Saddle or Summit

Spent a couple of days over mid-term on a camping trip to the county Down. The goal of the trip was spend a ten pound sterling note I had in my wallet for years AND to climb Slieve Donard, at 850m the highest peak in all of Ulster. 

First, as always with us....

....pre-nutrition.

 Rostrevor

This explains D's expression. Such a talented mammy. 

Camspite Reading

Tollymore Forest Park

Tollymore Forest Park

Foley's Bridge

 Foley's Bridge

In Out Of The Cold

So hard to keep kids entertained. You'd never think 9 and 8..

 The Leg Warmers, The Unicorn Lit From Within

Cashing In The Chips

After a rough night's sleep in the tent was remedied by a top notch breakfast of bacon, pancakes and maple syrup in the best cafe in Newcastle we were up for the challenge. There are several paths up Slieve Donard. We chose the route via the Glen River.

Trail Head at Slieve Donard

Taken by a man with a bad knee

 On The Trail

Quick Lie Down

Where The Mountains Of Mourne....

Making Sure To Get The New Boots In The Photo

We didn't quite make it to the summit on the day (we made it to the Saddle ~650m elevation) but we'll be back. At 6 hours this was by far the longest duration walk we've been on as a family. Given the majority of those 6 hours was spent either working the legs on some pretty steep climbing on rough terrain or working the knees on the way down (if you don't count the half an hour hiding from the wind and atin' ba-mozza-cuke sangidges agin de wall), that's a pretty impressive outing by any standards. Very proud of *all* the girls' determination to push on and get to the Saddle as the wind howled and the backs sweated. D determinedly led the way on the final leg and was the first to touch the Mourne Wall at the Saddle.

The Saddle - as high as we got but how proud are we?

The 8th Wonder-Esque Mourne Wall

Lunch On The Leeward Side (with the summit in sight just above the clouds)

Difene The Goddess Of Hillwalking Questions Her Calling

 S only does dramatic descents

Another Quick Lie Down

To celebrate our day's achievements we sought out the best pizza place in town for some post-nutritional...

 (Moral) Victory Pizza

The girls have committed to returning in the Spring for another try when the days and their legs get a bit longer and after they've done some training over the Winter. We'll keep ye posted. 

Bloody Bridge after breakfast the next morning

This really sums up the highs and lows of our adventure