Topic: Newbie Intro (Read 7205 times)

spartan00117 · « **on:** February 09, 2011 »

Hi all. My name is Brian and this is my first post on here. i wanted to join because my son and I are going to explore the Mournes this year and hopefully get some good climbing in as well. Its been a while since I have done any climbing but my 10 year old son wants me to introduce him to it. So I guess my question to all you season walkers and climbers is ould you recommend a good easy route and climb that my son and I could start off on. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks.

MG1 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 09, 2011 »

Hi Brian and welcome

The Brandy pad would be a good one to start with pretty flat, but it brings you through the high mournes. Great wee walk with out having to trail over the summits.

Dowser · « **Reply #2 on:** February 09, 2011 »

Hi Spartan00117

Welcome to the forum. You've come to the right place to rediscover the great outdoors and it's brilliant to hear your son is keen to get stuck in.

You're gonna think this sounds a bit crazy but I would recommend starting at Bloody Bridge and setting off towards the Summit of Donard. This is the first hike I took my 9yr old daughter on and it will surprise you just how much energy kids have.

This route, to the summit of Donard, is well walked and has a good mix of terrain and scenery. It's starts off with a well defined path, but offers a nice riverside route which appeals to children. If your son is fairly sure footed you can even leave the path and explore the boulders along the river banks, whilst heading towards the saddle.

My personal opinion is that the water in the Bloody Bridge river is perfectly safe to drink, and this adds to the novelty factor for a childs first trip into the hills when they can drink straight from a mountain stream. (I will leave this to your discretion though, because I know some members on here like to purify Mourne Water before drinking it).

The further you get up the trail the less the path become as obvious and your son will definately get the sense of being in the great outdoors. Head for the Mourne Wall, at the saddle, and see how your sons energy levels are holding up. Perhaps stop here for a bit of lunch and enjoy the scenery for half an hour, but remember to keep the wee fella warm when you stop for this length of time.

After you've had your grub you can see how he feels about conquering the highest mountain in Northern Ireland. His enthusiasm may surprise you and, if it's been a while since you've been in the hills, may be more than your own!!!

If it looks like he's keen, take it nice and slow with plenty of breaks to enjoy the scenery. 30-45mins should get you to the summit, and make sure you take a camera, because it will be a very memorable time for the both of you. Have his favourite chocolate bar to hand when you reach the summit to provide the energy he will need to get back down the hill. Going back down will be so much quicker than heading up and he will probably give you sore ears from talking about his achievement. You'll be back to the car before you know it!!!

When I did this route with my daughter the weather was a bit more favourable, so definately take this into consideration before setting off. You do not want your sons first experience of the hills to be an unpleasurable one, or you'll have a hard job getting him back.

Please remember to keep safety in mind too. Even if the weather is perfect when you set off, it can change very quickly in the hills. Carry some warm clothing and waterproofs. Also carry a bit of extra food/snacks with you and maybe a stove, if you have one, for warm drinks. A mobile phone is essential, but rememeber you can't always get a signal in the hills, so tell somebody where you are going and when to expect you home.

If you get a nice day with fair weather I reckon this route would be a great introduction to your sons hiking career and a nice welcome back for yourself.

I'm sure you will get a few other suggestions from our members so I hope you get one that takes your fancy.

The Bloody Bridge route I've suggested is still a lovely walk whether you make it to the Summit, Saddle, or even just an hour up the track.

Whatever you end up doing, enjoy and I hope to see you in the hills soon.

Dowser

spartan00117 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 09, 2011 »

Thanks Guys, really appreciate the info. I had already thought of going the Bloody Bridge route so might just stick to that. I will up load some photos and let you all know how we got on but probably going to wait until easter hols anyway. Thanks again, Brian

RedLeader · « **Reply #4 on:** February 09, 2011 »

There are loads of places suitable for a 10 year old. We have kids out all the time, you're both welcome to come along. Any mountain in the Mournes is fully accessibly at 10 years old, it's just a matter of picking a day with decent weather and being happy to walk at a fairly ambling pace.

spartan00117 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 09, 2011 »

Thanks Redleader I'm sure I will take you up on that sometime.

LennyJ1 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 09, 2011 »

welcome to the forum spartan.

LandyLiam · « **Reply #7 on:** February 09, 2011 »

welcome aboard brian, but i say don't take the little one up donard on his first trip, then he'll have nothing left to achieve

i was looking through some old photos the other night and i was surprised to see my youngest fella had done donard when he was only 6 ! he hasn't done a summit since :'( hen mountain is a good one to start on, not a big walk but a brilliant summit

spartan00117 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2011 »

Thanks again guys much appreciated.

suspectmonkey · « **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2011 »

Hi Brian, welcome to the forum! Nothing really to add to the advice already given, but I'd just like to echo what RedLeader has said, you are more than welcome to join us on any of our outings! Let us know how you get on

666_pack · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2011 »

hello and welcome!

Kayakgirl · « **Reply #11 on:** February 10, 2011 »

Hi There,

Welcome!

When I take youth groups up into the hills I normally would tend to take them to Doan. It is a nice walk and gently eases them into hillwalking. Once climbed you can either decide to move on and try another hills or return back to Ott.

For climbing there is a quarry outside Castlewellan that most outdoor centres would use. One side is used for abseiling and the other for climbing. It is good for beginners. I think the entrance is off the Bann road.. But will check and get back to you.

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Author Topic: Newbie Intro (Read 7205 times)

spartan00117

Newbie Intro

MG1

Re: Newbie Intro

Dowser

Re: Newbie Intro

spartan00117

Re: Newbie Intro

RedLeader

Re: Newbie Intro

spartan00117

Re: Newbie Intro

LennyJ1

Re: Newbie Intro

LandyLiam

Re: Newbie Intro

spartan00117

Re: Newbie Intro

suspectmonkey

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666_pack

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Kayakgirl

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