2022 A New Year. Carrauntoohil

 I have been neglecting the blog over the past 18 months. With Covid causing mayhem, I basically got out of the habit of updating the blog. Not that I have been idle. I have been doing more in the way of cycling, I am still running and while visiting Castletownbere in the autumn of 2020 I rediscovered my liking for sea fishing from the shore. This has without doubt eaten into my hillwalking time but I still get out and about regularly. 

Just before Christmas I went for a couple of days fishing to west Kerry and while there I went for a quick hike up Cnoc na dTobar. Something of an outlier at the western end of the Iveragh, this mountain reaches 690 metres and offers some of the best views in Ireland. A good path leads to the summit and the magic juxtaposition of islands, sea and mountains is truly wonderful. A nice little horseshoe can be done and it makes for a very satisfying few hours. (The less said about the fishing the better)

The view towards Caherciveen and Valentia from 3/4 the way up Cnoc na dTobar

On December 26th I went as far as the Galtees for a bit of a burnout, in the hope of offsetting some of the excesses of the previous days. It was a decent weather forecast and promised to be mainly dry and with the possibility of some clear skies. I decided that a circuit from Kings Yard would fit the bill nicely. I set off at 10.40 and headed for Monabrack first. This gives a nice gentle intro to the hike and I was immediately enjoying my walk up the farm road I followed it around into the valley between Monabrack and the spur that rises to Galtymore. This valley has a nice remote mountain feel to it and it offers you that lovely feel of being enveloped by the mountains. The easy going is now over and I faced into the 350 metre steep pull to the 630 metre summit of Monabrack. The weather was playing ball and what cloud there was only clung to the top of the main ridge. A drop down to the col and another 250 metre more gradual pull to the broad crest of the main ridge follows. Views were now scarce so I wasted no time trying to photograph anything and followed the wall all the way to the final slopes that rise up to "Dawsons Table". I didn't see anyone until I was under the summit slopes and even the summit itself was sparsely populated. From the top I turned south and decided to follow the spur that leads directly back to Kings Yard. I must confess to feeling the effects of festive excess on the route but I really enjoyed my outing. It is always a bonus to arrive back to the car warm and dry.

14 kilometres...950mtrs ascent...3.5 hours...cobwebs gone

 

January 5th 2022

With a couple of frosty nights promised and the possibility of snow on the Magillycuddy Reeks I was looking forward to my first hill outing of the new year. Wednesday January 5th was promised to be sunny and cold so that would be my outing. The evening before I could see from home that the Galtees were white on the top few hundred metres so I made sure to carry my axe and crampons with me. I even hoped to get in a winter climb of Curve Gully or "The Grey Area".

I rose early and was on the road west at 7.40. I arrived at a calm, frosty, blue sky Lisliebane before nine am and quickly got ready for the off. Alas, even though it was reading -4 in the car on the way back, the hoped for blanket of snow was no where to be seen so it looked like a climb was off the table. Ever hopeful I left the hardware in the bag and set off into the Hags Glen. The encompassing array of 3000ft peaks is always an inspirations sight and this morning was no exception. I was feeling good and immediately enjoying my surrounding and looking forward to the challenge ahead. I decided to head up to Commeenoughter in the rugged heart of the Carrauntoohil-Beenkeragh side of the glen and hope against hope that Curve Gully held snow. When I eventually reached "level 3" it was very clear that there was none so I continued up O'Sheas Gully. This is a long hard slog that gets steeper near the top but the rewards of the views west and the nearby Caher is ample reward for the effort and gives one a good excuse to rest a while. It was a properly fantastic day. The ground was well frozen, the sky was clear and blue and there wasn't a puff of wind. Just about as good as it gets (except maybe a covering of snow). 

