Seasons come and go....

Last Saturday we were guiding Brian and Anne Marie from Kilkenny up Ireland's highest in what you could say somewhat "testing" conditions!!!
Forecast was for torrential rain in the morning but clearing to heavy showers by mid afternoon and so we departed Cronin's yard and headed into the deluge with the knowledge that hopefully it wouldn't be like this ALL day!!!

 

 

There is no gear in the world designed to keep out the Irish rain no matter how much money you spend and so by the time we reached the start of Brother O' Sheas gully we were well and truly soaked right through but our spirits and morale were still sky high.

 

T
The gang were just so excited and delighted to be away for the weekend, a welcome break from the kids and absolutely buzzing to be amidst the wild rugged MacGillycuddys Reeks of Kerry for their first time!!!
Rewarded for the effort with superb atmospheric views and a summit to ourselves...(not surprised really considering all the bloody rain ;-0 )
A real joy and pleasure to spend a day with such a genuinely lovely and TOTALLY up for it couple!!!

You may be thinking that KerryClimbing will be taking it nice'n easy over the winter months...
Not a chance!!!  

  

Already we have plenty of bookings for the months ahead for various grades of ascents of Corrán Tuathail and others...We also will be holding lots of our skills courses over the Winter months such as Night Navigation, Mountain Proficiency, Winter/Snow skills, and of course our ever popular Scrambling Skills courses.

Although we specialise in the mountains of Kerry we also guide ALL the mountains of Munster ALL year round.....

Of course now that the days are getting shorter, our walks, scrambles and climbs begin a wee bit earlier but don't let this put you off!!!

 

 

 

These next few months are a magic time to get into the hills....

The mountains are great deal more peaceful and quiet as they are free of the summer crowds....

It is common not to meet another soul while out walking or climbing which helps you appreciate the wild and rugged scenery all the more...

Another bonus is how clear and fresh the days can be. The views are alot less hazy and so photographs are much clearer and have more clarity.

And then, when the cold North East winds bring the frosts and snows......YIPPPPPEEEEE...Happy Days....

So don't think we will be taking a break or slowing down...Nothing changes but the season!!! 

Been a hell of a 2 weeks for sure!!!

Just in from doing the school run and what a dirty rotten horrible day...The worst kind really. Sideways rain kinda day. So bad I won't even be so evil as to kick the dogs out into it for the day and so they lie sprawled on their backs in their beds with legs and paws in the air.
It's that time of the year again.
Ah NOOOOO!!!

Leaves and branches litter the roads, home heating oil is ordered in mad panic and comments such as "The nights are fair drawing in" are exchanged over super market trolleys as firelighters and hot-cups are grabbed from the shelves... Kids leg it up the school path with coats buttoned up to their eyes.
Ah don't I remember it well. Being sent off looking like an invading pack of E.Ts with the hoods of our parka jackets zipped up so high you couldn't even see where you were running... If first you managed to escape the attention of the bigger kids who loved to grab and swing you by the ridiculous outward furry collar then the job of escaping from the clutches of the hood was just as much a quest with many a bloodied lip caught in the chunky zips as kids hurriedly tried to return to human form before entering the classroom!!! 

It all seemed to change so fast...

Summer feels like only yesterday as I kayaked on the calm tranquil Killarney lakes with my daughter in the front cock pit slowing our boat by dipping her feet in the tepid water. Easing our vessel through spectacular limestone caves spotting ancient fossils before stopping off for delicious coffee, juice and rocky road cake on the old pier of Dinis cottage café before heading back lesurely to our launch beach. A sublime relaxing evening spent in the wilds feeling we were in fact paddling through time...
It even felt like Wolves and Eagles were spying us from the high oak forested slopes...
But the rain is belting down now and still the dogs don't stir,pretending their asleep. Terrified my attention will be drawn to them and change my mind and decide to kick them out into the deluge.
Why does it always seem to rain like this after returning from a trip away?!?!
Reminding you you're back. Back with a bang!!!
"It's all over now so get used to it buddy..." the weather gods seem to be implying...
Ridiculous I know but to me it ALWAYS seems this way.  
But hey...as the saying goes..."Far off hills are always greener" or in my case "Whiter" as the trip away which I have just returned is from climbing the towering majestic and snowy peaks of the French Alps...

And what an awesome trip it was...!!!

