The Hike Life Carrauntoohil ,Sunday May 19th
Kerry I can’t wait to be down in the Kingdom. This hike is going to be epic and I can’t wait to take on Irelands Tallest and toughest peak with you lot. We have fantastic guides joining us from KerryClimbing, some of you will know them from the Gougane Barra hike, they’re great craic.
The hike is limited to 100 people and registration will be live Saturday at 10AM.
To register you must have the following details at hand; emergency contact number, email, medical history. If you are registering for a friend please ensure you know these answers.
Once registered please be advised your details will be passed on to our guides for safety.
Meeting Point; Cronin’s Yard, Mealis, Beaufort.
Directions to Cronin’s Yard: From Killarney: Take the N72 (Ring of Kerry road) towards Killorglin. After Fossa Village, turn left for the Gap of Dunloe. Continue on this road for approximately 8km until you come to Kissane’s Shop and Service Station. Go over a small bridge and take the next left (signposted for Cronin’s Yard and Tea Room, Carrauntoohil). Proceed to the end of this road, approximately 3km to Cronin’s Yard.
Sat Nav Coordinates: Lat: 52° 1’35.74″N / Long: 9°41’46.41″W
Google Maps Pin: https://goo.gl/maps/TWdEw9r4V2hnvPyT7
Parking; cost is €2 per car
Start Time; 09.00am
Start time will be staggered as the group is very large but please arrive at this time.
Difficulty; Hard, very hard.
Length; 12km , 6-7 hours.
Elevation; 1,039m
Route; Depending on conditions and subject to change: The Devils Ladder / Brother O’ Shea’s Gully – Groups may be on alternate routes. This will be decided on the day by the guides.
Equipment needed;
• Hiking Boots are essential ( no exceptions)
• Raingear
• Backpack w/water (approx. 2 litres) and food.
• SPF- even if it’s not sunny!
• Spare pair of sock/clothes/shoes for after- you don’t need to carry these but have them ready for your return.
• Determination!
• Recommended ( but not essential ) hiking pole/s
NOTICE; This hike is weather dependant. Conditions have been bad lately and as responsible hikers if the weather is not right my guides and I will have to make a call- hopefully weather will be good but we will keep everyone updated via social media and once you have a registered ticket via email, but hopefully May will bring us sunshine!
Dogs; NOT ALLOWED, sorry Willay you’re being left behind for this one.
Some other bits to know;
Before you hike its always nice to know a little background: We will begin our walk from Cronin’s Yard and walk along a well worn track into the Hags Glen and the heart of “The Reeks” – Cronin’s Yard is synonymous with Corrán Tuathail, and for over 200 years has been used as the traditional starting point for ascents of Ireland’s highest mountain !
The Macgillycuddys Reeks are extremely rugged range with fine knife-edged ridges ( not on the routes we will take on May 19th !!! ), high cliffs and fast running rivers.
During the last two ice ages approx. 300,000 – 130,000 and 80,000 to 10,000 years ago the highest peaks of The Reeks projected above the ice and hence were subject to severe ice weathering due to the freezing of water between the cracks in the rock. This along with erosion over time has resulted in the jagged appearance we see today. Carrauntoohil is the central peak of the MacGillycuddy Reeks. At the top you will be met by a large metal cross. The MacGillycuddys Reeks are privately owned, and we are very respectful and grateful to the landowners who continue to allow permissive access.
The walk is fantastic but it’s important to keep alert, the winds are felt up high, take in the views but be careful to keep your footing.
Also, PLEASE ensure your car is locked and you DO NOT leave anything valuable in there.
Lastly, on these walks we like to practice the principle of “leave no trace” so anything we bring up with us must also come down with us, food wrappers, bottles, even banana peel!
By registering to this event you acknowledge and agree to the below;
I acknowledge that this activity in which I am participating, involves risks. I hereby release the organiser (Roz Purcell) from all claims of personal injury, property damage, illness which may occur from food, causes of action or claims of any kind arising from my participation. I agree to pay the cost of my emergency evacuation of my person or belongings that may be necessary. I affirm that I am aware of the nature of this activity, its length, duration and degrees of difficulty and that I am properly equipped and physically able to participate. I have no medical or other condition which might preclude my participation.
The Lead Guide may require or advise an individual, or individuals, to abort an ascent, refrain from continuing / return to starting point if they believe that a person or person’s health is at risk, if a person is not coping, or may not cope, with the technical, physical or mental demands of the activity/course, if an illegal act has been or may be committed, or conduct is, may become, or has been, detrimental to the safety, enjoyment or well-being of the group as a whole or of any individual within the group.