2008
02
sie
Mourne Mountains
Wielka Brytania, Newcastle
Przejechano 449 km
That is the story of how we were taught respect for the mountains and how come we are looking for new shoes now. Sorry for not being able to cut the long story short ;)
As the rain in Northern Ireland is nothing unusual our story did not start out of the ordinary either. So it was raining when the three of us were getting on the train in Antrim, and it was raining on our getting off in Newcastle, at the foot of the Mournes. Although the biggest in the country, the Mourn Mountains are not really high, as the highest peak is about 850 m. From the level of the sea we noticed the mist shrouding the mountains, but we bought the necessary equipment end set off.
We planned to cover the distance of 42 km, and spend one night in the tent. Janusz was especially keen on getting to the Silent Valley, as he heard much about this place.
According to the map, the path which appeared suddenly on the right hand side of the road, was supposed to lead us up the 750-m hill. The first thing we saw there was a group of 15 men running down the hill, then another, and yet another. The one we managed to stop and ask about what was going on explained us, that they war soldiers and they had some kind of training.
The rain kept falling, as we kept climbing, until we found ourselves totally surrounded with mist. The path was gradually fading. Only the brook, which later turned into a considerably large river marked our track. We knew we had to get on the other side but since we were moving up it was getting worse and worse. Neither rainfall nor mist seemed to afflict us anymore. Our shoes were entirely wet. It was Magda who noticed a place which seemed the least dangerous for crossing. We tried and after a minute or two we were walking up a nice and broad road. After a while we found an old quarry-barrack, which we used as a shelter. We poured out water from our shoes and went another few steps up. A few minutes later the Common Sense chased us. We were wet from top to toe, and the perspective of spending the next 36 hours in a soaked tent did not seem good. Suppressing our ambitions we decided to take a U-turn.
But then, a few meters higher, we spotted another barrack. Its roof was in a far better condition than in the previous one, so we resolved to put up a tent inside. The stone walls formed some protection against the wind, and we tried to build another wall. The cold was unbearable, so that even putting up a tent turned out to be a compelling task. But we finally managed to do so, put on some dry underwear and slipped into the sleeping bags.
I woke up after two hours, still half-frozen. Magda and Janusz had similar feelings. We decided to go down and find a warmer and more dry place to sleep.
We looked at our oozing-with-water shoes with disgust, and put on the sandals, leaving the wet ones in the barrack. We went out and suddenly the mist almost entirely faded. We could see the place from which we started our trekking! But after three minutes the thick fog was again covering the mountains. It was unbelievable how quickly the weather was changing.
After 10 p.m. we entered a nice and cosy B&B in Newcastle. The host was really nice and helpful, even trying to explain us how to get to the nearest pub, but having a closer look at us, she knew that the only thing we need is a shower and a warm blanket.
The next day we were woken up by the sun rays gently touching the window, and we came down to eat a traditional Irish breakfast: sausages, eggs, bacon, beans, potato and soda bread, and tea (obviously with milk).
Although we were exhausted we did not give up the idea of seeing the Silent Valley, and took the bus there. Unfortunately, our destination was quite disappointing: the lakes turned out to be just reservoirs, less attractive for the photographer than a pool.
This post was written two days after returning from the mountains. And, although we did not get really high (just 500 m or so) we still feel tired and cold. We received a memorable lesson of respect for the mountains and for the weather, and learnt how important good navigation in such conditions was. And what is more, we experienced another adventure. And that is what we are aiming at.
Maciek
You can see pictures here:
http://magdaimaciek.geoblog.pl/entry?id=17750 
As the rain in Northern Ireland is nothing unusual our story did not start out of the ordinary either. So it was raining when the three of us were getting on the train in Antrim, and it was raining on our getting off in Newcastle, at the foot of the Mournes. Although the biggest in the country, the Mourn Mountains are not really high, as the highest peak is about 850 m. From the level of the sea we noticed the mist shrouding the mountains, but we bought the necessary equipment end set off.
We planned to cover the distance of 42 km, and spend one night in the tent. Janusz was especially keen on getting to the Silent Valley, as he heard much about this place.
According to the map, the path which appeared suddenly on the right hand side of the road, was supposed to lead us up the 750-m hill. The first thing we saw there was a group of 15 men running down the hill, then another, and yet another. The one we managed to stop and ask about what was going on explained us, that they war soldiers and they had some kind of training.
The rain kept falling, as we kept climbing, until we found ourselves totally surrounded with mist. The path was gradually fading. Only the brook, which later turned into a considerably large river marked our track. We knew we had to get on the other side but since we were moving up it was getting worse and worse. Neither rainfall nor mist seemed to afflict us anymore. Our shoes were entirely wet. It was Magda who noticed a place which seemed the least dangerous for crossing. We tried and after a minute or two we were walking up a nice and broad road. After a while we found an old quarry-barrack, which we used as a shelter. We poured out water from our shoes and went another few steps up. A few minutes later the Common Sense chased us. We were wet from top to toe, and the perspective of spending the next 36 hours in a soaked tent did not seem good. Suppressing our ambitions we decided to take a U-turn.
But then, a few meters higher, we spotted another barrack. Its roof was in a far better condition than in the previous one, so we resolved to put up a tent inside. The stone walls formed some protection against the wind, and we tried to build another wall. The cold was unbearable, so that even putting up a tent turned out to be a compelling task. But we finally managed to do so, put on some dry underwear and slipped into the sleeping bags.
I woke up after two hours, still half-frozen. Magda and Janusz had similar feelings. We decided to go down and find a warmer and more dry place to sleep.
We looked at our oozing-with-water shoes with disgust, and put on the sandals, leaving the wet ones in the barrack. We went out and suddenly the mist almost entirely faded. We could see the place from which we started our trekking! But after three minutes the thick fog was again covering the mountains. It was unbelievable how quickly the weather was changing.
After 10 p.m. we entered a nice and cosy B&B in Newcastle. The host was really nice and helpful, even trying to explain us how to get to the nearest pub, but having a closer look at us, she knew that the only thing we need is a shower and a warm blanket.
The next day we were woken up by the sun rays gently touching the window, and we came down to eat a traditional Irish breakfast: sausages, eggs, bacon, beans, potato and soda bread, and tea (obviously with milk).
Although we were exhausted we did not give up the idea of seeing the Silent Valley, and took the bus there. Unfortunately, our destination was quite disappointing: the lakes turned out to be just reservoirs, less attractive for the photographer than a pool.
This post was written two days after returning from the mountains. And, although we did not get really high (just 500 m or so) we still feel tired and cold. We received a memorable lesson of respect for the mountains and for the weather, and learnt how important good navigation in such conditions was. And what is more, we experienced another adventure. And that is what we are aiming at.
Maciek
You can see pictures here:
http://magdaimaciek.geoblog.pl/entry?id=17750
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