Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Outdoor Activities => Northern Ireland Hiking, Walking, Running, Orienteering and Geocaching => Topic started by: suspectmonkey on January 06, 2011, 11:40:28 PM

Title: The Mourne 500 Challenge
Post by: suspectmonkey on January 06, 2011, 11:40:28 PM
Forgot about this challenge until was chatting about the Seven Seven's in another thread.  Thought it was worthy of its own post!

The Mourne 500 Challenge - http://mourne500.blogspot.com/

All 39 peaks over 500m with at least 10m prominence taken from the 1:25k Activity Map of the Mournes.

A log of the route can be found here - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/42640827

So, anyone fancy 39 peaks, 42 miles and over 17,000ft of ascent in one continuous circuit? :)
Title: Re: The Mourne 500 Challenge
Post by: LennyJ1 on January 06, 2011, 11:46:13 PM
that would be at least 4 days. Would it not?
Title: Re: The Mourne 500 Challenge
Post by: suspectmonkey on January 06, 2011, 11:51:47 PM
18 hours, 26 minutes if you've got the legs :) (http://mourne500.blogspot.com/p/hall-of-fame.html)

I actually quite fancy tackling the route once the longer days and milder weather comes back.  Would make for an awesome weekend trek!
Title: Re: The Mourne 500 Challenge
Post by: darren on January 07, 2011, 12:02:12 AM

something id love to try.
never knew there was 39 peaks in the mournes.
it seems to small an area to have that many.
Title: Re: The Mourne 500 Challenge
Post by: RedLeader on January 07, 2011, 09:00:34 AM
There's having fun in the hills and then there's just plain old showing off!!
Title: Re: The Mourne 500 Challenge
Post by: MG1 on January 07, 2011, 09:53:51 AM
Count me in.
Title: Re: The Mourne 500 Challenge
Post by: RedLeader on January 07, 2011, 10:07:50 AM
You'll sign up for anything these days. You having a midlife crisis or something  ;D

Quote from: MG1 on January 07, 2011, 09:53:51 AM
Count me in.
Title: Re: The Mourne 500 Challenge
Post by: LandyLiam on January 07, 2011, 10:58:11 AM
I've just finished reading a book on fell running (Feet in the Clouds - a tale of obsession and fell running) where the "Bob Graham Round" is featured highly, its a challenge to do 42 peaks in the Lake District within 24hrs ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Graham_Round ) so this must be the NI equivalent and something i'd like to aim for in a few years (note: i haven't done a fell run in 22 years). Until then i would definitely be up for walking them over a few days in the spring/summer, good way to get to know the route.
Title: Re: The Mourne 500 Challenge
Post by: MG1 on January 07, 2011, 12:17:12 PM
Quote from: RedLeader on January 07, 2011, 10:07:50 AM
You'll sign up for anything these days. You having a midlife crisis or something  ;D

Quote from: MG1 on January 07, 2011, 09:53:51 AM
Count me in.

Need a challenge mate maybe its an early mid life crisis. ;D
Title: Re: The Mourne 500 Challenge
Post by: 666_pack on January 07, 2011, 12:38:47 PM
ohh yes!
Title: Re: The Mourne 500 Challenge
Post by: MikeD on January 07, 2011, 01:52:59 PM
looks like fun!
Title: Re: The Mourne 500 Challenge
Post by: twentyclicks on January 07, 2011, 05:44:31 PM
I can probably get time for a 2-day or all-out effort.

Will do the 7's first though.
Title: Re: The Mourne 500 Challenge
Post by: paulocon on January 07, 2011, 07:15:00 PM
Quote from: suspectmonkey on January 06, 2011, 11:40:28 PM
Forgot about this challenge until was chatting about the Seven Seven's in another thread.  Thought it was worthy of its own post!

The Mourne 500 Challenge - http://mourne500.blogspot.com/

All 39 peaks over 500m with at least 10m prominence taken from the 1:25k Activity Map of the Mournes.

A log of the route can be found here - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/42640827

So, anyone fancy 39 peaks, 42 miles and over 17,000ft of ascent in one continuous circuit? :)

Crazy stuff! Wasn't aware of this challenge - know there is a 'Wicklow Round' which people try and do within 24hrs but never heard of the Mourne 500.

Done the Mourne Wall Walk last year and it nearly killed me (GPS here.. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/32183145). That was 35km and this one is nearly twice the distance!!

Would really love to do it but it really would be a huge undertaking. Can only assume these guys were very fit fell runners.

Also read 'Feet in the Clouds' and it inspired me to get out doing a bit of running. Hoping to take part in a couple of fell races this year. Have a TGO magazine somewhere with an article on the Bob Graham round, must try dig it up if anyone is interested.
Title: Re: The Mourne 500 Challenge
Post by: LandyLiam on May 31, 2011, 10:45:40 PM
new record

Quotecurrent champion's time of 16 hours 19 minutes, set by Dale Mathers on 14 May 2011