Mournes Day 1
Starting: J 371 299
Start time: 11am ish
Duration: about 7hrs
Expected End Date and Time: 12/10/2024, 6pm
Purpose of the Hike-
Seeing something new:
Joe Checking out the Sky race course, All of us seeing a new location in the UK, also There should be some great views in the afternoon. We'll also pass the Diamond rocks so I'm looking forward to exploring them.
Being engaging:
Chatting about the environment and checking out the flora, fauna and geology.
Being challenging:
There is a bit of a ridge and hopefully some scrambling.
Hitting a good peak:
There are a few peaks we intend to hit on our route: Slieve Bearnagh (728m), Slieve Naglogh (586m), Slieve Commedagh (765m).
Learning:
Maybe learning about the clouds and some nav.
Weather:
There is a band of rain due to sweep across the Mournes in the morning which means a cloudy start. The cloud will shift in the afternoon and it will become dry and bright but with a chance of the odd shower.
SW wind of around 30-35mph turning to NW throughout the day, potential gusts of 40-45.
Temp
tops -1
Valley 5-10
Based on the Met office forecast and checked against Netweather.tv
Will check weather and safety procedures again on morning of hike.
Take aways:
The Diamond rocks we much better than anticipated, we could have spend way longer exploring those!
The views with the rain in the distance against the stunning mountain backdrop was class.
The last descent was painful on the feet and seemed to go on forever.
Got to chat about the wall, rock formations and how tor's come about.
Charlie broke one of his poles in between two rocks. I slipped and cut my finger. Other than that it was fun.
Flora, mostly grass and heather. Some sphagnum moss, star moss, rock moss, a bit of lichen, a mountain mushroom, lots of minerals attached to the granite at the diamond rocks.
Peaks hit:
Slieve Bearnagh 739m
Slievenaglogh 586m
Slieve Corragh 640m
Slieve Commedagh 750m
Area :
Mourne Mountains
Slieve Donard
