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Regions - Trip reports, destination advice, recommended routes, etc. => Ireland => Topic started by: henryb on 20:00:24, 26/11/17

Title: A failed attempt on Donard
Post by: henryb on 20:00:24, 26/11/17
With a frosty morning yesterday I decided to avoid the minor roads in Mournes so was left with Donard Park in Newcastle. My goal for the day would be to climb Slieve Donard via the glen river track. Starting from the car park I walked through Donard Forest to the ice house before continuing beside the glen river. After crossing the river, my next goal was the saddle between Donard and Commedagh; ultimately it was a step too far. With a minor stream frozen over, conditions on a stone-pitched path became extremely slippy and I veered on the side of caution and returned to the car park. The hazards outweighed the benefits. Total distance was approximately 6 kms. I was half way up the mountain before I decided to abandon the walk. It was disappointing but safety had to be taken into account on this occasion. I'll post photos of what I could have been looking at from Donard if I had summited :)


Donard Forest track:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23795180_1865594046803019_4617734850639859204_n.jpg?oh=9a0eb3699cf0b7936caf955b63615928&oe=5AD76373)


Thomas's Hill:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23844794_1865594380136319_3453766015971868150_n.jpg?oh=0932ba159c55ae4639e68a364ce8de62&oe=5A941FAB)


Murlough Bay:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23843201_1865594970136260_5888291958453462847_n.jpg?oh=fc6578384c36abd30dd0b912db31de09&oe=5A9279EE)


Glen river and saddle:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23843431_1865595363469554_1421568388649168562_n.jpg?oh=8a8a7d9223de95190557c1e3175bae01&oe=5A9F9478)


Commedagh:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23795673_1865595773469513_6304724458869370678_n.jpg?oh=75a50ef9b9ab80b046225a7271eee012&oe=5A8CC65D)


Donard/Commedagh saddle:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23915836_1865596920136065_3310771089025739244_n.jpg?oh=12bc35883e238df8ed122d014c3abf6a&oe=5AD361D6)


The eastern and central Mournes from Donard:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13237788_1276377582391338_3151626320118830612_n.jpg?oh=3d8b47240c9fad36823ab28ae4a5f4b9&oe=5A926266)


Beg, Bernagh, Meelmore, Meelbeg and Slieveloughshannagh from Donard:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13221506_1276377222391374_1564667652350641464_n.jpg?oh=85921b7d2e7fd85009f42a8866999ea9&oe=5A901774)


Binnian, Lamagan and Cove from Donard:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13177080_1276376745724755_4166459171565802481_n.jpg?oh=7648a7a73adebd015b3acc6575a54b76&oe=5AD0AA6D)


Newcastle and Murlough Bay from Donard:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13221038_1276376595724770_108505082584573774_n.jpg?oh=ca6566f24a8d5c0322616ee16f0b2e5e&oe=5A997B3E)


Chimney from Donard:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13221091_1276376462391450_1533873872614295442_n.jpg?oh=2c180d5e448bd62a24c5e55475075c1b&oe=5AA5C6CD)


Donard Forest and Newcastle:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23843321_1865597490136008_2278916431835835448_n.jpg?oh=054a6325db31111ae78f86438df6fc7e&oe=5A975EF4)



Commedagh:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23795349_1865597893469301_3188310499972480598_n.jpg?oh=ac4032940f1ca1df89d0d07d5af446d0&oe=5AA2A059)


Glen river:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23843216_1865598773469213_4873312646061269436_n.jpg?oh=32f102574c5d942948c4ccde586d6921&oe=5A9B0274)


Donard Forest and Glen river:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23905748_1865599783469112_6937363102697782135_n.jpg?oh=c9e3e800fda79937c5f3c6724e7086e9&oe=5A908C1B)



Title: Re: A failed attempt on Donard
Post by: Penygadair on 15:23:33, 27/11/17
Great views Henry. Shame you had to abandon but there's always another day.  O0
Title: Re: A failed attempt on Donard
Post by: April on 16:29:40, 27/11/17
Nice pics Henry, always best to turn back, the hills aren't going anywhere  O0
Title: Re: A failed attempt on Donard
Post by: henryb on 18:50:11, 27/11/17
Thanks April and Penygadair :)  Thankfully abandoning walks doesn't happen often :)