Lakes in the Knockmealdowns? Print

Peaks Mountaineering Club Notes  8th February 2010

The Knockmealdown Mountains were the climbing venue for the Peaks Club on Sunday and the afternoon walk was led by Donal McNamara subbing for Ruairi O Caislean. Donal led the way in from the bend at the Vee and up in to the Knockmealdown’s in good order with a group of 21,contoured by a track down by a river and up to a lake which appeared on the map but has disappeared, though there was some dispute as to whether it existed in reality! A mainly dry day, with some mist, the group trudged up from that point on the river to the long saddle connecting Knockmealdown Mountain with the Sugarloaf. An "executive" decision was taken to take lunch here, though we were only about an hour into the walk. From the saddle, we kept going in tight formation up to the top of Knockmealdown itself. Along the way we met the hardy members of the 10 o'clock walk for a chat, before reaching the summit in heavy mist. Pictures of the group were taken at the top, before we beat a path back down Knockmealdown. Down in the saddle, another collective decision was made to attack the Sugarloaf and head back down the far side to the Vee, instead of going back the way we came. The mist cleared somewhat as the group descended though it was a little hard going down this side of the Sugarloaf with black muck and rocks making things tricky and slippy but all reached the base without mishap.
The early walk was led by John Morrissey and John had distance in mind. Starting off from Gotenbridge he led into the base of Crohan at a smart pace. After that it was steady climbing up Crohan West and onto to Knockmeal before the westward course adjustment for Knockmealdown via Knockmeal, Knocknafallia and Knocknagnauv . After some polite conversation with the afternoon walkers it was Sugarloaf and the long walk back to the transport after doing a fair share of this year’s Knockmealdown crossing. John and his team have some of the dry run done already. Ciaran Culleton is leading a Blackstairs crossing on the 7th March . There is a bus leaving from Eldon’s on the morning and more details on the notice board in Eldon’s.
Walks for Sunday the 14th February are in the Comeragh’s and the leaders are 10am Kevin Bowen assisted by Gerry Treacy. The noon walk is led by Pascal Byrne assisted by Lorcan Ryan and Michael Greene. Check our website at www.peaksmcclonmel.ie for more details or call the PRO Bernard on 0862937220.