The Original Mourne Seven Sevens Walk – 2022

Venue Donard Forest
Date Sat, 6th Aug 22
Starts 06:30 to 08:30
iCal file iCal

Event Description

Entries Open: Saturday 4th December 2021
Entries Close: Sunday 24th July 2022

The following information is provisional and will be updated closer to the event. The entry link is at the bottom of this page.

FINAL INSTRUCTIONS – now available

It is important to note that this site is for the Challenge Walk only. If you want to enter the mountain race which is run as a separate event then you should consult the Northern Ireland Mountain Running Association (NIMRA) website.

Preparation

Equipment, food and water

The event is not supported along the route. Participants must carry all the equipment and supplies they need for the day. Participants must have the following minimum kit which will be checked at registration:

• hiking boots/shoes or fell shoes (no trainers)
• waterproof coat with hood
• waterproof trousers
• hat
• food and drink sufficient for a long day hiking
• 1:25,000 map of the Mourne Mountains**
• compass & whistle**
• First Aid kit**
• survival bag (a foil bag is good but no space blankets)**

**If walking in a group – the map, compass, whistle, first aid kit and survival bag may be shared between up to 3 people. Groups will need to do kit check together.

These items are required regardless of the weather forecast as mountain conditions in Britain and Ireland can change dramatically with little warning. Anyone failing the kit-check at registration will not be allowed to start. The Organiser’s decision will be final and there will be no recompense for this decision.

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed on the walk, since large sections of it cross land grazed by sheep.

On the Day

Parking

Parking will be in Donard car park, Newcastle. Parking is free. Follow signs & tape from the south end of the car park through to the Registration van in Shimna Integrated College. Please do not drive directly to the college.

Registration

Registration opens on Saturday morning at 06:00. You will need to hand in the Registration Form with details of your car registration, walking companions (if any), contact details, etc. These details will only be used for event admin or emergencies on the day and will be securely disposed of after the event. (Please print out and complete this in advance so as to minimise queuing time and Covid contact). DOWNLOAD FORM HERE

Timing

You will be given an electronic timing chip (aka dibber) on a lanyard. Please look after this –  the replacement cost is £30. You will also receive a numbered tag to attach to your rucksack.

How to use the electronic timing gear…when you are ready to start your walk, go to the start marshals who will activate the timing chip (dibber). At each summit you will find an electronic SI Control Box on a post with an orange and white flag. Insert your dibber into the hole in the SI box and wait until you hear a beep. The dibber will now have recorded the time you arrived at the top. Click here for more info on the timing system.

Start

Starts are open between 06:30 and 08:30. The start of the walk will be a short distance from Registration. Please maintain social distancing in the queue.

Marshals

There are six marshaled positions along the route in cols between summits where you will be required to give your participant number.

Route

The 2022 route is anti-clockwise around each of the seven summits which must be visited in the order stipulated below plus the marshaled checkpoints (denoted MCP below). This challenge walk is not guided or way-marked along the route. Navigational skills will be required, especially if weather conditions are poor so participants must have the ability and experience to use both map and compass. Navigation using only a smartphone app is not allowed.

Please do not walk on the Mourne Wall. This is to protect our national treasure from damage. Stiles should be used to cross the wall where available or if necessary the wall can be climbed over with care where it is sturdy.

Order of Summits for 2022 (29km, 2500m)

Checkpoint	Grid Ref *	Marshals / Timed
Start – Shimna College	J 374 301	Start Control Box
Slieve Donard 853m	J 357 276	Control Box
Col Donard-Commedagh	J 349 279	Manned Check Point
Slieve Commedagh 765m	J 346 286	Control Box
Hares Gap	J 322 286	Manned Check Point
Slieve Bearnagh 739m	J 312 280	Control Box
Slieve Meelmore 687m	J 305 285	Control Box
Col Meelmore-Meelbeg Cut-Off Time 13:00	J 303 281	Manned Check Point
Slieve Meelbeg 708m	J 300 279	Control Box
Ben Crom Dam Cut-Off Time 14:00	J 315 254	Manned Check Point – Control Box
Slieve Binnian 747m	J 320 233	Control Box
Col Binnian-Lamagan Cut-Off Time 17:00	J 321 255	Manned Check Point
Slieve Lamagan 704m	J 328 260	Control Box
Col Donard-Commedagh	J 349 279	Manned Check Point – Control Box
Finish – Shimna College	J 374 301	Finish Control Box

* Exact locations will be confirmed at registration.

