Last weekend I headed off with the family to Killarney. We were staying in the Killarney Holiday Village which is gorgous little group of self catering houses beautifully laid out and in the perfect spot practically IN the Killarney National Park.......and there was snow on the hills....perfect!!!
We arrived on Thursday evening and the house was all heated up nice 'n' cozy. We have been linked up with Killarney Holiday Village for a while now so it was great to finally stay there and enjoy its comforts for ourselves. We were well impressed!!! The house we were staying in was extremely well kitted out with ALL the mod-cons and safe handy parking . Being the "superior 3 bed" it had tons of space,slept 6 and was located VERY close to excellent pubs (literally a 30 sec walk to the Oaks Bar), hotels,the INEC and only a 15 min walk from Killarney town centre. Absolutely superb place to stay and base yourself while enjoying and exploring this wonderful area.
On Friday after a big greasy fry-up we had a late start and just before lunch headed for what was to be our 4yr old daughters first mountain - Torc!!! We walked up through the forest which was stunning in the rusty Autumn colours and once we got to the sleeper path she was off on a mission...to the top!!! She kept getting reassurance that we could turn around if she was tiring but she was super determined and not a hope was she turning back!!! She practically ran up and at finally reaching the top was totally blown away ..... by the views and thankfully not literally!!! She could see far and wide over Killarney and beyond to the mighty snow capped MacGillycuddy's Reeks and also amazed by the fact that the horses and carts far below at Muckross were the size of ants!!!
Another nice evening of chilling out with the feet up and then early on Saturday headed for Cronin's Yard where I was guiding a group of 8 on Corrán Tuathail.
The 8 adventurous ladies booked the climb to take their minds off upcoming Pharmacuetical exam results. As we hiked in The Hags Glen marvelling at the wintery scene on the mountain tops little did we know that above temperature with the wind-chill was well into minus figures!!! Of all the days I forget to charge my camera battery.....NOOOOOO!!!!!
Heavy snow showers all day along with very high winds made walking extremely difficult at times...Could have done with a pair of snow goggles!!!. The gang had to dig deep at times in the severe wild'n'testing conditions...
We managed to grab some shelter from the biting wind and an overdue break at the top of the Devil's ladder...After drinking a cup the girls then poured their flasks of warm tea over their cold hands to heat them up !!!
Great to get a good snowy day so early in the Winter season...Lets hope this is just the beginning of a great season of winter climbing and mountaineering in the marvellous Reeks of Kerry........not to mention SCOTLAND ;-)
After a long cold day I was never so glad to reach Cronin's yard and relax with a delicious hot milky coffee... The weary but happy ladies departed for Dingle with plans for a night of hot ports, hot whiskys and any other hot drinks they could come up with for that matter !!!
I returned the short journey to the cosy Holiday home in Muckross ...
The following day Sunday we spent chilling out and strolling with our 2 excited dogs around Muckross lake and exploring the hidden twisting forest tracks and paths in the ancient oak forests. My mate Colm then arrived with his wife and 2 kids and no better excuse for another coffee and creamy bun in the super restaurant in Muckross.... this was the pattern of the day really...coffee..stroll...more coffee....another little dander...cake'n'coffee....stroll again.... and then on the road home....A truly Wonderful Wintery Weekend in the beautiful wilds of Kerry!!!!
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| Winter arrives in the Hags glen and Reek's |
We arrived on Thursday evening and the house was all heated up nice 'n' cozy. We have been linked up with Killarney Holiday Village for a while now so it was great to finally stay there and enjoy its comforts for ourselves. We were well impressed!!! The house we were staying in was extremely well kitted out with ALL the mod-cons and safe handy parking . Being the "superior 3 bed" it had tons of space,slept 6 and was located VERY close to excellent pubs (literally a 30 sec walk to the Oaks Bar), hotels,the INEC and only a 15 min walk from Killarney town centre. Absolutely superb place to stay and base yourself while enjoying and exploring this wonderful area.
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| Killarney's upper lake and the MacGillycuddy's Reeks |
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| Carrauntoohills North Face in Winter coat |
The 8 adventurous ladies booked the climb to take their minds off upcoming Pharmacuetical exam results. As we hiked in The Hags Glen marvelling at the wintery scene on the mountain tops little did we know that above temperature with the wind-chill was well into minus figures!!! Of all the days I forget to charge my camera battery.....NOOOOOO!!!!!
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| Well done ladies on Winter Kerry Climbing |
Heavy snow showers all day along with very high winds made walking extremely difficult at times...Could have done with a pair of snow goggles!!!. The gang had to dig deep at times in the severe wild'n'testing conditions...
We managed to grab some shelter from the biting wind and an overdue break at the top of the Devil's ladder...After drinking a cup the girls then poured their flasks of warm tea over their cold hands to heat them up !!!
 |
| Snow on the Devil's ladder |
Great to get a good snowy day so early in the Winter season...Lets hope this is just the beginning of a great season of winter climbing and mountaineering in the marvellous Reeks of Kerry........not to mention SCOTLAND ;-)
After a long cold day I was never so glad to reach Cronin's yard and relax with a delicious hot milky coffee... The weary but happy ladies departed for Dingle with plans for a night of hot ports, hot whiskys and any other hot drinks they could come up with for that matter !!!
I returned the short journey to the cosy Holiday home in Muckross ...
The following day Sunday we spent chilling out and strolling with our 2 excited dogs around Muckross lake and exploring the hidden twisting forest tracks and paths in the ancient oak forests. My mate Colm then arrived with his wife and 2 kids and no better excuse for another coffee and creamy bun in the super restaurant in Muckross.... this was the pattern of the day really...coffee..stroll...more coffee....another little dander...cake'n'coffee....stroll again.... and then on the road home....A truly Wonderful Wintery Weekend in the beautiful wilds of Kerry!!!!
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| The view up a Wintery Carrauntoohill |
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