Trip Report by John L
Trip Participants: Vicky W, Kyle S, Lisa D-K, Rónán D-K, John L, Aimee S, Owen L, Callum Y, Rob B, Sarah B, Manfei Y, Michael B, Alistair M and Cillian B
29th March – 1st April 2024
Our Easter trip was based in the Ben Lettery Hostel which was a great base from which to explore the Twelve Bens.
Most participants arrived around late Friday afternoon and Vicky and Rónán even had time to squeeze in a run to the top of Ben Lettery and back.
View from Ben Lettery on Friday Evening. Photo Credit: Rónán
That evening, Lisa’s dinner of bacon and mushroom pasta was much enjoyed, and those who didn’t help Lisa with cooking it had plenty of dishes to wash afterwards. We then played 6nimmt which Kyle won.
The weather forecast for the weekend was very changeable with the general view that the Norwegian forecast seemed to tell us what we most wanted to hear, closely followed by Met Eireann.
One group (Aimee, Sarah, Owen, Cillian, Alastair and John) decided to climb Ben Breen via Cloud Rake whilst Vicky, Lisa, Manfei, Kyle, Rónán and Michael decided to try the more technical Ragged Ridge (Diff/V Diff) on Derryclare.
View up to Ragged Ridge, Michael on the Ridge, Rob & Manfei on the Ridge. Photo Credits: Kyle & Rob
Lake on Top of Derryclare. Photo Credit: Rónán
Cloud Rake was a diagonal ramp that ran underneath the North Face of Ben Breen. From a distance an uncomplicated scramble running through complex cliffs looked improbable but once we got to the start the scrambling was straightforward, if a little loose, and finished near the summit. The threatened rain never appeared, and the views were about as good as they could be with endless summits, lakes and of course the Atlantic Ocean (next land America) as a backdrop.
The group ascending cloud rake. Photo Credit: Owen
All returned to the Hostel safe and sound where after dinner we played 6nimmt and Kyle won…again. We then moved on to telestrations where we learned that a thick black line is not two bears facing a black brick.
On paper, Sunday had a slightly better forecast than Saturday. Two teams (Callum, Cillian and Rob; Owen, Alastair and John) decided to have go at Carrot Ridge; whilst Vicky, Lisa & Kyle tackled the Glencoaghan Horseshoe which involved 15k of distance with over 1700 meters of climbing (and descending). As if that wasn’t enough, Rónán planned to run it. Our horsehoe completioners battled scree and scramble with our walkers seeing the frequent welcome mark of a Rónán shaped mudclaw. Aimee, Sarah, Manfei and Michael planned on a more leisurely day exploring the best bits of the horseshoe.
Glencoaghan Horsehoe appreciation from Derryclare. Photo Credit: Rob
Carrot Ridge did not disappoint. The rock was compact with secure juggy holds most of the way up which balanced the somewhat spaced protection on some of the pitches - especially Callum’s first pitch which had almost no protection anywhere. Long rocky ridges as good as this are a rarity in Ireland and it was a real treat to climb it. Both teams got off the ridge just before the rain and wind started and despite the harrowing (for those with old knees) steep scree/bog/scheugh descent the day was a top quality and memorable mountaineering adventure.
John on Carrot Ridge. Photo Credit: Owen
Once back at the Hostel, dinner was Vicky’s Sausages, Potatoes and Vegetables which went down a treat. We then sang Happy Birthday to the cook and Kyle presented her with his carefully baked Victoria Sponge birthday cake-complete with digital i-phone candle.
To prevent Kyle getting a hat trick of 6nimmt wins, we played Codenames instead in the ‘comfy room’ after tea.
To have two days of dry clear weather in March in Connemara is a rare privilege and there is no doubt that Belfast Climbing Club made the very most of it, forging happy memories that will last a lifetime. After all, quality routes enjoyed with good companions is what climbing is all about.
All on the weekend would like to extend thanks to Vicky for all the organizing, allowing the weekend to work as well as it did, the chefs for their meals, and the drivers who brought us there and back!
The Group outside Ben Lettery Hostel. Photo Credit: Callum