May 9th 2010 Walk Report

The Bears are back to their normal routine now that the Ballyhoura International Walking Festival has been successfully concluded.

We had five walks altogether last week commencing with the Thursday evening walk from Glenroe led by Bridget Hennessy. These walks are as popular as ever and provide a nice link between each weekend walk. They are given to leisurely walking with plenty of chat. They are ideal for a midweek “distress”. Glenroe and its environs is the ideal location for such luxury.

The Saturday “beginner’s” walks continue to attract newcomers. Declan Clancy kindly stood in at short notice last Saturday and took us on a loop that included The Lacca, Glenosheen and part of Castleoliver. The two hours slipped away in an instant, but mind you, once we got back to our cars we were well aware that we had put a nice walk behind us.

On Sunday Pat Hevenor assembled nine”A” walkers outside Tralee to walk the Slieve Mish range. Everything was right for this walk – a bright, crisp, dry day with perfect underfoot conditions. Off with us along a part of the Dingle Way until we reached the lower reaches of Baurtregaum (851M) and up with us. Yes, it is a strenuous lift to the top, but as you are getting there you know that something special awaits you, especially with the viewing conditions that prevailed on Sunday. Spectacular is one of many superlatives that describes the view that we got from here. Not satisfied with this we tried to improve on it by traversing the col to Caherconree. If we didn’t improve on our first experience we lost nothing by our arrival here. Having feasted our spirits on the available views we tended to the needs of the body, and had our lunch here. Familiar sights such as The Kerry Reeks spread out before us, Mount Brandon rising majestically to the west, The Lakes of Killarney, the uniqueness of Inch Strand and even as far north as Ballybunion were perfect company whilst we ate. Alas it was time to head for home and so we departed this splendour for the rise up Castle Hill and thence via the ridge to the cars that we had left seven hours earlier after 22 Km of glorious walking. The statistician in our midst calculated that we had a total height gain of 1,200m throughout the day. Well done Pat for planning and leading a smashing day out.

In similar conditions Deirdre Fitzpatrick took charge of the “B” walk from Darragh. Twenty two attended and we hit off immediately for Bothareen Dearg intending ultimately to get on to Castle Gael and Kilcruaig. In a perverse way the late arrival of Spring this year has brought its own charm to us walkers. The fresh leaves that you would expect some three to four weeks ago are now being illuminated by the summer sunshine showing them up in a different light to what we have become accustomed. The views from Castle Gael and Kilcruaig can be guaranteed on a day such as Sunday. The Kerry Paps were in clear evidence to the south-west while the Comeraghs were in clear relief against the skyline to the south-east. The charming part of this walk came at the end, however. What is it about the Molanna River that gives such pleasure? Is it the constant appearance of wildlife and flora? Is it the incessant babbling of the water as it flows over and between the limestone bed? Is it the presence of mature woodland on its banks? Surely is it all of these and a sense of solitude that makes it one of the real gems of the Ballyhouras. What a pity that this walk had to come to an end, but all thanks are due to Deirdre for leading it and all that were on it, to a safe return to the start.

The Skills walk, starting from King’s Yard and led by Denis Bates went well for all concerned. The morning was bright and warm though with a cautioning breeze to remind you that Galtymore is not normally a sun destination. Following the track from King’s Yard the route took us onto the western shoulder of Knocknagalty and the tedious haul onto the slopes of Knock duff before the last laborious trudge onto Galtymore itself. Along the way there were opportunities to check distances by pacing and to locate a map marked river which turned out to be a well defined though dry gully. The Galtys are drying out apace after the rains and snows of recent months. The flattened ridgelines of the ascent allowed opportunities for spotting and taking bearings on the many neighbouring hills and valleys, Glounreagh to the west and Attychran to the east.

A break on the summit brought a chance encounter with a far from timid sheep who had clearly developed a taste for scraps from walkers’ lunchbreaks. This fattened sheep is preying on those who ignore the ‘leave no trace’ principle on the hills. The sun shone warm though the wind blew piercing cold, so providing the chance to discuss the relationship between altitude and temperature, exposure and hypothermia. Only a fool would wander up Galtymore unprepared.

The journey continued across Galtybeg to the ‘geisha’ or should be ‘gaoithse’ as in windy steps. Turing south to 657, on to Knockeentoung and then down steeply to the meeting of the river Attychran’s headwaters. This valley offers a fascinating ecosystem with its combination of commercial pine forests and native beech and holly trees growing in the river gorge. Deer flitted through the forest, a hidden pheasant’s grating call marked our passing and the abundance of mosses, heathers, flowers and bilberries shortened that road back to the start.

Time to put away the maps much sweated over and the compasses dizzy from the spinning they had done throughout the day. A skilful conclusion to a satisfying day out.

There will be four walks this weekend commencing with the Thursday evening walk from The Lacka Car Park led by Willie O’Rourke (087) 7934958. The Saturday morning walk will go ahead as usual from Ardpatrick Church at 12.00 m d. Denis Bates (086) 8047570 will lead a moderate “A” walk from Galty Castle Car Park on Sunday at 10.00 a m while Cal McCarthy (086) 4091351 will lead his “B” walk from Glenanaar Car Park at 11.00 a m.