HOWLINGMIST: Beenoskee And Beenbo. The Heart Of The Dingle Peninsula

Yesterday I went with Frank for a hike in the Dingle Peninsula. We opted to head for Beenoskee this time and forwent the delights of Mount Brandon. I had only been on this mountain twice before and the last time was over five years ago so it was well past time to revisit. The weather was set fair for the day and we had our appetite whetted by the great views as we drove to the start. Our route started by walking into the delightful valley of Glenahoo before turning left and climbing the steep slopes to our first top of the day Beenatoor (592meters) where the unremitting 550 meter climb certainly got the muscles going. From here a boggy couple of kilometres saw us climb to the summit of Beenoskee which at 825 meters was our highpoint of the day and offered spectacular views in every direction. Here you are right in the heart of the wonderful Dingle peninsula and on a fine spring day such as this it was a privilege to be here. We enjoyed a spot of lunch here and gazed across towards the beautiful Brandon massif and then headed steeply down so that we could contour around the back of Glenahoo valley before climbing the delightful Beenbo (474 meters) and descending steeply back to the valley floor and back to our car. A total of 14 kilometres and 1000 meters of climbing made for a worthy day out. It was wonderful to feel real heat in the sun and hopefully it was only the first of many great spring-summer days we will enjoy this year. Now where did I put my sunscreen.