Carrantuohill easiest/safest route

shelly6 · 14-08-2011 8:28pm

I climbed a few weeks ago and the devil's ladder was definitely open.

DEFTLEFTHAND · 17-08-2011 12:18am

I climbed it last Thursday via the devil's ladder. I found going up the ladder to be tough going but manageable if your relatively fit. Descending the ladder was quite scary at times, there's lots of loose stone and shale and the possibility is there to be seriously injured. If I was doing it again Id definitely try and descend via the zig zag route which Im told is longer but safer.

mmclo · 21-08-2011 3:57pm

Did it on Thursday and info here very helpful. Devils ladder is seriously tough I felt even if very safety conscious and hard going physically

W0LFMAN · 28-08-2011 10:55pm

I just did the Carrauntoohil 27/08/2011

Hopefully pics work below.

I found the route physically hard... But i would have to say im seriously out of shape.. But Grit and determination got me through it in the end... By Far the hardest assent Ive done so far in Ireland.

Devils ladder is Dangerious but good focus and constant attention will get you up.

took me 1 hour from Carpark to Bottom of devils ladder.
1 hour to get to top of devils ladder
45 minutes from top of devils ladder to summit
30 minutes from summit to top of devils ladder
1:15 down the zig-zag route
1 hour deom bottom to back to carpark.

With plenty of breaks inbetween.

mattser · 29-08-2011 2:46pm

Well done Wolfman, and great photos too.

duckysauce · 06-02-2012 11:34pm

hi anyone have a gpx route up/down via the zig-zag route?

cheers

sparrowcar · 07-02-2012 7:55am

duckysauce wrote: »

hi anyone have a gpx route up/down via the zig-zag route?

cheers

I don't have one sorry.

BOTOH if you are concerned about missing the start of the path then don't be. It's very hard to miss and there is a small cairn to point it out.

07-02-2012 2:19pm

sparrowcar wrote: »

BOTOH if you are concerned about missing the start of the path then don't be. It's very hard to miss and there is a small cairn to point it out.

Have to say that I have been up and down the Eastern Reeks many times and I have sailed past the path a few times.

Not that I would even consider using it!

I think it's a bit like the Heavenly Gates, once you find it once it's easy enough to spot afterwards, but finding it the first time in mist and rain and poor visibility and if there is any disorientation...not sure it's a "certainty". Then again, I guess that goes back to the question of being comfortable in those conditions first and foremost.

sparrowcar · 07-02-2012 2:47pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Have to say that I have been up and down the Eastern Reeks many times and I have sailed past the path a few times.

Not that I would even consider using it!

I think it's a bit like the Heavenly Gates, once you find it once it's easy enough to spot afterwards, but finding it the first time in mist and rain and poor visibility and if there is any disorientation...not sure it's a "certainty". Then again, I guess that goes back to the question of being comfortable in those conditions first and foremost.

I agree about the heavenly gates alright but the zig zags is a very obvious track as its a different colour than the rest of the mountain side and stands out a fair bit. It could be a confidence thing alright.

Maybe I am just more observant than others

08-02-2012 3:04pm

sparrowcar wrote: »

I agree about the heavenly gates alright but the zig zags is a very obvious track as its a different colour than the rest of the mountain side and stands out a fair bit.

Ohhh at certain times of the year. I have seen it churned up and stick out like a sore thumb. But have also seen it after a bit of growth and a rest and it's amazing how quickly it fades again. Haven't been up there in a few weeks mind, or indeed taken any notice of it for a while.

lioscarrig · 27-02-2012 11:46pm

we're looking at going up next weekend, some experienced hikers, some not so experienced, which is best route at this time of the year?? Caher ? if so where is the best place to park, there could be 10 - 15 of us ?

Slogger Jogger · 28-02-2012 9:14pm

I've only been up Carrauntoohill once. Used this route. Was relatively straightforward. http://www.imra.ie/events/view/tab/maps/id/839/

28-02-2012 11:01pm

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

I've only been up Carrauntoohill once. Used this route. Was relatively straightforward. http://www.imra.ie/events/view/tab/maps/id/839/

Blatant "I ran up Carrauntoohil" post!

You coming down for the IMRA thingy over Easter? Sent Rene a message on facebook. What does a "hike/run" up Carrauntoohil mean? Will do the run from Sneem to Kenmare anyway.

Slogger Jogger · 28-02-2012 11:08pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Blatant "I ran up Carrauntoohil" post!

You coming down for the IMRA thingy over Easter? Sent Rene a message on facebook. What does a "hike/run" up Carrauntoohil mean? Will do the run from Sneem to Kenmare anyway.

Ha. Well at my level it was more of a walk believe me. Won't make the Easter trek but will make the June main event. Hike / run is effectively what it is for most. The steep bits are better walkable. It probably also means that they will cater for all levels of ability. If theres any elite guys there they can plough ahead.

