The Lough Duff Horseshoe, A Kerry Gem.

A day off from work and a decent forecast made the decision to head to the mountains an easy one. I opted to do the Lough Duff Horseshoe as it had been a long time since I did it and it never fails to deliver a good time. So up at dawn and out early saw me leave the car at 09.50 after the long drive through the Gap of Dunloe and right to the end of the Black Valley. I parked just beyond the bridge under the steep east side of Broaghnabinnia and set off up from there. This isn't exactly an easy start and the 400 meters gained in little over half a kilometer is a real lung buster. Things weren't helped by the fact that I was still suffering the effects of the chest infection and its fair to say that I was pooped by the time I reached the shoulder that gives access to the less steep 250 meters to the broad flat summit at 745 meters. The weather was a little misty and the higher tops of the Reeks were enveloped in cloud but it is a wonderful wild spectacular place to be and I was enjoying myself despite feeling a bit crook. From the summit the views to the west are truly spectacular and it is worth the trip just for the moment when it is revealed. I gazed for a little while before dropping, initially easily and at the bottom steeply and more tricky, down to the remote and rugged gap under the ridge that rises up and around Lough Duff.

The steep east side of Broaghnabinnia

Easier ground to the summit

Looking back along the Black Valley

Looking west from the summit towards Mullaghanattin

This ridge rises fairly easily to point 665mtrs before turning south and climbing to the top above Lough Duff at 784 meters. Before I reached that point I had to stop for lunch and a rest as I had seldom felt so tired. Despite my weariness it was hard to feel anything but joy at being in such a place with such wonderful views. Now though more misty cloud was rolling in and when I re started I was quickly enveloped in mist. This I didn't mind as things become atmospheric and navigation is easy. The summit came and went and before too long I was once again under the mist and descending the saturated boggy ground heading east over 568mtrs towards Knocknabreeda 569 meters. After a kilometer on the long boggy top I descended steeply but easily in a northwesterly direction to the top of the beautiful waterfall behind Lough Reagh. After crossing the Gearhameen River I descended the last 100 meters on the north side of the river and returned easily to the car. It isn't a very long circuit (maybe 13 kilometers) and the the total ascent is about 1200 meters but the ground is wild and almost entirely pathless. It is without a doubt one of the best walks in Kerry and at the end despite being tired I was buzzing from the whole experience.

Looking across Lough Duff

Nice easy ridge

Back under the mist

Almost down looking towards Purple mountain

Lovely waterfall

Ogham Stone

Lough Reagh

Journeys end

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