OTHER Trip Report 10/22/2016

Peak(s):	Caher - 3284 Cnoc na Peiste - 3241 Caher West Top - 3199 Cnoc na Toinne - 2772 Cnoc an Chuillin - 3143 Maolan Bui - 3192
Date Posted:	10/22/2016
Date Climbed:	10/15/2016
Author:	piper14er

The School of Hard Cnocs and other peaks
Carrauntoohil (Irish: Corr�n Tuathail) is the highest peak on the island of Ireland. Located in County Kerry, Ireland it is 1,038 metres (3,406�ft) high and is the central peak of the Macgillycuddy's Reeks range. The ridge northward leads to Ireland's second-highest peak, Beenkeragh (1,010�m), while the ridge westward leads to the third-highest peak, Caher 1,001�metres (3,284 ft). Carrauntoohil overlooks three bowl-shaped valleys, each with its own lakes. To the east is Hag's Glen or Coomcallee (Com Caill�, "hollow of the Cailleach"), to the west is Coomloughra (Com Luachra, "hollow of the rushes") and to the south is Curragh More (Currach M�r, "great marsh"). A small taste of the flavor of Ireland or in Irish �ire first. The flavor would of course include the taste of a pint or two of Guinness. The wild North Atlantic The Giants Causeway Castles The Quiet Man W.B. Yeats' Benbulben from the Irish: Binn Ghulbain, is a large rock formation in County Sligo, Ireland Under bare Ben Bulben's head In Drumcliff churchyard Yeats is laid. An ancestor was rector there Long years ago, a church stands near, By the road an ancient cross. No marble, no conventional phrase; On limestone quarried near the spot By his command these words are cut: Cast a cold eye On life, on death. Horseman, pass by! (W.B. Yeats) Croagh Patrick Irish: Cruach Ph�draig, meaning "Saint Patrick's Stack" nicknamed the Reek is a 2,507�ft mounta History of famines A denizon of Eire Peaceful inlet and the colored boats A stack of peat Kylemore Abbey A heads up A wee pint on Inish Oirr at the Pub that never closes The Cliffs of Moher The cairns of Moher Killarney National Park Bunratty Castle Thatched cottages These aerials show the relationship between the peaks and the standard routes to Carrauntoohil. Cronins Yard is the main trailhead that heads to what is considered the standard trail and then up the Devil's Ladder. I took the less traveled way starting from the Hydro Track Trailhead. This trailhead is past Cronins Yard and also past the Lisbane Trailhead. All the trailheads are accessed from the Town of Killarney, out the road towards Killorglin on N72 and turn left at the second road that goes left toward the Gap of Dunloe. The trailheads are signed (small) but are all close down the road. Do not turn to the Gap. ginger spice air green Irish cascade of mountains go lassie, go there Aerial McGillicuddy's Reeks Hydro Track Parking lot The first set of steps over the fence The concrete track Turn right and up the grassy road Sheep crossing The second set of steps The view back A note on the start, the elevation is somewhere just above 400 feet. The lake below the peaks A view towards Caher The trail heads into a short stretch of bog The trail after gaining the ridge Clouds Trail Scenic Ireland Sun and clouds Trail is solid despite the rocky look The peaks Trail Caher West Top Caher, which is just past West Top Beenkeragh and ridge to Carrauntoohil Once you drop off Caher it is a short distance to Carrauntoohil across this trail and this bit with Carrauntoohil in the distance and this just a few minutes more of walking A Celtic Prayer Deep peace of the running waves to you. Deep peace of the flowing air to you. Deep peace of the quiet earth to you. Deep peace of the shining stars to you. Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you. Carrauntoohil and the summit cross the way is shut It was cloudy and I could not see far after the summit. I briefly looked at heading towards Beenkeragh but the ridge is supposed to be a knife edge, although it did not necessarily look that difficult looking at it from Caher. I walked down and saw that sign, which I suppose would deter most people in the clouds. Beenkeragh can be easily done from the other side from what I read. The clouds came and went throughout the day. Another note on the peaks. There are some pretty steep slopes along some of the way and being Ireland and also being a wet place I would point out that the grass is very slippery. While the sheep seem to navigate some of the rocky steep areas with authority, I found that boots did not always hold well Anyway I decided to head down off of Carrauntoohil towards the Devil's Ladder. I kept on going along the ridge in a southeasterly direction and started grabbing a few more named peaks. They name them all I guess whether they are ranked or not. Cnoc na Peiste has 826 feet of prominence to count. The next peak in the line in the picture below is The Big Gun. The Big Gun A look way back towards Chaher The Devil's Ladder The top of thhe Devil's Ladder Seriously after reading about The Devil's Ladder it sounds terrible but looking at it, not so much. A third note. I decided to go back over Caher as I thought that peak has a lot of character and it seemed the best way to get back to the car. That adds another 1000 feet, maybe a little less. Also if you should be there to hike around there is a zig-zag trail that can be used and it heads up to Cnoc na Toinne from which you would have to drop down to the saddle at the Devil's Ladder before heading up to Carrauntoohil. All in all I hiked a little over 13 miles and although my gps said 6400 feet, I think it may be more like 5500 feet. A Celtic Blessing May the road rise up To meet you. May the wind be always At your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. May the rain fall soft upon your field, And until we meet again. May God hold you in the palm of his hand. And if you can't go to heaven, May you at least die in Ireland. Health! Sl�inte My GPS Tracks on Google Maps (made from a .GPX file upload): Login required to view this map... Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

