Cloon Lake Area

Travelled with Frank Donlan as far as The Climbers Inn, where we met up with the rest of the gang - 17 in total, for a walk in the Cloon Lake area.

We doubled-up in cars and headed for Cloon Lake, where we parked at the northern tip of the lake. The walk in the northern path was lively, with the ground wet and boggy - me in my usual position at the back.

The rain came in after a while and it was on with the wetsuits. There was good scrambling on the rock slabs as we head towards Knockmoyle. Slings had to be used in places.

The climb before lunch was hard going, and I was soon joined at the back by Liam. The field was now fairly well spread out. We stopped for lunch on spot height 582. The mist was now clearing, and I was very glad to take off my leggings, as they are a drag while walking.

The final climb to Knockmoyle is steep and slow, but I got there. The descent from Knockmoyle is steep and we have some good back-climbing to do between the crags.

We contour the side of the hill to Ballytrusk, where we cross at the saddle. The walk from the saddle to the track was all waterlogged, and most people got their boots well full!! I was glad to be walking out the path towards the cars. A six hour day.

We all made it back to The Climbers Inn, where we had some refreshments.

Bird Hill to Carran

I was detailed earlier on in the year to lead this circuit. We assembled at Kilgarvan church and proceeded to the start point under Bird Hill, where an obliging farmer allowed us to park our cars in his yard.

Fifteen of us gathered to look up at the first climb of Bird Hill via a steep gully. I knew at that stage I was not the most popular man around!

The first climb of Bird Hill and Gullaba Hill were steep and slow. We entered mist before we reached the top of Gullaba and it was map and compass for the next three hours. We had our lunch sitting on a bleak mountain, with the mist swirling around us. There was not much talk.

We had no views of the cliffs or lakes around Knockboy Hill. We were very glad to take a left turn on Knockboy and begin the descent to the main road at the top of the pass, where we had a fast snack.

We were down out of the mist at this stage and started the walk to Carran. We were very glad when we saw the farmer's yard and our cars ahead. In all, it was a seven hour walk - mostly over boggy terrain - and I was good and tired when I got home, many in the group vowing never to go there again!

Waterville Area

Travelled with Frank to Waterville to go climbing in the Lough Currane area. Met rest of the gang at Waterville church and travelled to Isknaghiny Lough.

Parked one car within the forestry track and started climb. The start of the climb was hard, over slabs of rock, but eased off midway into the climb. We did a circuit over the forest, which took us three and a half hours in brilliant weather. A day enjoyed by all.

Purple - The Easy Way

Glas Lough.

Met Patricia at Kate's. She drove to the top of the Gap and we set off for Purple. A nice walk up by the Gas Lough. The climbing gets steep from here on and as we reached the top of Purple it's sleeting, and there are patches of snow on the ground. The walk to Tomies is in mist.

We wak out the long spur off of Tomies and back the road to Kate's.

Carrauntoohil via Coimin Iochtarach, down the Gates.

A good clear day, but very frosty. Set out from Lisleibane with Frank, who is setting a good pace in the track. We decide on Coimin Iochtarach and O'Shea's. We are climbing in brilliant conditions. Frank is steadly pulling away from me and is waiting for me at the top of O'Sheas.

Iced up Cross

Patches of ice now on the stone and have to be careful, cross has good coating of ice on it.

We stop for a bite on top, the cold making sure we do not stay long. We head towards the top of the ladder, but turn off for the track to the Gates before we reach it.

I always like the track to the Gates, wonderful views of the Hags Glen. From the Gates to the Hut is very steep downhill and we exercise great care. However we met a group of about fourteen young scouts from Limerick going up and we wondered about their leaders. We were worried in case they dislodged any stone on us. However, we considered ourselves lucky when we arrived at the hut. A nice walk out to the car in brilliant sunshine. The round trip took four hours fifty minutes.

Kilgarvan, Part of Bird Hill Horseshoe.

Back to Kilgarvan area to complete Bird Hill Horseshoe. Meet Patricia at Kilgarvan Church and head for Bird Hill where we leave a car continuing to the top of the pass with the other where we park. We hit for Knockantooreen, the going is easy a few gentle climbs mostly down hill. Two hours later we are down. We call to a house to enquire about going through their land and they have no objection. We chat for a while with the two elderly men and their mother. We ask about the way into the house from the road and learn that their is no passage only a path which crosses two rivers by footbridge, they park their car near the main road a fifteen minute walk from the house.

Footbridge across one of the rivers.

A typical day with Patricia, hardly any talk, she going ahead and waiting for me at points along the way and moving off as soon as I catch up.

Derrymore Glen

Met Phil, Majella and Patricia at Curraheen Church and discussed options for the day.It was decided to head for Caherconree via Derrymire Glen as that route would be easier for me. We take two cars to Derrymore and park at Martin Griffins. As usual no problem parking here and appreciate that an eye would be kept on the cars for us.

Derrymore Glen

The walk into the Glen is easy with gradual height gain. The mist is down and we cannot see the back of the Glen but Patricia assures that she will be able to pick out a nice gully to climb out of the glen. I begin to shiver when I here of Patricia picking out a nice gully, and as usual she does not disappoint, it is nice and steep. I suffer going up this gully,the other three are belting up on steep grass, I am fairly nervous, first gully in eighteen months, trying to keep others in sight. At last come to a rocky area and catch up with the others looking up at a sheer face of rock blocking the route. We traverse to the right on steep grass but after a while it eases off and a nice short climb to the summit of Caherconree. I gladly sit down to draw my breath and have a cup of tea.

The walk to Baurtregaum is straight forward and the going is easy, the pace has slackened off a bit. From Baurtregaum we head directly to Curraheen. I am glad to sit in the car and head for home, even though tired I am happy, fitness is starting to come.