| Frozen Lakes in the Comeraghs |
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Peaks Mountaineering Club Notes 15th February 2010 Sunday’s walking in the Comeragh’s was the best to date. The weather was excellent with light winds, firm ground and excellent visibility and our club members took advantage. Kevin Bowen led the early walk and he had 16 club members with him. Kevin was assisted by Pascal and once parked in the Nire Valley Car Pak led off in good order for Lough Coumfea by way of the trailer bridge. When they arrived at the Lough it was frozen over completely but volunteers for testing were not to be had and after declining a possible wetting Kevin led up the “nose”. The next course adjustment brought them to the old transmitting building at 715 meters where lunch with a view was partaken in civilised conditions. Kevin led on a few hundred meters and then dropped off to the Coumtay track. This track winds along the shoulder of the range and leads to some spectacular Coums before ending at the Coumtay Loughs. Climbing the gully at the back of the Loughs it was a straight crossing across the wate to the high ground over the Coumfea Loughs before the long descent down the spur to the trailer bridge and the cars. For the technical it covered over 16 kilometres in about 6 hours at a moderate walking pace with some of the finest views in the Comeragh Range included.
Lorcan Ryan led the noon walk assited by Michael Greene and they also choose the Nire Valley Car Park as their starting point. Swinging north from the cars Lorcan led up the long pull to the Knockanaffrin Ridge where stunning views over the Suir Valley were enjoyed.. Following the ridge to the Gap a course adjustment was made to pick up the track to the Coum Iarthar Loughs. This is a long haul into the Coum and the sights inside this other world area were worth the effort. Everything was frozen and the ice thickness across the entire Loughs appeared thick enough for walking but no volunteers. Reversing tracks Lorcan led back to the Gap and the pleasant track back to the Car Park after a excellent days walking enjoyed to no end by his crew of 17.
Walks on Sunday the 21st are in the Galtees and the leaders are 10am John Byrne assisted by Ger Barrett. The Noon walk at 12 is led by Sean Walsh assited by Kaye Mullaney and Jimmy Trehy. Bring all your gear and if you have one, a camera for the club photography competition which will be held later this year for a picture taken in 2010 on the mountains. The theme is an open one but confined to club members and we will have a neutral professional judge. More details from any of the committee or call the PRO Bernard on mobile no 0862937220 for walk details. Our club website is well worth a visit for news of away walks and holidays planned for this year and next year including the Kilimanjaro climb. All on www.peaksmcclonmel.ie |