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.