jackill on Gearhane

The picture shows entire Brandon Ridge with Brandon Mountain behind to the left ,its summit just touching the clouds,then Brandon South Top (Droim na Muice)just above my hat and Brandon Peak peeping out from behind Gearhane in the extreme right.If you get the weather the views in all directions can only be described as splendid, Eagle Mountain and the Blaskets to the south west, back over Brandon bay to Tralee to the north east an of course the Central Dingle range to the South with the 'Reeks visible in the distance - possibly the best ridge walk in Ireland, it is one to do before you die Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/37/comment/1053/

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Fresh snow on the Brandon range

Backpacked the Brandon range on a good weekend in an unusually cold spell of weather in December. Managed to camp beside the tiny lake south of Gearhane, and climbed up late in this evening to get panoramic views with fresh powdery snow. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/37/comment/22271/

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csd on Gearhane

I agree with Milo - and what a nice conclusion it is! Much quieter than the peak of Brandon itself (which seems to teem with people). The summit of Gearhane is a fairly narrow ridge with a steep drop down to the valleys on either side. The remote effect is spoiled somewhat by a gate and fence. Pic shows the approach to Gearhane from Brandon Peak. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/37/comment/572/

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liam on Gearhane

Coming down off the Brandon ridge at Folach na Marbh, a bizarre new road is to be found between Loch na mBan and the head of the Cloghane River. In poor visibility it can be found due south of A (Q463 082) which is on the SW ridge of Gearhane. It is very well constructed with banks and drainage ditches and after a few zigs and zags joins the much older and attractive track down to the farmhouse at Mullach Bhéal. Is a wind farm or forestry planned for this beautiful and remote hillside? Hopefully not. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/37/comment/2640/

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Looks narrower from the north but offers a surprise!

Approaching Gearhane from the south you can see how it fans out from the top to the east and west. I suppose there is a resemblance to a tooth or fang - which may have inspired the name. For me, it resembles a pyramid shape. Thankfully there are no Ponzi-esque crypto-currency pushers awaiting you at the top - just hillwalking heaven.

There are fences on both sides of this pyramidal rising field and a surprise "installation" at the top where the fences meet. I won't ruin the surprise for you (for now) but I had to smile upon seeing it - relative to its immediate surroundings.

If heading south from Brandon Peak you won't see this installation until after you have crossed the narrow top, which itself is a delight as it's narrow enough to offer an almost simultaneous view into both valleys without ever giving any sense of exposure. You'll be forgiven for walking back and forth to savour the views in good weather.

I would say that if you were approaching from Brandon Peak and had no idea of what was awaiting you over the brow of the hill, you'd probably tread more slowly across Gearhane.

SPOILER ALERT - LOOK AWAY NOW
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The surprise is a fine wide field gate - almost wider than the crest of the mountain. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/37/comment/23227/

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