Cut-off times & Retirements

There are three checkpoints with cut-off times: Meelmore-Meelbeg Col; Ben Crom Dam and at the Binnian-Lamagan saddle. These are  to ensure walkers complete the route before dark and that our marshals can also safely get off the mountains. Walkers missing a cut-off will be retired from the event and should return directly to Donard Park. N.B. Retirements are marked RTD on the results with no times and no certificate issued.

N.B. Controls in each stage of the course will be taken in shortly after the cut-off time. eg: the 4 controls before Meelbeg will be taken in shortly after 13:00.

Time and Distance

If you look at previous years’ results you will note that the Ben Crom dam is consistently half way around the course for most people, regardless of their finish time. Slow or leisurely walkers take up to 14hrs to finish the course. If you fall into this category you need to be starting no later than 7am in order to reach the dam by the 2pm cut-off. The Meels Col is also consistently 2/5^ths of the circuit and the Binnian-Lamagan saddle 3/4^trs  – so you should do the maths for your own particular walking pace and work out a start time.

Retirees at any stage of the event must report as soon as possible either to a marshal or via text to base and return directly to Donard Park to return their dibbers and register that they are safely off the mountains.

Finish

Download At the finish and hand in your dibber. You will receive a print out of your progress around the route with split times for each summit plus a certificate of completion. Finish times will be published online.

Facilities

• Refreshments will be available at the finish after 2pm.
• Showers TBC
• Toilets are available at the NW end of Donard car park.

Coronavirus Safety Measures (TBC)

A number of measures may be in still place to protect against the spread of Coronavirus and ensure your safety throughout this activity. The 2021  measures are shown below for information and we will update these as required closer to closer to the date.

• Start Times are pre-allocated in 15min blocks so that we can minimise the number of people at the various stages of the event. Please time your arrival so that you can get to your start just in time
• During the event please use the hand sanitisers provided to maintain hygiene
• Do not touch the SI Control boxes except with the SI Card
• During the walk please be aware of who is around you and try to maintain distance especially when approaching Controls and using stiles
• Please be careful when socialising and maintain your distance
• If car sharing you are advised to wear masks and ensure good ventilation (if not in a household/ bubble)

You must not attend the activity if:

• You are unwell with a cough, fever or have had other Covid symptoms or tested positive for Covid-19 within the last 10 days
• You are supposed to be Self Isolating or are undergoing testing for suspected Coronavirus

If you have a condition that makes you Clinically Vulnerable, please follow current government and medical advice before registering. If you need to withdraw your entry due to Coronavirus restrictions we will refund your entry fee (less £5) on request.

Disclaimer

Hillwalking is an activity with a danger of personal injury, death and loss of or damage to property. Participants must be be over 18 years old and must be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement. Neither Lagan Valley Orienteers, nor any of its individual members, can be held responsible for any injury, loss or damage (to individuals or to property) howsoever sustained by participation in the event. The club reserves the right to refuse entry to the walk to anyone deemed unprepared for the event on the day and to force retirement from the event of anyone breaching either the rules of the event or the NI Countryside Code.

Privacy Policy

In order to organise this event we need to ask you for some Personal Data. Please read our Privacy Policy here before entering the event.

Entries

This event accepts online entry only and there will be no entries on the day. If you need to withdraw your entry, please give us as much notice as possible so that we can reallocate your place if the event becomes oversubscribed. The entry fee is £35 (includes £5 non-refundable deposit). Minimum age 18 years old on the day.

 

Check your Start Time here

 

Withdrawals & Changes

Withdrawals are allowed via email to us (see address below) up until Sunday 24th July, and refunds will be offered as follows

• Up to 1st July – £30
• 2nd – 24th July – £15
• After 24th July – No Refunds

Name and start time changes can also be made via SI Entries (at no charge) but please be sure to amend all the required details.

Event Cancellation

If we are forced to cancel the event we will refund the entry fee less £5 to cover our non-recoverable costs. We will not be liable for any incidental costs incurred by the Participant, including (but not limited to) travel, accommodation, food or equipment.

 

Location

Donard Forest
Donard Park
Newcastle
BT33 0HL

Volunteers

To volunteer at this event please email volunteer@lvo.org.uk. You can find information on each role here as well as the current list of volunteers.