It actually began even before we left Kerry as just a few days before we headed away Richard and myself had arisen ridiculously early and headed to Corrán Tuathail by torch light to climb its mighty multi-pitch rock (and Veg!) climb - the superb - "Primroses". 
Graded modestly at VS but pretty stiff for the grade for sure as I'd learned on 3 previous ascents...

An invigorating feeling to be heading in a perfectly still Hags Glen at such an hour to tackle such a worthy challenge. Even the mountain sheep still slept and not a single sound could be heard as we both contemplated what excitement and adventures this day would bring. No harm getting used to having to shoulder a laden pack at an hour when we should rightly be tucked snuggly in our beds and a bit of prep no doubt for the even more ridiculous Alpine starts we would be faced with over the coming week or so, though the real reason we had headed off at "silly O' clock" was really due to the fact that I needed to be home to collect my daughter from school at 2!!!

We arrived at the base of the imposing vertical wall just as the first hint of the new dawn began to illuminate a wondrous  sky. What a truly sublime and awe-inspiring view to behold as the sun rose from behind the modest little summit of Strickeen just across the Glen from us. A truly breath-taking spectacle and we both felt it was surely a positive omen for the day ahead.

Well a most outstanding days climbing ensued for sure. In blistering sun-shine and swapping leads we carefully and meticulously ambled up the steep face. Packing away the rack at the ridges end we both headed our separate ways, Richard keen to continue enjoying the most finest of days in the mountains and I under pressure to get back to collect my 5 year old. Though I was seriously beginning to tire after the exertions of the day I still made good time out the Glen and after a quick stop off at the child-minders on the short drive home, soon I was showered and refreshed once again as I sat down with coffee in hand and gazed up at the mighty Reeks...

What an outstanding day...the route, the weather, the company....
Everything utterly superb.

Not long now and we would be off to the Alps and boy what an Adventure THAT was!!!


Blog post coming soon....



  



   

  

What we've been up to....Lot's of Climbing of course!!!

I really wish I'd a little more time to sit down and update this Blog more often but that would mean I was a tad quiet and that wouldn't be so good I suppose.. It's just been so so busy out on the crags, cliffs, mountains and hills of late that I'm only getting around to it now...

Well the rain is absolutely bucketing down outside and I'm extremely glad I'm not out in the mountains or crags today for sure. We can't complain though can we. It has been a super super summer. Yeah we've had testing days too but hey it's Ireland, that's all part of the package! I just sent a client his pics of a recent days activity with us and while doing so had a quick view over the many many other great  (and admittedly - not so great) photos I've taken recently and it had me reflect on the last few weeks... For a start I'm feeling fit...never fitter to tell the truth and boy it's been a rollercoaster  with this ever changing weather I tell ya!!!

We've had blistering sunshine for an "Intro Rock Course" on the stunning sea cliffs of Dún Seanna, memorable fine days guiding the Adventurous up the mighty Howling Ridge. We've had relaxed fun days teaching climbing in the Gap of Dunloe and all the conditions imaginable from wet 'n'wild to sweet'n'clear days guiding a whole selection of different routes on Corrán Tuathail and the Reeks. We've had first timers to never again-ers, we've guided Irish, English, Scottish and Welsh, American, German, French, from the Philipines and even from Malta . We've had 6 year olds cruising up Very severes and Hvs's and experienced old timers struggle and puff...From the ages of 6 through to 68. We've had the super fit and the "not too fit"!!! The "wahooo" successes and the disappointing failures and retreats. the overjoyed and the underestimated....but that's all part of it too...nothing ventured, nothing gained. 



Now the summer's still got plenty left yet and it's far far from over...Not by a long shot!!! 
Still plenty more happening in the weeks ahead...at home and abroad!!! Yes there's mornings when I wake I feel tired...shattered in fact....Climbing Ireland's highest on average 3-4 times a week does take it's toll no matter how fit you are but once the formalities are complete, (and of course the coffee is consumed!) It doesn't take long for the senses to awake, for the adrenaline to flow and to yet again realise how incredibly lucky I am to be working at something I truly love and in surroundings and landscapes that truly inspire. Can't wait to climb Mt Brandon again on Sunday....for the second time in a week!!! And that's what's supposed to be called work...Now that's some office I tell ya ;-)
 

 
 

 

Dog Access Restrictions in The Reeks

There was a recent post on climbing.ie regarding the "unfriendly" signs which have been erected at most access points to Ireland's highest mountain.

http://forum.climbing.ie/index.php/topic,5768.0.html

Much discussion ensued and yes, it is such a shame that this is the point we have arrived at - irresponsible dog owners are the detriment of those of us that like to climb with our four legged companions.  I spent many happy years doing all sorts of routes in these fine mountains with my now passed dog - she was a super climber and loved heading off with us and spending a long demanding day in the hills.  So I'm very disappointed that I am no longer allowed this pleasure with my current dogs.  The blame can not be directed at the landowners but must be directed toward the ignorance of a small few.

