jackill on Knocknabro West Top

I seldom say this, but I am glad that having been here I don't have to go back. I started at the track to Shrone at A (W840 145) where there is room to park 4-5 cars. I followed the track for approx 600 mtrs and turned off it onto a track that is not marked on the map , it looks like the farmer has constructed it in the last few years. This track allowed me to gain some height (100 mtrs approx.) before I struck out across open mountain(or should that be bog). The summit is gained by a hard slog over rutted ground with very wet conditions underfoot. The summit it self is marked only by a small pond , there is no cairn because there are no stones with which to build one . There is however some compensation in the fine views back over the Paps to Killarney, to the Cahas to the south and the Boggeraghs . From the summit I headed for Knocknagowan.This was a 3km trudge across bog, full of holes, covered in knee-high heather and energy sapping long coarse grasses. By the time I got to Knocknagowan no amount of Lucozade could revive me. I would recommend anyone coming to this area avoid the bog between these two summits. The picture was taken on the summit of Knocknabro looking towards the Paps. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/292/comment/1981/

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A Long Hard Slog

Park at laneway to old farmhouse now in ruin at B (W15905 83498). Room for 1-2 cars to park. Climb gate at entrance and follow post and wire fence heading north until C (W16029 84252). From there head across open hillside in a NNW direction. It is slow going across long grass and heather cover to the summit. As you gain altitude you will meet another post and wire fence coming up from the west, i.e. on your left hand side. Follow fence to summit which is located along the fence line. No obvious marker for summit other than a nearby very small lake, which on the day of the walk was almost dry. Fantastic views across the Blackwater Valley and to the west towards The Paps. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/292/comment/19977/

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Won't knock your socks off

Followed jackal's directions to the top. The farmer's track he references (off the main track) now has signs stating that it is private property, although no specifically forbidding walkers, which I took to be a good sign. It was very swampy initially, although became firm and grassy further up and relatively easy to navigate. I was doing this mountain essentially as a means of accessing the two Arderin Begs to the east, and like other contributors, would hold no great love for its heathery, almost featureless summit, except for the fine views it affords of the adjacent Paps. Less than an hour to the top and fine weather made the ascent relatively pleasant. Won't be back though! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/292/comment/23457/

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