Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => Meets, places, trips and reviews => Topic started by: noble98 on May 08, 2012
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We had a fantastic weekend getting the kids (ages 10, 9, 6 & 5) up to the top of Slieve Donard.
We have been planning the trip for a while now. The kids are used to day hikes but we had a trial run before of a hike up to just below the final climb up to the saddle and camped out by the glen river overnight.
The kids got involved in the planning and the kit list . Camping with 4 kids in the mournes requires quite a minimalist approach. Everyone carried a pack with the smallest two carrying their sleeping bag, waterproofs, spork, torch and trail mix weighing in at about 1.5kg.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7212/7160382102_2e6da8b1fa.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160382102/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160382102/) by bnoble98 (http://www.flickr.com/people/78134576@N07/), on Flickr
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5325/7160395040_488d7bba91.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160395040/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160395040/) by bnoble98 (http://www.flickr.com/people/78134576@N07/), on Flickr
We walked on friday afternoon up to the donard commedagh saddle via the glen river track. The kids never enjoy the donard woods section and moan until they get out into the hills for real.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7079/7160395632_3f2778ae57.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160395632/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160395632/) by bnoble98 (http://www.flickr.com/people/78134576@N07/), on Flickr
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7088/7160396166_e46306af22.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160396166/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160396166/) by bnoble98 (http://www.flickr.com/people/78134576@N07/), on Flickr
We pitched camp near the wall at the saddle and after dinner had a climb at the castles.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8015/7160397616_529444fb0b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160397616/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160397616/) by bnoble98 (http://www.flickr.com/people/78134576@N07/), on Flickr
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7231/7160398446_128bb24604.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160398446/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160398446/) by bnoble98 (http://www.flickr.com/people/78134576@N07/), on Flickr
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5155/7160399010_621a58fe7c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160399010/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160399010/) by bnoble98 (http://www.flickr.com/people/78134576@N07/), on Flickr
That night was very cold. The kids and mum were toastie warm in their decent bags but in the quest to reduce weight i packed a 2 season bag and so had a chilly night.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7235/7160399540_e74c770b43.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160399540/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160399540/) by bnoble98 (http://www.flickr.com/people/78134576@N07/), on Flickr
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8151/7160400276_0e13e218ce.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160400276/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160400276/) by bnoble98 (http://www.flickr.com/people/78134576@N07/), on Flickr
In the morning we saw how cold it had been from the frost on the tents.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5326/7160408202_01149a697a.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160408202/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160408202/) by bnoble98 (http://www.flickr.com/people/78134576@N07/), on Flickr
After a quick breakfast we left all our kit in the tents and taking just one pack we climbed the final short walk from the saddle to the summit. We were the first up that morning. The kids were excited and we were proud parents.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7216/7160408990_38a6f57f43.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160408990/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160408990/) by bnoble98 (http://www.flickr.com/people/78134576@N07/), on Flickr
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7080/7160410140_94271b549f.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160410140/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160410140/) by bnoble98 (http://www.flickr.com/people/78134576@N07/), on Flickr
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5115/7160410916_328812fddb.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160410916/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160410916/) by bnoble98 (http://www.flickr.com/people/78134576@N07/), on Flickr
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7096/7160422496_82531d9fc0.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160422496/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160422496/) by bnoble98 (http://www.flickr.com/people/78134576@N07/), on Flickr
The walk back down to newcastle took longer than expected as many of the 204 people walking up to donard (the kids counted) wanted to stop and congratulate my 5 year son for his achievement.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5040/7160424934_d76dde6d67.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160424934/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78134576@N07/7160424934/) by bnoble98 (http://www.flickr.com/people/78134576@N07/), on Flickr
We spent the rest of the weekend staying at the tollymore outdoor centre so the kids could use the climbing wall.
The kids did great and they have already discussed our next expedition.
I think this counts towards the gerber firesteel comp - sharing the hills with my kids.