Not a bad way to start the day

Looking out from "Level Two" in Commeenoughter

Looking up "O'Sheas"

Caher

The mountains near Glenbeigh

 

I was on the summit soon after and thankfully it wasn't too  crowded and I relaxed and enjoyed a bite to eat. The East Reeks looked wonderful and I decided to continue my day and traverse the ridge as far as Maoláin Buí (The Bone). A wee bit of care on the descent the top of the ladder was required but it was hard not to keep looking up at the stunning panorama all around. Once at the top of the "Ladder the pull up to Cnoc na Toinne was easy on the frozen turf. Here is one of my favourite places to wander and soak in those views. You are in the heart of the range here and the 3000 foot mountains on either side look magnificent. It is hard to believe that you are still at a higher elevation than anywhere in Connaught and only Slieve Donard is higher in Ulster. A short descent leads you to the final climb of Cnoc an Chuillinn 958 metres. This is another of my favourite view points and it is made all the sweeter when the bulk of the climbing was now over. A wonderful airy walk follows on the ridge before a final 70mtr pull to the 970 metre summit of Maoláin Buí, my final top of the day. The descent is straightforward and went very well. I arrived back at the car before 14.00. Just 4 hours 45 mins to cover 14 kilometres and 1290 metres of ascent. I was well pleased.

Carrauntoohil

One of my favourite strolls...Cnoc na Toinne

Looking back from "The Bone"

Descent.

Cycling The Best of the Dingle Peninsula.

 

On Sunday October 24th I packed up my stuff after work and headed west to the stunningly beautiful Cloghane village, which nestles on the shore under the shadow of Mount Brandon. I had Monday and Tuesday to play with so I hoped to get some cycling, fishing and hiking done. Monday was forecast to be a good day but Tuesday looked less promising so I decided that I would try and pack as much into Monday as possible.

Cycling first. I stayed in the excellent Mount Brandon Hostel and after a good sleep and tasty breakfast I emerged into a beautiful clear morning. There was a little more in the way of a breeze than I would have preferred but it was mostly clear skies and dry. In October that passes for a great day. I left the village at 08.45 and headed along the shore towards Fermoyle. OMG, what a glorious sight the mountains made as they bathed in the reddish hues of the post dawn sun. Their gullies and cliffs were riven with shadows and light and it was wonderful to see. This moment alone made the trip worthwhile. I suppose I should have stopped and fished out my phone to take pictures but when I'm on the bike I prefer to keep going. The first six kilometres went quickly and soon I reached the road to Dingle. Next up comes the long climb to the Connor Pass. Now the mountains become even more of a joy as they seem to envelop you in an embrace as you begin to gradually rise towards the pass. To the left, Slieveanea soars and to the right the wonderful wall of mountain architecture that is the Mount Brandon massif takes the breath away. Not that I had much of it to spare, as I was finding the going quite tough at times as I pedaled a low gear up the slope. A brief shower of rain gave me a bit of a soaking but the stunning rainbow, framed under Brandon Peak, was ample compensation.

Eventually I crested the pass and now I had an easy 6 kilometre descent to look forward to and to hopefully recover. The road is good, and as I was into the breeze, I could just let the bike freewheel all the way to Dingle. After the bit of rain I found it chilly on the descent, but once down in the town I decided to cycle the bypass, so this meant a steep 40 metre climb as I skirted the town. This soon warmed me up, and by the time I turned right at the roundabout I was nice and comfortable again. I now that the justifiably famous cycle route, the Slea Head Cycle in store. I had decided to do the cycle in an anticlockwise direction as this would hopefully mean the breeze would be at my back for the latter stages and the return to Cloghane. This meant I was cycling inland on this stretch. It isn't too taxing for the first few kilometres and then a short easy hill is crested before you begin to head towards Brandon Creek. Now the wonderful coastline of this area is revealed. The Three Sisters, Smerwick Harbour, Ballydavid Head and more is a joy to behold and I was looking forward to seeing them all as I went along. I turned left and passed below Ballydavid Head and also turned into the breeze. I didn't mind though as it wasn't too strong and the scenery was wonderful. I cycled around the bay and through Ballyferriter and headed to the viewpoint near Clogher Head. The sea was quite rough and large waves could be seen crashing into the cliffs. You could taste the salty spray in the air.