"Living in the foothills of the Reeks and also being a SARDA Dog Handler  (www.sardaireland.com ) with a fully qualified Mountain Rescue Dog, I would love nothing more than to ramble about the mountains in the company of my dog who is highly trained, stock tested and proven to be no threat to livestock.  Of course if there is a call out with a requirement for a search dog there is no issue with one being used – we have recently held a very successful National Training weekend in The Reeks where we were given permission to access.  So that should answer the query on whether search dogs are allowed – yes on prior permission for training or when on a shout.

Out of respect for the people that own and farm the land and are allowing us access, these are now the only times I take my dog into the Reeks.   But that’s me – being a responsible dog owner and respectful to those who are kind enough to allow me access to their land.  The unfortunate issue is that not everyone is as responsible or respectful!

The crux of the issue is this - Many dog owners think “their” dog is no threat (and most aren’t) strolling past the “Please do not bring your dog” sign to find that after leaving them off the leash when they think no one is about that the dogs start roaming off (and quite often the owner has difficulty reigning them in) and just by doing so is causing stress, endangering and very recently even causing death to livestock.  So what is a landowner to do?  Of course feel that they must take a more drastic approach and threaten those that blatantly ignore the polite request with a more off-putting sign –although people are still walking past it – may as well be giving the landowners the two fingers in doing so.

This issue stems from the ignorant dog owners – I can’t blame the landowners for being pushed towards drastic action and I’m at a loss as to what signage they can put up that everyone will stop and take notice of and respect. Yes the wording is shocking – I think that’s the whole idea. It is regrettable that those of us who can control our dogs are hit with this restriction but, the fault is with those that can’t control their dogs taking them in anyway and causing havoc and making dogs an issue for landowners in the first place."
Catherine,

It's melting in the mountains so it is !!!!

Well the sun just keeps on shining and the Mountains just keep on calling. As I sit down and finally get a chance to write this, my eyes are drawn through wide open patio doors to the stupendous view of Binn Chaorach and the Mighty Reek's. They are a truly awe-inspiring range and it's been great to be lucky enough to spend so much time out in them recently...especially in THIS weather!!! 

Been an extremely busy and at times,testing few weeks of Kerry Climbing with heaps of Corrán Tuathail ascents under my belt and some truly amazing memories gained along the way (as well as a few tasty photos). We have guided the "straight forward" to the "much more serious!", the "speedy" and the "not so rushed"....

 

 

I've enjoyed a few sensational invigorating swims surrounded by top less female French tourists in Ireland's highest lake and my stick thin freckled red legs have now got the perfect sock lines!!! 

The rock is so warm you'd almost fry a steak on it and even been spotting tiny young trout trapped in rock pools in the river Gaddach in the Hags Glen .  


 Isn't it great....By God we needed a bit of sunshine.... 

Also been a bit angered and frustrated at times too though I'm afraid...Still litter being discarded needlessly and some filthy Ejit even felt the need to have Ireland's highest "Crap" behind a summit cairn during the week....

 

Excuse my French but like - WTF!!!!....

And I was only worried about sheep crap in the streams when I was gulpin' down litres....




But lets not go into all that eh....Not in this post anyway. ....

Will leave that for another day when the rain is back lashing off the patio doors and wind is blowing the dog 'round the garden...Lets enjoy this while it lasts...

A return to Innisfallen

After the heat of yesterday where temps hit a whopping 29 degrees here in Kerry we decided to take a nice leisurely paddle last evening out to the wonderful Innisfallen Island on the beautiful Loch Lein....

Innisfallen or Inishfallen (from Irish: Inis Faithlinn, meaning "Faithlinn's island") is an island in Lough Leane; one of the three Lakes of Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland. It is home to the ruins of Innisfallen Abbey, one of the most impressive archaeological remains dating from the early Christian period found in the Killarney National Park.

