A wonderful finish for the fourth and last part of this long hike, with a fantastic sunset over Dingle Bay !!
In the footsteps of a peak-bagger: the Glenbeigh Horseshoe (part 3)
Follow me as I venture out and back along the airy ridge to the modest summit of Keamconneragh (593m), before continuing my journey towards the last four tops of the horseshoe. Not a place for the faint-hearted !!
In the footsteps of a peak-bagger: the Glenbeigh Horseshoe (part 2)
My latest video is out !!
In the footsteps of a peak-bagger: the Glenbeigh Horseshoe (Part 1)
First part of a long and beautiful loop walk in co. Kerry, Ireland.
In the footsteps of a peak-bagger : A winter walk in the Sheeffry Hills (part 3)
The third and final part of the Sheeffry trilogy will take you along a narrow ridge up to the highest summit of the range, Barrclashcame (772m), where more breathtaking views await !!
In the footsteps of a peak-bagger : A winter walk in the Sheeffry Hills (part 2)
Second part of this fantastic walk over the Sheeffry Hills, in S Mayo, Ireland, with breathtaking views over the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding massifs !! And there will be a “part 3″…
In the footsteps of a peak-bagger: A winter walk in the Sheeffry Hills (part 1)
My latest video is out !!
This time, I am taking you for a fantastic ridge walk under the sunshine, over the Sheeffry Hills in the W of Ireland, where more breathtaking views await !!
IRELAND’S ICONIC MOUNTAINS: MUCKISH
From now on I will put forward a new topic: taking you up Ireland’s iconic mountains. Those which can be seen from far away, those which steep slopes make your eyes open wide, which summit vista is as beautiful as a dream, yet which name sometimes sends shivers down your spine while thinking of their huge size and how hostile they can be under bad weather. The changeable, unpredictable weather conditions combined with the usually hard-going terrain indeed turn these hills into mountains. Despite their modest height and the rather reasonable amount of ascent implied, the Irish mountains are tough for the novice. But when it clears out, even just a bit, it is pure magic…
FIRST DAY IN THE MOURNE MOUNTAINS: FROM SLIEVE MUCK TO BUTTER MOUNTAIN
My second article will take you to the heart of the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland, about one hour driving distance S of Belfast. After so many trips on the Emerald Isle, it was about time for me to visit this popular area, one of the only main mountain ranges I had not yet set foot on. In my quest of climbing all of the Irish +500m summits, I had only visited two in Northern Ireland, Slieve Croob (539m) and Slieve Gullion (574m), respectively N and WSW of the Mournes. A few days’ trip last November would allow me to add a few others to my personal list…
A CHOICE OF ROUTES UNDER BEAUTIFUL NOVEMBER SKIES…
But why November ? Not the best period for hill-walking, usually wet, dull and cold and the days are short. But I have been in Ireland every year in November since 2012 and the weather has not always been that bad. The only thing is, you need an early start if you intend to complete long walks or you will have a night finish.
The Mournes are definitely the ideal place for a peak-bagger like me. The summits are relatively close to each other and most of them can be accessed with good trails -which is rather unusual in Ireland. If the weather allows, I could bag quite a few of the 35 +500m listed summits during these four days. And there is a great choice in linear routes or loops. Therefore, I will decide of my first route only on the previous night…
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