Caher (Coomloughra) Route "MacGillycuddy's Reeks"

[Mourneman]

Recently done this route with Mountain goat russell and another friend,thought it was worth sharing the story as it's on our doorstep.We left Downpatrick at 5 am and arrived at our start point at 10.40 am,not bad although the road are very much improved from the old days.A fairly long but relatively straightforward route which follows the southern rim of Coomloughra and takes in the triple summit of Ireland's third highest mountain Caher (1001m) en route to the summit of Carrauntoohil. For more experienced parties the complete Coomloughra Horseshoe - which includes Ireland's three highest peaks - is an option. This takes in the spectacularly exposed knife-edge of the Beenkeeragh Ridge, but this is only for those with a head for heights and should not be attempted at all in windy conditions. Allow 6 hours for the Caher-Carrauntoohil-Caher trip and 8 hours for the full horseshoe.

DSCN7001 by surginor, on Flickr
start of the Caher/Hydro route

DSCN7008 by surginor, on Flickr
the first twenty minutes of this trek is up the old steep hydro road,quite tough going soon as you leave the car

DSCN7023 by surginor, on Flickr
Coomloghra lake,at this point your bear to the left ridge of Caher

DSCN7037 by surginor, on Flickr
a map check

DSCN7025 by surginor, on Flickr

DSCN7065 by surginor, on Flickr
Caher ridgeline

DSCN7065 by surginor, on Flickr

DSCN7089 by surginor, on Flickr
caher's summit

DSCN7089 by surginor, on Flickr

DSCN7112 by surginor, on Flickr
looking down on caher

DSCN7123 by surginor, on Flickr
Carrauntoohil

DSCN7123 by surginor, on Flickr
then onto the Beenkeeragh Ridge

DSCN7148 by surginor, on Flickr

DSCN7179 by surginor, on Flickr

DSCN7147 by surginor, on Flickr

The Beenkeeragh Ridge itself is knife-edged in places, and looks down over precipitous drops into both Coomloughra and Cummeenoughter. Although there is a track in places, the exposure is considerable and scrambling is required. In icy or especially in windy conditions it becomes extremely dangerous and should not be attempted.

[LandyLiam]

once i get the devils coachroad ticked off my list i'll have to give that ridge a go 

[Daithi2004]

It is a lovely route. I did last July 2011. We did the whole route. It took us 10hrs. We started at 10.00am and finished at 8.00pm. A very long day. Clink on the link to view my photos. Did you get the Geocache on top, jsurginor? Hope Mountain goat Russell is getting better....

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2248998990640.235634.1418184241&type=1&l=222dbb86b9

[VMCC]

Great photos - thanks for posting.

[Spud]

Big felim is a good lad John, he knows me well, liked ur pics that is a great place, did it in may past, great memories!

[whoRya]

Quality place. On my (long)list.

[Rumblebum]

you couldnt handle it mucker, youd be on your knees