Sunday 4 September 2011

Slieve Donard - My Personal Challenge 3

Well' on Saturday morning, Matthew and I set off for Donard Park, Newcastle, Co. Down - we arrived 9.20am and prepared for the hike!

We set off at 9.25am, as per map and instructions, through Donard Park, along the river bank and up into the 'Saddle' between Slieve Donard and Commedagh. It was slow going as the terrain was quite difficult underfoot, eventually we reached the Mourne Wall at the top of the 'Saddle'. After a brief rest bite, it was up Slieve Donard along the Mourne Wall - this was very, very steep and quite arduous, however we made it to the summit at 1205!

The cloud cover was low, however every few minutes the clouds would blow past and leave some breath taking views - magnificent!

Matthew and I took quite a few photo's, sadly something must have happened -as the camera memory only saved 12 photo's (I will try to find the others) so only a few snaps to prove we made it.

It is always great to fulfil a personal challenge - Matthew (my son) is only 10 - climbed to the summit with me, I am so proud of him!!.

The decent was as difficult as the ascent, it took a whole 2 hours 40 minutes to return to the car park - in all a 5 1/2 hour hike with a 20 minute break at the top.

More photo's later, maybe - and yes we slept well on Saturday night and we are very stiff this morning.

HMA

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