Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => Meets, places, trips and reviews => Topic started by: Gerry on April 02, 2011

Title: Back to the Mournes
Post by: Gerry on April 02, 2011
First trip back to the Mournes tomorrow in long long time. Comedagh and Donard to be tackled. How good are the Newcastle paramedics?  ;D

Hope to post some photo's if I survive.
Title: Re: Back to the Mournes
Post by: RedLeader on April 02, 2011
It will be worth it when you get to the top. Looking forward to the pics.
Title: Re: Back to the Mournes
Post by: Tim on April 02, 2011
Commedagh is definitely worth the effort. Good luck ;D
Title: Re: Back to the Mournes
Post by: Scribble on April 02, 2011
Good luck make sure you have a tipple to celebrate when you get home  ;)
Title: Re: Back to the Mournes
Post by: spartan00117 on April 03, 2011
Your lungs will be on fire mate but well worth it
Title: Re: Back to the Mournes
Post by: Gerry on April 04, 2011
Comedagh a hill to far. !!!!!!!!

Well, headed out yesterday to take on Donard and Comedagh via The bloody bridge.

The weather was  good with a cool breeze blowing, and I headed out with my fellow ramblers ready to take on the challenge ahead.

Up by BB mortorway to the Mourne Wall at the saddle below Donard, for first short break. 

Although the sun had came out and a lot of blue sky showing the cool wind had strengthened and I had to keep in close to wall for a bit of shelter.

Up and Up I went towards the top of Donard, at this point I remembered how much I loved climbing Donard NOT. :o 

With a lot of DOE groups about it was like Royal Avenue on a busy Saturday.

Made it to the top and a welcome stop for lunch, feeling ok and rearing to go.

After lunch we headed down to the saddle at Donard/Comedagh and regrouped.

At this point it was decided not to go on up Comedagh as it looked like some of the group on first high hike of the season were flagging and NO it wasn't me.

So it was over the wall and down to the Brandy pad.

The wind here had died away and the sun was now beating down and it felt glorious.

It was at this point I discovered my first mistake. I had with me 75cl of water and it was nearly all gone!!!

Back to Bloody Bridge saddle and down again. On the way down not a breath of wind and it felt  about 16c and water now all gone..

About 400 yds from car park I had to stop and sit down, my little batteries had finally run out. :-\  After about 5mins rest I headed into the carpark to finish.

I now realise that if I had carried on up Comedagh I would still be trying to make it back. Good call walk leader!!!!

So all and all I had a great day and great weather and although Comedagh was a hill to far I still enjoyed what I achieved on my Back to the Mournes trip.

Next morning nice sunburn and feeling sore but with a smile.
 
Title: Re: Back to the Mournes
Post by: suspectmonkey on April 04, 2011
Well done Gerry, no shame in leaving Commedagh for another day :)  Did you get any photos?
Title: Re: Back to the Mournes
Post by: Gerry on April 04, 2011
Thanks suspect,

Thinking of giving Comedagh a miss and going straight to Everest.  ;D

Photo' coming up.
Title: Re: Back to the Mournes
Post by: Gerry on April 04, 2011
Photo's

(http://i.imgur.com/ZPKVh.jpg)
The epic starts.

(http://i.imgur.com/mRfro.jpg)
Quarry railway line

(http://i.imgur.com/wMP3f.jpg)
Back down to where it all began

(http://i.imgur.com/aslw0.jpg)
Room with a view

(http://i.imgur.com/Wh8EU.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/ho5H0.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/K9UFC.jpg)
The days weather not to bad. 8)
Title: Re: Back to the Mournes
Post by: MG1 on April 04, 2011
Fair play Gerry, i don't think getting up donard ever gets easier.

Love the pic of the Devils coach road it looks like a giant dark hole
Title: Re: Back to the Mournes
Post by: RedLeader on April 04, 2011
Great stuff. The best thing about Donard is now you know you've done the hardest one, it will only get easier from here!
Title: Re: Back to the Mournes
Post by: Gerry on April 04, 2011
Devils coach road turned out well, and although a little sore today, its with a smile on my face.

Title: Re: Back to the Mournes
Post by: Scribble on April 04, 2011
Congrats nice write up and pics  ;)Well done
Title: Re: Back to the Mournes
Post by: Kayakgirl on April 04, 2011
Need to get back into the hills into myself.. Well done..
Title: Re: Back to the Mournes
Post by: LandyLiam on April 05, 2011
nice report, reminds me of myself this time last year, no way i could have done 2 peaks, maybe not even 1  :o
Title: Re: Back to the Mournes
Post by: RedLeader on April 05, 2011
Now you need to take a trip up it  ;D

Devils coach road turned out well, and although a little sore today, its with a smile on my face.


Title: Re: Back to the Mournes
Post by: MG1 on April 05, 2011
Thats a great idea how s up for the devils coachroad??