The next few kilometres are simply divine. Mountains rise to the left and the road cuts through bog and rock, at times high above the ocean. The Blasket Islands rise from the deep and further afield the glories of the Everagh Peninsula were softened by a few spots of misty rain. Once I was passed the narrow spectacular section near Dunquin I had the breeze to my back and things became easier. Through Ventry I went and soon I was back in Dingle. A steep climb up the bypass road I found tough on tiring legs and I was fearing the worst for the return climb to the Connor Pass. I kept it to a low gear (like I had a choice) all the way but I still struggled at times. The kilometres were slow in passing but I managed it. The 8 or so kilometres back to the hostel were almost all downhill and flew by. It was a relief to get off the bike and remove the sweaty layers. A long hot shower was a great luxury and went a long way to revive me. I was feeling tired but elated at having been immersed in such wonderful scenery. 

It was a substantial outing for me....over 95 kilometres and over 1400mtrs of ascent in 4 hours 13 minutes. I hadn't set any records but I was very pleased with the day.

 I completed my day by fishing for bass at Fermoyle beach. After spending a long time digging bait I spent four hours fishing. I caught a small bass on my first cast and I was sure it would a great session. Alas it was to be my only fish of the day. I was a tired boy when I returned to my lodgings at 20.30. I slept well.

A Circuit Of The Gap of Dunloe

 

It's been a while since I put anything new on my blog. It isn't that I haven't being doing anything, far from it, but I guess that there has been something of a seismic shift in peoples lives these days and habits changed. I have been doing less on the hills for sure. A new bike arrived last February and I have definitely been enjoying doing more cycling. I have also gotten into sea fishing again and this has also taken up a chunk of my time. I have of course been visiting the hills, but it has been more piecemeal in nature, as I have tried to fit other things into each trip I have done. Yesterday I decided to devote the day entirely to the mountains so I headed back to Kerry early doors.

The weather looked very promising. Clouds clung to the tops as I drove back but I was hopeful that things would clear as the sun gained strength. I intended to go to the Reeks and do a big old circuit. As I drove through Fossa my eyes were drawn to beautiful light glowing on the flanks of Tomies and on a sudden whim I decided to head to Kate Kearneys and climb Tomies and Purple mountain instead. I left the car at 09.35 and headed back the road until I reached the track that would lead to the gentle spur of Tomies north top. There was just a gentle breeze and the air was mild and with mostly blue skies to be seen. I was immediately in my element. It simply felt wonderful to be out. The spur allows you to gain height gently but eventually the 200 metre, hard pull to the broad top, has to be faced. As I gained height the breeze became a wind and suddenly I was left in no doubt that summer had well and truly left us. Being in just a baselayer I had a good incentive to keep moving. Across the yawning valley the shoulder of Strickeen formed the other side but once I was climbing the steeper ground I could suddenly see over it and the might Reeks looked majestic. I was momentarily regretting my decision to give them a miss but then I reckoned that if I had gone there I would have missed this view. 

Once on the broad north top I was seriously tempted to stop and put on another layer but I reasoned that the steep 150 metre climb to Tomies would keep me warm enough. It didn't really, and when I reached the top I wasted no time in adding clothes. Next comes a delightful kilometre of easy walking with stunning views. The biggest danger here is tripping on a rock as you look around you. Cloud was skimming the ground ahead, and once I was heading towards Purple, it was a magical mix of hazy views and fogbows. I didn't delay on the summit and headed down on the long descent towards the head of the gap. Around half way down I stopped for a bite of lunch and enjoyed the wonderful views of the Black Valley, the Upper Lake and of course the soaring Reeks. One thing that was evident was how denuded the slopes of the mountain were of heather. Clearly this whole side of the mountain had been burned during the terrible wild fire earlier in the year. The remainder of the descent went well and as I was feeling good I decided to climb Drishana and completed the circuit via Cnoc na Bhraca and Strickeen. I won't lie to you, I found the 200 metre climb to Drishana quite tough but once that is done the remainder of the climbing isn't too steep. Cloud became more extensive as I approached Cnoc na dTarbh and I was enveloped in mist until I emerged into the sunshine again as I descended towards the long boggy spur that stretched to Strickeen. I was feeling great and I made good progress as I followed the fence across the bog. I enjoyed a brief rest on the excellent viewpoint that is Strickeen before descending the fine track back to the valley floor and my car. 

It had been a superb outing. 19 kilometres, 1500 metres ascent in a blissful 5 hours 45mins.