Having admired Macgillycuddy's Reeks as my first intimate exposure to mountains as a wee tacker visiting the motherland, I eventually climbed Carrauntoohil (although I'm sure it was spelled differently then) from the north in July 1995 with my ex. I remember strong winds, a cross, and a sheep. (Jeez, for somebody who loves mountains and maps, I'm really drawing a bank on this one.)
Climbed three times in a week: Reeks Ridge; Stumpa-Beenkeragh horseshoe and Howling Ridge. All superb routes.
Katekat - Mar 21, 2008 7:39 am Date Climbed: Jun 7, 2007
O'Sheas Gully + The Coomloughra Horseshoe
Amazing walks on unbelievably clear sky. One day we walked from Cronin's Yard through Hag's Glen via O'Sheas Gully, little bit steeper walk, back via Heaven's Gate. Second day we made The Coomloughra Horseshoe which is giving amazing views on both sides.
Attila the Hun - Aug 29, 2007 7:40 am Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2007
Heaven's Gate route
Hiked up late on Saturday night, overnighted and then hiked up via Heaven's Gate , before doing the ridge route back over toward Kate Kearney's for dinner and a narrow Kerry escape from Monaghan.
Joerg Marretsch - Jun 15, 2007 11:16 am Date Climbed: Jun 8, 2007
Hags´Glen and Devil´s ladder
A perfect hiking day with unusual perfect weather conditions. Devil´s ladder in perfect - dry - conditions.
Tomek Lodowy - May 8, 2007 7:46 am Date Climbed: Apr 18, 2007
Great Kerry adventure
Final moment of my 3-day trip to Ireland's highest mountain range of Macgillycuddy's Reeks in Kerry. The successfull climb was made in absolutely gorgeous weather conditions unlikely for local standards(3/4 of the year peak sinks in rain and mist!).
The most popular summit trail leading from Cronin's Yard through Hag's Glen and Devil's Ladder was just for me that day, I haven't met anybody for about 7 hours of hiking besides sheep, sheep and sheep, they were simply everywhere!
Breathtaking summit panorama in all directions, dream blue Atlantic Ocean with its bays and islands, Dingle Peninsula, green fields of Kerry, postglacial lakes in valleys under my feet, lakes of Killarney and "moon" Reeks all around in full sun! Long descent
via sharp ridge and the second highest peak of Beenkeragh and then by northern slopes of Knockbrinnea to Gaddah River valley and Cronin's Yard.
The day before the ascent I hiked from the village of Beaufort through famous Gap of Dunloe to Black valley and back, great evening and sunset impressions. Wonderful area.
Climbed it a few years ago, it rained all the way up, but whe we got to the summit, the cloud cleared showing blue sky with the corss on the top partially eclipsing the sun. This alomst felt like divine intervention.
Route Climbed: Horseshoe Route Date Climbed: June 04
Nice walk up to the summit although we were covered in cloud and mist for the whole trip. Maybe next time will be a little bit luckier. Devil's stair is a death trap for descending.
Route Climbed: Devil`s staircase Date Climbed: February 2004
My german friend Peter Bolle from Würzburg and me, Remo Kiss from Innsbruck in Tirol climbed Carrauntoohill in February 2004. Stayed overnight in my tent near the river.The weather was great, no rain at all!!!
Route Climbed: Horseshoe Date Climbed: 1st June 2003
I've climbed it about three times at this stage. Without doubt the best route is the horseshoe route - though the arete can be a bit dodgy in bad weather. Best time to climb is Dec 26th - not for the weather, but for the atmosphere of the day after Christmas. The mountain gets a good-spirited crowd.
Route Climbed: The Horseshoe Date Climbed: August 2001
I made it around the horseshoe (which includes Ireland's three highest summits), in about four hours. It was a very nice hike indeed! It should be noted that between the two highest summits, there is a light scramble, but on excellent rock. There are not many tracks to follow in the lower parts of the hike, but with a map and good navigation skills, it is straightforward. The tourist office in Killarney actually warned me that the hike I was about to set out on was "extremely dangerous", an advice both me and the locals have problems understanding.
Route Climbed: Devil's Route Date Climbed: November 1999
Fantastic walk in and climb. Clear views in all directions and a nice day. My friend Glenn and I took off late in the afternoon and we got caught out in the dark on the way back. It was quite an adventure finding our way back to the car with no torch !
crnhlio - Sep 2, 2008 12:14 pm Date Climbed: May 1, 2007
Chris's 22nd BirthdayChris, Dad, and I again.
Ratballs - Aug 28, 2008 11:27 pm
My first national high-pointHaving admired Macgillycuddy's Reeks as my first intimate exposure to mountains as a wee tacker visiting the motherland, I eventually climbed Carrauntoohil (although I'm sure it was spelled differently then) from the north in July 1995 with my ex. I remember strong winds, a cross, and a sheep. (Jeez, for somebody who loves mountains and maps, I'm really drawing a bank on this one.)
Dan Bailey - May 22, 2008 8:48 am
great mountainClimbed three times in a week: Reeks Ridge; Stumpa-Beenkeragh horseshoe and Howling Ridge. All superb routes.
