"COPS ON TOPS", Corrán Tuathail, September 11th 2012...

Yesterday we guided Jill and Mark of the Weld county,Colorado Police force and both members of the  "Cops on Tops" organisation to the summit of Ireland's highest, Corrán Tuathail to mark the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Cops on Tops

Cops on Top is a team of volunteers from the law enforcement and public service community in the U.S, who undertake mountain climbing expeditions and ascents to honor the memories of those officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty protecting others. Cops on Top plans annual climbing expeditions to the world's most respected mountains. The purpose is to bring to the public's attention the dangers, stress and life-altering effects on the average police officer.

Cops on Tops on Carrauntoohil summit 1039mtrs

The Cops on Top team is comprised of volunteer climbers, largely self-funded law enforcement officers. The fallen officers on whose behalf the climbs are undertaken are nominated by family, friends, and law enforcement organizations. http://copsontop.com/



Hags Glen,Kerry



Weather for our climb was perfect with only a few brief light showers, a very light breeze and nice cloud free summits which gave the gang the magnificent views they had so hoped for.We ascended by the Devils ladder and descended via the easy and gradual "Zig Zags"...
 
 
 
 



Nice to do this climb mid week as it almost felt like we had the whole of the Reeks to ourselves compared to the usual weekend crowds. Congratulations and well done to the gang on such a superb effort and a fitting tribute to those law enforement officers and to all of those who lost teir lives on September 11th 2001.   

Corrán Tuathail

Todays Intro Rock Climbing Courses in Knockadoon Head, East Cork.

Well, back to our typical Summer 2012 weather today!!! Wild foaming seas and showers but we did have some nice sunny spells to dry the rock and increase the much needed friction....

Climbing "No Toll" VS at West End Wall, Knockadoon Head

James who is holidaying in Ireland from Southampton in the U.K. was on an intensive 1:1 Full Day Intro Rock Course which covered detailed anchor building, abseiling, climbing technique, equipment use, and lots and lots of climbing!  James departed with his brain ready to burst from all the new info but happily content and excited about his future climbing.

Rock Climbing at Knockadoon Head, East Cork.

We then had a group from East Cork for our Evening Intro Rock Session and boy did they have a ball...again lots of subjects covered just not in as much detail.  A fantastic, exciting and informative evening for a group of mates climbing for the very first time. 

Knockadoon is an amazing little spot - little frequented with lots of great climbs of various grades and a very different feel to our Gap of Dunloe Courses. Climbing on rock over wild crashing seas makes it all the more exhilirating!!!

 

Great climbing lines all over this amazing cliff

Glorious Sunshine for today's guided ascent of Carrauntoohil by The Devils Ladder

Well the marvellous sunshine stayed with us for one more day as we returned again to the mighty Reeks of Kerry!!!!

 A beautiful morning looking toward The Eastern Reeks and The Hags Glen

Guided Ascent of Carrauntoohil

This time it was the turn of Michelle and Dermot from county Offaly to "Experience the Adventure" with us and boy what a day they had...What a truly beautiful country we have and appreciated all the more when the sun shines.
Today we climbed Corrán Tuathail by the "Devils ladder" and descended by the lovely path of the "Zig Zags" or Bothár na Gige.

Michelle taking it all in...what a spot!!!

 Great to see so many people out enjoying the mountains with bodies spotted on all ascent tracks and all directions.






Plenty people could be seen climbing up towards Coimín Uachtarach and O'Sheas, lots climbing "the ladder" and even a party climbing the classic rock climb on Corrán's north face called "Primroses". Strange reports from this climbing party told me that on successfully finishing their climb they came across a heavy duty metal cable left in place wrapped around a large rock by some muppets at the top of Howling ridge. Unusual to say the least for climbers to 1. Carry and use such a piece of kit on a climb...(climbers use nylon slings for the purpose of protection/anchors, not metal cables)..and 2. To leave it there instead of removing it afterwards....Obviously never heard of the Leave no trace policy....(or slings!!!!!)...

Success at the summit of Carrauntoohil

Anyway we had a fantastic enjoyable day in this magnificent range and climbing Ireland's highest...After guiding Carrán Tuathail so much this summer in mostly horrible wet conditions it felt good to finally have a rare day of hot sunshine on my face....Well the forecast for tomorrow is saying rain again and so our 2 rock climbing courses taking place at Knockadoon head in East Cork should be interesting but I don't care.....it's still be magic to be out and about....will keep you posted how it goes ;-)     




The MacGillycuddys Reeks

Blistering day for our Intro Rock Climbing Course in the mighty Gap of Dunloe, Kerry!!!

Well, our day began cloudy enough and the dreaded midgies were out in force - but the day soon brightened up to warm blistering sunshine and a light breeze that blew the tormenting buggers away. Today we had Ronan from Mullingar for an intensive 1:1 Rock Climbing Course.... but it turned out to be 1:2 as my mate Mick came along for a last day of climbing in The Gap before he emigrates to London!!!


Ronan learning to abseil in The Gap of Dunloe.

We headed up to wonderful crag of "Rescue Rock" and Ronan got to grips with the classic lines of "Skyline" Severe, "Sunken Business" HVS, "Free at Last" HVS.












Mick did a lovely solo ascent of "Quartz Movement" VS 4c, looks the business in the photo you will agree.

Mick on a nice solo of "Quartz Movement"

After tackling and mastering the abseiling skills wth a few airy descents we then climbed the great line of "Games Without Frontiers" HS 4b this climbs up the middle of a lovely face going over a small overhang at half height.  Ronan was now getting into the flow of relying more on  friction of his feet and sticky shoes  more than just brute force and ignorance!!!   


Nice view over toward the crag of "Bothán" in The Gap of Dunloe.

Lots more skills learned and passed on before we head down to the lovely little roadside crag of "Brennans Leap". Here we went through setting up Top Ropes, Bottom Roping and setting up / equalising Anchors.










 
Mick and myself climbed the sweet line of "Granuaile" E1 5b, for our first time..very nice indeed!


Mick on "Granuaile"














 


Ronan now tiring at this stage of the day had great trouble on one of the first climbs ever recorded in The Gap, the classic "Cronin's Crack" HS 4b (FA 1967).  After giving a few pointers he finally nailed the Crux!!! And he finished the day exhausted but content with his achievements and with everything he had learned on a wonderful sunny day climbing in The Gap!! And off to Kate Kearneys for grub and a pint.



Ronan getting to grips with the Kerry sandstone