Visitors to this web site are reminded that hill walking, climbing and rambling are activities that can be dangerous and may result in personal injury or death. Participants should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.
Thanks to Frank Balfe , the club’s first walk of the season , took in a circuit of Keadeen Mountain and Carrig in West Wicklow – new territory for the group ! Frank’s extensive knowledge of the history and archaeology of the area (largest mountain ring fort, hill top neolithic burial chambers, Dwyer-McAllister cottage) plus views over to Lugnaquilla and west to the Slieve Blooms added to the enjoyment of a great day out on the hills ; and the fantastic weather was an added bonus.
If interested in joining the club , watch out for details of the Introductory Night on Tuesday 17th in Whitford House Hotel, Wexford
The one boot led by Helen and Matt started from the recently developed marked trail which begins in Kiltealy village, from where the group emerged onto open mountain and joined the main path up Blackstairs mountain about 3/4 way up; the summit proved to be shrouded in mist – unlike the rest of the walk which enjoyed very clear and dry conditions.
Ger’s 2 booter was a 20k + ramble over the Mount Leinster range at a pace that did not permit the taking of any photos!!
A number of new members have joined in recent weeks and all proved their fitness on Sunday’s walks !
Admiring the view from the Blackstairs – once the work of ascending the untracked mountainside was accomplished
Car split allowed for an original walk on Blackstairs Mtn
Lovely Kyle loop from Tinahely led by Pauline who had a following of20 very appreciative walkers for an excellently paced walk of 17 k with a bit of work to get up the intermittent hills totaling650m. An added bonus was the sunny weather. The group sitting on the trailer were not looking for a lift back – it merely provided some seating during the lunchbreak!
Very pleasant weather at lower levels made for most enjoyable Hillwalking on Mt Leinster for the 2 and three boot walks
Liz’s three boot went from Rahanna bridge to Mt. leinster, beech trees, Clorogue beg, Clorogue more, Knockroe , and back to start point.
John’s 2 booter followed a route which sought out some of the rich archaeological features on Mt Leinster from a caiseal to a cillín to a dolmen finishing up with the Rock Art beside the Mountain River
Both club walks were in the Comeraghs on Sunday , led by Turlough and Noel. The larger group were on the 2 boot walk and enjoyed a fine clear day , if somewhat cool on top. The high point of the plateau and Crotty’s Lake was included in Turlough’s six and a half hour walk which was most enjoyable in the relatively pleasant conditions compared to some walks earlier in the year
Noel’s route took the group on the Coumshingaun horseshoe
Mick and Liam led a 2 boot and 1 boot walk in the Comeraghs Sunday last. 6 brave souls headed up the Comeraghs Sunday led by Mick Wall, taking in Coumfay, Coumtay and Mahon Falls, enjoying snowy vistas over the range. Details of Liam’s walk awaited. Photos are from the 2 boot walk
January 20 : Kiltealy natives, Ann and Mary, led their first club walk on what is essentially their home turf. Unfazed by the large turnout of 19 walkers and allied with unparalleled local knowledge they “conquered” Knockroe as part of their 1 boot walk.
Being a small range, it was not surprising they bumped into the 2 boot walk (a similarly large group) led by Ger, one of the club’s most experienced leaders!
The Club offers its sympathy to the families of the hillwalkers who lost their lives on Sunday
Navigation skills were required on both walks in the Comeraghs last Sunday due to very limited visibility above 400m; that would have not been a problem to the 3 boot walk in the hands of Colette who with her hardy crew braved very strong and gusty winds allied to very low cloud managed a traverse of the Comeragh plateau with a descent down to the Boolas for lunch and back up again to return via the southern flank of Coumshingaun.
At the Boolas the 3 booters met , not by design, the 2 boot walkers who had just finished lunch ! The two boot walk gave an opportunity for some graduates and students of Colette’s navigation course to try out their skills !
2 Boot walkers stayed low but managed to reach 4 of the Comeragh Lakes that ring the plateau
Three Boot Walk : looks like there was a gully ascent thrown in !
A sparrowhawk gave a long display of its hovering skills for the entertainment of the group !
The last walk of 2018 had a big turnout, it was a “small” 4 hour 15km ramble around and up Brandon hill, we never knew that could be done but our glorious leader Mick Wall proved us wrong ??
It was warm, we met some horses, had 2 lunch breaks and many laughs.
Much thanks to Siobhan McDonald for the wonderful photos.
Happy New Year to all our members and friends and here’s to plenty of hill time in 2019 ??
