HOWLINGMIST: Benaunmore and Crohane, Some of Kerrys Finest.

Yesterday I went with Frank for a hike in the mountains near Killarney. It had been a fair while since Frank had ventured out onto the hills (due to work and motivational issues) so we decided to visit the wonderful Cappagh Glen. This offers one of the wildest, most scenic walks in the whole of Kerry but without the commitment of a big climb so it suited both our needs. I took the train back to Killarney and was delighted to see the sun shining and blue skies predominating. After our usual coffees we set off on the short journey to Lough Guitane. The track that runs from the road to the start of the walk is really bad now and I wouldn't advise anyone to drive in now without a 4by4. Eventually we reached the end of the track and we were soon good to go. Soon the farmland is left behind and we entered the wild ground before the glen. Frank, being always up for a challenge decided that instead of heading into the glen we would take on the north spur of Benaunmore "directissimo". It is steep in places but ,despite Franks lack of practice, we made good progress and soon more expansive views were to be had. The top at just 454 meters offers a great view and here we paused for a while before making for the saddle and descending the rough ground to the gap between the two lakes ( Lough Nabroda and Lough Crohane), before heading up steeply for the southwest top of Crohane at 477 meters. This was a good spot for lunch and we watched some passing rain showers miss us on either side. We continued up afterwards to the lovely summit of Crohane at 650 meters. A short pause here and we descended easily back down to the valley floor. All and all it had been a great outing in one of my favourite places. Well done to Frank for getting back in the saddle. Hopefully we will get out many more times in the coming winter.