OSMGoog
Pigeon Rock Mountain (5)SSE peak534mJ26424454.15292,-6.06647OSMGoog
Rocky Mountain I405mJ23325854.16625,-6.11332OSMGoog
Rocky Mountain II382mJ23918154.09696,-6.10730OSMGoog
Rocky Mountain II (2)Slieveroe390mJ24818654.10124,-6.09334OSMGoog
Rocky Mountain III524mJ35025254.15792,-5.93458OSMGoog
Shanlieve627mJ24022654.13735,-6.10392OSMGoog
ShelterLough Shannagh360mJ29726254.16826,-6.01522OSMGoog
Slieve BearnaghSummit Tor739mJ31228054.18404,-5.99149OSMGoog
Slieve Bearnagh (2)North Tor735mJ31528254.18576,-5.98681OSMGoog
Slieve Bearnagh (3)Bearnagh Slabs590mJ31028154.18499,-5.99451OSMGoog
Slieve Bearnagh (4)Pollaphuca515mJ31028354.18679,-5.99442OSMGoog
Slieve Begsummit595mJ34127654.17970,-5.94728OSMGoog
Slieve Beg (2)Devils Coachroad580mJ33927554.17886,-5.95038OSMGoog
Slieve BinnianSummit Tor747mJ32023454.14254,-5.98125OSMGoog
Slieve Binnian (2)South Tor660mJ32023054.13895,-5.98143OSMGoog
Slieve Binnian (3)The Back Castles690mJ31923854.14616,-5.98261OSMGoog
Slieve Binnian (4)North Tor700mJ31724454.15159,-5.98541OSMGoog
Slieve Binnian (5)Buzzards Roost535mJ32025054.15690,-5.98056OSMGoog
Slieve Binnian (6)Blue Lough Buttress460mJ32624754.15406,-5.97151OSMGoog
Slieve Binnian (7)Douglas Crag457mJ32924254.14949,-5.96714OSMGoog
Slieve Binnian (8)Lesser SE peak635mJ32623154.13969,-5.97221OSMGoog
Slieve Commedaghsummit cairn767mJ34628654.18855,-5.93918OSMGoog
Slieve Commedagh (2)Pot of Legawherry620mJ33828654.18876,-5.95142OSMGoog
Slieve Commedagh (3)Pot of Pulgarve720mJ34728954.19122,-5.93751OSMGoog
Slieve Commedagh (4)The Castles640mJ34727954.18224,-5.93796OSMGoog
Slieve Commedagh (5)Shan Slieve685mJ34729154.19301,-5.93742OSMGoog
Slieve Corragh640mJ33728654.18879,-5.95296OSMGoog
Slieve Donardsummit (Great Carn)850mJ35827754.18016,-5.92121OSMGoog
Slieve Donard (2)Eagle Rock730mJ35828354.18554,-5.92094OSMGoog
Slieve Donard (3)Lesser Carn825mJ35927854.18103,-5.91964OSMGoog
Slieve Donard (4)Donard – Commedagh Col585mJ34927954.18219,-5.93490OSMGoog
Slieve Donard (5)Bog of Donard520mJ35426754.17128,-5.92778OSMGoog
Slieve Loughshannagh620mJ29427254.17732,-6.01939OSMGoog
Slieve Meelbeg708mJ30027954.18345,-6.00990OSMGoog
Slieve Meelmoresummit704mJ30628754.19048,-6.00037OSMGoog
Slieve Meelmore (2)Spellack470mJ31129554.19754,-5.99237OSMGoog
Slieve Meelmore (3)Clonachullion330mJ31129754.19933,-5.99228OSMGoog
Slievemiskan310mJ21819654.11093,-6.13877OSMGoog
Slieve Mucksummit673mJ28124954.15699,-6.04026OSMGoog
Slieve Muck (2)lesser summit627mJ27924254.15076,-6.04361OSMGoog
Slieveban395mJ20116554.08350,-6.16598OSMGoog
Slievebane390mJ19718254.09885,-6.17142OSMGoog
Slievedermot425mJ20018854.10417,-6.16660OSMGoog
Slievefadda425mJ21116954.08685,-6.15055OSMGoog
Slievelamagansummit704mJ32926054.16565,-5.96635OSMGoog
Slievelamagan (2)Lamagan Slabs600mJ33125654.16201,-5.96346OSMGoog
Slievemageogh316mJ26621754.12863,-6.06455OSMGoog
Slievemartin485mJ20117654.09337,-6.16555OSMGoog
Slievemeel420mJ21120554.11918,-6.14911OSMGoog
Slievemeen471mJ20116954.08709,-6.16582OSMGoog
Slievemoughanmore560mJ24924054.14970,-6.08958OSMGoog
Slievenabrock438mJ34630154.20202,-5.93851OSMGoog
Slievenabrock (2)Tullybranigan360mJ34530654.20653,-5.93982OSMGoog
Slieve Roe364mJ18423854.14944,-6.18909OSMGoog
Slieve Roe (2)342mJ18023154.14325,-6.19548OSMGoog
Slieve Roosleysummit362mJ19522854.14021,-6.17266OSMGoog
Slieve Roosley (2)lesser north peak350mJ19723554.14644,-6.16932OSMGoog
Slievenagarragh450mJ37326054.16450,-5.89903OSMGoog
Slievenaglogh I445mJ29923054.13948,-6.01354OSMGoog
Slievenaglogh IIsummit586mJ32729154.19353,-5.96804OSMGoog
Slievenaglogh II (2)Diamond Rocks555mJ32629954.20074,-5.96922OSMGoog
Slievenaglogh II (3)lesser E peak573mJ33029054.19256,-5.96349OSMGoog
Slievenaglogh II (4)lesser NW peak555mJ32429454.19631,-5.97251OSMGoog
Slievenagore335mJ29321654.12706,-6.02331OSMGoog
Slievenamaddy450mJ35429554.19642,-5.92653OSMGoog
Slievenaman323mJ29630754.20869,-6.01482OSMGoog
Slievenamiskan444mJ25927254.17819,-6.07295OSMGoog
Slievenamuck390mJ27527354.17869,-6.04842OSMGoog
Spaltha479mJ27028754.19138,-6.05549OSMGoog
Spelga472mJ26528054.18522,-6.06344OSMGoog
Spelga Pass290mJ26127854.18352,-6.06964OSMGoog
Spences Mountain517mJ36624854.15391,-5.91028OSMGoog
The Creats300mJ25218954.10383,-6.08711OSMGoog
The Fallow350mJ20519354.10855,-6.15876OSMGoog
The Rowans300mJ21618454.10021,-6.14231OSMGoog
Thomass Mountain475mJ36628954.19072,-5.90843OSMGoog
Tievedockdarragh473mJ22323254.14314,-6.12968OSMGoog
Tornamrock390mJ23625354.16168,-6.10894OSMGoog
Trainors Rocks360mJ20624954.15881,-6.15500OSMGoog
Wee Binnian459mJ31622554.13456,-5.98776OSMGoog
Wee Roosley320mJ20524854.15793,-6.15657OSMGoog
Wee Slievemoughan428mJ24424854.15700,-6.09690OSMGoog
Windy Gap395mJ24623754.14708,-6.09430OSMGoog


