Carrantuohill easiest/safest route

Are you all experienced hill walkers and navigators? Do you have good hiking boots and waterproofs? If you answer no to any of the above, I'd reconsider if I were you....

If you know what you're doing, here's a good resource:

http://www.kerrymountainrescue.ie/routes/index.html

Make sure you leave a route card with your B&B/Hostel, and a copy in your car, visible from the outside - Tape it to the inside of the windscreen for example.

DO NOT rely on a mobile phone, or a GPS working when you need it most - I'm not joking, and that's a considered piece of advice, instead of a recycled cliché. Many experienced walkers have died on Carrantuohill over the years....Don't take it lightly.

If there was an emoticon for slow hand clap, I'd use it.

Ta me anseo wrote: »

Just interested to see the comment about taping your route card to the window of your car so it can be seen from the outside.

What are others opinions on this? Everything I have read says that this was a good idea in the past but the sad reality is that these days all you are doing is giving little scumbag thieves an exact idea of just how long they have to work on your car.

In my ignorance and inexperience, I don't see what having the route card visible in your car does for you? If someone has gone to find your car then presumably they already know your missing, so surely a route card in your B&B or with your neighbour or your mother or whatever is the best bet??

Depends on where you're leaving your car to be honest. If I'm all the way down in Kerry, hundreds of miles away from home and anyone I'd be happy to leave with information on my whereabouts, I'll leave something visible in the car.

If you take Cronins Yard for example, they'll likely put a call into the Kerry team if a car is still parked there an hour or so after dark that's been there most of the day. Leaving a route card in the car window, or even just a (carefully) estimated latest return time will potentially avoid a false alarm. In the same breath, it'll also leave a concerned passer by in a position to raise the alarm if you're still not back and it's hours later.....

You're right to worry though I guess, even about false alarms for example. In my case, I put in a return time 1 hour or so later than my very latest estimate return time, along with my phone number and my walking partners phone number (different networks).

It just depends on what's most important to you - Your cars safety or your safety in a sense. To be honest though, scum will break in anyway, whether or not you're still two hours walk away. An opportunistic thief will take the chance. Leave your excess gear at home, empty the glovebox and leave it open, leave the boot empty and the parcel shelf out, and make sure the car alarm is activated and I don't think there's much more you could do.

I went for a night walk during the week last week, leaving my car parked at the entrance to a forestry path in Wicklow. I wouldn't have even contemplated doing this without leaving an ETR (estimated time of return) on a piece of paper with my phone number on the dashboard... It's only fair to those who'd otherwise understandably think someone's in trouble.

Could be wrong, but that's always been my line of thinking on it anyway.

Gil

adagio wrote: »

Do not take the Devil's Ladder - it is an accident waiting to happen (only a matter of time).
Take the Hydro Trail and then Caher.
It amazes me that people go up there w/out basic navigation skills.... when you do you roll a dice and hope for the best.
Enjoy.

I went up (13) with my 11 yr old brother, two 15 yr old cousins and 2 adults (one my dad). We started off with t-shirts and trainers. We went up the devil's ladder 5 minutes bfore the adults and were waiting 1 hour when we reached the summit. I dont see why people are making such a fuss it is pretty easy. As long as your not crazy - or if you are crazy but you are a good climber (like me and my cousins) you should be fine. Take care!