Galtymore from Kings Yard with James

After the battering from storm Desmond on Saturday it was a relief to venture out to the mountains on Sunday morning and especially nice to welcome back James to the great outdoors. He has been plagued by injury over the past couple of years and a recent family bereavement only added to his woes but finally things seem to be returning to normal for him and he was anxious do get back in the proverbial saddle and get back into an exercising regime. Mindful of his lack of recent outings I opted for a short hike on the Galtees as a nice way to get the ball rolling. We met early doors and headed to Kings Yard and we were on the move before 08.30 and heading for Galtymore. It was dry and after the battering of the recent gales we were pleased to have just a chilly breeze to deal with today. Despite his lack fitness James made great progress and we reached the summit well before 10.30. As you would expect the wind on top was much stronger and really quite cold so after briefly enjoying the views we headed directly down the south side of the mountain to the lovely confluence of the three streams (rivers today) and returned easily to our car. The three and a half hours hadn't knocked a bother out of James and I will have to pick a more challenging outing for the next one, which hopefully won't be too far in the future.

Tomies and Purple and the Magical Gap of Dunloe

It has been chilly the past few days and I had been hopeful that there would be a dusting of snow on the Kerry mountains so I decided to head to The Reeks for a taste of winter walking. Alas as I neared Killarney it was apparent that there was no snow to be seen (the cloud was hovering over the tops of The Reeks) on the hills so I decided to turn instead for the Gap of Dunloe and climb Tomies and Purple. Here at least everything was below the cloud and I would be able to get some views. I had briefly considered joining the Killarney club of their walk on the East Reeks but, since the dog and cats would be inside all day I thought a shorter outing which would enable me to be home early might be best. Anyway my disappointment at the lack of snow soon disappeared as I got into the meat of the outing as I rose up towards the chimneys and Tomies Rock. I was moving well and was soon at the top and the strong chill wind ensured I didn't stop too long anywhere to admire the lovely views. Onwards to the top of Tomies and next to Shehy and finally Purple. I opted to continue from the summit to the head of the "Gap" and walked the few miles back to the car on the narrow little road. This time of year it was very quiet and it was a true pleasure and privilege to walk in such stunning scenery. It was just a 3.5 hour outing but I really enjoyed it. Next time I must do the full circuit of the Gap which would include Strickeen as well.

The Horses Glen Circuit....Back To Normality

I went for a walk around the Horses Glen today which goes up over Stoompa and Mangerton. It is a stress free round on easy ground all the way that stretches out to around 14 kilometers and about 1000 meters of climbing and affords some of the best views in Kerry. After the storms of the last few days it was nice to wake up to calmer conditions even if the skies were still a bit leaden. I was enduring a bout of "the snuffles" in the morning so a day out on the hills was just the ticket. The track at the start of the route is now terribly worn away and it will be interesting to see if there is any repair work done, it is certainly needed. Anyway it is fair to say that on the tops there was more than a hint of winter in the air and if the forecast is to be believed there is a chance of wintry showers this weekend. After the fantastic weather of last week it was back to the wet boggy ground and chilly mists that characteristic walking on these mountains. It was interesting to look around from the summit of Stoompa and look down on Lough Leane some 2000 ft below and also at the wild boggy mountains all around and to compare and contrast with the mountains I was on last week. Both are very different but both are very beautiful. Each place has its own charms and challenges. I look forwards to the mountains being transformed when (hopefully) we get some good dumps of snow.

Starting off. Torc with the Reeks in the distance

Looking into "The Glen"

The View from Stoompa

Crohane

A moody "Devils Punchbowl"

The Black Valley

Lough Guitane

The path washed away