Random Bivi Hares Gap

Our big plan to go biving on Monday started with an epic walk before hand, a clear night and a lot more people involved... of course when it got to Wednesday night, things change.

The weather was beautiful (Drizzly rain and not a star in sight), perfect! But that wasn’t stopping Caoimhe, Kathryn and Michael (Tagging along with his manbag), mega keen we would not give into the weather and everyone saying we were nuts.

Finally leaving the centre at half 11!  We took a stroll up to Hares Gap to sleep beside the great Mourne wall.... The walk consisted of lots of laughs and 100 of sheep eyes following us. Kathryn watching what lies beneath a few nights before didn’t help and Caoimhe talking about Zombie sheep....

We were glad to finally make it to the Mourne wall, to get into our sleeping bags and out of our wet gear.

We awoke at 7am to Kathryn letting in all the rain from her Bivi bag that had collected over the night... so a casual lie in was not on the cards with the amount of complaining and blood shoot eyes from a great night 's sleep.

We had marshmallows in chocolate biscuits for breakfast cooked over a stove and a bag of salt and vinegar crisps... the midnight snack didn’t really go to plan.

After all the negative comments about us going on our mega adventure to bivi, we had a ball and lots of laughs.. thats what it's all about :)

Caoimhe and Kath enjoying the Rain

Michael's first bivi :D

Caoimhe's camera gets all artistic!

Who said a bivi was a bad idea?

Life is GRRRRRRRRRRRR...EAT!!!

Steep Ground Training!

Today we were out in the hills looking at steep ground work for our Mountain Leader Award.  Kieran took us girls and our two fellow trainee lads (Brendan and Andy) to Spellack ,where we took turns in managing our group on steep ground. 

After lunch Kieran explored roped steep ground work with us - we played about with body belaying an individual down steep terrain, then looked at using an anchor to stabilize our position whilst body belaying.  We also tested out indirect belays using the environment we find ourselves in on the hills - for this we used a boulder to belay off.

Finally, we looked at abseiling off steep ground using a rope with a variety of techniques such as, the classic abseil and the South African abseil.  

The six of us had a good oul hoot in the sun, rain and hail, taking some slips and stumbles but what’s an ML training without that?!?

Kath guiding Andy up some steep terrain!

Kath body belaying

Our fellow trainee lads - Brendan and Andy!

The girls!

Kieran and Caoimhe with an anchor belay

Andy using an indirect belay

Claire and Keiran

Kath

Kieran demonstrating the Classic abseil

More ladiette's get on board with Rapids, Crags and Handbags!

Caoimhe has acquired two new fans of Rapids, Crags and Handbags - The lovely Emma and Aine, two extremely keen enthusiasts of the outdoor world.

Caoimhe headed out to Hen mountain with the two girls yesterday.  We had a little adventure playing about with our set ups and anchors for single pitches, followed by a bit of climbing.  Of course, the rain came to spoil the craic after a couple of climbs, meaning we did not get as much as we would of liked done - but sure that's always the way eh?!?! 


Otherwise it was a great day out with girls, who are so motivated to get out and about on the Rapids and Crags with their handbags. Smell the cheese! :D

 Emma reading up on the theory!

 Caoimhe and Aine

 Aine

 Emma making a BIG move? :)

Emma and Aine

Level 1 Coaches!!! Whoop whoop....

After 4 long intensive days we are now level 1 coaches in kayak and open boat!

Exciting stuff!!!

Even though it was a tiring few days we still had great craic and enjoyed every minute. 7 of us took part in the level one training having to complete 2 coaching sessions each in both disciplines – open boat and kayak. 

Our confidence and skills have improved and we can’t wait to start cracking into our 3 star awards and level 2 coach here come! 

 Dream Team!! Mark, Kathryn and Caoimhe!

                                                                        The coaches

                                                                           Caoimhe

 Classroom by the lake

 Claire open boating

 All packed up and ready to rock

 Kathryn

 and last but not least the little duckies!

wee video..