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.