Benwiskin, Co. Sligo
Date: Sunday, 25th of June
Difficulty: Medium
This week we are heading to W.B. Yeats Country and the iconic Benwiskin, known as the wave! After climbing onto its limestone plateau (look out for fossils), our efforts will be rewarded with extensive views towards Donegal, Leitrim and the wild Atlantic! Contact Sharon for more details.
Lub Loch Achair, Co. Donegal.
Date: Sunday, 4th of June
Difficulty: Easy
This months’ New Members outing will follow a way-marked walk which takes in part of the old Lough Swilly Railway line which runs along the base of Muckish Mountain. The old railway line formed part of the narrow gauge Letterkenny to Burtonport line operated by the Lough Swilly Train and Bus Company until 1940. A walk with spectacular scenery and a touch of history. Contact Sharon for more details.
This Sunday we are supporting the Dunree Beach (Port Ban) annual community clean-up @ 2pm. This iconic beach along the Wild Atlantic Way,
is often used by the Club as a starting/finishing point for walks. This is a great opportunity to give back to nature and say a little ‘Thank You’ for what we enjoy every Sunday…. Spread the word and lend a hand if you can!
It was a windy but fun walk to the top of Lough Salt Mountain, Co. Donegal on the 30th of April. Often referred to by the Club as the Lake District of Donegal, the views did not disappoint as we battled to remain up right at the trig point. Much relief was had as we retreated to more sheltered ground for lunch and a much calmer walk back to the Shrine and the cars. We were also very happy to have a wee visit from Sabine Nienhaus, Club alumni from German. Come back soon Sabine!
Lough Belshade & Binmore, Blue Stacks Mountains, Co Donegal.
Date: Sunday 14th of May
Difficulty: Medium
Making the most of the sunshine and dry weather we will head to an unfrequented area for the Club, the Blue Stacks, well known for being wet and boggy underfoot! This walk will follow a Famine Relief track for part of the route to Lough Belshade, a beautiful lake ringed by the Blue Stack Mountains. We will then climb-up the ridge to Binmore Hill.
The Carntogher Way, Co. Derry.
Date: Sunday 7th of May
Difficulty: Easy
This month New Members Walk is a trail walk on the hills above the Glenshane Pass and is an access point to historic Carntogher Mountain with views across Lough Foyle to Errigal and Muckish in Donegal, Sawel and the high Sperrins, and south-east to The Mournes and Slieve Gullion. Mentioned in the early Iron Age tale Táin Bó Cuailgne, the area is rich in mythology and archaeological heritage and a number of monuments remain visible in the landscape. Contact Sharon for further details on how to join.
Inishowen Head, Stroove, Co. Donegal.
Date: Sunday, 2nd of April 2017
Difficulty: Easy
This months’ New Members Walk will follow a bog road that climbs from Stroove Beach to Inishowen Head. Spectacular views of Kinnagoe Bay and the Atlantic make this a very scenic walk. Kinnagoe Bay is also the final resting place for the ill-fated galleon of the Spanish Armada, La Trinidad Valenca, which sunk there in terrible storms in 1588.
New members are recommended to attend this walk as their first outing with the Club. All existing members are also welcome to attend.
Gear requirements are a waterproof coat and trousers, hat, gloves, warm clothing, walking shoes/trainers, food and lots to drink and a ruc sack to carry it all in. Contact Sharon for more details and how to join the Club.
Date: Sunday 26th of March:
This medium level walk commences at Mamore Gap, traversing the main ridge of the Urris Hills, enjoying extensive views of Inishowen, Lough Swilly and the wild Atlantic. Contact Sharon for more details and how to join the Club.
October 2012 I climbed to the summit of Killamanjaro with my son Roger.
We took two years to plan this, and a years training up in the hills of Donegal for this journey, which was amazing and an unforgettable experience.
We took the Lemosho Route which is one of the longer routes, and a much quieter route, but it does enable you to have more of a chance to reach the summit, it took us six days to reach the top, and two days to get down.
We started off in the jungle for the first two days and then walked round the north side of the mountain across the Shira Plateau, at which time we were having a problem with altitude sickness but after taking medication we both felt much better.
It was unbelievable how difficult it was to climb with the shortage of oxygen, such an effort to put one foot in front of the other. The evenings were very cold at minus 10 and rather a frosty tent in the morning, we had to wrap up warm with several layers.
The guide and his team that we went with were first class and looked after us so well, the food was as good as you would get in a hotel, it was certainly a treat each evening when we reached our destination to have a tent all ready to crawl into and a hot meal all prepared and ready.
I look back now and wonder how I managed, but with the support of the guide and my son we achieved our goal and this memory will remain with me for the rest of my life.
I owe a lot of thanks to the Magee Hill Walkers as without all the practise before I went, I would never have reached the summit.
Ursula Nicholson
