Castle Hill - Bartregaum

A phone call from Bairbre on Tuesday, was I interested in doing Castle Hill on Wednesday. We met at Castlemaine and drove west to Fybagh where we turned right and drove up a by-road and parked near a farmer's house. A five minute walk up the track and we were on open mountain.

The ground is wet and heavy for a start but dries out as we hit the spur to Castle Hill. Here we encounter another problem, one that is affecting all of the Slieve Mish area and other mountains as well. With the declining number of sheep and the present burning policy the heather is getting out of control and soon some areas of mountain will not be fit for sheep or walkers.

Anyway we continue with the walk. The sun is out and very warm, we are d0wn to one layer of clothes and make steady progress to Castle Hill. Here the Sun goes in and a strong wind blows up - on with the layers and gloves.

At the saddle below Castle Hill a strong gale is blowing. We climb to the flat before Bartregaum and turn left to begin the climb of it. Snow in places as we slog to the try point. On with more layers and a quick cup of tea in a strong wind. Bairbre takes out the compass and dials in the bearing for the Caherconree Saddle. We waste no time heading for it and begin the climb up Caherconree. Half way up we turn left for the spur down. It is very slippy and wet. We cross tweo streams without filling the boots. We cross the spur we ascended and can now see where the car is parked. A half hour later we are at it.

A five hour walk, difficult at times climbing it, and having to be very careful descending on slippy ground.

Strickeen/Tomies Rock

Another wet & windy day. Met Phil and Bairbre at Kate's and discuss what to do. We opt for the zig-zag track which is the start to the Reeks Walk and to go as far as we can. It is raining heavily and the track is a river in places. When we reach the top of the track it is plain that advancing to Cruach Mór is out of the question. We looked at Strickeen and decided to try it.

Now, Strickeen is a small summit just off of the Reeks Walk. I have passed it several times, and always made the promise to visit it. Well now I am on my way. As we move towards its summit it gets very windy but we push on. There is a gale blowing at the top and we are literally blowing off its summit. We make a hasty retreat.

Back down the track with us, boots now well full, miserable weather. As it is still early, we wonder what to do next. We decide that there would be shelter going up Tomies Rock. Up past Bohane with us, snd start the steep climb to Tomies Rock. No wind but constant rain.

We eat at the top of the gully. I sit on a bit of heather and watch a stream of water passing my feet. We do not delay and push on to the Saddle. We hit down the steep slope for the green shed. Plenty of gutter by the deer fence.

Still raining as we reach the cars, a quick change of clothes and a fast drive home, longing for a hot shower.

Torc Kerry Way

Another wet & windy day - no big heights today. I met Patricia at the foot of Torc. We decide to do the Kerry Way from Derrycunnihy to Torc.

We drive to the first track to Dinis and take the path towards Dinis until we meet the path from Derrycunnihy, where we turn left back to Derrycunnihy.

The walking is easy and we eat at the Eagle's Nest. We could not pass Torc without climbing it. Now it really starts to rain. Soon I am soaked, boots full but I push on upwards. No delaying on top - very windy. We head for the foot of Torc to the car. A quick change and drive out to collect the other car. Still raining.

Torc in Wet and Wind

A wet and windy morning, miserable you could say, yet a group of us met at Molly Darcy's. Present were Pat, Liam, Phil, Bairbre & Patricia.

Pat got out of his car and walked away towards Muckross without saying anything to anybody. Patricia had to follow him in her car and bring him back.

We walked up the road towards Mangerton, taking the first forest track on our right. We walked past Bill Cullen's Killarney home. It is now pouring rain as we move on to Barr na Currane. We climb the steep gully and at the top try and get shelter by some rocks. Phil and Pat move out to test the weather but retreat fairly fast.

We return to the forest track and head for the face of Torc. The path here is now a river in places.

We take shelter in the little look out room. The roof is leaking but it is better than being on the outside.

On up the path, ducking branches of trees until we come to the waterfall. It is in flood, no passing, we turn and make our way back to the cars via the paths through Muckross, with not a dry bit of clothing on us.

Slievanea

Met Pat at Camp and drove to Slievanea. We parked at the crossroads to Cloghane and walked in to the foot of a gully via the lake shore. We picked out a gully and started to climb.

Easy going for a start, getting steep. We are blocked by a rockface and contour to our left for a while. We pick up another grassy slope and move up. It is steep in places but fine and dry. I am able to use my hands as well as the legs. I like that when I can use hands as well as feet.

When we reached the summit it was blowing a gale and was bitter cold. We made a hasty descent down a grassy ridge, fairly steep in places. We found refuge behind a rock for a bite to eat.

We did not delay and pushed on for Coumanare, descending steeply by the wire fence. We walked out by the lake, admiring the waterfall.

Cummeenagearagh Gully

Arrived at Lisleibane at 9am to meet Margaret & her 3 lads from T.G.H. The plan was Cuillin Ridge but from there it looked icy. We opted for Cummeenagearagh Gully.

We contoured west around Knockbrinna to the foot of the gully. An early step in the gully, no great problem. Icy patches in places but these gave no trouble. The gully was steep in places. The lads climbed at a good pace.

Eventually we came out in the Beenkeragh Skregmore Ridge. Climbed Beenkeragh and face for Carrauntoohil. The ridge is icy in places with deposits of snow in places, we move with great care. We have a snack on top and move on for the Ladder quickly. It is cold. I come down the Gates, the others the Zig Zags. The gully was nice & very dry so a good day in all.