Mourne International Walking Festival

Posted by Glenn

A few of us made it down to the Mourne Mountains on Saturday past, to participate in the 10th Anniversary of the Mourne International Walking Festival. And what a day it was!

The Mourne International Walking Festival programme had this hike billed as 20k over 5 peaks with 1400m ascent. However things are not always as they seem.

Rocky View
Striding out!
Otherwise known as "The Crazies"

Rocky Mountain Summit Cairn
Kenny and Irwin in front

The walk leader set a tight pace at the early stage of the walk, from Bloody Bridge to Chimney Rock Mountain, by which time everyone was well warmed up (to say the least), and then we were given the option of splitting up into 2 groups…a fast group (affectionately referred to as “the crazies” by the walk Leader, and a more normal paced group.

Challenge!

Well, I like a challenge, so I went for the first group, getting a little nervous when only around 15 headed off. Lets just say I didn’t get thinking much about the few photos I managed to find time to take! It was really good to push the boundaries a bit, great from a training point of view, and a great sense of achievement to almost stay with these folk, until the lunch stop on the summit of Rocky Mountain.

Here, after catching our breath, the other group caught up eventually ;) and we were given another option. Rather than stay with the designated route along the Brandy Path to Commedagh, anyone interested could squeeze in Slieve Donard as well. The four of us thought we would go for it (even though we were pretty wrecked already!) and again only about 15 or 16 I think ventured for this. This was a real slog up Donard, not helped by the knowledge that it wasn’t the last peak!

We made it however, and after a brief breather on the summit, we headed down to the saddle, and up Slieve Commedagh, and the final major push. Conditions turned a bit wet up here, but we dried almost as quickly when the rain stopped, with the weather easing as we descended on to Shan Slieve, on down to the Donard Wood, and back to Newcastle.

The addition of Slieve Donard made it 6 peaks, with a total ascent of 1700m!  Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK, stands at 1344m, if that puts it into perspective.

A very tough, but satisfying day was capped very nicely by a visit to a great chippy on the way home!

Nicest chips I think I ever had!

July 2, 2008 | Filed Under Training 

Comments

2 Responses to “Mourne International Walking Festival”

  1. Irwin on July 2nd, 2008 10:21 pm

    Yes it was the toughest walk of the year(so far). The fast pace caught me out at the start and it was catch up all the way!

  2. Glenn on July 3rd, 2008 4:54 pm

    mmm, I like the “so far” bit!

    Very rewarding walk it was!

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