Peaks Notes 23rd March 2014

The noon walk was led by Joe O’Dwyer with assistants, Lilly Butler & Nora Phelan and the 22 walkers were all in good spirit. Starting at Glenabbey Bridge and walking smartly along the wood track adjacent to Glenary River and heading for opening along the spur. Working his way along the ridge line from and on to the summit at Lachtnafrankee, crossing a wire fence was they went. 

A stop for lunch and then the start of a determined chilling wind from the North East which signalled it was time to go. Joe and his highly trained lieutenants led gently down the spur to the junction to the Y of the Glenary River. They met a family picnicking at the junction and the smell of cooking sausage’s made the hungry walkers weak but Joe led on across the river and back to the cars by a combination of forest tracks after covering 14 kilometres and climbing 500 meters in good walking conditions. 


The early walk was led by Kevin Bowen and he had 17 walkers out for as good day in the Comeraghs. Kevin parked at the Nire Valley car park and started with the steep pull up to point 630 over Coumduala lough. Sharp turn eastwards and steady walking along the ridge to the gap and the leg burner up Carrignagower.  Kevin led his crew around the rim to admire the splendid views over the Coum Iarthar Loughs and then to have a look over Crotty’s Lake and a break for a spot of lunch in gorgeous sunshine. 

Coumshinghnaun and Iska Solas were ticked off before heading for Fauscoum at 792 meters which is as high as it gets on the Comeragh range. Kevin made a course adjustment and headed North West to the Sgillogues and down the spur to the valley floor. Picking up the track from the gap it was pleasant walking back to the cars after covering 17 kilometre’s in 5 hours and with a height gain of 900 meters all in our local mountains. The day was what is known sometimes as a pet day and the Peaks club took full advantage of it. 

All walks on Sunday the 30th are in the Knockmealdowns with John Morrissey leading the 10am walk. The noon walk is led by Sean Brackett assisted by Donal Murphy and Helen McNamara. Get your hands on ordinance map no 74 and make a few notes on the route for your own personal information .The leaders will gladly assist you in marking the route and give you bearings and a copy of their walking notes.

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