Cork Mountaineering Club

Cork’s longest established Hill Walking Club

Month: November 2018

Sunday 25 November 2018: Gleann Daimh Wood

23 of us gathered in Carriganima and drove to the start of the walk.  We were lucky with the weather.  It was a typical November crisp foggy morning, but as the fog disappeared the sun shone until after lunch. It was then we felt the cold which was made colder by being surrounded by tall evergreen trees. However this made sure that we kept up a good pace to keep ourselves warm.

Most of the climbing was at the start of the walk and every now and again we got a glimpse of the surrounding countryside through the cleanings in the forest. We had a clear view of the Paps.        We had our lunch sitting in a ditch as it was the only spot we could find where the rays from the sun filtered through.  Most were delighted with this walk because they had not done it before.  We retired to Macroom and a lovely post-walk meal.

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Sunday 18 November 2018 (Paired Walk) – Monavullaghs: Seefin/ Farbreaga

21 of us turned out for a marvellous winter day’s walking.                                                Eleven took the longer route at a faster pace.  We parked at Dalligan Bridge – the colours on the drive in the Maum road were spectacular.  The sky was blue, the air crisp and clear and we were eager for the hills. We passed in by the first standing stone and followed the path up to 617. The sea was shimmering in Dungarvan harbour and Helvic head framed the view.

We admired the whitewashed standing stone at Bearna na Madra, then tackled the steep pull up to Seefin (Mullach Suí Finn) 726m. We had even better views here, over Crohaun to the sea and further off the Knockmealdowns and the Galtees. The wind was strong and sharp as we lunched behind the concrete hut near the summit, but we had the shelter of the Airglinn valley on the return.  The sun was low in the sky as we finished the walk, bathing the hills in a pink glow.  Ten of us took a more leisurely pace to 617, the Bearna na Madra gap and back to Farbreaga, before returning by the same route.    Both groups retired to a local hostelry for refreshments afterwards.   Lá iontach ar fad!

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Sunday 11 November 2018: Knockmealdown Ridge: Bay Lough to Mount Melleray

We made our annual donation to SEMRA, in Clogheen, at 9.30 in the morning, before returning to Baylough car park for the start of our walk at 10.00 am.

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.  Eight of us enjoyed this exhilarating ridge walk, battling the elements the whole way.  The start from Bay Lough was extremely cold and windy, so a smart pace was immediately adopted and maintained right across the ridge through wind, sleet, hail and rain.   The dense cloud cover occasionally cleared to give tantalising views of the surrounding beauty, but compasses were much in evidence once we left Knocknangnauv.   Tea and homemade cakes at the monastery café completed a challenging but very satisfying day.

Sunday 04 November 2018: Doneraile Park & Canon Sheehan Loop

15 members enjoyed this lovely two-part walk.  We enjoyed the many delights of Doneraile Park itself, and made the acquaintance of some Sika deer.  Then, the Canon Sheehan Loop reminded us of what a popular writer he was – but we could only remember a few of his works (My New Curate, Glenanaar . . .)The rain couldn’t have timed it better; it held off until we had finished walking, and were getting ready to leave.  A lovely day.

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Sunday 28 October: The Paps

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It was a perfect autumn day of clear blue sky and sunshine, crisp cold air and brilliant autumn colours.  If the low sun and long shadows of this first day of Old Time did not remind us that winter is just around the corner, then the snow on the Reeks certainly did!  Ten members enjoyed the day – a pleasant walk along the western track deep into the valley, then up steadily to the ridge and on to the West Pap.  No delay here (too cold!) but straight to the East Pap and lunch.  A day to keep moving, or freeze.  The return route through the valley was just as pleasant.  We enjoyed a coffee together afterwards, and a browse through the day’s photos.

Sunday 21 October 2018 Crohane (Paired Walk)

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There were two routes today.  Seven members took the Grade 3 option, and climbed Bennaunemore and Crohane at a spanking pace, while twelve members just climbed Crohane itself at a far more leisurely pace (Grade 1/ 2).  In spite of early rain, and intermittent cloud during the day, both groups enjoyed superb views – the Cappagh Glen, Lough Guitane, Lakes of Killarney and the north Kerry plains.  There was a biting wind on the ridge, however, which encouraged speed for the Grade 3s.  The other group had a great day of reading the landscape, observing features and          finding them on the map, while the reappearance of cloud gave ample opportunity for taking compass bearings and checking positions on GPS.  The two groups met later and compared notes over refreshments.

Sunday 14 October 2018 Purple & Tomies (Grade 2)

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11 of us walked up the busy Gap of Dunloe in lovely bright sunshine constantly giving way to jarveys, cyclists and cars en route. Some of us narrowly escaped crushed toes by one hurrying motorist as we re-grouped on the low wall at the head of the gap.  We lunched at Glas Lough and enjoyed wonderful panoramic views of the Reeks, Mangerton, Caherconree and Kenmare Bay from Purple for the rest of the day with the lovely blue Lough Leane to behold as we dropped down from Tomies. While it was breezy and at times quite chilly thankfully it remained mostly sunny for this ideal day’s walking.

Sunday 07 October 2018 Gougane Barra Walk

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It was a wonderful day, enjoyed by 18 CMC members – a fine turnout for this lovely Autumn walk .  There was just a small bit of misty rain early on, which caused people to put on leggings, but that soon dispersed and the leggings were dispensed with.  As promised, no track was left unexplored; they climbed to the highest viewing point at Doirín na Coise.  From there they could indeed admire the “thousand wild fountains” rushing down to the lake from their home in the mountains, and found at least one example of amanita muscaria, the Fly Agaric toadstool.  Most of the group enjoyed an evening meal together afterwards.

 

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