Donnard

[Paul72]

However, we did a night summit of Binnian when it was misty and we couldn't see a damn thing

I once did a day summit of Binnian when it was misty and nearly fell off!    Hats off to you for doing it in the night

[RedLeader]

It's a tough ol peak. The guys came over it to Donard Wood last week - rather them than me

[chris]

Hi Chris,

Thats interesting about bloodly bridge! i might give that a go then! is there a defned path up that way?

Yeah there's a path all the way up have a look at your map and you'll see what I mean, If you were feeling even more adventerous you could go over the little hill at the foot of donnard (Chimmney rock? dont have a map to hand) and up the back way!

http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Slieve-Donard-from-Bloody-Bridge-P15768

[666_pack]

Hi all,

i've been reading this site for a while now and just decieded to join! Seems a great place and your trip last week seemed a laugh!

Myself and my girlfriend and just getting into the outdoors really. We enjoy hill walking, forests and camping ( havent done a wild camp yet but that will hopefully change this year!!)

I've been up in the mournes a few times but only in the summer.

I was planning on maybe climbing donnard tomorrow morning, the weather looks not to bad. We dont have any special gear as yet as money tight at the moment so would be heading up with:

Basic backpack
Map & Compass
Normal clothes with boots
Fleece
Cheap none breathable waterproof jacket
lunch
flask of tea
camera

I was just wanting any advice on if its sensible heading up in the winter? Is there any snow on donnard at the moment? what about ice?


Any advice welcome.

cheers

Andrew.

Hi andy, welcome to the forum
The guys have you pretty sort on the route front the only thing I can add is IMHO The glen river trail is much handier than coming up from bloody bridge but once you reach the mourne wall and actually start to tackle Donard I found the Bloody bridge side to be less steep But then a bit longer.

As Jonno said there will be plenty more trips planned and hopefully a few more summit camps so your more than welcome to join us.

Heres the pics form the bearnagh trip.

http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=513.0

[MG1]

Hello mate and welcome.

[andy1984]

Hi all,

Well I made it up and back on saturday in one piece!!

Took the bloody bridge route up. The weather was amazing, blue skys hardly a cloud!

We where sheltered from the wind most of the way up! At the peak it was bitter in the wind, bottoms of my trousers had got a little damp and while standing at the peak for pics they froze solid within 2- 3mins!
Amazing views, really good day... although sore yesterday and today!!

[RedLeader]

Awesome. It's a great feeling when you get to the top of a peak. Never had my troosers freeze though

[andy1984]

yeah it is a amazing feeling alright!! totally clear, could see for miles.

it was just the bottoms of my trousers where they had been in the snow and got damp.

couldnt believe how quickly they had froze. must have been like -5 or -6 at peak because it was -2 or -3 at base on sat morning according to the car! then with the 25mph wind at the peak?

anyways... cant wait for the next time!!

[billy backpack]

anyways... cant wait for the next time!!
[/quote]

Welcome Andy.... I see you have caught the mountain bug   

[suspectmonkey]

anyways... cant wait for the next time!!

Could be as soon as this Sunday if you fancy doing the Brandy Pad?

[andy1984]

Thanks for the offer suspectmonkey but i cant make it this Sunday! partner already got stuff planned 

I might however be heading down on Saturday!! 

Any recommendations on routes or walks? something of similar difficultly as my trip last week.

Cheers

[chris]

The beauty of the mournes is that its so compact but when your in it you do get that sense of isolation, anywere is good to head to. I like ben crom and doan myself. Doan may be small and a lot of people skip it out but its a proper little hill in my books! Binnian is an other one, park at carrick little an follow the wall straight up it. There's also a water works gate thing on the way round to carrick little you can park there and walk up thorugh the forest to Annalong valley and explore the caves and scramble up Up cove or have a look round hares castle.
The trassey track up bernagh is always an option if a bit touristy imo.
If any of that takes your fancy and you want specific grid refs feel free to ask

[andy1984]

cheers chris. I like the sound of all your suggestions!

Binnian was one i wanted to bag, however i heard it was one of the hardest / longest!?

would Binnian be harder than donnard?

Donnard from bloody bridge was about just enough for me, though i had much to heavy a pack!! lol

[chris]

binnian is a bit of a slog i'll admit! Its long and gets steep towards the summit but its a good hill once your up, the tor things make for interesting viewing and pictures.

[andy1984]

binnian is a bit of a slog i'll admit!

would you say it was harder than donnard or bernagh?