HAG'S TOOTH RIDGE HOWLING RIDGE CARRAUNTOOHIL AND BEENKERAGH

Friday May 16th;

 We have been enjoying a wonderful spell of weather recently and today I decided to venture back to the Reeks and enjoy some of the best scrambling and climbing that the country has to offer. I actually cannot remember if I climbed Howling Ridge last year and I know that it is seven or eight years since I did the Hag's Tooth Ridge so I decided to do both today.

To say it was a stunning morning wouldn't do it justice. Warm, blue sky and just a hint of a breeze promised warm rock and an ideal hiking day. It was just 10am when I left the car and it was already warm. I was feeling good and looking forward to the outing .Entering the Hag's Glen is always a joy and with unrestricted views it was especially nice. I turned right and crossed the normally wet (but now crispy dry) ground and headed towards Coumeenoughter. When I crossed the almost dry stream I turned right and enjoyed some great climbing on the rocky outcrops that presented themselves as you head to the Tooth. These steps vary from five to ten metres and you can test yourself and make things as hard or easy as you like. I made enjoyable progress and before too long I reached the point where the rock becomes narrow and more consistent as it soars to the tiny top. It was a joy to climb. I stuck pretty faithfully to the crest except for one overhang which I passed on the left. When I reached a hole in the rock I climbed above it and continued up to the summit. To say I had enjoyed the route would be an understatement and it won't be so  long before I repeat it this time. A steep drop from the airy top and I descended steeply towards the first level from the notch just just beyond the Tooth. This isn't too bad and once a little care is taken it offers a swift way to access the first level. 

Always a joy.

Looking down some of the rock steps

Superb sustained quality scrambling

Once down I wasted no time in heading for the Heavenly Gates and Howling. I was still feeling strong and once I reached the Gates I wasted no time in turning and starting up the route. Careful and steady was the motto and I must say it was a joy to climb. The rock was warm and sticky and I stuck to the true route and enjoyed quality climbing all the way. Once I passed The Finger the nature of the route changes. A sharp slab is negotiated until a sharp crest is reached and a series of pinnacles bar the way. Care is now required as there is some loose rock in these but once you avoid these there is some of the best climbing of the route to be enjoyed. All too soon the last of the difficulties is passed and the steep slog to the summit is endured. Well perhaps that is too harsh a word as today, with such gorgeous weather and views to be enjoyed, there was pleasure to be enjoyed all the way. A good  feed on the summit sustained me for the remainder of the outing. I dropped to the top of O'Sheas Gully and crossed the Beenkeragh Ridge. An initial narrow and spectacular crest provided some excitement but it ends all too soon. The remainder of the ridge provides an easy but still spectacular passage until the final 100 metre climb to Beenkeragh reminds you of all the climbing you have done. I had the spectacular summit all to myself and I relaxed for a little while and soaked in my surroundings, both near and far. The descent over Knockbrinnea went well and finally I crossed the dry expanse of bog that led back to the car. It had taken four and three quarters hours to complete the route and I had enjoyed every minute. Ten kilometres covered and twelve hundred metres climbing made it a worthy outing. 

Looking up at the pinnacles

Looking down towards The Finger

Two Days in Cloghane. Running An t'Sais and Hiking Brandon via The Faha Ridge

 

Thursday April 3rd;

I love spring time. It is my favourite time of year and generally my spirit surges with the new growth and life. Add in the fact that I was heading to Cloghane near Mount Brandon with the promise of stunning weather and yes, I was excited.

The approach to Cloghane is always a joy. If some of the finest mountain scenery in the country isn't enough to get the pulse going then add into the mix beautiful beaches and a blue ocean and it is easy to understand my joy. My plan for the couple of days was to either run or hike these mountains (or both) and to do a spot on beach fishing as well. As I neared the village I decided that a run from the village to Brandon Head and An t'Sais would be just the job. I parked at the church and once changed I started my run. I was immediately enjoying myself. Warm spring sunshine bathed everywhere and everywhere looked amazing. The initial kilometres are along the road but this time of year it is quiet and the few cars I met weren't a problem. I then turned off the "main road" and joined a quiet lane that led to the beach near Brandon pier. A quick pause for a photo and I began the gradual climb to Brandon Point. I took my time and enjoyed the experience rather than trying to set a good pace.

