Comeragh Mountain B Walk, 17 August 2014

Walk Report - Noel Brennan

Noel led a group of seven for a very enjoyable 4hr 45 min walk, on a lovely sunny day only slightly tainted by a couple of squally showers. They left Kilclooney Wood and headed for the Lackaduff Commons, taking a direct route to cross Uisce Solais. Nancy, Rhona, Bridget, Michael, Michael and Noel were joined by the very welcome Mattias from Switzerland, who was delighted to be walking on open terrain without way-marked ways.

Noel reminded the group to check for tics afterwards, especially as they spent some time walking through mature ferns. As they wended their way towards spot-height 494m, they swopped items of ‘useless information’ on place names and the local landscape, much to visitor Mattias’ amusement – not least the link between Uisce Solais, Uisce Beatha and the Irish ‘invention’ of whiskey! Following a series of sheep tracks, they reached the foot of Crotty’s Rock just in time to have the first cold and windy shower of rain. Up they went and proceeded along the ridge, capturing all the nice views of Crotty’s lake, before heading for Boola Cairn and on to the track above Coumsingean to find a sheltered spot for a welcome cup of tea and a chance to rest some weary legs.

After lunch the group headed back along the top, then some steep downhill walking to cross Uisce Solais at ‘The Bush’ between the various falls; they then took a very well defined track back to Coumsingean Lake. After a short break and more butterscotch sweets (all part of the service!) they went along the track to Lady’s Rock and then took their time on the final steep downhill, finishing just after 3 p.m. The consensus was that it was a very enjoyable B walk, tiring but enjoyable and all went home happy to see the hurling game on the television.

Picture shows (L to R) Michael, Bridget, Mattias, Nancy, Noel, Michael and Rhona with backpacks off at lunchtime.

 

August News Letter

Dungarvan Hillwalking Club August Newsletter

Highly Successful Comeragh Crossing 

162 people successfully completed the annual Comeragh Crossing on Saturday 5^th July and the event went very smoothly. 32 brave souls completed the Comeragh Challenge. It’s not yet known how much was raised for West Waterford Hospice, but we will have news on that next month. 

The club would like to thank the members of the Comeragh Crossing Committee, who worked hard to ensure that everything worked like clockwork and that all the walkers got a hot meal when they returned from their long trek. The club would also like to thank the catering team, all the helpers at the checkpoints and at the sign in and sign out desks, the car park attendants, the bus drivers who ensured everyone got to the starting point on time, and most of all the soccer club for giving us a base. 

Wading in Glory at the Cunnigar Crossing

Eight days later, on Sunday 13^th July, we held our annual Cunnigar Crossing, which in case there’s any confusion involves water instead of mountains. Richard Dykes’s trusty clicker machine informed us that 234 people turned out for the walk, including a healthy number of children, which was great to see. 

The walkers waded across the Cunnigar sandbar at low tide and then streamed across Baile na nGall beach under the able leadership of John Browne. A photographer from the local papers turned up to take our picture – always nice to get the 15 minutes of fame. They were then treated to refreshments at Tig an Cheoil pub, where there was a collection for the Lions’ Club which raised €901. The club would like to thank Tig an Cheoil, Peter Mangan, John Browne and all the stewards for their hard work, as well as Erich Baumann for designing a poster that helped raise publicity. 

Thursday Walk Day Out

The Thursday walkers chose the only day in June when it rained for their annual day out in the Glen of Aherlow, which took place on June 26th. The walkers did an 11km loop in torrential rain, which obscured the stunning scenery. Nonetheless, they remained in good spirits, and soon dried out in the cosy pub at the Aherlow House Hotel. They enjoyed a delicious meal, which put body and soul back together. More than a dozen walkers made the journey to the North Tipp beauty spot, so the experiment is likely to be repeated next year in better weather. 

SEMRA Flag Day 

South East Mountain Rescue Assocciation will hold a flag day in Dungarvan on Friday 29th August, so if you can help collect, or you’re in town that day, have a look out for the people with the buckets and drop in a few euro if you can. They do sterling work in keeping us all safe on the mountainside.

If you’ve got a walk report or a piece of news you think the club should be aware of, please send it to derbhile.graham@gmail.com.