Climbing Slieve Donard

Yesterday was a great day for Mr Fairy and myself.  We set ourselves the challenge while the little master was away to climb Slieve Donard.  This specific peak of the Mourne mountain group is the highest mountain peak in Northern Ireland.  It is roughly 2790 feet.  The trek begins in Donard Park and takes you up a route through the forest and along the river. It is such a beautiful thing to hear the music of the river as you climb through the trees, over the protruding roots and the rocks.   The path is easy to follow, having had probably hundreds of thousands hiking through the same places.  When we were climbing the day was wonderfully warm and bright, as a result we also had the musical notes of children bouldering, of splashes from people jumping into the areas where there were small but deep pools and the giggles, laughter and shouts of joy as they all enjoyed the wonderful nature that surrounded them.  This alone would have made yesterday a great day out.  There was no technology in sight. No games consoles, Pokemon go, phones or anything that could distract from the beauty of creation and the fun and enjoyment of the water and the elements.

The first hour of the climb was taken at a steady pace, we stopped for a minute after the first thirty minutes to take a quick swig of water before continuing our ascent to the summit.  We started to get a little hungry so stopped by the most beautiful brook and sat down to enjoy a short lunch while listening to sheep, the brook the main river and the laughter of fellow climbers.  There was a sense of community on that mountain side that was fun to be a part of.  Everyone was feeling enthused about what they were doing, whether they were going in the same direction as us or if they were returning from having reached the top.  With the sun shining who couldn't have been smiling and happy?

sitting at 'our' brook looking at where we are about to go ... 

The surroundings were beautiful, so much so i almost wished that my sister was with us.  She has this way with words that makes it sounds like poetry as she talks about things (seriously you should hear her talk about newly ploughed fields!) and when i say almost i do mean that, she would have left us in the dust!!! Like a mountain gazelle or something ...  anyway i am going off on a tangent.

 

As we sat beside 'our' brook, we watched the people up ahead of us to see where the path to go to the top.  It looked like it was so high up and so daunting.  we felt like staying where we were, and just enjoying the scenery, we were sorely tempted especially when we splashed the cool water on our faces but we got up put our rucksacks on and continued up what we described as Cirith Ungol (the secret stairs in the Return of the King) Mr Fairy at one point asked me if i was actually moving forward!  It was tough going.

We made it up to the saddle between Commedagh and Donard. I was so glad that we had flat ground for a little while.  Again i was tempted to stop, i had an awful stitch and was struggling to get my breath (for some reason at the minute when I workout I struggle to breath properly, I don't know what is going on) but another quick swig of water we started the very last part of our journey up to the peak.  I'm not sure if this part was worse than the stairs but it was definitely on par with it.


We climbed, we struggled we stopped at times to catch our breath (actually I stopped to catch my breath, it was getting harder to breath) we got encouraged by those who were making their way back down to the bottom to keep going, and that it was worth it for the views.  It took us a while to get up to the top BUT ... we did it!!!

The sense of accomplishment was immense, the fact that we had made it to the top of the highest peak of the mournes and the tallest mountain in Northern Ireland.  I was elated, completely thrilled with this achievement that I had done through hard work and through a lot of sweat and deep breaths.  It is definitely something that I would love to do again when I am fitter and better able to do it.

WE   DID  IT !!!!


When we arrived at the top the views were spectacular, it was impressive to see how far we had climbed.  to feel like I could touch the sky was a wonderful thing.  The wind up there was intense!!! I felt like I could have been blown off the side, we couldn't stay for very long on the summit and then made a hasty escape ...

Commedagh from Donard 

Over looking the sea from the top of Donard

After taking a few pictures (it was a must!!!)  we made our way down ... and at times we RAN!! instead of feeling like the pot bellied pig who plodded up the mountain I felt more like a mountain goat. We made such good time on the way back to the saddle, down the stairs and rested for a little while at 'our' brook where Mr Fairy literally put his head in he was that warm and we had a nice we chat to a bus driver who was very impressed with us for it being our first time climbing it.

the view from the Saddle between Commedagh and Donard 

                   

I begrudgingly left the brook, wanting to stay there for longer and watch and listen everything around me but Mr Fairy made a valuable point - if we stayed we would never get down! I had to agree, I was getting far too comfortable sitting on the grass.

It didn't take us long at all, before we knew it we were back in the car park, after running the last 100 meters, having finished our hike.
We were both sore, muscles were tired and unfortunately sun burnt (me the worst) but nevertheless, so happy that well - we had done it but also that we were finished!!

Back in the car after our big hike!!! 

I would really recommend setting yourself this kind of challenge, one that you didn't think you would or could do, set yourself a challenge that will make you feel like you have accomplished something, that you can feel proud of yourself for ... and that will make your muscles ache for days! (well maybe not for days, but you get my drift)