Downpatrick man scales Ben Nevis

5/27/2003 -

ATROCIOUS weather conditions did not deter a visually impaired Downpatrick man from climbing Ben Nevis.

Arthur Moore, who celebrates his 70th birthday in July, was among a group of sponsored walkers who made the ascent earlier this month.

They were raising money for charity the Blind Centre for Northern Ireland.

Even though Arthur was forced to abandon the final push for the summit, he still made it to within 900 feet of the peak of the tallest mountain in the British Isles.

During the climb weather conditions deteriorated to such an extent that the group and their guides faced snow, sleet and rain showers during the ascent.

On top of the mountain knee-deep snow covered the pinnacle and winds were gusting at up to 40 knots.

But it was an experience the Downpatrick man said he would not have missed for the world.

"It was tough, but the group acted as a unit and the experience is one I will always remember.

"I walk quite a lot and used to particularly enjoy the routes available through the Mournes, but I have to say the conditions on Ben Nevis were like none I have experienced anywhere else," he said.

For people in the prime of their youth - and with perfect sight - the ascent of the mountain can be a demanding and dangerous business.

Few 70-year-olds would even dream of attempting it and if the challenge of visual impairment is thrown in the mix, Arthur becomes a man in a million.

But he remains level headed about the whole business and told the Democrat part of his motivation was to illustrate that an impairment of sight need not confine sufferers to their homes, or rule out the possibility of adventure from their lives.

Through his involvement with the Blind Centre and his work with the Down Visually Impaired Group, Arthur remains determined to instil a sense of independence and optimism in those who have sight problems like his.

He began to suffer impairment in vision as a result of Macular Degeneration - a condition that affects many people as they grow older.

But Arthur Moore is a man who says he is determined that his quality of life will not suffer drastically as a result.

Nowadays he limits himself to several coastal walks and does not often journey in the Mournes, but he is also a keen sailor.

Part owner of a boat at the Quoile Yacht Club he plans to spend his summer sailing Lough Neagh and the River Bann.

His mountain guide on the Ben Nevis expedition was full of praise for the Downpatrick man.

"Arthur showed steely determination to reach 3,500 feet - an exceptional achievement given his age and sight-loss condition.

"He was disappointed when I advised him not to go any further due to the poor weather, but he was on the mountain for longer than anyone else in the party. "Arthur is an example to us all," he said.