Howling Ridge VDiff on Carrauntoohil

Yesterday was the 30th of November, not that you'd have thought it as myself and Frank left the car park at Lisliebane in a beautiful calm sunny weather day. I had a bitch of a cold that had developed into a bit of a chest infection and I reckoned that a day out in the fresh air was just the ticket to try and shift it so I went with the redoubtable Frank for a day on the hills. We couldn't have wished for a more perfect day and with the promise of dry rock we decided to climb Howling Ridge VDiff on the east face of Carrauntoohil. It is always a pleasure to do this route and it places one in enviable mountain scenery. I was looking forward to it but with a degree of trepidation as I would have to wait and see how the body would react. I wasn't long finding out as I was quickly breathing hard and sweating, and that was just on the walk in. Frank was his usual patient self and we took our time and this allowed me to keep on an even keel and progress upwards. There were lots of people about, making the most of the beautiful day. We eventually arrived at the start of the route at the aptly named "Heavenly Gates" where we saw a party of five on the first pitch just above us. We were unencumbered by ropes and we climbed up and past them. I wasn't feeling the best and in my weakened state I was resolved to concentrate and take great care as it wouldn't be a forgiving place to make an error. The roped party were taking an inordinately long time to make progress and I questioned them as to whether they would have time to complete the route at the pace they were moving. They seemed to  take this on board and they mover more quickly after that. We progressed nicely upwards and all the while enjoyed the stunning views all about. All too soon the route ends and the steep slog to the summit is never fun but it was great to arrive at the sun kissed top, adorned once again by the imposing cross. This had been criminally cut down a week beforehand but the local community had rallied and re-erected it. Whatever ones thoughts on the religious side of things, for most people the cross was a symbol of a goal attained and offered a photo opportunity as proof of a great day out. Everyone on the summit that day seemed very pleased to have it restored and many were posing for photographs beside it. We enjoyed a nice bite to eat before continuing across the Benkeeragh Ridge and then down to our car. I was pretty wrecked by then but it had been a stellar day with views to match. Thanks Frank for another doozie.

Frank striding ahead

Cruach Mhor

It never fails to impress,,,Carauntoohil

The East Reeks

In the meat of it. Great rock fun

A slip would not be good. Frank having fun, I think!

Brocken Spectre

The final section of the ridge

Looking back down the final section

Caher

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Frank on the Benkeeragh Ridge

Great views

The Last Rays

The Galty Mountains at their stunning best.

Working the night shift has its advantages. If you can forgo a few hours sleep then its possible to take advantage of a good weather window and head for the hills. That is exactly what I did this morning when I left straight from work to head for the Galty Mountains. I usually head west when I visit the mountains and I have been somewhat neglectful of the Galtees but today was a chance to put that to rights. There had been a frost overnight which would make traveling on the very boggy a bit easier and fog was blanketing the ground which promised great views when I would hopefully rise above it during the climb. I opted to do the Attychraan horseshoe as this avoids the terribly mucky and boggy saddle between Galty Mor and Galty Beg and allows one travel the more western parts of the compact range. My mood was further buoyed by the sight of a deed crossing the lane in front of me as I arrived at the start of the route near Kings Yard.

Looking back to the start of the walk

The Knockmealdown Mountains

Dawsons Table and the summit come into view.

 The route starts very gently alongside the Attychraan river on a forest track before climbing up the broad slopes of Knocknagaltee and up to the summit of Galty Mor 919mtrs. The views were as I had hopes, amazing. To the south and the east the Knockmealdown and Comeragh Mountains rose above a sea of fog and looked wonderful. Unbroken clear blue skies and no wind made it a magical morning to be out and about. At the summit I was literally running from one side to the other to soak in the wide ranging views. I could see all the way to the Kerry mountains to the west and to the east the Blackstairs were easily spotted. As I hoped the boggy ground was just frozen enough to make progress easier and I delighted in the easy descent above Lough Curra and onwards all the way to one of my favorite spots on the range Lyracappul 825mtrs. From this airy top the views down to the intensively agriculturally farmed plain is great. An easy descent to the boggy saddle under the twin topped Knockaterrif  and slog to the 692mtr top followed and then an almost 300mtr drop into the glen to the east before a grueling 230 meter slog to the top of Carrigeen Mountain from whose summit a spur leads easily back to the car. All in all about 17 kilometers and 1100 meters of climbing in five and a quarter hours. I loved every minute of it. 

Looking east towards the summit

Summit cross

West from the summit

The wall snakes its way to the west.

Looking over Lough Curra

Always an excuse to stop

Lyracappul and walls end

Cnoc na Peiste to Cruach Mhor. The best of the Eastern Reeks

I headed back to Kerry again with Frank foe a day out. The forecast was good but it was a bit of a disappointment to see the Hags Glen on the Reeks looking dark and gloomy when we arrived. Still there was blue sky away from the mountains and we were hopeful of a clearance. We set off into the glen and I filled frank in on all the details from my recent trip to Snowdonia. We wanted to head somewhere a little less visited so we decided to climb up to Lough Coomeenapeiste and climb the north ridge of Cnoc na Peiste 988 meters and head across the beautiful ridge over An Garbh 939 meters(The Big Gun) to Cruach Mhor 932 meters. This is one of my favorite parts of The Reeks and it would be nice to re immerse myself in my own mountains after Snowdonia. The weather was playing ball as well and the hoped for clearance was arriving as well.

Across The Hags Glen

North towards The Slieve Mish Mtns

The slog up to the lake really has little to recommend it except for the beautiful views to the right into the Hags Glen which is backed by the savage east face of Carrauntoohil. We soldiered on and eventually arrived at the lake which sits in a delightful semi circular basin of steep ground. It was decidedly chilly so we didn't rest long and set off up the ridge. It is initially just a steep grassy slope but soon some scrambling opportunities present themselves over some steepening bouldery ground. The rocks were slippy from recent showers and chilled fingers followed, a sure sign that the winter season was coming. Some nice steep bits presented themselves as we got higher and shortly before the summit we were being warmed by some pleasant sunshine. The top arrived and we dropped a few meters to the leeward side and it was suddenly calm and quite warm in the sun. This was a great spot for lunch and allowed us to soak up the stunning views as well. These mountains really can more than hold their own with Snowdonia. After our feast we set off across the beautiful (Grade1) scramble ridge to Cruach Mhor. It was lovely and we even got a short burst of a snow shower, our first of the season, to add to the experience. The one kilometer ridge ended and we descended swiftly back to the car so I could catch my train home. It had been a lovely day out in what are truly some of the most beautiful mountains in these islands. A bit more snow would be nice, I must write to Santa.

Frank having fun

The great ridge

Looking West

A bit of snaw on the way

We will we will get there

Winter IS coming

Looking East