Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

Slieve Donard... Difficult

Options
  • 09-09-2008 1:41pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,171 ✭✭✭


    Hi,

    Looking to get into hillwalking - nothing too strenous or dangerous to begin with.

    First question is can anyone give me advice in relation to books/guides I should look at (particularly from a safety point of view).

    Probably a stupid question but any advice on clothing and gear I should buy?

    I live quite close to the Cooley and Mourne Mountains and have read up on Slieve Donard - is this a difficult challenge from an amateur/should I be looking at something simplier to get started...

    In my thirties and keep myself in reasonable shape. I love the outdoors and am into photography so I see this as a way of combining multiple hobbies..


Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 14,345 ✭✭✭✭ednwireland


    why not try the wee binians ?

    http://www.weebinnians.com/

    or the mourne ramblers

    http://www.mourneramblers.btinternet.co.uk/

    as for what you need

    http://www.bluestackramblers.com/info.html

    or go upto cotswold outdoors in belfast
    but basically boots raincoat food water

    was up sleive donard last thursday not particularly difficul should take about 5-6 hours (depends how fit you are ) v steep at the top though
    cold as well it was 16-17 deg c at the bottom and 7.8 at the top
    more info here

    http://mountainviews.ie/mv/index.php?mtnindex=19


  • Registered Users Posts: 7,468 ✭✭✭Evil Phil


    You'll also find a list of you're nearest clubs here:
    http://www.mountaineering.ie/nearestclub/index.asp


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 38 maryo'dee


    Hi if you are stll interested I climbed both slieve donard and the cooley mountain that overlooks the town of carlingford in 2 days.
    slieve donard is easy to climb but it takes about 6 hours from the carpark by the seaside. it is quite a long drive as well to get here. if you have a clear day its easy to find your way up. if bad day avoid it as it is a slog.
    as for the Cooley mountain overlooking carlingford it is a great hike with plenty scrambling over rocks at the top. stunning views of the mournes across the lough. and only takes 2-3 hours up and down. i foun this more enjoyable than donard.
    good luck:)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,171 ✭✭✭paulocon


    maryo'dee wrote: »
    Hi if you are stll interested I climbed both slieve donard and the cooley mountain that overlooks the town of carlingford in 2 days.
    slieve donard is easy to climb but it takes about 6 hours from the carpark by the seaside. it is quite a long drive as well to get here. if you have a clear day its easy to find your way up. if bad day avoid it as it is a slog.
    as for the Cooley mountain overlooking carlingford it is a great hike with plenty scrambling over rocks at the top. stunning views of the mournes across the lough. and only takes 2-3 hours up and down. i foun this more enjoyable than donard.
    good luck:)

    Thanks for that. Actually climbed Donard Sunday just gone - a very enjoyable day. Took the Bloody Bridge route up by the old quarry and then up the steep incline along the Mourne Wall. From leaving the car to getting back, we were at it for 6.5 hours but we rested for 3/4 of an hour at the top and had stops along the way (I'm into Photography so had plenty of photo stops). Harder than I had anticipated - I believe that the route from the car park in Newcastle isn't as hard (could be wrong there) but really enjoyable and looking forward to going back up onto the Mournes.

    I assume the mountain in Cooley is Slieve Foye. Just saw this on the web today and am planning on tackling it some weekend soon. I'm only 45 mins or so from Cooley so an early start would see me back for Sunday dinner. If you have any suggested route up the mountain, I'd love to hear it.

    Thanks,
    Paul


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 38 maryo'dee


    yes there is a road that skirts it so you candrive up some ofthe way if you like and park on a bend where you will see a way in to a gate and a trail on your right. its hard to find this.
    on the way up you can tackle it head on and scramble over some large rocks at the top which is slightly scary but invigorating. alternativly you can vear left for a round about route which will take you onto the ridge between it and the other summit on the left, then ascend a less steep bit to the summit.


  • Advertisement
Advertisement