Errigal NNE Ridge |
| Date: 1st January 2008 Submitted by: Columba McLaughlin Well I had been nursing a broken Calcanum (Heel bone) since July 2007. I needed a warm up and what a better mountain to do it on than Errigal. I headed to the Dún Lúiché Hostel to check on fellow CCC members but did not have a swipe card and could not get in. So I offski to the base of Errigal's North Face. On my own, I headed up the hill. It was mizzly (light rain for ther uninitiated) but ok and I made a bee line for the NNE Ridge. Steep heather initially barrs the way but this gives way to steep scree and then the fun scrambling begins on the wet rock. Very easy until the col with the East Face. I was surprised as I met not a soul. Then up directly onto the NNE ridge with an initial entertaining few steps to gain the ridge proper. I was pleasently surprised that the plaque commemorating Joey Glovedr as a mountaineer was firmly scewed to the wall at this point. A fine place for such a plaque I must add as only those with a healthy sense of scrambing and security would be able to access this particular spot. I must add that Dermot Somers made ths same spot world famous on his programme 'An Bealach Ó Déas'. So I was reapeating history and on my own. What a nice feeling. The NNE Ridge of Erirgal is a brill scramble in sunshine, rain or snow but this was a first on me as I was my own and it was a bit scary at times. At about 2000 ft the mizzle stopped. I kept religiously to the ridge until the only overhanging section and then detoured but I did not visit the rock window. Today it was really nice the whole way to the summit. Although I met no one on the way up, the first people I met on the summit were 5 members of the North West Mountaineering Club. They promptly informed me, rightly or wrongly, that the Tees were in Kerry, and that Tony and Michael were doing the Glover. We had a chat and parted on the 2nd peak. I retraced my way back down the NNE Ridge. It was fun coming up, but more fun down climbing. Again, it was a quiet descent as I met no one. A really good day on a beautiful mountain and a pleasant meeting with some wonderful friends. My ankle held out well. Must get the ropes out and head to Culdaff for some rock climbing. Have a great 2008 Slán gó phóill, Columba |
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