The School of Hard Cnocs and other peaks

Carrauntoohil (Irish: Corr�n Tuathail) is the highest peak on the island of Ireland. Located in County Kerry, Ireland it is 1,038 metres (3,406�ft) high and is the central peak of the Macgillycuddy's Reeks range. The ridge northward leads to Ireland's second-highest peak, Beenkeragh (1,010�m), while the ridge westward leads to the third-highest peak, Caher 1,001�metres (3,284 ft). Carrauntoohil overlooks three bowl-shaped valleys, each with its own lakes. To the east is Hag's Glen or Coomcallee (Com Caill�, "hollow of the Cailleach"), to the west is Coomloughra (Com Luachra, "hollow of the rushes") and to the south is Curragh More (Currach M�r, "great marsh").

A small taste of the flavor of Ireland or in Irish �ire first. The flavor would of course include the taste of a pint or two of Guinness.

W.B. Yeats' Benbulben from the Irish: Binn Ghulbain, is a large rock formation in County Sligo, Ireland

Under bare Ben Bulben's head
In Drumcliff churchyard Yeats is laid.
An ancestor was rector there
Long years ago, a church stands near,
By the road an ancient cross.

No marble, no conventional phrase;
On limestone quarried near the spot
By his command these words are cut:

Cast a cold eye
On life, on death.
Horseman, pass by! (W.B. Yeats)

Croagh Patrick Irish: Cruach Ph�draig, meaning "Saint Patrick's Stack" nicknamed the Reek is a 2,507�ft mounta

A wee pint on Inish Oirr at the Pub that never closes

These aerials show the relationship between the peaks and the standard routes to Carrauntoohil. Cronins Yard is the main trailhead that heads to what is considered the standard trail and then up the Devil's Ladder. I took the less traveled way starting from the Hydro Track Trailhead. This trailhead is past Cronins Yard and also past the Lisbane Trailhead. All the trailheads are accessed from the Town of Killarney, out the road towards Killorglin on N72 and turn left at the second road that goes left toward the Gap of Dunloe. The trailheads are signed (small) but are all close down the road. Do not turn to the Gap.

ginger spice air
green Irish
cascade of mountains
go lassie, go there

A note on the start, the elevation is somewhere just above 400 feet.

The trail heads into a short stretch of bog

Once you drop off Caher it is a short distance to Carrauntoohil across this trail

and this bit with Carrauntoohil in the distance

and this just a few minutes more of walking

A Celtic Prayer
Deep peace of the
running waves to you.
Deep peace of the
flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the
quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the
shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the
Son of Peace to you.

