DAY ONE
Starting in pairs or small groups, and after a detailed brief and kit check, you and your team will set out from the starting point at Meelmore Lodge carpark (cars can be left here or people can get dropped off), navigating your way through the heart of the Mournes, completing a range of tasks along the way that will test your brains, braun and bravery, as well as gaining your team points for the finish. You will have to solve unique problems, build structures, boulder rivers, climb AND descend rock faces – on a rope held by our experienced instructors of course!
At the end of day one, you’ll reach a beautiful wild camping site with a bunk style accommodation attached, where our experienced bushcraft instructors will pass on knowledge to help you prepare your bed for the night, which will be built by you and your team completely from the natural environment around you! Once your amazing home is built from nature, we will spend some time showing you some basic survival skills that will get you through the evening outdoors in surprising comfort. With outdoor cooking led by us, we’ll feed you with some hot and tasty grub by the fire and even supply a few drinks for you after your hard day’s adventuring.
NOTE: we have bunkstyle accommodation available too for people who don't fancy the wild camp, and we supply tarps for the wild camp to add to your shelters should you need them.
AT NIGHT
That night, we’ll take you to the edge of the campsite and tell stories under the stars (if they show their face!), of how the ancient Greeks and Celtic people viewed the night sky, and into the modern era of astronomy, with some fascinating facts equally as awe inspiring as the myths.
The rest of the night will be spent sitting around the outside fire pit, with chat, a few bevs and craic with our new found pals from the day of adventure you've just had.
DAY TWO
The next morning, we'll have some breakfast, take down our camp – leaving no trace that we were there – and transport you around to Bloody Bridge for a refreshing and exhilarating morning of wet bouldering and coasteering. Here, we'll take you along the coast and then up the river, scrambling over rock faces, climbing up waterfalls, sliding down natural rock slides and jumping off of cliffs! All of this is led by experienced guides and is suitable for non swimmers who are up for a challenge. This is possible as we give your winter wetsuits, bouyancy aids and helmets to keep you safe, and each section is avoidable for those who are nervous of deep water. SUITABLE FOR NON-SWIMMERS
PERSONAL SKILLS / PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED FOR THE WEEKEND
This weekend adventure is suitable for people of a moderate level of fitness who are up for spending 30 hours straight in the great outdoors trying a variety of outdoor challenges. There will be two potential route options on the hike, the harder one gaining more points for your team, but the other option being available for folks who find it too tough.
OUR STAFF WILL BE POSITIONED AT KEY PARTS OF YOUR ROUTE TO ENSURE YOU DON'T GET LOST, HOWEVER YOU MUST ALSO BE ABLE TO NAVIGATE USING A COMPASS AND 1:25000 MAP OF THE AREA TO A DECENT STANDARD.
IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO DO THIS, PLEASE ATTEND ONE OF OUR NAVGIATION COURSES WELL BEFORE THE EVENT AS YOU WILL NEED TO PRACTICE THESE SKILLS TO BE PREPARED.
BATHROOMS
There are bathrooms available at the start of the hike on morning one, as well as at the campsite and again at teh bouldering site on day two. Outside of those hours, you'll have to "be at one with nature", so be prepared with some loo roll and a zip lock bag to take it out with you off the hill.
This event is in it's third year, and so far we've had noting but great reviews, so let's make 2023 even better than before ! Looking forward to giving you all an experience to remember in the mountains,
the Geology Rocks team
