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Author Topic: Making childs play of donard!  (Read 15294 times)

noble98

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Making childs play of donard!
« on: May 08, 2012 »
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.


Untitled by bnoble98, on Flickr


Untitled by bnoble98, 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.


Untitled by bnoble98, on Flickr


Untitled by bnoble98, on Flickr



We pitched camp near the wall at the saddle and after dinner had a climb at the castles.


Untitled by bnoble98, on Flickr


Untitled by bnoble98, on Flickr


Untitled by bnoble98, 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.


Untitled by bnoble98, on Flickr


Untitled by bnoble98, on Flickr


In the morning we saw how cold it had been from the frost on the tents.


Untitled by bnoble98, 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.


Untitled by bnoble98, on Flickr


Untitled by bnoble98, on Flickr


Untitled by bnoble98, on Flickr


Untitled by bnoble98, 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.


Untitled by bnoble98, 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.
« Last Edit: May 08, 2012 by noble98 »
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noble98

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Re: Making childs play of donard!
« Reply #1 on: May 08, 2012 »
Need help to get flickr photos to show up
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Mourneman

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Re: Making childs play of donard!
« Reply #2 on: May 08, 2012 »
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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Drongo

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Re: Making childs play of donard!
« Reply #3 on: May 08, 2012 »
Working on it now...
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I'm Not Drunk...!!!  I'm Irish, there is a Difference...

noble98

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Re: Making childs play of donard!
« Reply #4 on: May 08, 2012 »
Got it.  Thanks drongo
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Kayakgirl

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Re: Making childs play of donard!
« Reply #5 on: May 08, 2012 »
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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Stress dissolves when exposed to water..

Oisín

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Re: Making childs play of donard!
« Reply #6 on: May 08, 2012 »
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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It is not about being the fastest, the strongest or the biggest. It is about being ourselves - Kilian Jornet

noble98

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Re: Making childs play of donard!
« Reply #7 on: May 08, 2012 »
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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LandyLiam

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Re: Making childs play of donard!
« Reply #8 on: May 08, 2012 »
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  ::)


Quote
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



p.s. love the shadow pic
« Last Edit: May 08, 2012 by LandyLiam »
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think outside, no box required

Kayakgirl

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Re: Making childs play of donard!
« Reply #9 on: May 08, 2012 »
Quote from: noble98 on May 08, 2012
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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Stress dissolves when exposed to water..

RedLeader

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Re: Making childs play of donard!
« Reply #10 on: May 09, 2012 »
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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Spud

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Re: Making childs play of donard!
« Reply #11 on: May 09, 2012 »
Brilliant write up and pictures, well done!
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noble98

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Re: Making childs play of donard!
« Reply #12 on: May 09, 2012 »
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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whoRya

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Re: Making childs play of donard!
« Reply #13 on: May 09, 2012 »
Really enjoyed reading that.  These will be some fantastic memories for your kids,
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"Not all those who wander are lost."

Chris E

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Re: Making childs play of donard!
« Reply #14 on: May 09, 2012 »
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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Chris
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