The beach near Brandon Pier

The view to the main ridge. Brandon in centre----Brandon Peak on left

Another pause at the point to catch my breath and enjoy the view and I left the road behind and headed on an amazing trail to An t'Sais. The first kilometre is steadily uphill and I was quite pleased that I managed to stay running. You also leave the coast behind and head more inland. The ever improving views of the spectacular main ridge of the Brandon massif are truly inspiring. I was even toying with the idea of climbing up there today. After a hundred metres are gained a delightful downhill section follows where most of the gains are lost. This section can be quite boggy but today it was springy and dry and a joy to gambol down. Alas after the downhill comes a steeper uphill section and this I had to walk most of. It doesn't last long however and soon I was trotting along all the way to the edge of An t'Sais. This is another amazing viewpoint. This giant sunken coum offers a semi circular scoop that drops precipitously to the ocean some four hundred meters below. Throw in the glorious mountain scenery and weather and it simply takes the breath away. Another good reason to pause for a while.

Over 1000ft below---no easy way down or up---The Trap

The trail continues easily around the rim of the coum before turning and after a short downhill section it joins a track that eventually leads to a roadway. I decided to forego the summit ridge and save it for tomorrow. Once on the track I enjoyed watching a few sheepdogs gathering some sheep. Unfortunately they then proceeded to walk them along the track with their master and my running was delayed for a bit. I managed to get past them on a looping section and I once again gamboled along downhill. Once I reached the road I knew I had the bulk of the run done. Once past Teer I re-traced my route back to the village. I was tired but delighted with my effort. Twenty kilometres and 575mtrs ascent is definitely a good outing in my book. I checked into the nearby hostel and after relaxing for a bit I headed to Fermoyle and spent an hour digging bait before enjoying a nice few hours on the beach.

Just six kilometres left

Friday April 4th;

Two days is really too short a time to spend in this wonderful place but it was all I had and I was determined to make the most of it. There had been some rain last night but this morning it was mostly clear skies, although some clouds still clung to the higher tops. After breakfast I set off from the village and headed towards Mount Brandon. I could have driven as far as the car park near the grotto but as I intended going as far as Brandon Peak and doing a horseshoe outing, that would have meant an uphill finish. The plan was to cross the Faha Ridge and then enjoy the splendid summit views from the main ridge. I was feeling quite strong and I set a steady pace up the trail. It was breezier than yesterday and certainly felt chillier and I kept my shell jacket on. Once I eventually reached the airy top of the ridge I paused to soak everything in. Binn Fhaiche sits at 822 metres and standing as it does, removed from the main body of the mountain it offers an outstanding viewpoint. The north face of Brandon with it's cliffs, ridges and lakes looks rugged and wonderful. Add to the mix Masatiompan, An t'Sais, Cloghane bay, Benoskee an Stradbally and much much more and it is hard to know where to look first.

Spectacular ground on the north side of the ridge

Leaving Cloghane looking to Benoskee

What a place to be--in the middle of the ridge

Now comes the wonderful Faha Ridge. It starts off innocuously enough and immediately becomes narrow and engaging. Things were a little slick after the clouds from earlier (now cleared👍) but with a little care safe easy progress is made. Little rocky crests can be taken direct or sometimes a path bypasses them  It is your choice how easy or hard you want it to be. One thing that is certain is that the crux cannot be avoided. Two steep sections require back climbing so as to bypass the final rock buttress of the ridge. These require good concentration and can prove a little awkward. By taking your time and choosing the right holds and moves progress can be safely made. I would say it merits a Grade 2 scramble. Now all the difficulties are behind you and you can enjoy the steep 100 metre climb to gain the main ridge. I was feeling good and this passed quickly enough and soon I was atop and enjoying new vistas. And what a view it is. Below the stunning coastline of the Ballyferriter-Slea Head region in truly glorious and the Blasket Islands are a spectacular sight a few miles offshore. I enjoyed the view for a few moments and then set off on the final easy stretch to the summit. I had it to myself and I relaxed a while and had a chocolate bar and a drink. Next up comes the easy trail to Brandon Peak. It was lovely to amble along and enjoy at leisure those views. The stiff 200 metre pull to the airy summit gets the full attention but after this the crossing to An Gearán is an easy delight before I turned southeast and started the steep descent that loses over 600 metres and eventually reaches the outflow of Lough Avoonane. The coum behind the lough becomes more spectacular as you descend and is a mighty sight by the time you reach the lake. Now I was on a good track as as I had just worn my trail runners again today I broke into an easy trot here. This I maintained for the four remaining kilometres back to the village. I had covered the 17 plus kilometres in 4 hours 50 mins and it had included 1250 metres ascent. A very good outing.

