Weather Conditions Prove Difficult Print

Peaks Mountaineering Club Notes 10th January 2010

They promised bad weather and we got it aplenty. Frozen roads and snow were the order of the day and with this in mind the leaders for Sunday took a decision to stay local for safety. The trip to the Galtees was put on hold and the walks switched to the near side of the Comeragh’s. The ten and noon walks were combined and Bernard Lennon led both with John Morrissey and Jim O Flaherty assisting. Starting from Eldon’s he led across the bridge to the Holy Year cross in steadily increasing snowfall. All Seventeen walkers stayed tightly closed up and in visual contact in steadily increasing snow until the break at the Holy Year Cross. Nicely warmed up at that point a little sustenance was had before heading in the Long Hill direction where the early walkers headed for the top with John Morrissey to loop back under Lachnafrankee while the noon walkers dropped to the Glenary stream. Bernard then led eastwards for a bit before swinging north westwards for the bottom of the Cross and a loopback on the roads by way of the Ragwell circuit to Eldon’s’. The walk covered twelve kilometres in very slippery conditions but was a good day’s exercise in very threatening weather conditions. All walkers returned safely after giving the winter gear a good test in snow, ice and biting wind .
The walks for Sunday the 17th January are in the Knockmealdown’s and start from our clubhouse at Eldon’s at the given time . The ordinance survey map for the walk is number 74 and what experienced walkers do is cut out the mountain section at about paper size 3 and get it laminated so that it is easy to handle and does not get damaged by the wet. The leaders for the walk are Kevin O Donnell and John Byrne for the early walk and Gerry Treacy assisted by Greg Kenny and Niamh Barrett for the noon walk. Make sure all the winter gear is worn and that a hot drink with a snack is in the bag for what looks like another difficult weather day on the mountains. More club details from Bernard on mobile 0862937220.