Ulster Mountain Havoc 🗻

Havoc’s are the Venture follow on from MPC’s run in Scouts. With a crossover of staff from the MPC teams the usual faces are seen throughout the weekend.

Unlike the wild camping experience provided by an MPC , Havoc’s are run from a standing base camp. However, like the MPC’s there’s a badge for each province making a triangle, plus an international badge for the UK Havoc.

Last weekend (Friday 2nd Oct) 2 ventures from Dunboyne (Alex & Kate) joined 70 others from across the country taking part in the Ulster Mountain Havoc. We left Dunboyne Friday evening and headed for registration at base camp situated at Bloody Bridge Camping below Slieve Donard.

Once tents were put up, Ventures were placed into teams of 6 and run through gear requirements for Saturday scheduled hike.

Rising early, we left base camp by bus to be dropped to the hike start at Little Carrick some 7 miles away.

It was a leisurely hike, taking in Slieve Lamagan, Cove & Slieve Beg before dropping down onto the Brandy Pad. Bizarrely for October the weather was fantastic providing clear views across one of the most impressive mountain ranges in Ireland.
Following the Brandy Pad, the Ventures reached the Mourne Wall Stile at the Glen River Coll. Here lunch was taken before the final climb of the day up Slieve Donard.
With the weather being so good big numbers were out and the summit of Donard took the appearance of festival with everyone in fine form.

The final stretch back to base camp followed the Mourne wall down to the Bog of Donard and on via the minors path.
Once back at camp the ventures made dinner & mingled before the badge awarding ceremony took place at 7pm.

We returned to Dunboyne later that evening for the elder of this Havoc to seek solace in his bed.

Although not as demanding as the MPC’s, the Havocs still provide the older members of scouting that opportunity to hit the mountains with a touch of comfort 😬

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