One week to go…to Kili!
Well, with just one week to go, till we strike off for Kilimanjaro, God willing, I thought I would share a photo from a walk we had last Saturday. We had beautiful weather again (just a few spots of rain, to remind us what country we were in!), and fantastic scenery was the order of the day, here is a shot, taken from the top of Binevenagh.
I must say there is quite a bit of intrepidation now, when I think about what is ahead next week, I think it is a bit of ” fear of the unknown”, not really knowing what to take, not wanting to forget anything, and I suppose we will just have to try to be prepared for anything.
I am not really looking forward to leaving my wee family for 12 days, but I suppose I knew from the start, that that side of things would be difficult. We will just have to trust that God will help those at home, as He helps us.
Have a look at this 6 day weather forecast for Kilimanjaro, you can see the weather for the next six days, at the summit (5895m), at 4524m, and at 3152m. Just click on the different heights, on the free 6 day forecast link.
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Visible Progress!
A few weeks ago, Irwin (H), and I had a training walk along a familiar stretch of the North Antrim coast. The last time we followed this route, one member of our group ended up getting whisked off to hospital, by the Coastguard! (I might be persuaded to share some photos from that experience, at a future date? Any interest?)
Last summer, we walked this route, from the Giants Causeway, to Ballintoy (10 miles) in just over 6 hours, and I was really glad to get it finished…sore legs, and knackered. When Irwin then said that in a years time, we would be doing it both ways in not much more time…I thought he was…well, let’s just say, I wasn’t looking forward to it!
However…
…when Irwin suggested it, both ways, 20 miles, the other week, I felt we could go for it! When we finished…8 ½ hrs later, I was not in the same state as I had been in, the previous year, after doing it 1 way, in fact I felt we could, quite easily, have walked further!
White Park Bay
Irwin
Me!
As you can see, we had fantastic weather, and we were smiling the whole day through!
I can not believe that we are going to Africa, to Kilimanjaro, 2 weeks from now!
We have our last half serious walk tomorrow, at Binevenagh…looking forward to taking some more photographs!
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Slieve Binnian…with the Wee Binnians!
A few of us made it to County Down, last Saturday (13th Sept), to take part in the Grade 1 walk of the Wee Binnians annual Walking Festival.
As you can see, we had fantastic weather. We started at Carricklittle carpark…climbing Slieve Binnian, Slieve Lamagan, Cove & Beg, continuing on to the Brandy Pad, through the Donard Saddle, and down along the Glen River, into Newcastle.
The craic was great, and they set a tight pace…great training for Kili!
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- Spot the ironing board!
I never cease to be amazed at some of the sights that greet us, when we are out walking…check out the guy in fancy dress! He was heading up to the top of Commedagh, to play a game of rugby with his mates! (looking for dragons to slay, on the way)
These photographs hardly do justice to the fantastic scenery in the Mourne Mountains, it really is worth a visit…so, get on those walking boots, and get out there!
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Knocklayd in the Dark!
We set off from the centre of Ballycastle at 9:45pm on Monday night…for another night walk on Knocklayd. The weather could not have been better, with a base layer being all that was required, right until we got to the summit.
Walking in the dark is a totally different ball game, from daylight…when you can’t see your goal, it is more difficult, psychologically. This is good preparation for the summit day on Kilimanjaro, which starts around midnight, on the Friday night. We get up at eleven pm, and have a cuppa, heading for the summit then, with roughly eight hours (from what I can gather) in the dark, to the goal. This is done at night, because the ground is loose scree, and is frozen harder at night, and therefore easier to negotiate.
“Knocklayd in the dark” is a great evenings training, and trudging back down through Ballycastle Forest at that time is certainly memorable!
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The Mourne…Seven Sevens !
Last Saturday I had the pleasure of taking part in the Spartan Red Sox annual Seven Seven’s Challenge. (some would debate whether or not it was a pleasure!)
There were approximately 185 entries this year, with the aim being to climb the seven highest peaks (>700m) in the Mourne Mountains, starting at sea level, in Newcastle.
Being intent…this year…on enjoying the walk, and not minding too much if we didn’t complete them all, a couple of us settled in to a more pleasurable pace, completing 5 of the 7 (plus the long trek back to Newcastle!) in 12½ hrs (which is still a long days walking) and most of the rest of our lads finished in around 13½ hrs, with one of the Kilimanjaro team completing it in 11 hrs 33 minutes! Well done Irwin Adair ! A list of all entries, with times, can be downloaded from the Spartan Red Sox Walking Club site here.
We had a Pasta Party in a caravan at Cranfield the night before, which was great, but, thinking about the day ahead meant there wasn’t much sleep to be had…not in my bunk anyway!
We had a very wet start to the day, as you can see from the cloud behind Stephen above. I quickly realized that it was too warm for what I was wearing (my Páramo jacket, with a base layer) and yet it was too wet, to do without a coat. I took off the base layer, and put the coat back on (next to my bare skin)…and it worked perfectly for the rest of the 12½ hours. It was total comfort…highly recommended!
