I can safely say I have never been so concerned about the weather on Mother’s Day ever before. Waking at 4:00 am to the sound of pouring rain. The hike kicked off at 9:00 am. Much to everyone’s surprise including our own, we were driving at 9:14am. Many thanks for everyone getting down on time. It is our plan to always leave on time. This was a county event that Douglas organised along with Dave Shalloo the County Beaver Co-ordinator. We had 190 people on four buses. We had 119 beavers, 35 leaders, and the remainder were cubs, scouts and venturers. There were 800 cocktail sausages, and 400 bottles of water also on board. There were also 50 eggs designed to be given out to each set of 6 beavers with the task to get the egg safely up and down the mountain. Unfortunately the eggs remain in a nameless individual’s kitchen as opposed to the bus. All egg, omelette recipes gratefully appreciated for the next two weeks!!
Our first stop was Muckross House bus area for a quick toilet break then off up the mountain. We started the walk from the Upper Car Park at the top of Torc waterfall. For driving directions if you want to try it yourself, it is the first left after the main entrance to Muckross House. The car park is at the very end of this road approx 1 mile long.
We left the car park with a stealy determination to climb the mountain as you can see from this totally unposed picture.
We headed due south. Again for those of you who would like to do the walk you walk away from Killarney towards Kenmare. You cross a bridge and take a left to walk onto the old Kenmare Road. The old Kenmare Road is an old coach road – in use until 1830.
There was tons of nature all round us on this part of the walk. The kids crossed a couple of streams and saw a lot of frog spawn. No tadpoles yet unfortunately but tons of frog spawn.
Following the Old kenmare Road you emerge from the forest (leave the lovely shelter) after approx. 750m. Another 750m sees you arrive where the railway sleepered path to Torc meets the Old Kenmare Road.
Following up this path, you get great views of the surrounding country side very quickly. It also has a lot of mountain for very little effort. If your kids did think they climbed Everest it is because it does actually feel fairly high as you can tell.
You can see the line of beavers stretching away in the distance.
Lunch was the usual truffles and chocolates!!!
A couple of minutes after lunch it got SLIGHTLY colder, the wind picked up and the mist and cloud line dropped down on us. Discretion being the better part of valour we turned and descended down the mountain again. There is no fear of being lost or disorientated on this mountain walk as you quite literally followed the railways sleepers and stone path all the way down the mountain. For those of you used to mountain climbing the mist is the cloud line. Descending brings you under it again and back into good visibility. We were approx 15 minutes hike from the top but the wind was against us and we turned for home. There was a lot of very disappointed beavers as we turned for home and fair to say there were a few who probably thought we were actually at the top!! It was hard to tell with the mist!
Back at base camp, then we were treated to some cooked sausages by Dave Shalloo the County Beaver Coordinator. Well done Dave.
We were very unlucky with the weather yesterday. At the same time last year, the mist cleared at the top and we saw this amazing view.
Unfortunately when you are into mountain climbing, part of the climb is the anticipation of what you will or won’t see at the top. I have climbed Mount Brandon about 10 times and I have yet to have a clear summit. Everyone assures me it is fantastic. Maybe on the 11th climb….
Finally for those that did not make it back… It is okay, they are in my house.
I have 4 hats, ONE sock, two gloves (not matching i.e. separate) one pair of wellies, one pair of white runners, one shoe. Shall we say €1000 for the lot!!! Labels on everything next time!!!
Put Torc on your bucket list of things to do this summer. Well worth it. Look out for the tadpoles from end march on.
Same time next year folks!
Many thanks to Rose for the great Pictures taken on Mother’s Day!!
