Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Information => Outdoor News and Events => Topic started by: LandyLiam on May 21, 2013

Title: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: LandyLiam on May 21, 2013
Quote
It's back! 30 years since the last official Mourne Wall Walk and thanks to NI Water, you can undertake the 22 mile 10000 feet challenge on the 1st September 2013. More information to follow with online booking opening on the 1st June 2013... Watch this space!

https://www.facebook.com/MourneWallWalk

Charity beneficaries are Mourne Heritage Trust and Mourne Mountain Rescue Team
Title: Re: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: phil_b on May 21, 2013
I have mentioned doing the Wall Walk a couple of times this year and only last night was studying the map with half an idea of attempting it sometime in july so would love to do it. The only problem is my wife is due with our first baby on that Sunday! If I entered this she would kill me! ;D
Title: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: clairebear on May 21, 2013
1st ones tend to be overdue. She will understand phil. Was gonna try this myself early summer so if i do it may attempt it again in sept
Title: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: Kayakgirl on May 21, 2013
I will be working it, so hopefully see you's on route!
Title: Re: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: RedLeader on May 21, 2013
Marshalling? Who's providing that.

I will be working it, so hopefully see you's on route!
Title: Re: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: phil_b on May 21, 2013
1st ones tend to be overdue. She will understand phil. Was gonna try this myself early summer so if i do it may attempt it again in sept

All credit to my wife, she is normally very easy going and understanding but I get the feeling if she went into labour and I was somewhere in the mournes and couldnt be found, I would have to set up camp there permanently!
Title: Re: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: whoRya on May 21, 2013
Phil it's easy for us blokes to say tear-on, but we've been in that place before.  Enjoy this time with your family, it'll be a great moment.  You'll feel completely useless, but it's great all the same ;D
Title: Re: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: Mourneman on May 21, 2013
Phil it's easy for us blokes to see tear-on, but we've been in that place before.  Enjoy this time with your family, it'll be a great moment.  You'll feel completely useless, but it's great all the same ;D

The mountains can wait phil,they will be there next year
Title: Re: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: LandyLiam on May 22, 2013
some more info

Quote
Online booking opens on the 1st June 2013... And YES there are limited places.

really hoping to do this myself but i've a funny feeling i'll get diverted half way  :)
Title: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: Kayakgirl on May 22, 2013
Life are running it.
Title: Re: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: Rusty Madra on June 08, 2013
Anyone entered this yet? Was debating another go at it: completed it last week and am considering another go at it in September
Title: Re: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: phil_b on June 08, 2013
Not me unfortunately, reasons as above ;)
Hoping to try it on my own in july before the 7 7's. Did you put a trip review of your wall walk anywhere for me to takea look at?
Title: Re: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: LandyLiam on August 13, 2013
Well this is now my next challenge attempt, only 2 weeks away, anyone else up for it?

Phil I have a solution for you, if you get the call, break your leg and get airlifted to the same hospital as your wife, simples  ;D
Title: Re: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: phil_b on August 13, 2013
I have my eye on the forecast with a view to doing this this sunday. Still 2 weeks to the wifes due date at this stage ;)
Title: Re: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: clairebear on August 13, 2013
planning a day in the hills sunday too phil, keep an eye out for cash and say hi if u see me, will be good to get your view point on the wall walk. 
Title: Re: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: phil_b on August 17, 2013
This is looking good for tomorrow. The wife is feeling fine, no sign of a baby coming 2 weeks early, so im allowed to go ;D the weather looks mostly ok, only a chance of a couple of showers mid afternoon. If all goes ok I will be leaving carricklittle car park around 6am. If anyone sees a bald man with a collie and a lab struggling round the wall, make sure to say hi!
Title: Re: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: LandyLiam on September 01, 2013
Well i've signed up for this and will be starting in approx 8 hrs, i'm starting to realise what a big undertaking it is! weather looking good though, decided not to pack too light and i'll actually bring all the essential gear just in case. Now I just have to resist the temptation to run the downhills and keep a steady walking pace, otherwise i know i'll tire myself out too quickly, i even stayed off the beer tonight  :o  must go to bed soon.
Title: Re: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: phil_b on September 01, 2013
Hope you are going well at this stage Liam. No sign of this baby coming so far, I could have been there doing it too >:(
Title: Re: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: LandyLiam on September 01, 2013
Another challenge and another fail  :(  all due to lack of preparation. I suffered a lot from cramps in the legs so pulled out about half way (where a friend just happened to have left his car  ;D ) I was surprised I even made it that far as I was suffering from the first mountain, Binnion is VERY steep when going the Wee Binnian way. Started at 0820, I just made it to checkpoint 1 at cutoff time (1030), fell near Rocky (on a flat path!) and both lower legs cramped badly suddenly and from then on I was watching every step carefully making sure I didn't overstretch. Had planned to avoid Donard and take a route to Hares gap via Brandy Pad but met some friends just before Donard so persevered and did Donard anyway, it was a struggle but managed it, then decided to struggle up Commedagh as well and follow the wall all the way to Hares Gap (Checkpoint 3). But now the upper legs where cramping on the downhills. CP3 achieved at 1400 (cutoff was 1430). Sat for 20 mins and it was like lying on a silk bed, just bliss. Then down the trassey track to the get take car back. Will post some pics later.

