Torc again with Monty

Sunday - nice and dry. Mom at decorations, so decide to head for Torc once again with Monty.
Very windy, especially on top. Am starting to use Torc for training as I am anxious to get fit fairly fast. Enjoyed the climb and another climber took the photo on top.

Carrauntoohil by Night

Had a phone call from Phil last Sunday night enquiring how I am getting on, and she mentions an early climb of Carrauntoohil on Friday morning, meeting at Lisleibane at 05.30 hrs and if I am interested. Spend all week thinking about it, 'Will I? Won't I? Will I be able?' Anyway I decide to go as far as I am able. Up at 04.00 and get ready. There are a good few at Lisleibane when I arrive. They are waiting for others. I strike off alone as I need to put as much distance between myself and them as I can, as I know they will catch up. All went well going in the Hags Glen, the head torch lighting the way. As I approach the foot of the ladder I find it harder to pick up the way as there is no defined path here. Arrive at foot of ladder and start to climb. I take it very easy and gain height easily. After a while I see the head torch's of the the main group approaching. They catch me about two-thirds of the way up, we exchange greetings and I am alone again, but happy. The climb from the top of the ladder to the summit is one I never liked, but I put the head down and go for it. I can see the lights of the main group ahead and I am surprised they are not that far off. A steady climb up, stopping for one break, and eventually I reach the top where their is a party on. It is Phil's seventieth birthday. There is wine, fruit cake and sweets doing the rounds. It is very cold and windy so we do not delay long.

It is now bright as we head for the top of the ladder and head down. Found the descent easy, it is clear with nice views of the Hags Glen.

The walk out is good - chatting with friends I have not met in over a year. We finish off the morning with a cup of tea in Milltown.

Torc, again

Dry hard day - very clear.

Head to Tralee in the morning to meet some Bus Eireann friends and when I am returning home about twelve I said to myself: 'What the hell. I will head to Torc for the evening.'

Had a lovely climb and felt well, but most important knocked a few minutes of my last time. It was grand and clear on top with good views, but Mangerton was in mist. looking forward to next time.

Mangerton

Saturday 15/12/07. Dry and clear.

It's time to move on a bit so I head for Mangerton. When I arrive at the car park I see lights on a car and a couple walking up the road. I call them. Yes, it is their car, and they are very thankful.

Start walk, and I am surprised at how well I climb. I watch a few in front and am amazed that I am gaining on them. Very happy. Strong gale at the Punch Bowl. I stop for a while and consider my options. Head for the esk between the Punch Bowl and the Horses Glen. Got knocked about a bit, but once I reach the esk I am in shelter and have an easy climb to summit. Not as windy on top but, as I descend to the outlet of the Punch Bowl, I again get caught in the gale as it blows across the lake. Take it very easy and careful, crossing the outlet of the lake and find shelter to have a cup of tea. Nicest tea in a long time, really enjoyed it as I sat on a rock with the wind blowing around me. As I descended the wind died away and I felt very content. The climb took three hours and forty minutes.

Torc again

Monday 03/12/07. Dry and dull.

Torc again. Had a good climb, enjoyed it and knocked twenty minutes off of the last climb.