I don’t think the fell runners seen much of the scenery!
The scenery was stunning, when it wasn’t raining, and you could see it!
This runner above was actually the fastest runner home that day, with a time of 4 hours, 17 minutes, 55 seconds! Well done Gary Bailey!
The views were amazing!
Still smiling at the finishing line!
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Two short walks this week, Downhill & Knocklayd
With 17 weeks to go, I squeezed in two training walks this week, Downhill, and Knocklayd.
Downhill
Irwin H, and a friend of mine, John Kelly, went out on Wednesday evening with me, to put a few miles under the belt. This was a very enjoyable walk, starting at Castlerock Beach, and wending round some roads, through some woodland, past Mussenden Temple and the castle out there, with a great sunset to top the night, and then back to the beach.
This sheep took a good look at me!
(I wonder if anyone could tell me what breed it is 
)
Knocklayd
This morning I was accompanied by Irwin H and Irwin A, for a trudge up our local mount…near Ballycastle. It was almost reassuring to get drenched again, after quite a few pleasant, dry walks…we had just about forgotten what it was like to be soaked!
Here are the two Irwins for your viewing pleasure!
We are hoping to get as much hillwalking in as possible in the coming months…17 weeks will fly in!
I am trying a new tactic, to try to build some stamina, and leg strength…carrying a bit of weight in the rucksack. Along with a couple of litres of drinking water, I put a 5 litre jar in the backpack…this makes a serious difference.
I read an interview with Alan Hinkes where he was asked what training he recommended for the hills, and he reckoned putting rocks in your rucksack is great for building endurance. I figured it would be slightly cleaner and more user friendly to carry extra water (if I get really under pressure, I can always pour it out!)
Lets just say I was surprised how much difference 5 litres makes!
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Mourne International Walking Festival
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.
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- Rocky View
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- Striding out!
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- Otherwise known as “The Crazies”
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- Rocky Mountain Summit Cairn
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- 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!
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Slieve Donard…on May Day!
Here are a few of my favourites from the sponsored walk at Slieve Donard, in the Mourne Mountains…organised by my friends/companions for Kili, raising funds for the BCFC Academy in Kenya.
As you can see, we had a fantastic day…the weather simply could not have been better!
Thirsty work on the way up…and a well deserved rest at the top for the crowd from Aughnacloy!
Four of us just couldn’t resist the lure of another peak, when we had come so far, and had to take in Slieve Commedagh (767m), which is beside Donard (850m). This was a great addition to the day, and a chance to use the self-timer
That is Slieve Donard in the background.
Another great day was had by all who came, very memorable and enjoyable (although there were a few stiff legs the next day…or two!)
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Knocklayde…with a slight difference!
As I write this post, it is two years since Keren was here with us. At this time, she was five weeks old, and it hasn’t been particularly easy to think about compiling a post, around this time of year, but we are working on it.
On a lighter note, my training for Kilimanjaro is still ticking away nicely! On May 3rd I had a new walking partner…Jed!
The weather was beautiful, the walkers were willing, and Knocklayde was beckoning! Now, I have taken grown men up this hill, and some have said “never again”, it can be a bit of a slog, if you are not used to it, but I thought I would give Jed a go up it! He was not long past his fifth birthday, so I thought we’ll go at his pace, stop for a break when he wants, and I was prepared to carry him, if need be. I had told him about it often enough, so he was excited about going.
As you can see…we made it!
What is not immediately apparent from the photograph, is that Jed walked the whole way! That is up and down again! He did really well! It got quite windy on the way down, and we had a lot of fun, with Jed barely able to stay on his feet!
We had great views of Rathlin Island, and Scotland, from the top, and as we were going through Ballycastle Forest, returning to the car, we saw some wild deer, which was a great treat for Jed (and me!)
I’ll have some more hill-walking posts soon! (some here)
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Next…Tiny Clothes for our Tiny Baby
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In the Mournes with the Bannside Ramblers!
We had another great day walking in the Mourne Mountains, on the 5th April, with the Bannside Ramblers.
Here are a few shots from what turned out to be a day with fantastic weather, and good company as well. We made exceptionally good time travelling down, and we had the rare opportunity of a café, to start the days walking from.
Great Start!
We commenced our walk from Meelmore Lodge, and their café was open when we arrived. Having 45 minutes before the walk was due to start, we didn’t need much encouragement to try out the local cuisine!
Verdict….Excellent start to the day, with real coffee, and a very tasty sausage & egg buttie!
As you can see, we had great weather, with dramatic clouds never far away, leaving you with the knowledge that conditions could change rapidly…reason enough to be prepared for the worst conditions.
The views were fantastic, can you spot James and Kenny waving?
What do you think of this Landrover Jed?
This belonged to the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team! Thankfully we didn’t require their services!
God willing, my next walk in the Mournes will be on May Day, where I will be supporting my companions for Kilimanjaro, as they raise money for the BCFC Academy, in Kitale, Kenya. Details can be found here, if you wish to join us!
It is a great way to spend the day!
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