Clíona talks about a trip she and some others made to the Mournes Mountains last weekend:
A small contingent of DUO members made the trip to a training weekend in the Mournes Mountains during October. They joined members of UCDO and Queen’s in some training for both beginners and experienced orienteers organised by UCDO. On Saturday, some short courses were put out at Meelmore, rocky open mountain terrain, to practice on bearings and this was followed by an optional run up Slieve Donard (the highest point in Northern Ireland!!!). Around 2 hours, 14km and over 800 metres climb entailed, but the spectacular views of the Mournes made it worthwhile!
Thanks to some very sound hostel staff at Tollymore Adventure Centre, we were able to have an evening of pizza and drinks while watching the rugby world cup on Saturday. We also got to know our fellow orienteers from other colleges a bit better, with friendly rivalry for this year’s intervarsities already apparent. The following morning we were tight on time so an impromptu ‘sprint relay’ was set up in Tollymore forest around the adventure centre. Pieces of toilet paper were used in place of control kites and relay teams were made of pairs with a long and short course. A good run out for a Sunday morning and a nice piece of forest too. The weekend was finished up with a visit to a pub in Newry to watch the Irish rugby game. Despite the result of the rugby, it was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend and well done to James, Clíona, Christoph and Elise for making the trip!
Below some photos made by UCDO
A small contingent of DUO members made the trip to a training weekend in the Mournes Mountains during October. They joined members of UCDO and Queen’s in some training for both beginners and experienced orienteers organised by UCDO. On Saturday, some short courses were put out at Meelmore, rocky open mountain terrain, to practice on bearings and this was followed by an optional run up Slieve Donard (the highest point in Northern Ireland!!!). Around 2 hours, 14km and over 800 metres climb entailed, but the spectacular views of the Mournes made it worthwhile!
Thanks to some very sound hostel staff at Tollymore Adventure Centre, we were able to have an evening of pizza and drinks while watching the rugby world cup on Saturday. We also got to know our fellow orienteers from other colleges a bit better, with friendly rivalry for this year’s intervarsities already apparent. The following morning we were tight on time so an impromptu ‘sprint relay’ was set up in Tollymore forest around the adventure centre. Pieces of toilet paper were used in place of control kites and relay teams were made of pairs with a long and short course. A good run out for a Sunday morning and a nice piece of forest too. The weekend was finished up with a visit to a pub in Newry to watch the Irish rugby game. Despite the result of the rugby, it was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend and well done to James, Clíona, Christoph and Elise for making the trip!
Below some photos made by UCDO