Slea Head--The Three Sisters--Ballydavid Head

The beautiful ridge to Brandon Peak

Looking east towards Tralee

Lough Avoonane

 Boy it was warm down low and I had also gotten my first sunburn of the year. After a change of clothes and a bite of lunch in Castlegregory I went to the nearby beach for a couple of hours fishing. This topped off the day when I got a couple of fine bass. It had been a wonderful action filled couple of days.

A run on Seefin Mountain Glenbeigh and A Hike up Cnoc an Chuillin North Spur

A fleeting visit to Glenbeigh was available a couple of days ago when I hoped to do a spot of fishing at the nearby Rossbeigh beach and hopefully get a hike in on the way home the following day. I was working until 11am so it meant that it would be the afternoon before I could get there. I was keen to get something done before I went fishing so a run was the obvious choice. A quick look online and I settled on a circuit of Seefin mountain which wasn't too long and started right in the middle of the village. I arrived a sunny but chilly Glenbeigh at 14.50 and after a quick change I was off. I followed the Kerry Way along the quiet lane until it became a track that rose towards the aptly named Windy Gap. Now I had a choice to make. I could continue on the track and do a circuit of the mountain or I could cross over the top and drop down the far side and re-join the trail as it returned to the village. I opted for the high way. The views were amazing in all directions. It is always lovely to be somewhere new, and while I was very familiar with all the places I could see, it is great to see them from a new vantage point. Once at the gap I had managed to run shuffle most of the way and had gained over 300 metres in height. A steep pull out of the gap was followed by a couple of kilometres across boggy ground. Did I say that the views were great??. A final pull to the broad top saw me arrive at  the windswept chilly summit where the view down to Rossbeigh and Dingle bay and the Blasket Islands was particularly lovely. A steep drop through long heather was a bit of a pain but eventually easier ground is reached and I followed the excellent running trail back to the village. It had been a delight. Not too long at just over 9 kilometres and 500 metres of ascent but I was happy I had done something. I will definitely do it again.

Heading up to the Windy Gap and what a view towards Coumasaharn

I fished Rossbeigh beach but unfortunately the fish didn't oblige but when done I camped behind the dunes. I rose the following morning to occasional rain and cloudy mountain tops coupled with a chilly breeze. I wasted no time in packing up and I was on the move by eight. A coffee from the local supermarket and my overnight oats saw me ready to head to the Reeks. I parked at Lisliebane and put on my waterproofs and set off into the Hags Glen. Rain filled the back of the glen and the cloud was down to about 600mtrs so it didn't really look too inviting. The forecast promised that it would clear in the afternoon and I hoped against hope that it might come sooner but I wasn't optimistic. As I walked in I decided that I would prefer to do something other than O'Sheas Gully on Carrauntoohil and opted instead to head towards the north spur of Cnoc an Chuillin.

The ridge climbs the skyline in the centre

I crosses the river at the outlet of Lough Callee and gained height gradually on the slopes above the lake until I reached Coumeenmore, a spectacular coum that nestles between Maolán Buí and Cnoc an Chuillin. I couldn't see very much of the ridge to the top as it disappeared into the cloud not too far above me but from here on the going is steep. A very impressive rock buttress is on the right edge of the ridge and the route climbs up just to the left of it. With little to distract me I just put the head down and pushed on. Unrelenting ground means height is quickly gained and I was quite pleased with how I was progressing. Higher up the ridge becomes pleasantly narrow and allows little sections of nice scrambling. Finally after the scrambling ends I reached the summit slopes and the cairn loomed out of the mist. It was windy and misty so I didn't delay and headed off the top towards Maolán Buí. Alas no views were to be had so I decided to descend the Bone. This allowed for a rapid and easy descent and before too long I re-emerged under the cloud. I followed the Black Stream to lower ground and after crossing over the Gaddagh I followed the track back to the car. It had been a very enjoyable outing despite the lack of views and it was nice to go somewhere a little different. I hadn't seen another soul all morning. I was back in the car 3 hours twenty minutes after starting. 10 kilometres covered and 900 metres ascent. Mind you by the time I finished eating a spot of lunch at the car the sun had emerged and the tops were bathed in sunshine. Thems the breaks.

Carrauntoohil beginning to clear