"To Hell and Back" via the Devil's Ladder

Those of you familiar with the name of Audie Murphy will know that he was the most decorated American soldier of the Second World War. After his military career, he embarked on a career in Hollywood and in 1949 portrayed himself in an autobiographical movie of his life. The name of the movie was, "To Hell and Back", which just about sums up the final installment of our week long journey that was completed at Carrauntoohil on Saturday. However, unlike the brave soldier that was Audie Murphy, we didn't die on the mountain. Audie met his end when, at the ripe young age of 45, the aircraft that he was a passenger in, (yes, you guessed it) flew into a mountain.

That's not to say that there were moments on Saturday when we would have taken a helicopter ride off the mountain, but Kerry Mountain Rescue would not have been able to get to us in the fog. The climb is normally a grade 4 (out of 5) but given the state of the Devil's ladder on Saturday, it was probably closer to a grade 5. At the top of the ladder, there were still 7 adventurers but, on the advice of Mountain Rescue, 4 turned back. The final section was completed in tortuous conditions and changing terrain. Visibility was a few metres and it was thus most welcome to see the cross at the top of the mountain loom up in the gloom. A quick photo and the trek back down the mountain was begun.

Bless this Mountain

The champagne celebration took place in Cronin's Yard as opposed to the top of the mountain and the celebration continued at the hotel late into the night.

Scaling the Devil's Ladder

It has been a great adventure and not without incident but fortunately without mishap. With 100 years between us, it was a fantastic way to test our mettle and endurance.

We're not dead yet!

And as Gilly said when he toasted the mountain, "Here's to the next 50 years".

You have been watching...........................

Carrauntoohil

On top of Ireland

We came, we saw, we dandered!

That's the last peak conquered and it has to be said that she put up one hell of a fight. I blame the Devil's Ladder where several rungs had obviously been washed away by the excessive precipitation that has been ubiquitous this week. Not enough to deter your valiant duo who took the battle to the mountain and won. The prize was a bottle of Marks and Spencer's best prosecco washed down with lashings of the Clonmel variety.

Here are a few pics before I am required in the steam room with my masseuse!

This kit is really starting to stink!

I can't see a thing

Last Day

Heading out the door of the Killarney Plaza, to find Cronin's Yard. Des told me it's well signposted so next report will, hopefully, tell of a successful final day's walking. It's raining so the signs are good.

Definitely looking forward to post ambulatory refreshment with the Clonmel champagne!

Here we go, here we go, here we go!

Snowdon Done

We had to drive to two different starting points to find somewhere to park. Our second choice was the Llanberis Path but it was the one we had to go with.

The walk started in pleasant weather and the path was easy to cover quite quickly. However, as has been the norm this week, once we got to about 2000 feet we entered cloud and the wind picked up. The Snowdon tourist train passed below us and lesser men might have been tempted to hop on, but not the members of this expeditionary force. We passed under the track and were met by other walkers in distress. The cloud had masked the edge of the ridge where a landslide had carried away a family of wood lice on their annual excursion to a damp, dark place under a stone. No such worries for us though. Pushing on through the wind and the rain, with hope in our hearts, we were never walking this lonely path again so we tried to enjoy it. 

We reached the summit and what joy to find a café where we could buy hot tea and fridge magnets. And the tea was hot. Thus fortified, we started the yomp back to base, passing a multitude of less sure footed mountaineers who politely stepped aside as we approached. 

Back in the car en route to our lodgings, the reason for that politeness became apparent when Gilly remarked, "Is that smell us?"  

Yes folks, we were aglow with freshness!

Happy dunking. Cider is better than apples!

Snowdonia before the deluge. 

Closing in on the objective

Pointing the way

Objective Taken

Black Boy rules ok

Arrived in Caernarfon this afternoon and checked into our lodgings at The Black Boy Inn where Welsh is the first language. Gilly appears to be fluent and consequently I can't get him out of the bar. I wish Kevin and Tracey could see us now.

Tidy!!

Scafell Piked

A few pics from today ...................

At the top....

Lovely boys

Man at C&A

The forecast predicted that we were going to get wet so we were well prepared, or at least somewhat better than Nevis on Sunday. Firstly, however, we had to navigate through the hills to Wasdale where the walk would commence and this proved to be more tricky than the walk itself. It was surprising that the GPS even picked up some of the single track roads we were required to use to get there. So, after a couple of unforced detours we made it to Wastwater lake, our starting point.

Following the instructions as per our Three Peaks guidebook (thank you Brian Smailes) we successfully negotiated the lower slopes of the Pike. The views were amazing and for once not shrouded in cloud - at least not yet. This was not true as we neared the trig point at the top and again our bright jackets were an aid to keep sight of each other. Two hours to the top was satisfactory and after a quick photo, we set off on our return. The white out conditions proved  a little hazardous  but after a couple of hundred feet of descent, we were able to see again. A much simpler, drier descent than Nevis meant we were able to sample the local brew at a couple of hostelries on the return drive. Lovely beer!

The next destination is Caernarfon where we bed down for a couple of nights while contemplating Snowdon. A massage would ease the aching limbs but we haven't found a willing masseuse yet.

It all feels a bit like Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon during The Trip. Could be that I am trying too hard to replicate some of that.

That will do nicely, thank you Sir!

Down to the Lakes

A selection of pics from Ben Nevis.......

Love on a Mountaintop!

  Gilly attention seeking

Having a laugh before the weather closed in

The top of Britain

Refuge in the refuge

Sarah and the Cake

Happy Birthdays to Us

Today we were a tad groggy after time spent in the Grog and Gruel. A hearty Scottish breakfast sent us on our way on the road south to Sassenach land. Aquaplaning all the way, it was a good six hour drive including a couple of espresso stops. The last section through the Lake District was breathtaking as is the little inn we have chosen to make our home for the next two nights. The heating in the room is good enough to dry my sodden gear in time for another soaking tomorrow.

We have decamped to the bar where the wifi is better (fnarr fnarr) to sample the Cumbrian hospitality and begin the carbo loading.