28-02-2012 11:40pm

Its a great route for running (or so I hear!), but not a popular one for trekking. The start point means most have to drive all the way around the Reeks, a 30/45 mins drive beyond the usual approaches. It's even far away from the Climbers Inn. So it lacks the convenience (and some would say scenery) of some of the more famous Hags Glen centred approaches, and its a bit of a trek from there to the top. One can get a good mix of a fairly safe scramble by parking in the Black Valley to the south east of Curraghmore Lake (just below the "Way" on "the Kerry Way" writing on your map), then making straight for Curraghmore itself before turning for Caher and on to Carrauntoohil.

Sean duine · 29-02-2012 12:18am

There is no doubt ,that for a first timer ,the best and safest way up and down is the Caher route,make sure to bring plenty of drinking water as you dehydrate very quickly,also suitable clothing as the weather up there changes very rapidly

Domenec · 06-03-2012 4:23pm

along with friends we want to go Carrantuohill up. Since we are arriving from a distance I would like to know whether there is a possibility of pitching a tent in Cronins Yard. Perhaps somebody knows how much it he costs, or you know some other places where it is possible to pitch the camping

Mickeroo · 06-03-2012 4:41pm

Domenec wrote: »

along with friends we want to go Carrantuohill up. Since we are arriving from a distance I would like to know whether there is a possibility of pitching a tent in Cronins Yard. Perhaps somebody knows how much it he costs, or you know some other places where it is possible to pitch the camping

Head off up into the mountains and camp up there, you wouldn't have to go too far in to find a decent spot I wouldn't think.

06-03-2012 7:19pm

Domenec wrote: »

along with friends we want to go Carrantuohill up. Since we are arriving from a distance I would like to know whether there is a possibility of pitching a tent in Cronins Yard. Perhaps somebody knows how much it he costs, or you know some other places where it is possible to pitch the camping

There is a field or two beside the car park there, suspect it's pretty cheap, and they have a cafe and toilets and probably showers there too.

In the Hag's Glen itself, not so sure, a lot of the land is boggier. Have seen people camp on the southern shore of Lough Callee, and right outside the rescue hut at the bottom of Howling Ridge.

Domenec · 20-03-2012 10:08pm

thanks for all signs.
Another question.
There is some WMS server where I will find topographical maps Macgillycuddy's Reeks or perhaps somebody has some other digital maps of this region?

Chris O Donoghue · 27-03-2012 12:41pm

Domenec wrote: »

thanks for all signs.
Another question.
There is some WMS server where I will find topographical maps Macgillycuddy's Reeks or perhaps somebody has some other digital maps of this region?

Choices are few but you might get some ideas here:
http://eirepreneur.blogs.com/eirepreneur/2005/04/openeir_the_ope.html
or here:
http://www.openstreetmap.org/

there are a a lot of electronic copies of OSI maps out there but they are subject to copyright.

Take a look also at http://www.oziexplorer.com/ and maybe do a search for OziExplorer maps online.

Domenec · 27-03-2012 6:25pm

Great,
Thanks a lot:)

Jimmy Bottles · 29-03-2012 5:26pm

Guys, is there a descent route off of Beenkeragh.

Thinking of doing the ring of the 3 peaks going up Caher. Couldn't be arsed tracking all the way back if possible.

Anything up to and around the steepness of curve gully I could handle if there isn't much loose scree.

29-03-2012 5:57pm

Jimmy Bottles wrote: »

Guys, is there a descent route off of Beenkeragh.

Thinking of doing the ring of the 3 peaks going up Caher. Couldn't be arsed tracking all the way back if possible.

Anything up to and around the steepness of curve gully I could handle if there isn't much loose scree.

The two main walking routes off Beenkeragh are north, veering east to Knockbrinnea, or north, veering west to Skregmore. In fact, if you want to do the 3 peaks, and heading up Caher, across the ridge to Carrauntoohil and then to Beenkeragh, you are in effect doing the Coomloughera Horseshoe - in which case you should be descending via Skregmore.

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

duckysauce · 04-04-2012 10:26pm

hi hopefully going up on sunday first time

, dopey question any advantages between cronins yard v lisleibane carpark going up down zig zags , staying in killarney

thanks

SomeFool · 04-04-2012 10:32pm

duckysauce wrote: »

hi hopefully going up on sunday first time , dopey question any advantages between cronins yard v lisleibane carpark going up down zig zags , staying in killarney

thanks

Cafe & showers in Cronins yard, car would be safer too I guess, now that the river is bridged I'd give Cronins my vote.

duckysauce · 04-04-2012 11:02pm

SomeFool wrote: »

Cafe & showers in Cronins yard, car would be safer too I guess, now that the river is bridged I'd give Cronins my vote.

sweet thanks for advice

Mad Benny · 24-04-2012 11:54am

Anybody know of any groups going up Carrantuohill in June or July?

Would love to go up it but a bit nervous without an experienced hill walker.

SomeFool · 24-04-2012 12:44pm

I think the Outdoor shop in the Killarney Outlet centre run trips during the summer,
Tel: +353 (0)64 663 6710 • Email: info@kerryoutdoorsports.com

acorn · 25-04-2012 10:03am

Anybody know of any groups going up Carrantuohill in June or July?

You might find some options to suit you here.

http://www.killarney.ie/walkkillarney.php

Carrantuohill easiest/safest route

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