A Fine Round on The Galtees and The East Reeks

Monday July 20th;

I have enjoyed a few little breaks away since lockdown eased but one place I had neglected to visit was the Galtees. I was determined to put that right today and I headed to the excellent Kings Yard and the aim was a big round from Temple Hill to Galtymór.

To say I picked a good day for it would be an understatement. It was warm and sunny and even the ground underfoot was pretty dry. I left Kings Yard and headed up into the glen under Monabrack. The mountains were looking resplendent and I was looking forward to immersing myself in them. The steep 300 metre climb to the summit of Monabrack got the heart pumping but the wonderful views were adequate compensation for the effort. I was feeling very good and before long I was down in the next valley under Knockaterriff and setting off up the equally steep 350 metre climb to reach the broad boggy top. The breeze on the summit was blessedly cooling and after a brief rest I headed for Temple Hill. This mountain will always be a special place for me, as it was the very first mountain I climbed. Way back when, a friend called Pascal Sweeney took me on a hill walk to this summit. It was a miserable cloudy, wet day, and I saw nothing in the way of views and got thoroughly soaked, but I was hooked. I returned a few weeks later on my own, on a beautiful summers day, and I was blown away by the views and the whole experience. I can still recall my joy and amazement as I rested on the summit, as I gazed in wonder at the landscape all about.

Heading into the glen under Monabrack

Galtymór looms above the summit.

Summit of Temple Hill

Towards the Knockmealdowns and more

Anyway, back to today. Once I reached the stony top, with its massive cairn, I rested and enjoyed a quick bite to eat, before dropping back to the col and heading up to one of the best viewing points in the range, Lyracappul. The metres climbed were certainly adding up by now but I was still feeling good and I really enjoyed the walk along the ridge to Galtymór. While I had been in blissful solitude up to now, as expected, as I neared this 3000ft+ peak, I began to meet some fellow hikers. It is rare enough to have such a benign day on this summit, so I took a moment to enjoy the wonderful views. From here you can see the hills of Clare on the far side of the Shannon estuary. The Reeks and the Slieve Mish mountains in Kerry were clear to the west. The Blackstairs Mountains were visible way off to the northeast ans the sea shone silver to the south. I contemplated dropping down towards the confluence of streams in the valley below, and heading back to the car, but I decided to continue as far as Galtybeg. This added nearly a 100mtrs ascent to the day, but sure why not. I  dropped to the valley and followed the fledgling Attrchran river as far as the forestry. Here at the confluence of the streams there are some very pretty little waterfalls with adjacent pools. It seemed a shame to waste the opportunity so I went for a quick dip in one. It was deliciously refreshing. I rebooted and suited myself, and before too long I was back at the car.

Looking west to Temple Hill

East

A lovely spot for a dip

With 20 kilometres covered, 1550 metres climbed and six hours of sunshine soaked up, it had been a thoroughly enjoyable day. 

Sunday July 26th;

After my great day out on the Galtees I was keen to have another good mountain day. Where better to head to than The Reeks. With that in mind I headed back and camped at Cronins Yard on the Saturday evening, so that I could have a nice early start the following day. I intended to do a full circuit of the Hags Glen. The camping was pretty much idyllic as I sat outside my tent and watched the light change into the evening on the East Reeks. Alas the good times weren't to last as I was awoken by rain the following morning and when I peered out I could see that a stiff wind was scudding the cloud across the tops. It was disappointing but I got myself ready and headed off in hope of improvements in the weather later. I decided that I would head to Alohart and climb up to Cruach Mhór from there. This would extend the circuit a little bit but it offers something out of the norm as well.The ground was wet and sodden on the traverse under Cruach Mhór and it leeched the spirit out of me. Just before I reached the crest of the ridge near Alohart I suddenly decided to take a direct line to the summit from there. I'm not sure why, because it meant a steep 500 metre climb to reach the top. I guess I had had enough of the soggy ground.

An idyllic evening for camping

Not so nice in the morning

A brief clearing..still a bit of magic

Always spectacular

The climb was actually okay and before too long I was standing in the clag on the rather bleak summit. I was surprised by how chilly the wind was and I had to don hat and gloves. The rocks on the ridge were very slippery and some care had to be taken to make safe progress. I stuck to the path on either side and eventually reached the top of Cnoc na Péiste. Now the mist and drizzle turned to rain and things became something of a chore. That said, I really enjoyed the easy walking all the way to Cnoc an Cuillin. There was no let up in the weather and when I reached Cnoc na Toinne I decided to cut my losses and descend via the Zig Zags. Even though the weather was poor I was surprised by the numbers I met heading for Carrauntoohil. It really does draw the crowds nowadays. I returned to the car and was glad to change out of my soaked clothes. A great coffee in the swish new tea rooms helped revive me and I was soon heading home. It hadn't been the hike I had hoped for but it certainly blew away the cobwebs. 14 kilometres covered, 1200 metres climbed in just 5 hours.