Nine boys from 2nd Ahoghill Company Section tackled challenging terrain and foggy conditions as they completed a hike around Dungonnell Reservoir.
Despite the poor visibility, the change in weather was welcome. The recent heatwave had led to a gorse fire in Glenariff earlier in the week, which had led the leaders to consider relocating the hike. However in the end we opted for our original starting location at Dungonnell Dam, outside of the village of Cargan.
The hike was open to all boys, but would act as training for the older boys who have begun the journey towards their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award.
After a group photo in the carpark, we crossed the dam to the other side of the reservoir and followed a fence-line south towards Mid Hill. We ascended about 100m before we left the fence-line and headed south east towards the edge of Cleggan Forest. However the dense heather underfoot was proving more of a challenge than we had hoped, and we soon had to reevaluate our plans.
With more tricky terrain ahead, the leaders gave the boys two options. Follow the original route via the summit of Collin Top or descend down to the reservoir and skirt around the water’s edge. One of the boys chose the latter and was joined by two of the leaders, while the rest of the group continued the ascent and stopped for lunch at the summit.
The lower route contained a challenging mix of heather, moss and tall grass which eventually lead to the Dungonnell Road at the north eastern tip of the reservoir, where the smaller group stopped for lunch and waited for the others. Meanwhile, the larger group descended north westerly from Collin Top, passing Loughgarve, to reach the Dungonnell Road and follow it to our rendezvous point.
With everyone back together, the group completed the final 2km leg of the hike – following the road as it meandered along the northern side of the reservoir back to the carpark.
It was a tiring day for the boys, but enjoyable and educational. The experiences of this hike can be carried forward into their next adventure in the great outdoors.
