Mournes Challenge 18th April

2 New Routes for 2010. Register for our Mournes Challenge before Monday 22nd March and get entered into a prize draw to win a £100 gift voucher for Cotswold - a leading supplier of outdoor garments and equipment!!!!

Congratulations to the winner of the Prize Draw - Sarah McElroy from Dunmurry, Belfast

Do you want to go the extra mile for Northern Ireland Hospice this year?  Did you take on our challenge last year?  Why not take on one of our 2 new challenge walks this year?  Places are limited to 150 and registration closes on Wednesday 14th April 2010. Register now and get training!

Building on the success of our Challenge Trek last year, we are delighted to be able to offer 2 new challenge walks in the Mourne Mountains again this year.

We are sure that this walk, led by a team of experienced and trained guides, will prove very popular with experienced walkers. 
We recommend you register early for this particular walk as places will be limited to 150 walkers. (Please note that all walkers taking part in this Challenge are required to pay a registration fee to Northern Ireland Hospice of £25 before the 14th April.)

The Mournes Challenge walks will take participants to one of the wildest and most scenic mountain ranges in the country.  Designated as an area of Outstanding Beauty the Mourne Mountains are a stunning range of mountains with varied scenery. There are rocky tors, heather clad valleys, glistening reservoirs and views across the waters of Carlingford Lough.  The mountains are steep and rugged, topped by the imposing Mourne Wall.  It is these same Mountains that were said to be C.S Lewis' inspiration for the magical world of Narnia.

Walk A Challenge Walk:

Start from the Donard Car Park in Newcastle and follow the Glen River track, passing the old ice house, and up to the Mourne Wall. Continue along the Brandy Pad (traditional smuggling route from the coast into the towns of Co Down and beyond) to Hare's Gap,enjoying the views of the Annalong Valley and the Ben Crom catchment valley. Ascend Sieve Bernagh while taking in the panoramic views over the inner Mournes. Descend into Pollaphuca and head towards the Trassey Track, [great examples of some old Mourne Granite Quarries to be seen]. Cross over the Trassey River and ascend Slievenaglogh. Follow the Mourne Wall to the top of Slieve Commedagh [ great views of all of Ulster ]. Continue following the Mourne Wall to the top of Slieve Donard. [ Highest Mountain in Ulster with panoramic views in every direction, including) Isle of Man, Galloway Hills, Slieve Mish, Lough Neagh etc.

Descend off Slieve Donard onto Millstone Mountain and follow the old quarry track from Drinneevar back through the forest [with glimpses of the sea through the trees] to the Donard Car Park.

Distance 18 Kilometers
Ascent 1,600 metre's
Time 7-9 hours

Walk B Challenge Walk:

Start at Donard Car Park in Newcastle and follow forest track to Drinneevar, through the old Millstone Granite Quarry and ascend Millstone, taking time to take in the views over the Irish Sea. Ascend Slieve Donard from the East and enjoy the panoramic views( as described above ). Descend along the Mourne Wall to the coll with Commedagh and take the track down along the Glen River to Donard Car Park.There are great views of Tollymore Forest Park, Newcastle, and the Co Down Coast while descending on this route.

Distance 10 kilometers
Ascent 850 metres
Time 6 hrs

Registration fee for the Mournes Challenge is £25 Registration fee to be received by hospice on or before 14th April 2010 and can be sent in by cheque payable to Northern Ireland Hospice or over the phone using a credit or debit card. Call 02890 777123 (office hours Monday to Friday) for making payments. If ringing after hours, leave us your name and daytime telephone number and we will be happy to call you back.

Target to raise? Please aim to raise a minimum of £75.   This money will help to support the care services provided by Northern Ireland Hospice and Children’s Hospice for children, young people and adults diagnosed with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions as well as support for their families.

Both these routes are challenging mountain walks, which require participants to have a high level of mountain walking fitness.  Essential walking gear, including boots, wet weather clothes and extra clothes are required for this walk.  Remember the top of Slieve Donard can be 10 degrees colders than sea level temperature's.  Walkers are also reminded to bring enough food and drinks along for the entire day. 
Please note: All walkers must be over 16 years of age for this particular walk and must consent to completing a medical questionnaire.  In the event of extreme weather conditions we reserve the right to make changes to the routes, in order to ensure everyone’s health and safety.

Upon registration all Mournes Walkers will be sent a comprehensive walk information pack detailing all you will need to know plus a hospice t-shirt.

For further details on start points go to http://maps.google.com and enter the postcode shown.