I’ve walked in the Mournes on countless occasions over the years but apart from two Mourne Marathons I had never entered any other events there.  I have had my eye on the Seven Sevens ever since The Bro managed to complete the Three Sevens some years ago – ok so it was a bit warm – but three??

So me and Mrs BS embarked on some training. Donard was the obvious starting point. A lot tougher than I remember from the past – I hate getting old – but a reminder that the SS is not to be taken lightly.  We had a few sessions during July where we knocked in a few 20kms and 2000m climbs – barely recovering week to week.

Part of the reason I am writing this is that there is very little written on this event – or at least I couldn’t find it. So what’s it all about? Well it’s about climbing 7 peaks over 700m (well 6 and a dubious 7th but we’ll not dwell on that, in fact I have a map that marks Ben Crom over 700m!!). Add a mere 29km walk in between the heights and you get a good day out in the mountains.  There are two basic ways of doing it. Clockwise – Donard, Commedagh, Lamagan, Binnian, Meelbeg, Meelmore, Bearnagh. And anti-clockwise – Donard, Commedagh, Bearnagh, Meelmore, Meelbeg, Binnian, Lamagan. Some variations have Commedagh or even Donard last offering a finish other than straight down the Glen River. We opted for the Clockwise route mainly to avoid the horrendous Binnian Lamagan finish.

Now Mrs BS had got me a lovely Suunto so it was perfect opportunity to try it out in the hills. Hardly necessary to navigate roung the Mournes it was really good to know just how much more climb there was on each hill so I could break it down and count off each 50m.  

On the Day

We had hoped for a good early start but with Mrs BS getting her am/pm mixed up we slept in to 6.30 we aimed for an 8am start. I can’t eat much first thing but managed to force some toast, cheese and jam and coffee into me before we left. En route to Newcastle I downed more coffee and 750ml of energy drink. Hydration strategy was to carry very little but to fill the tanks at Donard, Cove, Ben Crom and Brandy Pad. Energy was to come in the form of 4 gels, 4 *4+1 High-5 energy powders for the water,  two Tesco Crazy Caramels, two bananas and a few jelly babies.

Sign-on was slick we were handed numbers with tear-off tags to be handed to the marshals at each peak.  There was some mandatory kit to be carried but we were not kit-checked, maybe because the forecast was benign. We gathered our bits and headed to the start.  At about 8.15 off we went reminding ourselves not to go off too quick as it was a long day. Based on our training we estimated our long day would be about 10.5 hours.  I had prepared a table of checkpoints and estimated times to keep us on track. I kept this in an orienteering control holder on my arm. It sounds a bit naff but this was great to have. No mental arithmetic required and a great ready-reckoner for pace and climb at each peak.

Donard Col – 570m climb - Up the Glen River we went on the first and longest climb of the day. One guy marched past us and then left to tackle the Black Stairs. That’s a route for another day. As we approached the staircase up to the col we eventually started to pass a few who were slowing down. Time for a drink-stop at the river the flows across the steps not far from the top. A good drink and then filled the bottle with a powder. This had to keep us going to Cove.

Donard - 280m climb – was busy. Rucksacks everywhere at the bottom of the hill. We crossed to the far side to avoid the traffic. Mrs BS dropped her sack but I kept the bumbag on as there was little weight in it and I can always do with the training. We got up in good time - 20 minutes ahead of our schedule. Over the stile, checked in, back over the stile and down we go. It’s nice and clean out from the wall and we descend slowish without incident trying to save the thighs a little.

Commedagh - 185m climb- over the stile to the right hand side of the wall anticipating the cut right to the cairn. As we rose up we realised there were only sheep at the cairn and that the marshal was at the wall. Happy days! We were now 30mins ahead of target.  Over the stile again and south to the Brandy Pad. It’s steep and uncomfortable at the top but it gradually eases off and we pick up the indistinct trail that leads down to the Brandy Pad.

Lamagan - 150m – in training we had tried the wide contour around Beg to avoid going over the shoulder but didn’t like it. We opted for a compromise that involves a little climb but a better path. One other walker who was faster than us lost time here by taking an even higher path to our left. It’s an easy trot down to the river at the base of Cove. There’s bit of a faff getting water here as it’s quite shallow. There are a few choices from here – a wide contour from the river gaining some 50m as you go, or the steep climb up Cove to meet a path at about 600m. The latter is probably quicker for the fitter/faster runners but includes an unnecessary 50m of climb. We opted for the contour which offers a reasonably effortless way to get to the base of Lamagan. The lower part of the climb here is vague. It’s best to keep slightly left to eventually pick up the path. Look out on your left for a distinct finger of rock that points upwards. The path is about 30m to the right of it as you climb. There’s a nice gentle finish to top of Lamagan and a grand vista of what lies ahead of you – best not to look.  The descent of Lamagan is so much easier after the fires early in the year. Nice soft peaty areas give plenty of choice and keep you away from the rocks that look like they were arranged to make life awkward. The first runner passes us on the descent – frightenly fast down the hill. We’re at the col and now  nearly an hour ahead and are thinking a sub-10 hour is possible but it’s early days.