The Mourne Wall

The Mourne Wall was constructed between 1904 and 1922 by the Belfast Water Commissioners to define and enclose the catchment area for the newly constructed Silent Valley Reservoir. The wall is 22 miles long, 1.5m high and 0.8m thick and is constructed entirely of granite from quarries around the Mourne Mountains using classic dry stone wall techniques. It encloses 9,000 acres of mountainous terrain and is designed to keep farm animals away from the reservoirs and rivers that flow into them.

It crosses 15 mountains. Starting at Hares Gap and working anti-clockwise they are:
Slieve Bearnagh (727 m)
Slieve Meelmore (684 m)
Slieve Meelbeg (708 m)
Slieve Loughshannagh (619 m)
Carn Mountain (587 m)
Slieve Muck (674 m)
Slievenaglogh (445 m)
Moolieve (332 m)
Wee Binnian (460 m)
Slieve Binnian (747 m)
Rocky Mountain (525 m)
Slieve Donard (850 m)
Slieve Commedagh (765 m)
Slieve Corragh (691 m)
Slievenaglogh (586 m)

The wall passes the peak of each mountain except Rocky where it skirts the summit. It is also worth noting that there are two Slievenagloghs.

SKIPPER JAMES ADVENTURES

     Welcome to my blog and I hope you will join me on the seas in the hills and on the mountains  for fun and adventure !! Join me , James ...