Keep looking Up

The kilimanjaro team had their third climb up slieve donard within the mourne mountains team members including myself had arranged to meet at the metropolitan tabernacle belfast and then travel by car down to newcastle were we had arranged to start around 9.30am from the donard car park so after a short word of prayer seven team members started out for the top of slieve donard.

The weather for the day was wet and rain was forecast all day, visibility was down to less that 100 yards in places due to the mist and rain so the team had to keep close to arrive safely to the top of the saddle and the mourne Wall, we all rested there for a short time taking on food and water and then we pressed on to the summit of donard the pace was slow but we all got to the top.

On the return down the mountain rocks and gravel made it hard to keep your feet from sliding and conditions were changable the rain was never far away so everyone made their way down carefully, wet conditions only improved on the lower reaches of the mountain but we all came down safely and the team spirit was high walking at a steady pace we completed in just over Four hours an improvement from the previous outing for everyone including me.

Having had some knee trouble on the descents down the mountain this was made a little better with the use of a leg support and a pair of walking poles so I hope after further exercise and team training days this should help with the knee problem.

Anyway I enjoyed the day and believe all the team enjoyed it also, we are training hard to make this sponsored climb up mount kilimanjaro a success and hoping to raise as much money as possible for the hospice in Africa.


Keep looking up


God Bless.


Mark Ireland

Team Member