It rained...

... typically, we get up the hill and the heavens open so for all my bravado on Friday I didn't get out of the car - well not on that side of the hill anyway. I set hubby off again and we raced the clouds round the peak until we got to Drumkeeragh Forest which sits in between Slieve Croob and Guiness Mountain, working on the logic that the trees would shelter us from the worst of the rain and we wouldn't have to abandon the trip. Logic worked (for once) and we enjoyed a lovely walk, the views over Guiness Mountain and the Mournes were beautiful, my photograph really doesn't do it any justice. We may have beat the rainclouds round the mountain but they did eventually catch up so it was waterproofs all round (Marmot Precips here ;-D ) and a short stroll back to the car. We did pass quite a few people seeking refuge from the wet under the branches of the fir trees... hmmm, do you reckon they're still there

Getting back into it

I cam across the following description on http://www.outdoorni.com/ and thoughy, although brief, it hits the nail on the head.

The Mournes in County Down is often said to be Northern Ireland’s “crowning glory” and it is certainly the most popular area for walkers in Northern Ireland. Rising dramatically from the sea, the Mourne mountain range is dominated by a compact ring of twelve summits, each rising above 600m. The highest peak, Slieve Donard, measures 853m. The Mournes are unusual in that their summits are grouped together in an area only 7 miles in breadth and 15 miles long, but this provides a wonderful opportunity for walkers to experience a diverse landscape all within a compact area.

This weekend I am going to ease myself back in slowly with a trip up to Slieve Croob and introduce the littlest member of our family to her first peak. It'll be no time at all before she's trying to race her brother up but this time around she'll have to make do with being carried. And if it won't stop raining I'll just have to head onto http://www.rawoutdoors.co.uk/ and see if I can pick up a Bushbaby for her.

Have a good weekend everyone

Signing Off To Head West

You won't hear from me for a couple of weeks - heading off west to Yosemite to get back to nature! Only kidding heading out with a bag of gear to see how it performs in sunnier climes. So when I get back I'll be able to tell you all about the following gear:-

Marmot Kathmandu Short Sleeve Shirt.

Salomon Exit Aero's.

Keen Zerraport Sandals.

Marmot Reactor 1/2 Zip

And Lots More....

A Pretty Good Wing If You Ask Me!

Pretty good climbing until he falls!

Divided Years (E9 6c) Repeated

Ricky Bell has repeated Divided Years, a climb in the Mourne Mountains that was at one time billed as the hardest traditional climb in the world. Ricky's comments and some cracking photo's of the action can be found at http://www.climbmagazine.com/RickyBellDividedYearsPhotos.aspx The climb on Buzzard's Roost crag certainly looks frighteningly overhanging!

Reviewing my new best buy - Jack Wolfskin Jungle Bag

I probably shouldn't be coming onto Raw Outdoors to talk about a trip to London but it was outside, it was sunny and there was plenty of walking done so that's a start.

I have just bought the Jack Wolfskin Jungle Bag and it worked just as well in the urban jungle as I would expect of it in hotter and more humid climates.

The ten litre version is a great size and him indoors was surprised at how much stuff I kept pulling out of it. The lightweight fabric is woven which gives an extremely resilient feel to the bag and it has a waterproof coating which is essential for most environments, especially the Irish. There are plenty of storage options inside, one of which is a see through pocket at the front for those travel essentials whether it be your tickets or your map, a padded pocket for your camera and an easy reach pocket on the top. In my opinion the best two features are the easy access zip at the top which lets you nip into the bag for items in the main compartment without having to open the buckles and the aperture lid because it has folds in each side which lets you open it right back and stays open - small things, but when you are carrying your essentials, with 2 kids, a buggy and your luggage, they certainly do help make life that little bit easier.

New Product - Petzl Altios Helmet

New Petzl Altios Helmet.

Ultra comfortable multi-purpose helmet: The Altios helmet features a hybrid suspension system, composed of a mesh panel and expanded polystyrene liner making it extremely lightweight and comfortable to wear. To create a weightless feeling the helmet "levitates" above the head with the space between the liner and the head giving extremely effective ventilation.

Fancy getting your hands on a spanking new Altios helmet? Just send us an email to info@rawoutdoors.co.uk with a one liner why we should give you a new helmet. One slight catch you have to give us a gear review on the helmet for the blog.

Closing date for emails - 9th July, 2008.

BMC - Summit 50 Gear Review

Lifesytems Expedition Mountain Sun Cream

The high mountains are a dangerous place for your skin; protect yourself with the new Lifesystems Expedition Mountain Sun Cream. This is a new range of high quality, broad spectrum sun creams from Lifesytems, specifically engineered to protect against the very high intensity sunlight experienced by skiers, mountaineers and other adventure travellers. Expedition Mountain Sun Cream will fit comfortably in a jacket pocket: in a 50ml or 100ml version they also comply with current security requirements. And should you overcook it, there's also a 200ml Expedition After-Sun available too.

Check out:- http://www.rawoutdoors.co.uk/Models.aspx?ModelID=1650 for more details

This Will Make You Smile!

On a wet and horrible weekend - This will make you smile!

