March 7th 2010 Walk Report

This Sunday saw further preparations being made for this year’s festival with our scheduled A and B walks both leaving from Lisvarrinane Village. Traditionally Sunday walks during the May Bank Holiday Festival Weekend take place in the Galtee range and this year is no different with one exception, we will have a total of four walks on the Sunday. The A high level Walk is a closely guarded secret, designed to test the hardiest of walker but the festival Committee has decided to accommodate all walkers with aspirations of walking in the Galtees with walks for all levels. This year we have a new A level walk to GaltyMor, the highest inland mountain in Ireland as we are so often reminded by the Bard of the Galtees, Michael Moroney and a second B walk to the paternoster lake, Lough Curra.

No less than 50 walkers turned out to test both walks on Sunday and we assembled in Lisvarrinane to pool cars to Cush carpark. Both groups left together following a briefing given by our Leaders, Mike Moroney and Joan Caulfield, with dire warnings of ‘Layer Up’ being given, and correctly so as it turned out. Safety always being paramount on the open mountain walky talkies were used to great avail. As we made our way to the grassy knoll we were quickly exposed to freezing temperatures and donned gloves as well as hats and first timers were provided with spares. After a short respite we made our way along the Ice Road to the Lake. Parts of the Lake were still frozen and hands froze further as we partook of our lunch with the group debating who would return under Joan’s stewardship and who would go further to ascend a snowcovered GaltyMor. In the end it was a 50/50 split and the hardy half departed from the lake by the rocks towards the Wall. Temperatures plummeted the higher we climbed and ‘Mr Hot’ was utilised to retrieve circulation for one numbed walker( John Mullane is owed a pint for this one in Donegal!). This group spread out quickly as we made our way to the summit and as we were congratulating ourselves on having survived the chilling conditions we were met with the spectacle of two Bears descending the snowy slopes ‘backwards’ while on a practise session in the use of crampons, roll on Switzerland! Forecast predictions taken earlier that morning revealed we would be met with -3 degrees at the summit and so it proved to be and even colder with the wind chill. A quick photo session at the top to immortalise the moment and we departed to retrace part of our route which was made tougher this time with the wind in our faces. Some of the group pressed on to complete the circuit taking in GaltyBeag and Cush. The remainder of us retrieved our way going on to Slievecushabinna , joining the route taken by the B group before descending Croch Maol and all returning to Lisvarrinane by Lyre Boreen. Our thanks to Mike and Joan for their able Leadership as always on what was a memorable days walking enjoyed by everyone.