HOWLINGMIST: 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.