It was cloudy and I could not see far after the summit. I briefly looked at heading towards Beenkeragh but the ridge is supposed to be a knife edge, although it did not necessarily look that difficult looking at it from Caher. I walked down and saw that sign, which I suppose would deter most people in the clouds. Beenkeragh can be easily done from the other side from what I read. The clouds came and went throughout the day.

Another note on the peaks. There are some pretty steep slopes along some of the way and being Ireland and also being a wet place I would point out that the grass is very slippery. While the sheep seem to navigate some of the rocky steep areas with authority, I found that boots did not always hold well

Anyway I decided to head down off of Carrauntoohil towards the Devil's Ladder. I kept on going along the ridge in a southeasterly direction and started grabbing a few more named peaks. They name them all I guess whether they are ranked or not. Cnoc na Peiste has 826 feet of prominence to count. The next peak in the line in the picture below is The Big Gun.

Seriously after reading about The Devil's Ladder it sounds terrible but looking at it, not so much. A third note. I decided to go back over Caher as I thought that peak has a lot of character and it seemed the best way to get back to the car. That adds another 1000 feet, maybe a little less. Also if you should be there to hike around there is a zig-zag trail that can be used and it heads up to Cnoc na Toinne from which you would have to drop down to the saddle at the Devil's Ladder before heading up to Carrauntoohil.

All in all I hiked a little over 13 miles and although my gps said 6400 feet, I think it may be more like 5500 feet.

A Celtic Blessing
May the road rise up
To meet you.
May the wind be always
At your back.
May the sun shine warm
upon your face.
May the rain fall soft
upon your field,
And until we meet again.
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

And if you can't go to heaven, May you at least die in Ireland.

Health! Sl�inte

My GPS Tracks on Google Maps (made from a .GPX file upload):

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

Brian C	Very cool 10/22/2016 4:12pm I wanted to do this when I was there a few years ago but the weather was relentlessly bad. Looks really awesome!
dhgold	Wherever green is worn 10/23/2016 5:33pm I enjoy the musical and poetic quotations in your trip reports.
Presto	Beautiful Ireland .. 10/24/2016 9:06am But, I miss the dog ... Happy trails!
piper14er	Still 10/24/2016 5:57pm Trying to rest up after the trip so just getting to saying thanks for your comments and reading this report I think if I have a chance to get back over there it will be for more hiking and less driving Plus so much more oxygen at sea level and these peaks We were lucky to have many more days of good weather than not Thanks again, Al
Jay521	I'm with Presto... 10/25/2016 7:36am I do miss Billie Jean.....
jesusfreak1824	Great Report! 10/25/2016 11:15am So many of your pictures take me back there and make my Irish heart ache as I remember standing in the exact same spots as you! My wife and I were in Ireland in early June of this year for our 5 year anniversary and it was one of the most incredible trips! Rented a car and drove from Dublin clockwise around the entire island in two weeks. Way too much driving and not enough spending time in the places that we loved there but we got to see so much of the country and immerse ourselves in the culture. We thought about doing Carrauntoohil but her pregnant body was not feeling the best that morning and the rain weighed heavy on the peak. So we drove around the Ring and climbed Torc Mountain instead that afternoon. Anyways, thanks for sharing! Sláinte!
Monster5	Al 10/25/2016 1:18pm This is incredible. Mostly the columnar basalt photo at Giant's Causeway, which is a dream destination for most geologists, but the rest of it too.
piper14er	hmmm 10/26/2016 4:32pm thanks Jay, Billie Jean was a bit perturbed about not being able to go, but next time yep freak, the time we had was too short to get in all that we would want to see, it worked out well for me and the weather that day and of course not being pregnant helped a lot too Ryan, we specifically wanted to see the Giant's Causeway and so made a big loop from Dublin north to there and then on west through Derry, Donegal, etc., added a lot of driving but we thought that besides the Causeway the scenery that way was great too and then you are also only 12 miles away from Scotland. I liked the hexagonal formation and I was walking out to the end where it was heading into the North Atlantic but there are wardens on guard against getting too close to the water

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