Yeah, that title sucks, I'm sorry.

The day started like any other - checking the weather, seeing that it is going to be surprisingly nice for the first of May and deciding I'd prefer to spend it in nature instead of inside and working all day, especially on a Friday!

So off I set at lunch time towards Newcastle to take on Slieve Donard. The main reason was that it was a random Friday at midday, so it’d be relatively quiet. That’s compared to a usual weekend with good weather, when you’ll meet every Tom, Dick, and Harry going up the same trail. Ranging from a full-kitted hiker with a 31-litre backpack and hiking poles, to Gerry who is three years into retirement, strolling up at his own pace in jeans and a fleece.

The start of the Slieve Donard hike from the Donard car park in Newcastle is very nice as you make your way through the forest at Donard's base. However, it is also somewhat frustrating with all the roots, , and steps that act as tripping hazards for the clumsily-inclined.

The path out of the forest and towards the saddle between Donard (left) and Commedagh (right) is pretty straight forward. Though it is a small but consistent incline - until it isn't. It's like climbing a never-ending staircase for twenty to thirty minutes until you finally reach the Mourne wall running up to Slieve Donard which is where the fun continues!

Reaching the saddle is a natural point to take a snack and water break but not taking too long to lose the momentum already built up.

The climb up to the peak of Slieve Donard is met with two or three false peaks so it's a bit of an endurance battle, though that feels slightly dramatic to write - its not like I'm climbing Everest. While I was making my way up, I occasionally stopped to turn around and look at Commedagh, a mountain I haven't previously climbed before and contemplating if I should do a little two-for-one.

As I was getting closer to the top, the clouds were starting to close in and my visibility dropped which gave me little hope of having a view with my lunch. Oh well!

Probably the highlight of this hike was discovering the throne someone had built overlooking Newcastle on the cairn which was surprisingly comfy and had back support compared to the hard ground.

After a short break to eat my chicken wrap, I was back on the trail heading back down Donard, and feeling rejuvenated by my sad little wrap, decided to also tackle Commedagh "while I'm here" - both a great and terrible idea because I was completely out of water at this point.

Once reaching the saddle again, the clouds had really started to roll in on Commedagh. So I accepted I'd be basically walking blind and following the wall to the top until I eventually needed to turn right somewhere to reach Commedagh's summit.

Reaching the peak of Commedagh was no trouble at all as the trail was fairly well outlined from the amount of traffic it gets. So now I was again struck with a decision, continue onwards and find my own way back down to the entrance of the forest which will lead me to the car park OR go back the way I came? The obvious answer was of course to freestyle it.

The way down Commedagh was not exactly fun. It consistent of uneven terrain, small drops which hurt the old knees and ankles, and spiky brush that I had to walk through as I followed barely made out sheep trails down.

However, on the way down, I was able to capture a better photo of the stairway up to the saddle which hopefully aids in understanding how long and steep it is.

Finally I made it back to the forest entrance and from there it was a simple 20 minute walk back to the car and another 30 minute drive home where a BBQ welcomed me in open arms.