Binnian - 340m climb – revered as a real slog but during training it didn’t really bother me and today was no different. Yes it’s long but once above the scrambly bits it’s clean and easy underfoot. The runners opted for the old path to the right of the new one - it looks a little more direct and we decide to descend that way. Up past the north col we stay on the higher rocky path then cut left when it gets too scrambly.

As we get on the ridge I recognise Billy Reed in his nice new Trailbadger top as he bounds past. MTC must be close by, maybe he’s already passed us on the ascent up the runners’ path. We expect to see him on his return from the top.

Up through the wall and into the mists and we prepare to check-in. It’s here that Mrs BS’s first rucksack malfunction manifests itself. Yes, you got it, her number is in her rucksack and her rucksack is at the bottom of the hill. A kind marshal takes her name and we are on our way. On the descent we see a haggard figure in black approaching slowly. It’s MTC – and he looks well fecked. He must have had his jelly babies at the top though as he passes us a few minutes later in fine fettle. Binnian must be great if you are in a race as you can see who is in front and behind you as you go up and down. I spot a few other familiar faces such as the ever-cheerful Taryn McCoy and Mr Trailbadger himself Rick McKee who both look way too happy to be half way round the course. I’ll have a pint of whatever they are on.

Ben Crom Dam – we collect the errant rucksack and cut left before the bottom of the Binnian steps. Some cut left even higher up. I am not too sure of the benefit here but again because of the fires the hillside is a lot cleaner than usual so it might be worth it. On the other hand the top part of the Ben Crom path is fast anyway. There’s some opposing traffic and a lot of “how are ya’s” exchanged and you feel that camaraderie that exists between people who are sharing your pain. Just as we get to the bottom of the path the path gets to the bottom of  Mrs BS. A loud whelp echoes back from Ben Crom scaring a bunch of rosy-cheeked teenagers having some kind of an adventure that requires an over-filled rucksack. Apparently there’s a bruise there now!

We hit the checkpoint on Ben Crom along with a few thousand midges. There’s a shiny bucket that’s half full of water and several other objects so we decline but are offered a spare bottle of water ditched by a recent passer-by. We gratefully accept and tuck in. Hats off to those marshals and I hope they had ample supply of Skin So Soft to ward off the little baxtards.

Ben Crom Dam to Meelbeg - 260m  climb – again there’s various ways to do this according to legend. Up and over and stay on a high contour, Up and over and then follow Ben Crom river path, contour round and then follow Ben Crom river path or the BS way. The BS way is to contour round, hit the river and go straight on up the hill to hit the path on the west side of Doan. Yes it’s hard work getting up there – about 15 mins worth - but when you are up it’s a nice clean path on an open hill-side and you climb gradually towards Meelbeg. Now, the main reason for doing this is we did the Ben Crom river during training and it was not nice. Maybe it was because it was a hot day, but it totally wiped us out. I reckon the BS way costs about 10 mins but on the upside we arrived at Meelbeg feeling pretty fresh.

Meelbeg - 200m – I had pinpointed the base of Meelbeg as the mental low of the day. You have just done the slog from the dam and you’re 5-6 hours in but there’s and still three peaks to go. But we felt ok, or at least better than expected unlike the two chaps that we saw on Meelbeg who were not ok. When you are lying against the wall having a stretch and don’t even want to say hello you know it’s gonna be a long way home. I pondered why they hadn’t deployed the walking poles that were expertly attached to the outside of their rucksacks.  At the top of Meelbeg we were 1 hour 20mins ahead. Dare we dream of nine hours?

Meelmore - 100m climb - I love Meelmore - that wee contour path round the first hump, through the wall and a short climb and you are up! Time for the second rucksack malfunction. Where was Mrs BS number so we could punch it on this unmanned hill? A full empty of the sack doesnt reveal the number. Turns out it’s in the Tesco bag with the banana skins. We fish it out and duly punch it. Meelmore might be an easy climb from Meelbeg but  I don’t like going down it so much. Left or right it’s pretty tricky. We opted for left – staying wide at first and then picking up a good path about 5m from the wall. This is clean for a while but disappears over the steeper sections. No easy way round these that we could find so it’s a downhill clamber until it flattens out at the col. One more to go and we are 90 mins up!!