A tribute to Sir Ed Hillary

These Wild Isles - The Times Travel Section

Just chilling out with a cup of coffee and picked up todays Times travel section and WOW! Great picture of Ben Bulben on the cover and good article on all the wild places in the UK and Ireland.

"True wilderness is closer than you think, In fact, its just outside your door", says Christopher Somerville (Saturday Times - Travel Section)

Why not have a read and see if you agree - Personally I think that they should have included Connemara and the Cuillans in Skye.

Check out the full article at - http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/best_of_britain/article4172934.ece

Check out Jason Hawkes Pictures - http://archive.jasonhawkes.com/Default.aspx

Is This One Of The Best Campsites In The Mournes?

Just come back from a soggy morning running around Lough Shannagh in the Mournes. I've had better days! Then I remembered being up here last year on a great warm sunny day and came across these guys wild camping - I reckon this could be one of the best spots in the Mournes for camping out, just remember to bring the Midge repellent!

Check out this link for a good easy walking route - http://www.sixgolds.com/shannagh.htm

Email blushes and having it good

Well it would appear that my first e-mail as a Raw Outdoors employee went a bit wrong so please accept my most humble apologies - there's a new one winging it's way through cyber-space as I type. I've extended the mondo offer so it is valid for a week from today and nobody misses out.

Does anybody read The Times? There was a great article in this weekend's Travel supplement called Adventurers have never had it so good

As fuel surcharges and currency fluctuations force the cost of holidays ever higher, adventure specialists are slashing prices in a desperate attempt to fill their tours.
The problem, says Noel Josephides, of the Association of Independent Tour Operators, is that there are too many adventure specialists competing for a decreasing number of clients.
“There’s too much capacity, and I would be surprised, at the end of this season, if we didn’t start seeing casualties,” he said. “I’ve been involved in the travel industry since 1972 and I’ve never seen conditions as bad as this. It’s horrific.”
“Bookings for all the traditional long-haul destinations have been flat,” said one industry insider, who declined to be named. “We’ll be struggling to bring in our budget this year.”
Operators also report a slump in forward bookings for 2009, turning the adventure travel trade into a buyer’s market as expedition prices are cut by hundreds of pounds.

To read more go to http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/news/article4124433.ece

Great Summer 2008 Competition

Have You Entered Yet?

Send an email to info@rawoutdoors.co.uk and we'll enter you into our Summer Competition.

Just type "Please enter me into your summer competition" and leave us your name and address - It's that simple.

Just think you could win the following:-

1 X Jack Wolfskin Dragon 3 Tent.

2 X Snugpak Navigator Sleeping Bags.

2 X Outwell Roll Mats.

1 X Jetboil Group Cookset.

(Worth £350)

Go on enter now!

Knock Off Slieve Donard This Weekend

The Weathers looking Good - Head For The Hills This Weekend

Well I've checked with the Met office and it's going to be 15C and sunny tomorrow. Why not head fo the hills near you or if you fancy something a bit more exotic, head for Northern Ireland's highest peak - Slieve Donard (852M).

The best starting point is from Donard forest park carpark and head straight up the Glen river - big, big track you'll not get lost!

If you want more details drop me an email at roger@rawoutdoors.co.uk and I'll send you a more detailed route plan.

Have a great weekend!

Exclusive Discount on the Icebreaker Mondo Zip-T

Hi, this is my first post here, actually it's my first blog post ever so you're going to have to let any mistakes slide. On the plus side I am the one giving you the offer code for the Icebreaker Mondo Zip base layer then I reckon that's as good an incentive as any. The Bodyfit200 is a great offering from Icebreaker and the 200 is warmer than the 150 so it resists the cold and odour longer.

The Icebreaker range on our website currently have 5% off, increase your discount on the Mondo to 15% by typing in mondoblog valid until 20 June 2008

Jen

Used & Abused - Monkeyman Jacket

Used & Abused Since 2003

Absolutely my favourite piece of mountain gear. Wherever I go my Monkeyman is with me. I climb in it, sleep in it and chill out in it.

If there is one piece of kit that I would recommend you buy it is the Monkeyman. For weight to thermal ratio no other fleece will beat it. My Monkeyman is looking abit worn around the elbows, but other than that it's seen plenty of action over the last few years.

If you're a fan of the Monkeyman let us know.

Trail Magazine T-Shirts On Test - Icebreaker Atlas

Trail Rating - 4 Out Of 5.

Merino wool is a great natural fibre, and if you like fitted, lightweight tops then this is a great buy. Icebreaker makes some excellent easier-fitting T-shirts that require a less athletic build. But this is an excellent top that's great all year. Made in China, it's the cheapest merino wool offering here, combining top-quality and excellent value.

Available now from http://www.rawoutdoors.co.uk/

We Start Them Early At RAW Outdoors!

Jack Tackles Some Easy Bouldering on Slieve Bearnagh

The weather was great last weekend so we decided to get out and have some fun in the Mourne Mountains. We picked a great route up Spellack, over Meelmore and then up over Slieve Bearnagh. Jack spied some great routes on the summit for a spot of bouldering - Next stop the North Face of the Eiger!

Anyone else up in the hills last weekend?