Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => Meets, places, trips and reviews => Topic started by: ChuckMcB on June 14, 2010

Title: Nite Hike - Donard Wood Car Park to Mourne Wall and return - 15th June
Post by: ChuckMcB on June 14, 2010
Since the Wife's away opening a new shop somewhere tomorrow evening (Tuesday 15th), I'm planning to head up from Newcastle to the wall at the foot of Donard. Want to do a recce of Andyd and my 'spot' for the iPlod.

Start 7.30ish from Donard Carpark -> Through Donard Forest -> Follow the Glen River -> Foot of Donard -> food break -> Return the same way. Seems about 4 miles each way, 600m climb, little bit of a knee grinder IMHO, but it's all downhill on the way back ;)

(I will have the wee ginger runaway with me to give him another test...but have no intention to spend the rest of the night on the hills looking for him, so he'll be kept under close eye)

Anyone who's about is welcome. If you wanna come hit me a PM and I'll give you my mobile number in case there are late runners.

Will post a route map when I get home.
Title: Re: Nite Hike - Donard Wood Car Park to Mourne Wall and return - 15th June
Post by: Scribble on June 14, 2010
Would of liked to off done this with you as I could of stashed my bottle of port :) but the joys of work win this time :( , hopefully you will a nice lush spot for the tarps while your up there .
Title: Re: Nite Hike - Donard Wood Car Park to Mourne Wall and return - 15th June
Post by: ChuckMcB on June 14, 2010
J was able to get me the grid ref for the check point and I know the spot, it's nice a flat and green with some tarp sized depressions....and a honking big wall for extra protection.

I would like to figure out which way the wind blows over area, 'cos it gets a bit draughty up there :)
Title: Re: Nite Hike - Donard Wood Car Park to Mourne Wall and return - 15th June
Post by: Scribble on June 14, 2010
Quote from: Chuck on June 14, 2010
J was able to get me the grid ref for the check point and I know the spot, it's nice a flat and green with some tarp sized depressions....and a honking big wall for extra protection.

I would like to figure out which way the wind blows over area, 'cos it gets a bit draughty up there :)

sounding good not long to go and the weather seems to be favouring us so far
Title: Re: Nite Hike - Donard Wood Car Park to Mourne Wall and return - 15th June
Post by: RedLeader on June 14, 2010
Unfortunately I think I'm otherwise occupied tomorrow night. Although the Glen River trail is on the list of hikes that I never want to see again as long as I live - I've done it too many times over the last year :) I'll hopefully be raring to go again next week!
Title: Re: Nite Hike - Donard Wood Car Park to Mourne Wall and return - 15th June
Post by: chris on June 14, 2010
Quote from: J on June 14, 2010
Unfortunately I think I'm otherwise occupied tomorrow night. Although the Glen River trail is on the list of hikes that I never want to see again as long as I live - I've done it too many times over the last year :) I'll hopefully be raring to go again next week!

Same-sies! If I walk up and down the glen river path one more time I don't think I could be held responsible for my actions!
Title: Re: Nite Hike - Donard Wood Car Park to Mourne Wall and return - 15th June
Post by: ChuckMcB on June 14, 2010
:D

So you wouldn't be up for the Granite Trail (http://www.walkni.com/i/Walks/598.jpg) (1in3 incline for one mile non-stop)...and then up the Glen River. Hateful walk...with only the pub at the bottom of the Trail to make it in any way worth it...
Title: Re: Nite Hike - Donard Wood Car Park to Mourne Wall and return - 15th June
Post by: suspectmonkey on June 14, 2010
Quote from: J on June 14, 2010
Although the Glen River trail is on the list of hikes that I never want to see again as long as I live

Amen!
Title: Re: Nite Hike - Donard Wood Car Park to Mourne Wall and return - 15th June
Post by: RedLeader on June 14, 2010
We did that a few Sundays ago. Plenty steep but we went up the Glen and back down the Trail so it wasn't so bad.

