Peaks Mountaineering Club Notes   1st March 2010

Best day on the Knockmealdown’s for many’s the month was the verdict on Sundays hill walking. Tom Dalton led off in style onto the Knockmealdown range from Killballyboy Wood to Knocknalougha and dropped to the 3 dunes. Crossing the road Tom’s route was up by the Air Crash Monument and onto the coll between the Sugar Loaf and Knockmealdown where he met the noon walkers. Both groups climbed onto Knockmealdown at 794meters where a group photo was taken of one of the largest walks of the season. Pleasantries exchanged Tom led off the top with his 13 walkers in good order and dropped down to the pair of lakes under shadow of Cnoc Maoldomhnaigh and climbed onto the track to Sugarloaf. Picking up the wall he led off to the Munster Way and Loughlin’s Bridge by road and track back to the cars at Killballyboy Wood after covering over 21 kilometres and about 1000 meters of climbing.

 Bernard Lennon led the noon walk with assistance from Tom Ryan and Aine Lynch. Bernard had a large crew of 28 walkers and parked up at the little car park Glentanagree Bridge. Steady climbing brought the club members by way of Knockacomortish to the coll between Sugarloaf and Knockmealdown where we met the early walkers for some photos and chat in brilliant sunshine. After feeding and watering Bernard ,Aine and Tom led off towards the Pilgrim Path by way of Knockannagh. After about 2 kilometres Bernard made a change in course at the fork in the stream and led westwards across the butt of Cnoc Maoldomhnaigh in lovely dry conditions on the 350 metre contour line . A sharp southerly swing at the Glennandaree Stream brought the club out onto the roadway at the car park after a good day on the mountains.

Sunday the 7^th has an away and a local walk. Ciaran Culleton is leading the 10am walk in the Blackstairs and the buses leaves Eldon’s early and please call Nuala to ensure your place on the bus. This is a long walk and pack enough food and drink for two breaks and all the mountain gear in case the day turns nasty. Andrew Ryan is leading the noon walk at 12 assited by Brendan Nyhan and Fionnuala Kennedy. The walk is in the Comeragh’s and more details from the leader or on our website at www.peaksmcclonmel.ie .

Hands and bodies are needed for the Knockmealdown crossing in April and contact the committee for more details. This crossing has been very well supported by walkers from around the entire Island and information packs were posted to clubs during the week and are also on our website. Call the PRO on 0862937220 if you do not have internet access and we will post a pack to you.