CaptainVertigo on Binn idir an dá Log

INTRODUCTION:During childhood trips to Renvyle in the 1960s I observed the Maamturks from the floor of the Inagh valley. They appeared like a row of elite sentries: austere, uniform, forbidding and insurmountable. A linear cascade of rock. I still felt somewhat daunted by them in August 2005, and wondered just how steep they might prove to be. When I stood at Mam Ochoige, the saddle between Cnoc na hUilleann and Binn Idir an Da Log, I was overwhelmed with a sense of deja vu, because, of course, my Jes Boy comrades and I had been there before during our teenage years:there, on the western side of the Turks was the strange green mossy looking world where, so it seemed, the sun never quite shone. PREPARATION: A "must see" site is our own Simon Stewart's magnificent study at http://www.simonstewart.ie/Turks/turk.htm ; also,Harveys Connemara 1:30,000; OS 37;Dillon -Connemara; Joss Lynam -Best Irish Walks; printout of all contributions here re Maamturks;Google Earth flyovers.MY ROUTE:I'll let you figure out where to park yourself. After that its a gradual walk along streams as you aim for Mam Ochoige (C (L877 537)) until you reach the steep grassy slope from the valley floor to the "Mam" itself. As you turn and face Binn Idir an Da Log you will see the mountain above the lake as shown in SILVER'S excellent photo in his April 04 contribution. I ascended by the route on the left. The rise from the lake area is steep and rocky and requires concentration. As the ground flattens out towards the summit plateau tremendous views open in all directions. This mountain, the highest of the Turks, is king of a thrilling landscape. My photo (below) shows the scene from the shoulder of BIaDLog looking back across Mam Ochoige towards cnoc na HUillean. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/108/comment/1929/

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aburden on Binn idir an dá Log

A grand day out - A 12Km loop that took 5 hrs. Maumeen to L. Mham Ochoige via Binn idir an Da Log. Following suggested route west to 450m before contouring around to lake; quite hard going giving the ice/snow but still doable at a slow pace. Found the slippy decent to valley floor frustrating and ended up sitting a lot ! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/108/comment/3568/

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csd on Binn idir an dá Log

For the route down from Binn idir an Dá Log to Mam Ochoige, see Simon's excellent guide at http://www.simonstewart.ie/Turks/mt2.htm. You need to head for the northern cairn (just visible in the centre of the picture, taken from the main summit) and then turn west until you're down to the 410 metre level, before turning north again to arrive just west of the lake. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/108/comment/408/

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Derryvoreada ascent and descent.

The popular descent from Binn Idir is to Mam Ochoige, and is very tricky, as any guide book or commenter here tells you. On a recent trip to Binn Idir I took the direct route off the mountain down to Derryvoreada, heading just west of south from the summit and aiming roughly for the school that sits in isolation in the valley at D (L881 511). This route wasn't recommended in any guide books I had consulted, but looked doable, and was. Later, I made the ascent from the same spot, parking across the road from the school. It's not a good spot for parking, and I'd recommend using one of the other laybys along the road. But the ascent from here is straightforward: Binn Idir is on the right as you look up from ths site, Binn Caoinaigh on the left. Ascent to Binn Idir is direct and steep with some false summits, and some lightish scrambling required, but with no major obstacles or navigational difficulties (on a clear day). It's also more sheltered from prevailing wind and rain than the Mam Ochoige route, or has been on all days I've been in the area.

For those taking the classic route from Mamean to Binn Caoinaigh to Binn Idir the descent from the latter to Derryvoreada leaves a shorter road walk back to the carpark at Mamean and also avoids the long trudge across bog that the Mam Ochoige descent requires. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/108/comment/15245/

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fkaatje on Binn Idir an Dá Log

Climbed this mountain from Maumeen on a bright and sunny St. Patrick's day. Very much enjoyed the spectacular views. And very sorry I could not take pictures (lend out the camera) In spite of all warnings I was still surprised by the steep and tricky descent to Mám Ochóige. Also the descent from the col to the west involves a nasty steep grass slope. Best to opt for the direct line down here and to keep the stream on your right hand. I think this climb would be a bit easier ascending then descending. This should give you a better view of the layout of the mountain which should simplify route finding a bit. Also there should be less risk of slipping on the treacherous steep grass slopes. You can view and download my GPS trail on http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do? id = E (M325 305). Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/108/comment/3646/

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