A snowy ascent on Christmas day

Kirikee from the Shay Elliot memorial on the Military road between Laragh and Glenmalur is an easy climb in normal conditions but in winter is an altogether different prospect. On this Christmas day we decided to avail of the the exceptional snowy conditions before the impending predicted thaw with the incoming Atlantic front. The road up from Laragh along the Military road gradually deteriorated as we approached the parking area near the memorial and snow chains were necessary for the final kilometre or so. At the parking area we were greeted with an unusually tranquil landscape which was covered in a twinkling blanket of snow.

The route to Kirikee is over the gate on the east side of the road (which was not too easy as we were wearing snow shoes). Ignoring the track on the left by the gate we continued about 500m-600m along the track from the gate until there is a track/fire break on the left. We followed this uphill through the forestry through deep, powdery snow and past conifers with their branches laden with snow that reminded us so much of snow shoeing in Scandinavia or North America - for a moment you could almost forget you were in Ireland. After about 700m (and a slight deviation to the left) we left the forest and came across a fence line. Following the fence line to the the right leads to the summit of Kirikee.

We arrived on the summit just as the sun was setting over Croaghanmoira and Ballinacor. The view of the setting sun was spectacular and we lingered until it had set below the horizon to take some photographs before turning tail to descend back to the car. As the sun set so the temperature dropped and on the drive back via Laragh dipped to -11C.

The snow had turned what in normal conditions might be a minor Wicklow hill into to perhaps one the the most enjoyable and unforgetable climbs that we have had in the Wicklows. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/536/comment/6181/

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pdtempan on Kirikee Mountain

It seems from several of the comments on this page that some of you feel guilty about bagging a summit with such a great view as Kirikee with so little effort. So specially for those members, I can recommend the following guilt-free route from the SE. We walked all the way from Rathdrum hostel, but equally you could start from Ballinderry if you have a car. The route through the forestry was quite pleasant, and there is actually a path on the ground which is not marked on sheet 56. This offers a short cut from B (T147 909) to the N edge of the forestry at C (T144 912). From here a path along the edge of the forestry brings you straight up to the summit. We combined Kirikee with Carriglineen, and as we had to head back to Rathdrum, we passed over Kirikee on the way back too. On our way down we had a strange experience: all of a sudden we heard a whoosh, but saw nothing come past or over us. Whatever it was passed very close to us and at great speed. No gunshot, no engine noise, nothing but a whoosh like the sound of a hose being twirled in the air. Our best guess is that this was a peregrine falcon. If you have any ideas, see my question on Motley Views. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/536/comment/3253/

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csd on Kirikee Mountain

Kirikee Mountain is easily reached from the Shay Elliott memorial. Just go through the gate, take the first left, then when you reach the fence, turn right and handrail it to the top. The summit itself is not very inspiring: a trig pillar in a corner of a field, but the views to the west are quite rewarding. Everything from Scarr, Kippure, round to Tonelagee, Camaderrry, and Mullacor are visible. Up and down should take under 45 minutes. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/536/comment/2753/

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wicklore on Kirikee Mountain

When i posted my profile on MV I mentioned that i don't consider 400-500 metre hills to be worthy of being called mountains. Simon3 replied saying that these hills often offered surprising alternative views of familiar mountains. So i set off on Sunday to bag six of these hills. Kirikee was the first. It is simple to get to the top from Shay Elliot Carpark. (co-ords given by padodes). However I still managed to go the long way up, turning what should have been a 20 minute stroll into an obstacle course. In future I'll just follow csd's directions! When I got to the top Simon3 was proved right as magnificant views opened up from Croghan Kinsella in the distant south to the Sugar Loaf in the North, and all points in between. I was awestruck by the views. This hill is well worth a visit on a good day. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/536/comment/3213/

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padodes on Kirikee Mountain

A few months ago, csd posted a shot of the view north from Kirikee. The present view is to the south. Directly behind the trig pillar is Croaghanmoira with its two outstretched arms: Fananierin on the right and Ballinacor Mountain on the left - surely one of the great Wicklow panoramas. Just step forward a hundred feet more and the view takes in all the beautiful detail of the deep-cut valley that leads to the feet of Croaghanmoira. All this after little more than a twenty minute stroll from the roadside at D (T130 921)! Small mountains sometimes punch well above their weight. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/536/comment/2836/

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