Cnoc an Cuillian North Spur to Carrauntoohil

Sunday 8th November;

 After having a good time up the west from Sunday 1st to Thursday 5th I decided to cap off the week with a visit to The Reeks. The forecast was still very good and with no breeze and everywhere covered in a blanket of fog I was super hopeful that I would have one of those special days in the sunshine above a sea of mist. Alas it was not to be and when I reached Lisliebane at 09.30 there was no fog and the mountains wore a mantle of cloud down to about 700 metres. Never mind, I was still looking forward to the challenge this fine range of mountains presented. At Lisliebane you are starting your hike at 200 metres unlike almost everything up around Leenane where you are starting at sea level. This goes some way to compensate for the fact that the Reeks are mostly two to three hundred metres higher. I was soon ready for the off and entering to wonderful Hags Glen. After five outings on the mountains in the west where I didn't see another soul on the hills, it came as no surprise to see several groups entering the glen as I walked in.

The route follows the steep ground left to right into the cloud, then up the ridge

Across Lough Callee towards Carrauntoohil

Will it clear...ah no Ted

I still hadn't decided exactly what to do today. A straight up and down of Carrauntoohil was an option but I was feeling pretty good so I decided to add in a little extra so I decided that the north spur of Cnoc an Cuillian (956mtrs) would be a good start. This offers a steep test with some grade 1 scrambling thrown in. When I reached the outflow from Lough Callee I crossed to the east side and about half way along the lake shore I began a gradual climb of the shoulder of the Bone until I could enter the wild and seldom visited Coomeenmore with it's small black lake. I climbed steeply up the start of the spur that becomes more defined as you get higher. Eventually you reach a narrow crest where some nice scrambling can be enjoyed. There was a stiff chilly breeze and I was long since enveloped in cloud but I was enjoying myself. Finally I reached the path that descends towards Cnoc na Toinne and I was soon on the summit. I didn't delay and turned and followed the track to Toinne and on to the top of the Devils Ladder. I can't say I was looking forward to the next bit. the long slog to the summit of Carrauntoohil seems to go on an on but thirty minutes later I was on the top. Sunshine tried to break through the  mist and remarkably I had the place to myself. With no views I simply turned and re-traced my steps until I could cut off the main path and join the Heavenly Gates track. This spectacular track never disappoints as it traverses very steep ground under the ridges of Carrauntoohil. Before too long I was down in the lower level of Coumeenoughter and easily followed the trail back to the car. So it had taken me just under 5 hours to cover the 15 kilometres with 1200 metres ascent.

Finally re-emerging from the cloud on the Heavenly Gates path.

So in the week I had had been on the summit of Connaught's highest (Mweelrea), Galway's highest (Benbaun) and Ireland's highest (Carrauntoohil).