The Coomloughra Horseshoe.

What better way for Frank to finish his hill climbing ventures of 2014 than by doing one of Irelands finest walks-The Coomloughra Horseshoe. This takes in the three highest peaks in the country, Beenkeragh-Carrauntoohil and Caher. I caught the early train to Killarney and hooked up with Frank at eight thirty and after our usual coffees we headed out the the carpark at the bottom of the "Hydro Road" by Lough Acoose. The promised good weather day hadn't materialized and the cloud was down at 700 meters and a chill breeze was blowing some intermittent mist or drizzle. The road is steep and provides a stiff beginning to the trip but once you reach the sharp turn after climbing nearly 200 meters the going is much more pleasant until you reach the majestic coum and Lough Eighter. Even though the cloud shrouded the tops it is still an impressive place to be. We turned left and made the steep ascent to the ridge to Skregmore. Once we were on the ridge the wind became more of a factor and there was a definite chill in the air. Things weren't helped by an almost constant flow of either drizzle or mist and this meant that it wasn't a day for hanging around. Frank was in great form and kept up a good pace throughout. Up and down then up ever higher until we arrived on Beenkeragh 1009 meters.

Even in the mist the Coum is impressive

The cliffs of Caher offer promise of future days

To the west over Lough Acoose

Now we turned almost directly into the wind and it was with some relief that we were able to find some shelter on one side of the ridge. We were passed by Denis O'Brien and companion on the ridge and I at first didn't recognize him until he was right alongside me as he was well muffled up against the weather. They were moving a bit quicker than us so we parted and we continued on our way. By the time we reached the summit of Carrauntoohil 1039 meterswe were very very glad to scuttle into the summit shelter and get some relief from the chill. We enjoyed a nice lunch and set off for the final peak of the day Caher 1001meters. Now we were blasted by the wind in earnest and hard rain reduced the temperatures even further. Suddenly my hands got really cold and not too long after the inevitable happened and I got a bugger of a dose of the "hot aches" which didn't east until I was beyond the summit. Oh how I missed them!. The descent is pretty straightforward and we made rapit progress. The cloud was even lower and we didn't re-emerge under it until we were back down at the lake. It was nice to once again see some colour and views and we didn't miss it until we were back at the car just five hours after we set off. The company was as always great and we felt once again invigorated by the elements. Frank is now off to Englandshire for a break but we are both looking forward to more adventures next year.

Was that fun??

Oh yes indeed

Towards Lough Currane

More weather on the way

The Slieve Mish Mountains. Wild and Wonderful

After visiting the Galty Mountains yesterday with Kevin and the gang I went on the train to Tralee where I hooked up with Frank and we headed to the Slieve Mish Mountains west of the town. Frank had never been in this area and we opted to do the Caherconree and Baurtregaum circuit. We parked up the little lane not far from the main road and we were soon out on the boggy open ground. We met a local farmer who was sending his sheep back onto the hills and he was a delight to chat to. It was refreshing to find he was delighted for others to be on the hills and he said that "when he made it he made it big enough" and assured us that we could head where we pleased. We were in good cheer as we left him and we opted to walk up alongside the Derrymore River which saw us gradually gain height. It weather had been wet and pretty miserable throughout the morning and while it was dry at the moment it didn't look too promising as we gradually gained height. Gearhane rose steeply on our right but ahead the high ground was shrouded in mist. Eventually we reached the first of the little lakes that nestle in the coum below Caherconree. A real bonus was that the weather showed real promise of clearing and sure enough as we climbed the spur that rises to the ridge between Caherconree and Gearhane some blue sky appeared.

Walking up into the glen by Derrymore River

Looking Back to Tralee Bay

The first of the little lakes

Francis looking rather pleased..

We had our lunch just below the ridge where we would be out of the wind that was whipping patchy cloud across it. As is often the case, as we ate the cloud returned and we even had some rain but once we gained the broad ridge we were treated to some amazing views to the west. It had been years since I had been here and I was blown away by the scenery. There is no doubt about it but the Dingle Peninsula is one of the best places in the entire country. We were soon on the summit of Caherconree at 835mtrs and now we could see across to the Reeks and down towards Inch and Rossbeigh strands. There was a stiff chilly breeze so we didn't tarry and set off towards the col below Bartregaum. The ridge becomes pleasingly narrow with steep ground on both sides and of course those stunning views. Suddenly as we reached the col the breeze changed to a strong wind and carried horizontal hail sideways on to us which stung our faces and ensured we kept our eyes protected. Some buffeting gusts made progress a bit tricky and when we reached the broad desolate summit we took a compass bearing and quickly headed on towards the northeast top. By the time we reached here the hail had thankfully stopped which was good because we now turned and descended in a northerly direction which was straight into the wind. The descent is fairly straightforward and we were soon a good deal lower and out of the worst of the weather. We were soon on Derrymore East and we then descended down to the river in the glen below and followed it back to the place there the Dingle Way crosses it and from here it is but a short walk back to the car. It had been a stunning walk with superb views and the wild weather only served to make it all the more invigorating. All in all about 10 kilometers and 950 meters of climbing in four hours. I have a feeling it won't be long before we return. Thanks Frank.

Starting up the steep spur

Caherconree

Across to Baurtregaum

Wonderful views west along the Dingle Peninsula

Towards Inch and Rossbeigh

Frank on Caherconree

Looking down towards Tralee

Back down and still gorgeous.

Galty Mor & Galty Beg. A Proper Taste Of Winter

The day didn't start too well when I was woken by Margaret who informed me it was 8am. Damm and bugger, my alarm hadn't gone off at 06.30 and I was supposed to be meeting Kevin in Mitchelstown (45 kilometers away) in 30 minutes. Panic and rush and I arrived at 09.10. Anthony and Terence came along as well and they were still in good humor despite my late arrival. A quick chat and we decided to head towards Kings Yard and head up Galty Mor via Knocknagantee and take it from there. What a beautiful morning. It was reading -2 in the car on the way down and mostly clear skies with a dusting of snow higher up. We parked in the middle of the woods and enjoyed a nice easy two kilometer walk through the woods before exiting onto the open mountain and heading up the broad sput towards Dawsons Table and the summit. Right from the off the banter bluster and fun was mighty and I don't think it eased throughout the walk. Kevin was his usual beast of a mountain man and the speed at which he attacked the slopes was impressive. He had the good grace to wait for the more mortal of us but we made quite fast progress upwards.

Starting out

Anthony and Terence having fun

Minding the auld fella

Ninja Kevin

Before too long we were at the snowline and the final slopes to the summit were reasonably covered. Once we reached the top the wind was biting and we needed no persuasion to seek the sheltered side of the cairn while we had a bit to eat. It was cold, perhaps -10 including windchill, so we didn't delay and headed to the true summit nearby and decided from there to complete our circuit by heading over Galty Beg and down the Black Road and from there drop down towards the woods and back to the car. The ground between tGalty Mor and Galty Beg is usually a real muck fest of bog but today it was frozen and this made for easier going.  The ground and the time passed quickly and before we knew it we were heading down. The weather was changing a bit as well and we had increasing cloud and some snow as we got lower down.We arrived back after about four hours delighted with our day out. It was great to hook up with the guys again. Hopefully it wint be too long before we get the chance to get out and about again.

Decidedly chilly on the summit

Kevin

Anthony

What do you mean I need more coffee

Terence

The danger factor just skyrocketed

On the way to Galty Beg looking at Cush

Just about sums up the day.