Mid - Ulster Mountaineers

25/08/2025

⭐ Update… Wilson has been found!!! ⭐

Sadly, Mabel is still missing.

Please keep an eye out for Wilson who is also missing… he was spotted at the weekend with his lead on…

Please help get Wilson & Mabel reunited with their owners

REUNITED WITH OWNER

COMMENTING HAS BEEN TURNED OFF ..
Please read the post in full to avoid confusion
The hiker spotted Wilson at 6.20pm last night *Sat 23rd* . However, his post was only approved this morning *24th* , so it caused confusion to people thinking he had only been spotted an hr ago .
We need to make sure the owner only receives the correct information and therefore have turned off commenting .

PM US IF YOU HAVE INFO

MISSING: STAFFIE

LOCATION: SLIEVE BEARNAGH MOUNTAINS

DATE: 23/08/25

DETAILS: SIGHTING YESTERDAY AT 6.20PM AT BASE ON BEARNAGH ON ROUTE TO DONARD BY A HIKER
OWNERS ON WAY .
WILSON HAS LEAD ON SO COULD GET CAUGHT . IF YOU SEE HIM, PLEASE TRY TO BRING TO SAFETY AND CONTACT US .

MABEL ALSO STILL MISSING

PLEASE PM PAGE WITH ANY INFORMATION.

Many thanks

17/08/2025

This lovely girl is still missing.

Please keep an eye out for her.

URGENT

MISSING SINCE 15TH AUG 3.30PM WITH NO SIGHTINGS

ALL HELP IS REQUIRED

DRONE PILOTS (WE WILL TRY AND GET OURS THERE )

ON FOOT SEARCHERS

Mabel was on the track from Lough Shannagh to OTT carpark, on the Mourne Mountains.

10/08/2025

Wild camp capers and hiking hangovers. The MUM way!

The promise of a nice, clear night was enough to encourage Simey, Jimmy and I to hit the hills for a cheeky wild camp. Location - the Hares Gap. (Were not afraid to post our location). Logistics, bring camping essentials in the following order:-
1. Beer (i forgot mine)
2. Hip flask &Wine (i remembered mine)
3. Food (pot noodles, breakfast bacon and smores. I forgot the biscuits)
4. Tent
5. Sleeping blanket
6. Will power
Jimmy was trussed up like a one man band with his foam mattress swinging like an accordian on his rucksack. All he needed was a mouth organ and knee cymbals to finish the job.
The three of us (and Carley the dog) had a great night, at first getting ate alive by midges then when they buggered off the drink and 80s tunes were flying. We whiled the night away redding people up and farting loudly, breaking the famous tranquility of the Majestic Manor.
In the morning, we were joined by Mother Yvonne and Andrew for our fortnightly hike. Truth be told, we were hanging out of our holes big time! So as not to be called out for frootery, we soldiered on with brave faces.
We left the Hares Gap, over to Beg, Cove and Lamagan then dropped down to the Ben Crom reservoir to the horrible slog back up to the Hares Gap to collect our tents. Poor Mother and Andrew had to contain to three smelly hungover idiots for 5 hours. God love them.
It was Yvonne who ripped Jimmy about the one man band on the way back to Meelmore Lodge. He took it that bad, he refused to give us a wee tune.
Don't drink and hike kids, your legs turn to lead and you don't speak for long periods of time as you question your choices, even while surrounded by beautiful mountains and scenery.

27/07/2025

Hallions United: MUM Meets PRC

Today saw a fusion of fine form and feral craic as the Hallions of the Mid Ulster Mountaineers joined forces with the Portadown Running Club crew – a match made in electrolyte heaven.

Jimmy and I led the PRC squad on a 12km hike – part slow hill training, part open season on slagging. With the Wicklow Eco Trail looming in September, the runners were looking to build some hill legs and sharpen their banter blades. Safe to say they’re well-versed in the latter.

Sumon, full of questions and curiosity, didn’t stand a chance. Poor lad barely finished one thought before Rory's patience had evaporated. “Where are we? What’s that mountain called? Are these my feet?” – all met with eye-rolls and muffled sniggers from Simon’s direction as Rory slowly unravelled.

Meanwhile, Richard was off doing Richard things – mostly running up hills, running down hills, running round the rest of us, or on the lookout for hallucination-inducing wildflowers and the mythical vi**ra herb. Standard.

Nadine – who’s been leveling up lately – originally signed up for the 10km Wicklow race but now has her eyes on the 19km. At this rate, she'll be toeing the line of the 80km by September. She also played her usual role of wrangling the ruffians when the craic got too spicy. Every group needs a headmistress, and she' was ours today in the absence of Mother.

Stephanie and Nicole came along too, training for the 7 Sevens in September, raising funds for a great cause. They had Jimmy Jimmy playing mountain sherpa for the day.