Quote from: Chuck on June 14, 2010
:D

So you wouldn't be up for the Granite Trail (http://www.walkni.com/i/Walks/598.jpg) (1in3 incline for one mile non-stop)...and then up the Glen River. Hateful walk...with only the pub at the bottom of the Trail to make it in any way worth it...
Title: Re: Nite Hike - Donard Wood Car Park to Mourne Wall and return - 15th June
Post by: ChuckMcB on June 16, 2010
Great weather, bright, wee bit of cloud, hardly any wind (reminder: bring anti-midge stuff if it's not windy on Fri. night). Total distance 5.4 miles. Ascent: 1 981ft

Seems there has been a fair bit more repair work done on the paths, would be much easier to walk on a wet day. (it's still a knee grinder)

The far side of the wall was a bit of a mess with rubbish....and several piles of human excrement either under the flat 'sitting' rocks at the wall or just in the open...fair bit of sh1te covered kitchen towels blowing about (that stuff will take ages to de-comp :( ).

The saddle layout is not quite as I remember it, less protection (than say Hares Gap), but still a couple of hollows. Ground seemed quite hard, may have to bring along the metal pegs as well.

Pics:

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4705862938_2973302ce5.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4705862938/sizes/l/in/set-72157624286497704/)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4705174125_848d52d3b1_m.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4705174125/sizes/l/in/set-72157624286497704/)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4705863508_4e1972396d.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4705863508/sizes/l/in/set-72157624286497704/)
Title: Re: Nite Hike - Donard Wood Car Park to Mourne Wall and return - 15th June
Post by: RedLeader on June 16, 2010
The views up there are stunning. Just a shame the path is so boring.
Thanks for the headsup about the midges - I assumed you didn't get them higher up.
Title: Re: Nite Hike - Donard Wood Car Park to Mourne Wall and return - 15th June
Post by: ChuckMcB on June 16, 2010
It's undoubtedly a slog but any path can be hateful if you do it too often. (that's my excuse for not doing Donard more than once every couple of years)

Anyhow midges: While they normally hang out near water, in still air they can get about anywhere.
Title: Re: Nite Hike - Donard Wood Car Park to Mourne Wall and return - 15th June
Post by: Scribble on June 16, 2010
Metal pegs , so I won't get to use my poundland plastic pegs that each have their own wee light :(

Title: Re: Nite Hike - Donard Wood Car Park to Mourne Wall and return - 15th June
Post by: ChuckMcB on June 16, 2010
haha, I saw them when I did  pound land raid a while ago.....bring them along anyhow. I'll be packing wire and plastic pegs just in case.

(reply to removed question removed :) )
Title: Re: Nite Hike - Donard Wood Car Park to Mourne Wall and return - 15th June
Post by: Scribble on June 16, 2010
Quote from: Chuck on June 16, 2010
haha, I saw them when I did  pound land raid a while ago.....bring them along anyhow. I'll be packing wire and plastic pegs just in case.

(reply to removed question removed :) )

only up out of my bed and should of put my hip flask question in the iplod bit :) that's my excuse , I have my port sorted  ;)
Title: Re: Nite Hike - Donard Wood Car Park to Mourne Wall and return - 15th June
Post by: RedLeader on June 16, 2010
It is still early :D

Hipflasks would be fine but I'd prob not overdo it - might bring a snifter of red myself. Going to be a long night!

Quote from: andyd on June 16, 2010
Quote from: Chuck on June 16, 2010
haha, I saw them when I did  pound land raid a while ago.....bring them along anyhow. I'll be packing wire and plastic pegs just in case.

(reply to removed question removed :) )

only up out of my bed and should of put my hip flask question in the iplod bit :) that's my excuse , I have my port sorted  ;)
Title: Re: Nite Hike - Donard Wood Car Park to Mourne Wall and return - 15th June
Post by: Scribble on June 16, 2010
Quote from: J on June 16, 2010
It is still early :D

Hipflasks would be fine but I'd prob not overdo it - might bring a snifter of red myself. Going to be a long night!

Quote from: andyd on June 16, 2010
Quote from: Chuck on June 16, 2010
haha, I saw them when I did  pound land raid a while ago.....bring them along anyhow. I'll be packing wire and plastic pegs just in case.

(reply to removed question removed :) )




Tis a wee bit early I usually don't get up till after 5 :) and I am only bringing a wee drink as working Saturday :(

only up out of my bed and should of put my hip flask question in the iplod bit :) that's my excuse , I have my port sorted  ;)