Eastern Reeks

Carrigman

I was lucky enough to be on the Eastern McGillycuddy Reeks yesterday, Saturday. Beautiful weather and some lovely cloud inversion in the morning. Some snaps at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnfinn/

Enjoy!

CONMIKE12

All i can say is WOW !! some really fantastic images there.

ender ender

I've been warned off the Beenkeragh/Carrauntouhil ridge, lovely photos though. Lovely weather, went down St. Pat's weekend and couldn't see the peaks for cloud

melekalikimaka

oh the memories of gale force winds, a cold tent, wet sleeping bag and the most painful cramps I ever experienced are flooding back, damn scouts. great pics but damn you

L31mr0d

it goes to show the number of places in Ireland i've never been, and those photos have given me the appetite to go there. If photos can evoke a want in a person to see it for themselves you know you are doing a good job.

Excellent photos.

A little OT but did you hike on your own? Also is it local knowledge that planned out your route across the ridge or is there a trail or guide that can be followed, the next good weekend I think i'll be heading down to kerry to do it myself

cianclarke

Browsed your work - some of the most impressive stuff I've seen from a photographer in a long time!! Loved the ones of east cork, and the long expo. of Ballycotton.

Carrigman

L31mr0d wrote:

A little OT but did you hike on your own? Also is it local knowledge that planned out your route across the ridge or is there a trail or guide that can be followed, the next good weekend I think i'll be heading down to kerry to do it myself

I did it on my own but I am well used to the Reeks having been climbing there for many years. I always let someone know which route I'm taking and my estimated finish time. I carry a mobile phone for emergencies and a GPS unit for navigation in case the weather disimproves (which it can, with lightning rapidity, on the Reeks). Even so, it is NOT advisable to walk on your own. There is safety in numbers. I would not advise this particular route for anyone who is inexperienced - the arete or knife-edge between Cruach Mhor and Cnoc na Peiste is pretty hairy at times. You have to scramble across it i.e. using your hands and feet and making sure you have good hand-holds on the rock. There are sheer drops on either side so a reasonable head for heights would be an advantage. On the day, I came across a group of Wexford walkers many of whom should not have been there. A few of the women seemed fozen with fear and had to be coaxed along it. On the other hand, if you wish to climb Carrauntoohill it's pretty straight-forward. Up the Hag's Glen, a slog up the Devil's Ladder (not as dramatic as it sounds) and then an easy gradient to the summit. There are several good guide books to the region and you should be able to find one in your local bookshop. Just make sure you have good weather: do not attempt it in poor visibility. There are fatalities on the Reeks every year and nearly all are weather related.

rymus

excellent photos, well done.

Valentia

God bless your energy. I find it hard to walk to the local.

Great shots!!

Ra1ph

Great Photos. Brings back great memories of a weekend trip a couple of mates and myself I did in Jan'05. Weather was a little different as you can see.
Oh! Carrigman is right, Don't mountaineer alone.

Cruach-Morw.jpg my two mates with the grotto only a short distance ahead.
Cnoc-na-Peiste-Ridgew.jpg looking across the ridge from Cruach Mor
Carrauntoohillw.jpg A snow capped Carrauntoohill.