Putting this comment in with Carran South Top as it is the nearest summit, but guess it really applies to any walk in the popular Gougane Barra area. Parked at Gougane Barra lake, and walked Conigar and over Bealick and on to Carran South Top and Carran yesterday in driving wind and rain.

From Carran descended to the valley to the east, then walked south east making for the lowest point between Bealick and the spot height 509 to its North. From there made straight for Gougane Barra which looked like the most direct route, if a bit steep - REALLY bad idea. Fought my way through tall grass, which went above the waist in parts and hid very uneven ground, so had a few falls along the way though the thick grass at least made for soft landings. This grew progressively wilder, incorporating fern, then furze and fern, then furze fern and an absolute jungle of briars. The briar belt seemed to extend for a long long way, was fighting my losing battle through it for the bones of half an hour, and the steepness of the descent I had just come down made turning around less appealing than having arms and legs ripped. Crossed a few fences as well, hoping that they would mark more cultivated ground, but things did not get better until I was almost at the lake itself. Maybe I was unfortunate and there are easier routes above the lake, but wouldn't bank on it. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/331/comment/6086/