Mourne Wall report
| Author | Date | Message |
|---|---|---|
| Theo Mooney | May 20 2018, 5:01pm | 19th May 2018 Mourne Wall attempt with Kevin, Neal and Theo. Earlier in the week we planted the idea of a Mourne Wall adventure on Saturday 19th May. It ha do been brewing in Putnam thoughts on and off for a time. When the replies came in 'yeah sure why not' we became a team of three heading up from Dublin at the leisurely time of 10am. Arriving at the Carrick Little car park, (up the lane there's a couple of paid car parks with a coffe shop etc... well recommended), excitement was oozing out of us all, with sweaty palms and uttering uncontrollable smiles and "hell yeahs". CONTEXT: Mourne Wall = 18-22 miles, 2500-3000m ascent. Steep, tough and magical. 12 noon and we were off up the track to ascend Slieve Binnian. By far the most ascent over the day 500m, being steep it set the pace for the day to walk the uphill well and maybe try to run the downhills. #hiking With a big day ahead it was difficult to hold the excitement back. It turned out we had possibly the best weather conditions one could ask for, dry in the preceding days and sunny/dry/breezy on the day, even still there were boggy patches to entertain us before the ascent of Slievenagloch. The Silent Valley and Ben Crom Reservoirs were providing breathtaking views and inducing happily needed rests to take it all in. Slieve Muck, another slog of an ascent, with good running terrain following it. Slieve Meelbeg and Meelmore tired our legs out some more (water fill available from here from a pipe right of the wall, keep your eyes open for it). Over half way in distance at this point with the slopes of Slieve Bearnagh towering over us a bit of grunt, grit and determination was needed here. Greeted by magical summit tors of granite I couldn't help but feel the wonderfulness of these mountains (runners high kicking in). With good running terrain on the ridge of the last summits to reach Donard, our hearts lightened as we felt the joys of the home stretch. A jaunty hike up Slieve Donard, the highest point of the day, and it was mostly downhill from there. Knees and hips feeling fatigued, food and water dwindling, heads were held high as we struggled through the forest under Rocky Mountain, making close friends with a few local bovines. (Alteration recommended, leave Rocky Mountain early to avoid the forest or commit to exit along the road). With the watches soon approaching 9hours a speedy finish was needed to go sub 9. Total time: 8hours 57 minutes Total effort: YES Totally worth it: OH YES! |
| Theo Mooney | May 20 2018, 5:03pm | Ah I shoulda proof read this... the joys of typing on a phone... |
| Stephen Coller | May 20 2018, 7:52pm | Sounds like ye had a great day for it Theo, sorry I missed it now. |
