2013-05-25 16:18:05
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| uisge beatha (Expand pics) |
IN ARCADIA
There comes a point where some of us wise up - where we put aside our contrariness and learn to see our world as it is - and it is completely wonderful.We start to see that every day is a good day, be thankful for it and revel in it - but as each hour, each minute, each second takes us farther way from our childhood, we forget there were also once truly special days.
Days that were given to us then, to comfort us later, in the face of misplaced disappointment and self-righteousness.
Why do so few of us ever get these special days again? Simply because we have taken ourselves off the market.
In a strategy straight out of Fortune's handbook and as usual entirely concealed from us, I find myself yesterday in the bittersweet thrall of such a day.
Sweet that Mother Mourne gave me a day from Heaven, across its glittering bogs, its crystal rivers and its windblown tops; sweet that for twelve hours the clock never ticked so much as a tock; and sweetest, for me and all of it to be in the gentle, warm keeping of a timeless, golden, changeling child.
... and bitter of course...because once it struck as heavy as the noonday sun and now like spindrift across the sound......, it is gone.
Special days like these can still capture us all - but only if we put ourselves in the frame.
2013-05-22 19:45:21
Thank you MV
At 5.42pm today I completed my 404th and final Arderin. Long journey to here. Delighted & overjoyed. Humbled at the challenge also. And thanks Mountain Views for that. Gougane Barra will always be cherished in my memory. great horseshoe to finish the lot.2013-05-21 21:10:52
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Thank you kevin carroll. If I can put a smile on that contrary face, the Matterhorn should be a cakewalk.2013-05-21 17:16:43
A Cloon Horseshoe "mini Scavvy"?
Think none of the Scavvies so far have tackled the Dunkerrons, and the Cloon Horseshoe at its heart - Mullaghanattin, Beann, Finnararagh and then moving all the way on to Knocknagantee and swinging north to Teermoyle and Coomura. Did it a few weeks back and put a walk description up here, was thinking if there are a few who want to do it over the summer might go there again and show off this corner of the country. The only thing is parking is limited enough in Ballaghbeama, so numbers would be very limited, so can't really be some open Scavvy like the others. Furthermore its tough going, very remote, no easy way off the route if anyone gets tired, and its a long day, the last two summits are tough going. Last time I did it was over 8 hours and that was pretty flat out with one 10 minute stop, so fitness and ability to cover ground at a healthy pace required. Navigation skills handy, in case group needs to split and its misty around there. Would also be kinda weather dependent, really no point going there if there wasn't some chance of seeing down into the area behind Cloon Lake, and of course out to the Atlantic and over South Kerry. So if anyone interested, let me know...2013-05-20 15:11:13
whats that about sex
Welcome back Bleck Craw, this forum has'nt been the same without you. While we sometimes differed on certain subjects( which I wont mention), your contributions were always entertaining if sometimes a bit strange (like your latest) but I nevertheless have to say I enjoy reading your pieces.2013-05-19 20:59:25
Hill Runner
Walking along the Wicklow Way today at the section that leads down to the Dargle River, steep enough section. I met a hill runner running up this part and at the same time he was having a conversation on his mobile. I hate show off's.2013-05-15 23:05:47
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SEX ROCKS AND ROLLS
"It's like sex," she said.We looked at her.
"Hillwalking. It's like sex."
Her big scrubbed North Antrim face - and I imagined she didn't know much about either - not her fault mind, given the lack of attractive hills or much else attractive in North Antrim - but that is maybe where she saw the similarity: things she didn't know much about but quite enjoyed - sometimes - a bit.
Anyway hillwalking and sex - and let this be a lesson to budding wordsmiths because in every passing throw-away remark there be a truth.
........ an enthusiastic launch into the lower reaches, followed by some aimless tramping around, getting lost a couple of times, a desperate bid for the summit denied by various false tops, an exhausted descent and lastly, very noisy sleeping.
Zzzzzzzzzzzz - sorry, excuse me - I must have nodded off .....
2013-05-13 22:28:21
Nenagh walking festival
Just to add to Roberto's comments re above I was on the A walk on Saturday and thoroughly enjoyed myself. A well led walk, lovely pace and super hospitality afterwards. Most impressive.2013-05-13 17:25:22
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| Lava activity (Expand pics) |
Forces of Nature
It only becomes evident when you stand close to volcanic activity, just how enormous are the forces at work. The photo taken on the slopes of Tongariro NZ, shows a lava flow channel that has become exposed after ash and unstable debris has fallen away.The sheer size is hard to gauge as the photo is taken from another ridge! I would not like to have been around when this was in full flow.
2013-05-13 17:12:01
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| Tongariro landscape (Expand pics) |
Volcanic Regions
For those who like volcanic regions and do not want to take too much of a risk, there are excellent walks in New Zealand around the Turangi region of the North Island. Having taken considerable risks in Hawaii, I was not interested in pushing my luck any further!In this area, Mount Ngauruhoe is still active, as is the area around Emerald Lakes. The views are stunning and it is relatively easy to trek into the area. The panaroma photo shows the view east from the slopes of Tonragiro and around south over Mount Ngauruhoe. As you will see there are wisps of smoke still emanating from around the sides of the Emerald lakes.
