JohnGalway 1,043 Posted May 3, 2010 Report Share Posted May 3, 2010 (edited) Leenane Walking Festival Hello all, I've just had a great weekend at the Leenane Walking Festival which ran over the May bank holiday just past. On the Saturday I took the long Ben Baun walk, highest point in Co. Galway, which started out in the Gleninagh valley. After getting to the top of Ben Baun we headed onto Luggatarriff, down to the saddle between Luggatarriff and Muckanaght and headed over to top Benbrack. From there we made our way to the saddle with Knockbrack then headed down towards the road near Kylemore Abbey. The weather, besides one good shower at the top of Gleninagh, was fantastic! I think it took us 6 hours 45 minutes, but, there were two groups with 61 people in total so we were moving at the pace of the slowest member which is the right thing to do. Tea and scones from the Nuns before the buses picked us us. Gleninagh Valley. Looking towards Baranoraun. Looking down over Gleninagh, Lough Inagh overlooked by the Maamturks. Errisbeg hill in the distance, Roundstone bog and out towards Ballyconneely on the right. Coming off Ben Baun top going towards Luggatarriff. Muckanaght which we bypassed, it'll have to keep for another time. Kylemore Abbey coming off Ben Brack. The Diamond, Letter Hill, Kylemore Abbey with Doughruagh over looking it. Achill head and Croaghaun, on Achill island, in the distance, Kylemore Abbey bottom right. On the Sunday It was time to do the long Mweelrea walk, highest point in Connacht. We started out on the Delphi side of Doo Lough. The ascent there I found, being a newbie, fairly steep. It was also wet and a bit slippery underfoot. Once we had finished the ascent it was easy going for the most part. Going from Benburyl, I was told the final climb up to Mweelrea top itself was hard enough, I found it quite easy. It's a long slope, but not steep and the ground underfoot is great. From Mweelrea top the plan was to descend towards Killary Harbour, then turn towards 495 and down on towards Bunnaglass. Just off the top there's quite a narrow ridge that you have to take, as one guy said coming up is optional, getting down in mandatory. It's single file with a fair old drop to the left and a very very steep grassy slope to the right. Not a place I'd like something to happen. The going was steep enough in places and wet in spots, some long heather along the route we took. But, everyone took their time and got down grand. The festival had organised RIB's (a great and necessary touch) to pick us up from the shore and up Killary Harbour, tea and scones again and then we were bussed back to Leenane. Doo Lough Start. Looking towards the ramp. Looking back along an interesting part of the ridge, many stories told at lunch! Uggool beach from the top of Mweelrea. Glassillaun beach middle left. Coming down off the top, worst part of that ridge is above out of view. Kept the head down to get off the damn thing It's not the drop that get's ya, it's the sudden stop at the bottom. Towards Glenconnolley I think it's called. Killary Harbour in the sunshine, Maamturks on the left, Twelve Bens on the right, glorious sunshine all around. Our RIB awaits, don't spare the horses Mweelrea from the road on the other side of Killary Harbour and farther inland. Then it was into the pub for a pint, have the craic until the BBQ and Ceili that night. I have to say I had a fantastic time and would recommend it to anyone without hesitation! Just a bit of local info but if Michael Gibbons is leading any walk next year, do go. He's a local Archaeologist and you will not be bored I guarantee you. He lectures on my course and I've heard him speak before. Unfortunately due to work and the Ben Baun walk Saturday I couldn't make his lecture Friday night or go on the Glencroft walk Saturday! Information about this years festival can be found on http://www.leenanevillage.com/ Edited May 4, 2010 by JohnGalway Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SNAP SHOT 194 Posted May 3, 2010 Report Share Posted May 3, 2010 nice shots of the isle john.... snap. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FightTheBan 1,147 Posted May 3, 2010 Report Share Posted May 3, 2010 Looks like you picked a nice day for it! And fair play to you, i'd be blowin out ma arse getting up there... FTB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
provarmint 25 Posted May 3, 2010 Report Share Posted May 3, 2010 Stunning scenary, thanks for sharing John. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JohnGalway 1,043 Posted May 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2010 Thanks and welcome I'm not the best photographer mind you. Am sure someone who knew what they were doing would take some fantastic shots. I just couldn't do justice in those snaps to what we saw from there with our own eyes. Today was an easier day, highest thing I climbed was the stairs Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fish slapped 0 Posted May 9, 2010 Report Share Posted May 9, 2010 Nice one JG another fine tale and some lovely photos, bit easier walking with a stick than carrying a rifle, lamp and battery pack. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JohnGalway 1,043 Posted May 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2010 I found a den on the lower slopes of Mweelrea, a spot where a fox had eaten a lamb coming down towards Kylemore Abbey as well as lots of fox scat on both walks. The most surprising discovery I've made since I've been at this craic has to be finding lots of fox scat and three distinct areas with strong fox odour on the top, yes, the top, of the Maumturk Mountains, which are just over 700m high at their highest point. There ain't exactly a lot up there to eat! But there were lots of fox signs all the same. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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