Katekat - Mar 21, 2008 7:39 am Date Climbed: Jun 7, 2007
O'Sheas Gully + The Coomloughra HorseshoeAmazing walks on unbelievably clear sky. One day we walked from Cronin's Yard through Hag's Glen via O'Sheas Gully, little bit steeper walk, back via Heaven's Gate. Second day we made The Coomloughra Horseshoe which is giving amazing views on both sides.
Attila the Hun - Aug 29, 2007 7:40 am Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2007
Heaven's Gate routeHiked up late on Saturday night, overnighted and then hiked up via Heaven's Gate , before doing the ridge route back over toward Kate Kearney's for dinner and a narrow Kerry escape from Monaghan.
Joerg Marretsch - Jun 15, 2007 11:16 am Date Climbed: Jun 8, 2007
Hags´Glen and Devil´s ladderA perfect hiking day with unusual perfect weather conditions. Devil´s ladder in perfect - dry - conditions.
Tomek Lodowy - May 8, 2007 7:46 am Date Climbed: Apr 18, 2007
Great Kerry adventureFinal moment of my 3-day trip to Ireland's highest mountain range of Macgillycuddy's Reeks in Kerry. The successfull climb was made in absolutely gorgeous weather conditions unlikely for local standards(3/4 of the year peak sinks in rain and mist!).
The most popular summit trail leading from Cronin's Yard through Hag's Glen and Devil's Ladder was just for me that day, I haven't met anybody for about 7 hours of hiking besides sheep, sheep and sheep, they were simply everywhere!
Breathtaking summit panorama in all directions, dream blue Atlantic Ocean with its bays and islands, Dingle Peninsula, green fields of Kerry, postglacial lakes in valleys under my feet, lakes of Killarney and "moon" Reeks all around in full sun! Long descent
via sharp ridge and the second highest peak of Beenkeragh and then by northern slopes of Knockbrinnea to Gaddah River valley and Cronin's Yard.
The day before the ascent I hiked from the village of Beaufort through famous Gap of Dunloe to Black valley and back, great evening and sunset impressions. Wonderful area.
Nanuls - Apr 27, 2007 8:49 am
A religious experience (well almost)Climbed it a few years ago, it rained all the way up, but whe we got to the summit, the cloud cleared showing blue sky with the corss on the top partially eclipsing the sun. This alomst felt like divine intervention.
rematore - Nov 1, 2006 8:09 pm
CarrauntoohilWet, low visibility...forced to turn back.
Jay Power - Sep 19, 2006 10:07 am Date Climbed: Jul 1, 1978
Devils' StaircaseVery wet and zero visibility from what I remember.
rufus - Sep 2, 2005 2:40 pm
Route Climbed: Gaddagh river - Devil's stair Date Climbed: 26 Aug, 2005A wet hike on a misty day. Very windy on the summit.
Cautious - Jun 24, 2005 9:49 am
Route Climbed: All Date Climbed: hundreds since 1985Lots of varied and interesting routes especially on North side
WoundedKnee - May 9, 2005 5:29 pm
Route Climbed: Reeks Ridge Route Date Climbed: May 8, 2005Fun route, but my knees were a bit sore the day after! Best to do on a clear day to enjoy the best Ireland has to offer.
eoin_23 - Apr 8, 2005 7:23 am
Route Climbed: Horseshoe Route Date Climbed: June 04Nice walk up to the summit although we were covered in cloud and mist for the whole trip. Maybe next time will be a little bit luckier. Devil's stair is a death trap for descending.
Remo10 - Mar 4, 2005 12:32 pm
Route Climbed: Devil`s staircase Date Climbed: February 2004My german friend Peter Bolle from Würzburg and me, Remo Kiss from Innsbruck in Tirol climbed Carrauntoohill in February 2004. Stayed overnight in my tent near the river.The weather was great, no rain at all!!!
Attila the Hun - Aug 10, 2004 10:51 am
Route Climbed: Horseshoe Date Climbed: 1st June 2003I've climbed it about three times at this stage. Without doubt the best route is the horseshoe route - though the arete can be a bit dodgy in bad weather. Best time to climb is Dec 26th - not for the weather, but for the atmosphere of the day after Christmas. The mountain gets a good-spirited crowd.
Kjetil - Jul 10, 2004 3:19 pm
Route Climbed: The Horseshoe Date Climbed: August 2001I made it around the horseshoe (which includes Ireland's three highest summits), in about four hours. It was a very nice hike indeed! It should be noted that between the two highest summits, there is a light scramble, but on excellent rock. There are not many tracks to follow in the lower parts of the hike, but with a map and good navigation skills, it is straightforward. The tourist office in Killarney actually warned me that the hike I was about to set out on was "extremely dangerous", an advice both me and the locals have problems understanding.
Anthony Wirth - May 19, 2004 6:22 pm
Route Climbed: Devil's Route Date Climbed: November 1999Fantastic walk in and climb. Clear views in all directions and a nice day. My friend Glenn and I took off late in the afternoon and we got caught out in the dark on the way back. It was quite an adventure finding our way back to the car with no torch !
Paddyrock - May 15, 2004 10:13 am
Route Climbed: howling ridge Date Climbed: 9\05\04nice weather. good climb moved together on most of it. Quite exposed in places. climbed it with my brother in 2hrs 30min
Alan Sharp - Apr 23, 2004 9:30 am
Route Climbed: Normal Hiking Route Date Climbed: April 2003A good day out, if you catch it on a good day.