 

The monastery was founded in 640 by St. Finian the Leper, and was occupied for approximately 850 years. Over a period of about 300 of these, the monks wrote the Annals of Innisfallen, which chronicle the early history of Ireland as it was known to the monks. The monks were dispossessed of the abbey on August 18, 1594, by Elizabeth I.

The location of the monastery on the island is thought to have given rise to the name Lough Leane (Irish Loch Léin), which in English means "Lake of Learning". According to tradition the Irish High King Brian Boru received his education at Innisfallen under Maelsuthain O'Carroll.^[2] Maelsuthain has been credited as the possible originator of the Annals.

 
There wasn't a ripple on the water as we left from the O'Donogue stronghold of Ross Castle and took a relaxing gentle stroll around the Island and 13th century ruins before calmly kayaking back by sunset....good for the mind,body and soul I tell ya!!! I can see why the monks set up camp here all those centurys ago...
Ireland is simply stunning....it truly is....

We are all very quick to slate this country of ours at times and yes we have our fair share of woes...but on days and evenings like these the grit and grind is quickly forgotten and fades into much smaller significance....Life is good, appreciate each and every day...things could always be worse.

 

A simply Sensational day on the classic Howling Ridge...

Today it was the turn of Ray from Gorey and Rachel from Tralee to fully Experience the Adventure as we climbed the awesome Howling Ridge in absolutely perfect conditions. 

The gang were never so up for it as we had postponed a previous date to climb it due to an unfavourable forecast, but today couldn't have been better with scorching hot sun shine and fleeting light clouds increasing the atmospheric ambience of the whole thing!!!

We departed Cronin's yard at around 10am after a relaxing mug of foamy coffee in their tea room and tipped away in the Hags Glen under no pressure as it felt we had the whole range to ourselves...I love getting into these mountains mid week as you manage to avoid the large numbers which frequent these hills come the weekend and at times you may only meet another half dozen or even less!!! Still made good time up to the Heavenly Gates considering our relaxed vibe and was surprised at the erosion on the final scramble up to the "Gates" with the large boulder which had for a few years anyway been wedged in the narrow gap of the "Gate" now resting instead half way down the steep scramble slope. Been pushed off intentionally I suspect by some well meaning individuals hoping it might clear off some of the looser boulders on its descent.

 

As we geared up and went through a few bits'n'bobs before commencing our climb we were joined at this lofty perch by another party of 2 Slovakian climbers who we had met already 100mtrs below at the Emergency hut. Here they had asked us for directions to the climb as they poured over their spread out 1:50000 map of the Reeks.... Glad we'd happened along I reckon!!!! We led off first and climbed easily and blissfully up this superb classic on bone dry warm rock at a nice easy pace, fully appreciating the views and stunning vistas across to the Eastern Reeks and beyond. We were in no rush or haste whatsoever and just wanted to savour every last moment on such a pleasing and remarkable day.




This was Rachels first ascent of Howling and Rays second after he'd had a very different ascent should we say in horrible testing conditions on a previous occasion and so we they were both keen to take it all in and just have the craic and enjoy it.....and so we did!!! We topped out to at approx 2 o clock and even had the summit to ourselves and so chilled for a while before we took the obligatory pics of the cross and headed on our descent to the Devils ladder...We arrived back in Cronin's at around half 5 ish and finished off a perfect day with a nice cold can of 7up....Ah the simple pleasures!!! A truly Magnificent day in the majestic mountains of the Kingdom... Well back up Corrán Tuathail tomorrow guiding a group up the somewhat more gradual route of the Devil's ladder...

Life is good...and so is the forecast ;-)

Howling Ridge is a steep, well defined route which cuts up the north-east face of Carrauntoohil. It is graded V Diff in summer and goes at various grades in winter, depending on conditions.

It was first climbed in February 1987 by two local climbers, Con Moriarty and John Cronin, in winter conditions. Moriarty, who led the climb, was an experienced mountaineer who four years previously had made the first ascent of Primroses Ridge – the hardest route up Carrauntoohil. He had just recently returned from a winter climbing expedition to Scotland and wanted to prove that challenging ice climbing could also be found in Ireland in the right weather. The route gets its name from Moriarty’s dog, Grimsel, who waited at the Heavenly Gates howling while the pair completed the climb.