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Need help to get flickr photos to show up
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What a great family adventure & good write up,to show the photos,think you need to click share on Flickr then choice the far right code,think its bmc or something like that,then copy & paste onto thread
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Working on it now...
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Got it. Thanks drongo
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I moan going through Donard Forest.. So I sympathise with the kids.
Great photos and write up. What tents did you use?
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Loving the photos. Lovely trip, it looks like you were getting people into the outdoors. Hint hint, there is a prize that could be won for this. ;)
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Vango banshee 300. They are the best value lightest 3 man tents weighing in at about 2.5kg. The good wife and i have to carry one each.
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Great trip report, well done to your family, especially the little one. Nice idea to get them involved with them planning, hope you didn't get them using naismiths rules to make a routecard ::)
After a quick breakfast we left all our kit in the tents and taking just one pack we climbed the final short walk from the saddle to the summit. We were the first up that morning.
if wasn't for the slieve donard race being on later that day i'd say a few fell runners would have been up before you
I've been known to pack a the rucksack a bit heavy with my seating arrangements but i just love your inflatable couch ;D
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7212/7160382102_2e6da8b1fa.jpg)
p.s. love the shadow pic
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Vango banshee 300. They are the best value lightest 3 man tents weighing in at about 2.5kg. The good wife and i have to carry one each.
I'm well impressed that you could fit four kids in that tent lol!
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This is mighty impressive, 4 young kids camping at the saddle is an awesome achievement, you're making me feel a bit lazy!
How far had the kids gone prior to this and how long did it take to the saddle?
I'd say you've certainly raised the ante a bit for the firesteel :)
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Brilliant write up and pictures, well done!
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Typo On - the gaiters are trekmates kids gaitors. Not sure where I got them, we have had them for a while.
Red Leader - it took us just over 2 hours to get to the saddle, you just have to go at the kids pace with lots of stops. The wee ones have short attention spans and so forget that they just stopped for a break 2 minutes before! We have been day hiking with them on off for a while. In the mournes they have done trassey track up hares gap onto the brandy pad a couple of times also doan from ott car park a couple of times. We like divis and black mountain cos it is short and sweet but the kids feel like they are in the hills. Last summer we did Carngorm - hike up and train down.
We find, however, that canoeing with the kids is much easier than hiking. You can plonk babies and toddlers in the boat and cover good ground (or rather water) without too much moaning from the kids. My youngest is getting to a better age for hiking now so we will probably get less time on the water.
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Really enjoyed reading that. These will be some fantastic memories for your kids,
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Absolute class! Have been taking my wee ones out along the North Antrim coastal paths but I don't think they're ready for Donard yet!
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Thank you so much for sharimg this family adventure. I look back was fond memories of day trips into the Mournes when my two were younger, they loved it. They're now 18 and 21 and no longer keen to go out with me.
I wish you many more happy days and nights outdoors together. Much better than going to the cinema!
Thank you.
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That is so impressive, I just read it. I'm hoping to take my kids up Hen Mountain this summer. my 9 yr old has climbed Donard but the other two are still a bit young I think.
The photos are fab. :)
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I'm only getting a look at this post now, after seeing it entered into the Gerber Firesteel Competition.
Brilliant... I love posts like this. There's no better feeling than getting the kids out into the hills for a mini adventure.
This is definitely a very strong contender for the Firesteel... Good Luck
8)
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The only contender so far. :D
But yes, brilliant example. Adventure is only a state of mind!
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Brilliant post, definitely a from me regarding the prize on offer at the second :).
After reading this, it definitely made me want to visit the top myself, never have been up on Donard before, so a thank you for the inspiration! And so recently went from Donard car park, to Donard, down via Bloody Bridge, and following the road around back to Donard Park. So congratulations from me, as being a newbie to climbing Donard, I know how hard it was. :P
The photos are amazing! Especially the night shot of the moon. Thanks for the post, it has got me in the mood for some more walking. ;D
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The moon was incredible that night. It was the super moon, the closest the moon will be to earth for a number of years. It was too chilly to spend long photoing it.