Walking Forum

Regions - Trip reports, destination advice, recommended routes, etc. => Ireland => Topic started by: henryb on 16:17:12, 13/05/18

Title: Donard and Commedagh: epic day on Northern Ireland's highest summits
Post by: henryb on 16:17:12, 13/05/18
The Mournes enjoyed glorious sunshine this week-end. As a general principle, I always climb at least one of the seven sevens on such days. Starting from Donard Park I walked through the forest to pick up the Glen river track to the saddle Donard shares with Commedagh. Upon reaching the saddle I followed the course of the Mourne wall to Donard's summit. If a mountain's popularity is measured by the numbers of walkers, Donard would easily claim top prize. There were dozens of other walkers doing the same walk. I reached the summit 1 hour 50 minutes after leaving the car park. After a short lunch break I descended back to the saddle to begin my ascent of Slieve Commedagh, the second highest mountain in the Mournes.  Slieve Commedagh is a natural extension and offers a good alternative to descending the glen river track. After admiring the views I descended the ridge Commedagh shares with Shanslieve and Slievenamaddy. This is my favourite descent in the Mournes. I veered eastwards back through the forest to Donard park. Total distance was 11.67km taking 4.5 hours.


Slieve donard:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/31948049_2057397330956022_7611888513415380992_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=af75c504f4a27d5c7efdf836a0fa76c4&oe=5B856EF7)


Glen river track:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/32332541_2057397587622663_7738672241436524544_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=f71ff2bae86e3d1ed04528a20582188f&oe=5B95B3FE)


Commedagh and Bernagh from near Donard's summit:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/32260864_2057399694289119_2809292298192420864_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=85593ccd008992ed76b161aea22a7844&oe=5B7D3143)


Binnian, Chimney and Rocky from Donard:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/32266413_2057400424289046_5664718974709923840_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=6ca4a3f0f90d6060d819d4252dafe587&oe=5B81B173)


Bernagh and Commedagh from Donard:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/32308830_2057401097622312_6952809980659499008_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=36669b03e00bcafd2c63e973384461b4&oe=5B904183)


Newcastle and St John's point from Donard:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/32293796_2057400737622348_4669759619856334848_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=31912fa80fe8999293ed7bfc8cb87605&oe=5B8F7200)


The eastern and central Mournes from Donard descent:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/32349083_2057402230955532_8609448183203889152_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=00f5d11e9b39afe21927959fc4f4cde1&oe=5B95A0F3)


Annalong valley and Rocky from Commedagh:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/32314016_2057404484288640_9050236635228143616_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=7359b3576d012a9a5fbd697f4d7dc145&oe=5B8BBCFF)


Beg, Cove, Lamagan, Binnian, Ben Crom from Commedagh:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/32464364_2057404724288616_4554612474363510784_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=1d2041e68ce47464ab494e94caae4276&oe=5B91C630)


Bernagh from Commedagh:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/32323865_2057403397622082_476599210733469696_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=692ca7f8f0b8dcf7bb922f61baf36580&oe=5B96C14E)


Binnian:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/32266828_2057405124288576_3162533953626177536_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=961e882f6593b3c4538887034489a8a5&oe=5B86C448)


Bernagh to Slieve Corragh:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/32294402_2057405610955194_1481436075539824640_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=64a398cd0417c597a6eebd8a4778b596&oe=5B8F5AB4)


Slievenamaddy from Shanslieve:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/32332552_2057406637621758_8468985869108248576_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=61558a95f52eea5cc5bd69c242cb8aff&oe=5B7E9477)


Tullymore:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/32399308_2057406860955069_9185125928609513472_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=7b4f3a4f4f769dd3e8d4239e84ccc91f&oe=5B9430CE)


Castlewellan and Slieve Croob:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/32423193_2057408060954949_1578707373873168384_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=ab8b84a59e11f08d2dbf2e72219761a9&oe=5B97F4AB)


Newcastle from Slievenamaddy:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/32293468_2057408197621602_5848128840051720192_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=f3951a4d9fb64b88db3df8a44b14103b&oe=5B807EF9)


Slieve Donard from Slievenamaddy:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/32293693_2057408397621582_3409964657316724736_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=04dd22ce3623a939e5cced47fc3c2f11&oe=5B829A4E)


The saddle:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/32253587_2057409070954848_5443860709693718528_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=81afd9b4a0f96571c8e0b6b2434e46ad&oe=5B997D88)





Title: Re: Donard and Commedagh: epic day on Northern Ireland's highest summits
Post by: April on 22:26:50, 13/05/18
Great shots henry, you got great weather  O0 It has been rather good in the Lake District this weekend too  :)
Title: Re: Donard and Commedagh: epic day on Northern Ireland's highest summits
Post by: henryb on 18:29:51, 16/05/18
Thanks April, it was the best weather we've had all year :)  Hope the weather is good in the lakes second week-end in June :D  Helvellyn is the blue sky option but knowing my luck will probably change to Arnison crag ;D
Title: Re: Donard and Commedagh: epic day on Northern Ireland's highest summits
Post by: Ridge on 18:45:01, 16/05/18
Lovely photos Henry  O0


Is that a little building by the wall in the Binnian pic?
Title: Re: Donard and Commedagh: epic day on Northern Ireland's highest summits
Post by: henryb on 19:02:38, 16/05/18
Thanks Ridge, yes, it is a little building. There are only three in the Mournes: Donard, Commedagh and Meelmore and they are really useful on windy days for a lunch stop :)
Title: Re: Donard and Commedagh: epic day on Northern Ireland's highest summits
Post by: April on 20:26:01, 16/05/18
Hope the weather is good in the lakes second week-end in June :D  Helvellyn is the blue sky option but knowing my luck will probably change to Arnison crag ;D

I will order in some good weather for you henry  ;)

Arnison Crag is a fine little fell so no hardship doing that one  :)
Title: Re: Donard and Commedagh: epic day on Northern Ireland's highest summits
Post by: beefy on 21:15:16, 16/05/18
Lovely pics Henry  O0
April were going on holiday  ;D