Ballyhoura Bears Walk Report (April 11 2010)

By Robin Lee
After the exigencies of our successful away trip to Donegal over the Easter weekend, we stayed closer to home last Saturday and Sunday.

Our increasingly popular “beginners walks” assembled again at Ardpatrick Church on Saturday and this time we headed for Coolfree mountain. Newcomers and regulars had a smashing walk around the circumference of this little knuckle of the Ballyhouras. The weather was perfect; the chat and banter kept apace with the walking.

At the opposite end of the walking spectrum, Mary Ryan led a group of fourteen “A” walkers from Cush Car Park on Sunday on a virtual crossing of the Galtys. We rounded Cush Mountain leading us across the river and to the base of Knockastackeen close to Lake Muskerry. Now our walk started in earnest – the never ending lift to Fearbreaga! It seems to go on forever, but what harm? The day was glorious, the company was good and the ground was firm. We felt entitled to a food break on reaching this point. There was no better place to refresh ourselves. It was possibly the quietest spot on the Galtys on Sunday, and the views all around us were splendid. Fortified with food we hit off for Loughlin’s Castle to the west. As we progressed the numbers of other walkers out for the day increased until we reached Galty Mór. It was as if there was a walker’s convention being held here, with all of the visitors that were coming and going; a real tribute to the onset of the fine weather coupled with the increase in popularity of walking as a pastime. We pressed on to the west reaching the corner of “the wall” where some of our party decided to descend and return back to the cars, while others of us couldn’t resist the temptation to kick on to Lyracappal and Temple Hill. This was really making a feast of the beautiful balmy day that accompanied us on our trek. Now, having run out of mountains, we had nothing better to do but descend into Anglesborough and find our way back to the cars at Cush. What a day?

While this was going on, Deirdre Fitzpatrick led the “B” walk from Kilfinane on a loop that took us, initially, on to Magnier’s Wood. This was another group of fourteen walkers, all enthused with the fine day that was on offer and the promise of a knowledgeable route from Deirdre. Onwards we pressed taking in all of the wonderful scenery that pops out at you from time to time in this quiet corner of the County. Rea’s Hill was possibly the toughest part of the day but once you are there the views of north Cork to the south are worthwhile. The track on to Barrabanoka Bridge led us back to Magnier’s Wood again and thence back to the start at Kilfinane after a truly invigorating four hour walk.

Denis Bates continued his series of “skills walks” on Sunday from Coombaun Wood and on to Temple Hill. This time we were put to the test of identifying precise location on the ground on the maps supplied – an exercise in macro navigation you might call it. It is on days like this that you realise what a great leveller navigation can be. Just when you think you have a command of it you realise that there is more to learn. The day was ideal for it, being easy to handle map and compass. The eight that attended were all the better at their navigation at the end of the seven hour day’s practice.

Our Thursday evening walks commence next Thursday, 15th at 7.30. Bridget Hennessy – (087) 9229405 - will take charge of this walk from Garryarthur Barrier.

The annual spring clean of the Galtys takes place on Saturday from the Glen Hotel Car Park at 10.00 a m. Contact Dave Walsh (087) 2076715.

Teresa Brosnan – (087) 9002534 - will lead a moderate “A” walk from Glenroe Community Centre at 10.00 a m.

Tom McCarthy – (085) 7605268 - will lead a moderate “B” walk from Mountrussell. Meet at Ardpatrick Community Centre at 11.00 a m for car pool to the start.