One of the all time "Classic" Irish Mountaineering routes.
Steep, Committing and exhilarating!
GRADE: Very Diff. to Severe rock climbing
Previous rock climbing/scrambling experience essential.
Time: 7.5 hrs + approx
Distance: 9 ½ km
**PROVISIONAL** Min numbers required to confirm, if interested get in touch and make this happen!!
Howling Ridge is a steep, well defined route which cuts up the north-east face of Corrán Tuathail. It is graded V Diff in summer and goes at various grades in winter, depending on conditions.
It was first climbed in February 1987 by two local climbers, Con Moriarty and John Cronin, in winter conditions. Moriarty, who led the climb, was an experienced mountaineer who four years previously had made the first ascent of Primroses Ridge – the hardest route up Corrán Tuathail. He had just recently returned from a winter climbing expedition to Scotland and wanted to prove that challenging ice climbing could also be found in Ireland in the right weather. The route gets its name from Moriarty’s dog, Grimsel, who waited at the Heavenly Gates howling while the pair completed the climb.
We will begin with a walk along a well worn track into the Hags Glen and the heart of “The Reeks”. We continue following the track as it leads us into spectacular mountain scenery and amongst “The Reeks” proper. The range is extremely rugged with fine knife-edged ridges, high cliffs and fast running rivers. During the last two ice ages approx. 300,000 – 130,000 and 80,000 to 10,000 years ago the highest peaks of The Reeks projected above the ice and hence were subject to severe ice weathering due to the freezing of water between the cracks in the rock. This along with erosion over time has resulted in the jagged appearance we see today.
“The Heavenly Gates” is a narrow notch in the cliffs of the north-east face. It is a popular means of ascent and descent of the mountain but is very steep in places and so great care must be taken here. Our climb begins here and is approximately 350 mtrs of scrambling and climbing on at times, loose rock. The first pitch is an easy steep scramble and leads to a flat bench. The second pitch is lovely V Diff climbing with just a few awkward moves. The ridge continues with steep little pitches, easier scrambling sections and flat areas and finishes after approx 300mtrs. Great care must be taken as there is always loose rock on the route due to it being of eroded sandstone. It is dramatic, exciting and very exposed in places.
To our right is the formidable “Primrose Ridge” which joins Howling near its top at a large left slanting slab called “An Droichead” meaning “The Bridge”. The ridge ends with one last steep pitch and peters out to a large boulder field which leads us up the last 150mtrs or so to the summit of Corrán Tuathail.
What a truly fantastic route and a magnificent day in majestic mountains!
To book email
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PRICE €150
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