Bearnagh - 240m climb – it looks fierce from this side but again I have always found it ok but never after 6 other hills. There’s a few big zig-zags to get going - don’t be tempted to zig too early as the turn will present itself.  Then after that take your pick. Some stick close to the wall but we found a trail about 20m out that was mainly muck but nice and grippy in the conditions.  At last we were there – the last control. Seven mountains in a little over 7 hours.  Job done – almost. We still need to get down the other side and make our way back to Newcastle. A badly turned ankle can happen in a flash so we knew to keep focused.

Hare’s Gap – Donard Col – 150m climb – my estimate off Bearnagh only gave us 15 mins to get to Hare’s Gap. I am thinking this is tight and it is. By the time we get down we have lost 5mins. We’ll have to push it along the Brandy Pad. I find a second wind and we up the pace along the Brandy Pad which seems to go on forever. Mrs BS suggests I run on and try to beat the 9 hours. No no I say, we start as a team so we’ll finish as a team. At last we get to the bottom of Commedagh with the steps in front of us. We have a drink here and fill the tanks for the final assault up the hill to Donard col.

Glen River – we set off down the steps, but with tired thighs, knees and minds it’s hard to go fast. A mistake on the steps would be a painful one. Crossing the Glen River we start to trot down the path. Maximum concentration is required here at the end of a long day. The Glen River goes on forever but at last I’m at the bottom. I wait on Mrs BS at the exit of the forest so we can finish together. She arrives a short time and then sprints past me up through the car park. I give chase but she gets to the finish first cheered on by LVOers Denise and Pauline. Not quite what I had in mind during my “we’re a team” speech. But we got the same time despite her efforts!! 

Did we beat 9 hours? Well not quite, but we did a very respectable 9.06. We didn’t win £160m on the Euromillions but we now have a Seven Sevens badge – priceless!!

Thanks to Spartan Red Sox for hosting the event, their efficient marshalling, cheese and pickle sandwiches and I hope they raised a few £££s for MMRT – I hope I never need em!

Part of my route

First of the WEE series saw me and Mrs BS and C2 gathering our bits and heading to Belvoir in the rain. A big turn out as ever for the WEE and at £2.50 including dibber it’s good value. I did the long and C2 did the short with Mrs BS to keep her on her toes.

Long queue for the long course but off Igo. Slight hitch getting going but i dropped down to 1 through the first obvious path. When I hit the lower path it took a little back and forth to find it. Back up to the path for 2 and no bother. I decided to skirt the forest for 3 and this worked out well. Straight to 4 and down through the river. Didn’t realise this was where i was heading as i dropped below the first path. Should have gone round the paths. 5 was just a slog. Then to 6. I knew roughly where this was from previous experience. As i got to the path junction, another runner came up from a minor unmarked path – that’ll do me i thought. In I go. But I lost contact with map – wasted more time but found 6 ok. I played safe for 7 knowing there were numerous unmarked trails in this area. Long trek to 8 but I never really considered going off road to it. 8 was easy on the path junction. 9 was a different story. I got to the crossroads but it didn’t seem to match the map. I found a path heading the general direction i wanted but it led nowhere. I continued on looking to find a feature i could relate to the map – i didn’t. Another lost competitor kindly gave me a pointer and i headed for the dual carriageway! Long way round but i got 9, 10 was straightforward, picked up the path ok and straight to 11, hopped over the fence and straight to the finish.

I had broken the hour – just! Typical run for me – generally ok but one blinder of a mistake and a few minor ones. A good 15-17 minutes of errors so I think I’ll be dropping this result. The handicap pushed me back further in the rankings – a fantastic 46th! That’s two big mistakes in a row now – both with similar origins – both due to me losing contact with the map and not taking time to sort it out. Must do better!

Results

1. if you are easily offended then feck right off, right now

..actually that’s just one thing to get straight – pretty easy.

So what can you expect? Well, an irreverent look at the life of a man, not quite 50, trying to stop getting old by doing stuff like skiing, mountain biking, orienteering, jogging, walking and pretty much anything else I can to a very average level.

The cast for this presentation will include those I can’t avoid – wife and family – and a very few that I could avoid but choose not to – friends.

Feel free to comment.