Cracker day out, decent elevation, good company, and just the right mix of hiking, and roasting each other.

We’re back in two weeks with another spicy number. If the weather holds, we’ll attempt the long-promised Rocky to Rocky hike that never quite happened. Hope to see the PRC crew along for another dose!

26/07/2025

Gareth headed over to Wales for a family holiday. The hills beckoned and the very dangerous and exciting Grib Goch beckoned further. Read all about it

My Crib Goch Adventure

So there I was, on a family holiday in Snowdonia, thinking I’d take it easy. But nope, I had Crib Goch planned, because who doesn’t want a bit of adrenaline on holiday?

Started at Pen-y-Pass (359m), warmed up on the trails, then tackled the famous Crib Goch (923m)—which is basically a rocky tightrope with a serious personality. After surviving that, I dropped down to Bwlch Coch (858m), scrambled up Crib y Ddysgl (1065m), passed Bwlch Glas (998m), and finished on top of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) itself.

I won’t lie, I was clinging on at times thinking maybe this wasn’t my best decision. But honestly, it was way more exciting than terrifying. The views? Absolutely stunning. The adrenaline? Next level.

By the end, I was buzzing already thinking about doing it again or taking on Tryfan next time.

Moral of the story: don’t judge a ridge by its reputation. Crib Goch looks scary, but it’s one hell of a thrill.

16/07/2025

Today is Glioblastoma Awareness Day.

We are so very proud to support such a worthy charity 💛🌼

06/07/2025

The Time-Honoured Tradition of New Boots

It’s a well-known rule of the hills—when someone turns up in fresh boots, they’re fair game. This morning at the Manor, both Yvonne and Carolyn arrived sporting gleaming new hiking boots, all proud as punch, admiring their own feet like sailors on parade.

Then along came Deathroll and myself, armed with some good old-fashioned schoolyard nostalgia. We did the honourable thing and gave those boots a proper christening—scuffed, stomped, and muddied to perfection. We caught an earful for our efforts, but absolutely no regrets. Worth it.

It was a welcome return for Deathroll too, who’s been laying low since catching the Rona. “I’m still not right,” he claimed—just before tearing up the hills like a mountain goat on Red Bull. We knocked out a solid 10k loop taking in:

Spellack

Meelmore

Meelbeg

Bearnagh

That’s 2,118ft of elevation on a claggy old morning. The mist may have robbed us of the views, but thankfully not the craic. The clag seems to follow Deathroll around like a loyal pet at this stage.

Not much foot traffic to exchange banter with today, aside from a well-known social media hiker who had the ladies drifting toward him like moths to a (boot-shaped) flame. He had brand new boots as well—there must be a sale on somewhere that Deathroll and I didn’t get the memo about.

Best news of the day? I stayed on my feet the whole time. Not a single tumble, despite my recent flirtation with breakdancing two weeks ago. Carolyn was visibly amazed.

We still haven’t tackled our long-threatened “Rocky to Rocky” hike. Maybe in two weeks, weather permitting.

Mark

04/07/2025

A very happy birthday to.the one we all call Mother.
Thanks for keeping us all from going off the rails altogether x

29/06/2025

Our sincere thanks to everyone who supported us in raising funds in aid of Evie’s Special Bow in memory of our good friend Mal 💛

We couldn’t have done it without you all!

Thank you!!

22/06/2025

"There's no show without punch'
This was especially true today, as we ended up pulling the plug and suspending our annual Rocky to Rocky hike. This was due to one of our main contenders, Deathroll picking up the Rona! There's no way we were going ahead on his favourite hike of the year. We'll pick up the mantle again in a fortnight when the murderous scamp returns.

Today we took on
Hares Castle
Commedagh
Beg
Cove
Lamagan
A cheeky 10.74mile hike with 3,835ft of elevation. Not the 17mile, silly elevation we had planned.

An early start rendered the Hallions tired and unmotivated, due to a 0530 meeting time. Carolyn wasnt pleased. The wind and rain really woke us up though and we bounced about the hills, keen as mustard. Keen to get back to the cars that is, we were soaking. Not as soaking as Andrew. He decided to nose dive into the Annalong River.

Hopefully we get a crowd out next time as the slagging content is pretty thin for today. See you in 2 weeks

18/05/2025

There were only a couple of stipulations for today’s hike… don’t forget your suncream & make sure you bring plenty of craic - as always the Hallions delivered…

Our 13km hike took in Loughshannagh, Meelbeg, Meelmore and Bearnagh.

Great to have Cliff back after resting his aul knees for a few months 😀

It was scorchio up there today. 🥵 Not that we’re complaining - long may it last! ☀️ ⛰️