Thursday 5 January 2017

Curve Gully Ridge In Winter.

A few years ago now but here's hoping for some white stuff this winter👀

Monday 2 January 2017

Brassil East Ridge To Cruach Mór

On Saturday I was delighted to have the (all too infrequent) opportunity to have a day out with Kevin and we headed west for a gander on The Reeks. A nice early start saw us in the Black Valley and ready for the off at 08.30. We had a few options and we decided to do the East Ridge on Brassel (a spur that drops southwards into the Black Valley from the East Reeks ridge) and this promised to give a grade 2-3 scramble. We parked on the little lane just short of the few houses and after crossing a couple of fences we made our way up the boggy ground until the angle eases where we crossed the stream and made our way up to the base of the rocks. Short steep buttresses are the order of the day but some spicy sections can be enjoyed. About two thirds the way up there is a fairly formidable section that can be avoided or climbed (like we did) on the right edge and this I guess is the hardest bit of the route. A few more easy steps and then it's just a slog to the 575mtr summit. This is a lovely vantage point where you feel right in the heart of the range with superb views all around.
I'm psyched...Yippee

Broken spur but fun
Next up was the seemingly endless 450mtr slog to the summit of Cnoc an Cullain 956mtrs from where we turned and headed for Cruach Mor. The weather had taken a turn for the worse a bit earlier with cloud and some rain arriving but as we progressed the wind was at our backs and the clouds parted and we thoroughly enjoyed the trip. From the grotto we turned and dropped diagonally across to the spur that drops from the shapely Big Gun and then back to the hairpin bends on the road which we followed for the couple of kilometers back to the car. It had been delightful to get out with Kevin again. The craic and chat never stopped and I was hoarse by the time we got back. So ended the outdoor trips for 2016.



Its all in the style really
Concentrating

Cruach Mór and the Big Gun (An Garbh)

Clearing up very nicely


Looking back from Cruach Mor

I wanna go that way



Monday 26 December 2016

The Attychran Horseshoe. A Post Christmas Hike On The Galtees

Kings yard on the right with the long spur of Knocknagantee leading to Galtymor
I went back to the Galtees today for a blast of fresh air which was much needed after the excesses of Christmas day. I opted for the Attychran Horseshoe which is a nice round of about 15 kilometers and involves about 900mtrs of climbing so it would make a decent outing. I parked at Kings Yard and walked alongside the river for a kilometer before turning and starting up the broad slopes of Knocknagantee. There was a chill brisk breeze blowing so it was a hat and gloves kind of day but it was bright and sunny and it felt great to be out. After gaining a bit of height the views, as you would expect, become a bit more expansive and it was nice to pause and look back across the valleys towards The Knockmealdowns and the Comeraghs. The summit plateau of Galtymor is called Dawsons Table and I thought I could see a bit of white on the ground but it was still a fair ways away. I pushed on and eventually I reached the slopes of the table and suddenly the wind increased exponentially in strength and by the time I crested the slope I was being occasionally being blown sideways.

Looking back at the Knockmealdowns

Gentle rolling and lovely. Towards Lyracappul and Temple Hill

As close as I am going to get to snow for the remainder of this year.

Lough Curra with Galtymor soaring above
There was a faint dusting of frost or snow on top and the boggy ground was nicely frozen but I didn't get too much time to enjoy it as progress was difficult in the biting wind. Thankfully the wind lulled before I reached the summit cairn and I was able to soak up the views for a short while before I turned and retraced my steps and dropped down to the easy ground that drops gradually as it curves above Lough Curra. Thankfully once off the summit the wind was more manageable and I was able to enjoy this delightful section of the outing. I followed the Galtee Wall all the way to the summit of Lyreacappul 823mtrs and after retracing my steps for about 500mtrs I was able to easily drop towards the col below Monabrack and climb the 100 or so meters to the 630mtr summit. I continued south along the spur and eventually back to my car. In total it took 4hours 15mins and it was a delight to get some sun in these short dark days.
The Galtee Wall

Lyracappul