A big thank you to all the nice people at Life (Marty, John, Shamara, Peter, Michael, Sheamus, Simon, Ian and the other guy) who arranged the event and supplied us with lots of goodies for reaching the finish, probably more than we were entitled to due to our diversion  8)
Title: Re: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: paulocon on September 02, 2013
Was it going anti-clockwise?

I thought the traditional way was to do it clockwise, up Binnian first from Carrick Little and then onwards from there. I've done the walk twice and both times were in that direction - would actually be very interesting to go around anti-clockwise.
Title: Re: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: LandyLiam on September 02, 2013
yes anti-clockwise, starting at silent valley

sore legs today as expected, and was hoping to do the mill hill mile race tomorrow evening (you know that big steep hill into Castlewellan  :o )
Title: Re: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: RedLeader on September 03, 2013
Great attempt Liam, it's quite an ask, congrats for giving it a whirl!
Title: Re: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: paulocon on September 03, 2013
yes anti-clockwise, starting at silent valley

sore legs today as expected, and was hoping to do the mill hill mile race tomorrow evening (you know that big steep hill into Castlewellan  :o )

Cheers, must give it a go anti-clockwise but will probably be next year at this stage. Don't be too disappointed with not getting around, you will find that you've learned a lot from the attempt. A failed attempt spurred me on to build up fitness for a second attempt and I've done it now on a couple of occasions. It's a really great challenge, wonder what the winning time was?

Posted this on here before but it's an account of my first successful round of the wall

http://www.walkingandhikingireland.com/the-classic-walks-of-ireland-the-struggle-to-tame-the-mourne-wall/

Done it again last year in 9:27. Had hoped to do it this year but got into hill running big time so didn't get a chance. Will do the anti-clockwise route next year and travel as lightly as possible.
Title: Re: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: Binnianboy on September 03, 2013
I have done it twice, first time clockwise, second time anti-clockwise, I found clockwise much easier and a good hour quicker, I thought anti-clockwise may have been easier as it took Donard, Commedagh and Bearnagh out of the equation early, but they seemed to sap all our energy, had hoped to do it again this year but never got time and was injured for quite a few months, will definitely be back next year though, good on you for giving a go. ;D
Title: Re: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: phil_b on September 03, 2013
I have done it twice, first time clockwise, second time anti-clockwise, I found clockwise much easier and a good hour quicker, I thought anti-clockwise may have been easier as it took Donard, Commedagh and Bearnagh out of the equation early, but they seemed to sap all our energy, had hoped to do it again this year but never got time and was injured for quite a few months, will definitely be back next year though, good on you for giving a go. ;D

I did it a couple of weeks ago clockwise and a guy I met running told me that I was doing it the easy way. From what you say he might have been right.  It would be interesting to do it again soon while I am still fairly fit and see what the difference would be anti clockwise. I was happy with my time of 9.36, I wouldn't like to think it would take an hour longer.
Title: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: Kayakgirl on September 03, 2013
Well done Liam!! I'm proud of you lol
Title: Re: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: Ed on September 04, 2013
Well done Liam.
The Mourne Wall Walk is a challenge to be sure. Binnian Boy is right, doing binnian first does kind of zap you a bit, but either way round it's a big tough walk.

We didn't prepare for it and just dived in headfirst as usual, we learned a few lessons. Firstly, start early, or you'll lose hours walking in the dark - and secondly do a training plan and prepare. Those are the two things we learned, but I'm still glad we did it.

Well done for getting out there and getting stuck in mate
Title: Re: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: LandyLiam on September 04, 2013
Did Bearnagh and Meelmore today, by the end of the week I might actually complete it  ;D
Title: Re: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: LandyLiam on September 07, 2013
Well after 5 days, 4 hrs and 45 mins i did it all  ;D  took 3 trips but got there today and best of all not feeling any pain (but it was still very tough!)

(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/gpsrouteimage-alldays-s_zps3227d3c7.jpg)


(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/P1010892Small_zpsb9fa5f15.jpg)


(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/P1010897Small_zps449709be.jpg)


(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/P1010902Small_zps5d7791b5.jpg)


(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/P1010904Small_zpsa21bbac2.jpg)


(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/P1010923Small_zps2d895dc6.jpg)


(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/P1020004Small_zps0a1e7063.jpg)
having a well earned rest  ;D

Title: Re: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: phil_b on September 07, 2013
Good work Liam, that made me laugh :)
Title: Re: The Mourne Wall Walk is back! - Sun 1st Sept 2013
Post by: LandyLiam on September 07, 2013
I'm feeling pretty fit at the moment but I still don't think I could do it all in one day. Maybe next year  :)