(Report by Adam Ervine)
After I found out that Kevin, Cathal and Ronan had carefully planned a Mourne 500 attempt during the preceding few months, a week out from the big day, I jumped at the invitation to join in on the Winter Round attempt.
At 4am on the 26th February we set off from Ott Car Park, socially distanced of course as is the craze at the moment. Rony kissed his beloved Transit van goodbye; Kevin was muttering about the 3 Musketeers and D’Artagnan and Cathal was making sure his map was securely packed.
The first few peaks passed quickly in the dark and the full moon along with great visibility was certainly helping us. Cathal had me get his map out at the top of Pigeon and somehow it got lost between there and Finlieve. Cathal loved that map. So if anyone finds a laminated map in the Western Mournes please let us know. Reward offered by a reputable builder’s merchants for it’s safe return.
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| Last photographed sighting of the map |
Kevin then took us abseiling off Finlieve towards Sandy’s Brae, which played up with Rony’s stomach. We had a stunning sunrise as we made this descent as well. Kevin pushed ahead to look after himself and ensure he avoided a much feared encounter with any local landowners. He figured that the last to cross no-man’s land would be picked off by the shotgun. Luckily everyone made it and we then continued along the veteran mountain runners route over to Binnian. Roads are for young fools apparently.
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| Sunset coming off Finlieve |
Rony got the jokes out at the top of Binnian. Spirits were high at the top of Lamagan and we had a snack with a view. The weather was top class. Hard to believe it was a winter round, given the beautiful blue skies for much of the day.
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| Lunch on Lamagan |
The next few peaks came and went. Donard sucked a lot of our energy out and the ascent from Crossone had to be the toughest climb of the day.
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| Ticking off Crossone before the vertical ascent of Donard |
The time between Donard and Loughshannagh was made slightly tougher with fewer water sources along the way. Dark was closing in as well and we knew we still had that tough out and back to Ben Crom and Doan. Once we had those in the bag though and had traipsed out to Muck South, we knew that Rony would soon be reunited with his Transit.
Coming off Ott, I made sure to thank the lads. It was a great, tough day out and a pleasure to be in the company of the 3 Musketeers.
