Scramblers heaven

The direct route up Stumpa an tSaimh and its obvious continuation up the East Ridge of Beenkeragh gives you around 600m of rock, mostly fairly continuous, mostly solid and with great friction. Start just above where the Heavenly Gates path clambers up a little rock step and head right up typical Kerry slabs and shelves with lots of options to a bigger grass shelf below the peak proper. Get onto slabs left of centre and go up right via a little chimney to the skyline, then try to keep to it. Most of it is Grade 2 scrambling, although very airy in places, but there are a couple of harder bits. Memorable are a committing move up left (jammed runner when I was there) and a slightly leaning prow, which has good jugs a little to its left (above a huge drop, falling doesn't bear thinking about). Above this things get easier, but the ridge gets even narrower and quite Alpine feeling. The summit of Stumpa an tSaimh itself is tiny, a spectacular spot. Descent is easiest by going back down a few feet, then using ledges on the north side. There's a lovely sharp slabby arete a bit further on with a steep descent at the far end, easier than it looks but easily avoided on the right. After the col the East Ridge of Beenkeragh is a fun dessert, with lots of optional craglets and pinnacles, gradually easing towards the summit. Then you've still got the Beenkeragh to Corran Tuathail ridge to come, more joy! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/193/comment/18730/

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murphysw on Hag's Tooth

After climbing Knockbrinnea we descended to the Hags Glen by the stream which runs right by the Hag's Tooth. The stream runs down through a gully near the tooth so care is needed but we found it to be quite safe, although as I mentioned in my comments on Beenkeragh and Knockbrinnea the area is very boulder strewn so watch where you step. If I had known that the tooth was counted as a peak on this site I would have bagged it as we passed right by it! It actually would make the end of an interesting horseshoe for those parked in Cronin's. Carrauntoohil, Beenkeragh, Both Knockbrinneas, and finally Stoompeenaduff (although I dont think I would descend to Stoompeenaduff in wet weather). Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/193/comment/1841/

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jackill on Hag's Tooth

Some Sundays I get up at 5am to climb a mountain which as you can imagine has caused much debate on my sanity with my wife (who is a mental health nurse, I kid you not!)can you imagine though arriving at Lisleibane at 8am to find cars there before you? madder or closer than me I hope.I approached the Tooth using the standard track to the Heavenly gates/O'Sheas and then ascending the gully mentioned by Conor74, the final scramble to the summit was difficult due to the patches of very slippery wet snow, and you'll need to say hello to a place called vertigo and no wind to stand on the summit(or more probably sit). But you'll probably be alone and on one of the most exciting ridges in Ireland.Of all the approaches to high mountains that I've climbed this challenges the best. I have said this only once before in my MV "career", if you haven't been here before get in the car now and go. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/193/comment/4580/

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Above the clouds

The Hag's Tooth taken from the top of Beenkeragh. You can just make out 2 climbers to the right of the tooth. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/193/comment/6237/

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john_desmond on Hag's Tooth

Better known as the 'Hag's Tooth'. Can be approached from the NE side. It does involve some climbing however. The top has just about enough space for 2 people. Some of the drops are almost vertical so you need to be careful. Not a spot to be in windy weather or if you dont like heights. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/193/comment/1670/

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