Broughnabinnea.

Once again I headed back to Killarney and met Frank. Today the plan was to drive right to the furthest reaches of the Black Valley and climb Broughnabinnea. While this isn't the most exciting mountain in the area, its location is in one of the remotest places that you can find in Kerry. We had originally planned to do this one last week but appalling weather that morning made us rethink our plans so we postponed until today. While better the weather still wasn't good with a stiff breeze blowing occasional drizzle and the cloud level sticking stubbornly low. Ah well its not all about the views and I knew the company would be good so I was still looking forward to the day. After our by now customary coffees we headed into the wild heart of the Everagh Peninsula. Driving through the Gap of Dunloe is always spectacular and today was no exception and this time of year we didn't have to put up with the "jarveys" who in the tourist months are a nuisance. Anyway we eventually arrived at the trail-head under the steep east side of the mountain. Its a wonderful place to be and we were really looking forward to the off.

A moody broody black valley

The view down just before we entered the mist

There are some strange creatures about..she said

A gentle start follows an old track that leads up to an old abandoned farmhouse. This winds its way through a little woodland but soon it comes to an end and we broke off and entered the open mountainside. Now the hard work commences and the slope is steep and unremitting. I opted to stay out of the gully that rises through the center of the face and zig zagged up the steep broken ground on the right. This was because I had injured myself at the gym the previous week. As is my wont I was pushing my limits on a machine and loaded on too much weight. As I strained to complete a set of reps I felt a sharp and searing pop in my ribs which brought my efforts to an immediate end. I laid off the gym for a couple of days and things quickly improved so I returned and did two strenuous workouts on consecutive nights which made the injury worse and ensured that a painful few days ensued. I have learned my lesson and so I was being careful not to strain myself this time. Anyway we made steady progress and soon enough topped out over the steep face and entered the plateau before the final drag to the summit plateau. Now we were more exposed to the full effects of the bitingly cold wind so when we arrived at the rather featureless summit we didn't linger and headed down immediately to find a bit of shelter and a good spot for lunch.

What a right pair

We dropped right down to nearly the valley floor and here we found a sheltered spot just under the cloud base where we enjoyed a nice bite to eat. We finished off our descent on surprisingly dry ground to the rough and wild valley floor. Here we turned once again to the east and the direction of our car. We passed first the beautiful waterfall that thunders down above Lough Reagh and then further to the left passed the "Ogham Stone" at the end of the descent and followed the sodden trail that leads back to the road. About four hours in total and another helping of good company. We retired to Killarney for yet more coffee and we are both looking forward to our next outing.

Waterfall above Lough Reagh

Ogham is an ancient form of writing in Ireland

Culture and history all about

Another end to another great day

A Snowy Hike In Kerry

Crabbit

Gleckit

Carrauntoohil looking inviting

Saturday I went for a hike with Frank on The Reeks. It was quite chilly overnight and I wasn't surprised to see that snow was lying on the mountains above 600 mtrs. It is always a pleasure to go out with Frank and after the exertions of a half marathon training run the day before a hike was just the thing to keep the muscles in working order. We had our now customary coffees in Killarney before setting off for Lisliebane and the start of our route. Today we opted to climb up "The Bone" and descend "The Heavenly Gates". The Bone or Maolan Bui is the fourth highest top in the country at 970 meters. It offers a straightforward ascent or descent route on the Eastern Reeks Ridge. There was little or no wind as we left the car and despite the low temperature it was really pleasant conditions for a hike. The tops were free of cloud and looked wonderful in their white icing.

A change on the way

I hadn't seen Frank since before Christmas so we had a bit of catching up to do and the ground passed easily. Soon enough we were across the impressive bridge that spans The Gaddagh river and we headed up the gentle boggy slope that leads to the base of the ridge. We arrived at the broad ridge and soon after we hit the snowline. Unfortunately at about the same time some cloud engulfed us and we spent the rest of the climb in the clag with occasional snow flurries adding to the atmospheric conditions. We rested out of the wintry breeze on the summit and enjoyed our lunch. It was lovely to be out in the snow and while there was nothing in the way of ice to be found and there was really only a few inches of powdery snow on the ground, everything looked great and what was quite familiar ground now had a more exotic feel to it. Suitably well fed and rested we resumed our trek and crossed over Cnoc an Chuillinn and on to the Devils Ladder. Thankfully by now a clearance had arrived and our progress was punctuated by frequent stops to try and capture the wonderful scenery all around us.

Caher

Towards the Brida Valley

View Northwest

We opted to descent via The Heavenly Gates. This is our favorite way off the mountain and it traverses the eastern face of Carrauntoohil and shows off to best effect the exciting ridges that soar towards the summit. It is a little disappointing to see how eroded the lower sections of the route have become. When are we going to get it right in this country and build proper, sustainable trails that protect the wider mountainside and allow safer egress to the mountains. By now extensive damage has been done to this beautiful range and unless action is taken soon the pressure of the ever increasing numbers that frequent the area its beauty and wild feel will be spoiled for good. Anyway on a happier note we enjoyed the remainder of the walk back to the car and we were treated to wonderful scenery as the setting sun set afire to the snow. All in all a great day out was had and we are looking forward to our next outing soon.

Another round on the Reeks

I have been trying to up my fitness regime this year and yesterday I took advantage of a decent weather forecast and headed back to Kerry for a hike on The Reeks. The weather lately hasn't had much in the way of winter about it and indeed it has been more like wet spring conditions, very mild and damp. I knew that there wouldn't be anything in the way of snow or ice to be found but it was nice to set off on a foggy frosty morning with the temperature gauge reading -2. When I emerged from the fog as I neared Killarney it was with some disappointment that I saw a blanket of cloud clinging to the mountain summits.

The Slieve Mish Mountains

Still I was determined to make the most of the day and I decided to once again to do the "Hags Glen Horseshoe". This is a fine big day out that covers about 17 kilometers and has over 1700mtrs of ascent. It also traverses all the major tops on the Reeks over 3000ft except Caher. I was just finished a week of night work and I must confess to being quite tired as I set off from the car park at Lisiebane. To the north the view to the Slieve Mish mountains on the Dingle peninsula was beautiful and I hoped that my chosen mountains would become as clear of cloud as those were. There was a stiff chill breeze and I had hat and gloves on from the outset. My energy levels didn't really improve but I persevered and eventually found myself atop Cruach Mhor. Here the wind was quite strong and the windchill was considerable. I donned full metal jacket clothes wise and set off along the ridge. Despite the lack of views and the chill wind (or because of it) I was really enjoying myself. It is a great feeling to be alone in such a wild place on such a wild day.

Towards the top of the Devils ladder

A clearing coming to Carrauntoohil

Gradually as I went around the ring the wind came more to my back. I enjoyed a nice bite to eat in the sheltered side of Cnoc na Toinne looking down under the cloud to the glen far below. I then endured the 300mtr slog to the summit of Carrauntoohil and then across the airy ridge to Benkeeragh. This side of the range was enjoying more in the way of cloudless summits and here I was once again able to enjoy the spectacular views on offer. I went along the stony tops of Knockbrinnea, casting bashful glances at the spot where I "mislaid" my rucksack during a winter wild camp here in December, and then made the long descent to the boggy plain that slopes gently back to the car. Six hours in total made for a satisfactory day out but I was fairly bushed by now and to be frank looking forward to a nice bit of sleep.