Sunday 7 January 2018

The Paps of Danú from The City.

I hadn't intended to head to the hills today but with a nice overnight frost and clear blue skies promised for the day I had a change of heart and left home after 10am and headed west. I didn't have time to go as far as The Reeks so I went instead to The Paps of Danú near Rathmore. This being that bit nearer home meant I was leaving the car at "The City" at 10.40 and setting off across the frozen bog. The ground was mercifully frozen which made the long slog across the heathery boggy ground a little easier than it might have been but it was still long and a slog. Normally I climb The Paps as an out and back outing from Lough Glannafreaghaun but today I wanted to make the outing more of a horseshoe type so I headed diagonally towards Lough Nageeha from where I can the west top first. After three kilometres I reached the the spur that guards the northeast side of the lough and here I had to drop about 70mtrs to the lake. Now I was faced with a very steep350mtr climb to reach the west summit.
It would be horrid when not frozen..but it was :)

A bit of a drop down and a steep climb behind the lake

I actually like this type of climb as once you manage to keep a slow but steady pace you gain height quite quickly and this morning was no different. I did stop occasionally to admire the wonderful views towards The Reeks which were snow capped down to the 700mtr contour. A stiff chilly breeze swept the summit so after taking a few pictures I didn't delay before setting off down the gentle slopes to the col between the tops. Travel was easy in the frozen conditions and all that was left was to climb the remaining 100mtrs to the east top which soon passed. Again once I reached the summit I turned and dropped swiftly down the northern slopes and made as direct a line as I could toward my car. It wasn't exactly a mega outing, just shy of 9 kilometres and over 600 mtrs of climbing but it only too me 2hours 45mins and was thoroughly enjoyable. Four hours door to door meant I had time to relax at home. A win win 😀.
Wonderful views towards Lough Leane and The Reeks

Towards the East Summit

Friday 5 January 2018

Purple Mountain and The Gap of Dunloe...Simple Joy

The East Reeks from Fossa
I went for a short outing on the hills today in the hope of getting some air into the lungs before a week of night-work. I wasn't expecting too much but it was a nice surprise to see a good dusting of snow covering the mountains down to around the 600mtr level as I drove back to Kerry. Things were looking promising weather wise as well so I found myself looking forward to the day immensely. I was pretty late leaving home so a big day wasn't really possible so I opted to climb Purple Mountain as this would offer great views (hopefully) and gives a reasonable workout. I parked my car at the bridge at the outlet of Black Lake and headed for the Chimneys. This gives a stiff 300mtr climb to start the day and soon cleared any cobwebs, but it also is the toughest part of the day and has the advantage of being done first and the expanding views are a good reason to stop and rest a while.
Once over the 400mtr contour the angle eases back and gentler slopes lead to Tomies North Top at 568mtrs. The views from here towards Tomies, Purple and across the chasm of the Gap towards The Reeks are always great but when the tops are capped in snow like today things looked pretty special indeed. I was thoroughly enjoying myself and the cold strong breeze only made things feel better.





 I reached the snow line as I started to climb the 200mtrs to the summit of Tomies and this made climbing the stony slopes a little tricky but it was soon past and I was being buffeted on the exposed summit. Now it was properly chilly so I put the head down and set off for Purple Mountain. It was exhilarating to be on the mountains today and all the more so as I seemed to have them all to myself. Once over the drag to Purple NE top all that remained was the final 140mtr climb to the long crest of Purple itself. Here the incomparable Black Valley came into view and seemed to beckon me on. I descended easily all the way to the Head of The Gap where I turned and walked the couple of miles back to my car. When the Gap is quiet like today it is always a joy to stroll through and it gave a gentle glorious end to the outing. Four wonderful hours spent in glorious surroundings. With a cold forecast for the next few days I hope to return real soon.  


Tuesday 2 January 2018

Exploring the Eastern Knockmealdowns with Kevin. A Great Start To The New Year


January 1st 2018
With a new year beginning and having set new resolutions to eat better, exercise more and give up my many indulgences, one thing I don't plan to do without is having outings with the force of nature that is Kevin Ring. It had been too long since our last jaunt so it was great to catch up with him today and have the chance to get a good workout and some great conversation. We decided to use the two cars and do a linear route on the Knockmealdowns. The last time I was on this range was with Kevin about three years ago when we went for a hill run and I welcomed the chance to explore the range a little more. With that in mind we left one car at the carpark at the Glentaunemon Gap and we drove to Glentaunatinagh Bridge on the east side of Knocknafallia. In the spirit of exploration we decided to cross the road and climb Knocknanask (486mtrs) first and do a mini loop on that side of the road before crossing back and climbing Knockmeal (560mtrs). Once again it was something of a shock to re-discover the speed Kevin glides up a hill and some adjustments had to be made but we settled into a good routine and found a middle ground. The ground underfoot isn't as soft as the Galtees hereabouts and the heather is cropped short so it was a pleasure to be on. The wind was chill and strong and squalls were in the offing but for now we were able to enjoy nice views across the hills and onto the Comeraghs and the grey sea. Once on the first top I decided to jog the next downhill section and it felt great.
Yes I made it over the gate..too much sugar


We made short work of the eastern section before we crossed the road and set off up Knockmeal. A metaled roadway led easily up the hillside until we had to leave it and set off up directly for the summit through steep ground and long heather. Thankfully this was a fairly short section and we were soon on the easier ground on top. The ground may have been easier but the wind certainly wasn't and we were being buffeted sideways as we crossed towards Knocknafallia (668mtrs). Once on top we took shelter in the summit cairn and Kevin enjoyed a late breakfast/early lunch before we ran the next section again to the slopes below Knocknagnauv. Up again and another run to the base of the long slog to the summit of Knockmealdown itself which at 794mtrs is the highest in the range. A vicious shower of hail put paid to any conversation and our heads were kept bowed in an effort to avoid the icy missiles. Thankfully the squall passed before the summit and easier progress was enjoyed. The wind which had been hitting us from our right thus far now came straight from the left and made running the next section very tricky for my knee so I opted to walk instead. Sugarloaf was our final top before the steep drop back to the waiting car. It was further away than I had remembered and as we headed towards it we reminisced about the last time we were here when we ran from near Araglin all the way to Knockmealdown and back again ( https://howlingmist.blogspot.ie/2012/08/the-knockmealdown-mountains-run.html ).

Surprisingly expansive


Happy new year
On the way to Sugarloaf I had to have lunch and it was a short jaunt to the summit after that. We made quick work of the track to the roadway and our car and we arrived four hours after we had started. Not as herculean an effort as the run in 2012 but at around 14 kilometres and over 1100mtrs of ascent it was a decent effort as well. It gave up plenty of time to go for a coffee so we drove back to collect the other one and we set off back to Lismore where more chat was washed down by coffees and sweeties. Here's hoping that we have many more outings both long and short in the future..A great start to 2018.