i love the mountains

Yesterday was such an amazing day. I went hiking with the club to the Reeks, specifically Hag's Glen and Carrauntoohil. Or the highest point in Ireland at 1038m. Now I've been to Carrauntoohil a handful of times now and to the Reeks a lot and each hike has been great because each one has been different - coming down in the dark through a bog in the pouring rain, curve gully in 2 feet of snow, team sorority girls on the epic reeks ridge hike, not getting quite to the top in November because of time restraints and yesterday's gorgeous day.

One of the reasons why yesterday's hike was so fabulous was because it was my last hike with the club and my last adventure in the Irish mountains. These mountains have become my home on Sunday's and I've spent almost every Sunday from late September to March hiking as well as going out randomly with friends in the summers. From my quick calculations I've gone on about 50 hikes in the time I've been here including the time I studied abroad. So these mountains are really a bit part of why I love Ireland so much. So when I realized that this was the last hike I was sad, but luckily it was one of my favourite hikes. They still have 5 more but I'll be traveling most weekends until I go home.

But the weather forecast was looking optimistic (I think I was the only person excited to see it was going to be about 50 and sunny, everyone else wanted snow) and there really wasn't too many clouds in the sky. And we were on the Reeks. So after the long walk to finally get to the mountain - there was about a 2k of road walk and then another 3k along a path(ish) and then through the bog we were there.

Walking in - there was only a bit of cloud on Carrauntoohil -big one on the right

But going through the Hag's Glen is just gorgeous. And so it was exciting, we were going up O'Shea's Gully (one of the easier ways up, but I'd never done it before) and there was a slight detour with a few of us going up the bottom half of Curve Gully (I like climbing up rocks and waterfalls) but it was just nice.

climbing up the gully

The clouds were clearing even more as we were climbing in, and I was hoping (fingers crossed) that there would a view from the top. As normally it is cloudy, and if you lucky the clouds might give way for 30 seconds and a view opens up but then quickly closes. So a clear day on top is quite exciting! So there was the usual banter while hiking up, talking about life, post college plans (a lot of my friends are all final years - which is crazy because when I first met them they were all in first year!) and everything. Enjoying the scenery and just being so happy to be on a mountain.

Along where we had lunchy

So after a quick little lunch among the mountains by a cute little lake we started up the gully and we were about 20 minutes from the summit and it was clear! So we were right by where the 2nd highest mountain is connected to Carrauntoohil by a great little ridge and the views were just amazing!

Why I <3>Like those views were part of the reason why I love hiking and Ireland so much. And after some scenery appreciation where I was joking around and said I made a little pact with the mountain gods to get us such nice weather because it was my last hike. We headed up the path to the top. And of course the clouds were starting to roll in, but it was pretty dramatic to watch the clouds roll in and I had a great time just sitting up there taking it all in.
Clouds rolling in over Beenkeeragh
at the top - these are actually other hikers not my friends.
coming down the Heavenly Gates
And then we headed down though the Heavenly Gates and omg, the group was sooo slow.
Like constantly having to stop and wait for people to catch up, but we were getting to the point where we didn't want to be coming down in the dark. So we were trying to hurry them down, without being too mean about it. But the sunset was absolutely gorgeous and you could see the tops of the mountain for most of the hike down, which was pretty awesome. So while walking down the path I was just basking in the moment, trying to take as many mental photos (and regular ones) because hiking in Ireland and getting such nice days is rare, and so it was nice that for my last Irish hike. I was sad to say goodbye to the mountains that I call my home.
omg, gorgeous sunset
last view of the reeks - car is the 2nd to the right.

I was wrecked after the hike - while it took us forever because the group was slow we had been hiking for about 8 hours from the time we left the bus to getting back to it. But enjoyed the bus ride back talking and singing. They made me laugh, because on the announcements, they said goodbye to a semi permanent member who we just can't get rid of whose been around the last 2.5 years (while calendar years is only 2 - I've been around 2.5 academic years since the academic year is september to march) and got a lot of jokes about my accent and bionic knee (the knee brace I wear). So that made me laugh. I was sad to say goodbye to PJ the bus driver, who I've had a few long talks with and can always make you laugh. I'm having a going away party at a pub in a few weeks so I'll still get to see everyone a few more times, just not my beloved mountains.

So I got home, checked my email and went to bed. And woke up this morning feeling like I got hit by a bus. I haven't hiked in a while, so I was the usual sore after a hike, knees sore, random bruises that I always get, and my hips sore. Anytime I hike my hips are bruised from my pack. It has happened since I was 13 and started backpacking, since I don't really have hips, packs fit me kinda weird. And I had a killer headache. And had some bad news in an email from roomie. Another really good friend had a seizure last night, they think it was just a combo of dehydration, stress and a few other things, but she is doing ok. So it was definitely a shock to check my email and see that. And work has been the usual Monday, so I was grabbing my purse to go home for lunch and I notice my keys aren't there. kfksfkksdks!?! uuuugh, the one morning I didn't have my keys in my hand walking out the door - I was running late, headache and a lot on my mind... So of course I only had one of my housemates numbers, the one who works late hours and so I texted him asking for the other numbers and luckily one of the girls was going to be home when I get off work. So I just went to the shop and grabbed a roll instead of going home. At least I have aerobics tonight and then I'm meeting the girls from work for a pint to look forward to, so hopefully the endophins will help the headache and my bad mood.

Happy Monday!



little video from the OMG gorgeous spot/picture of me and prettyness. i'm talking a little bit, but it was windy. the view starts out looking at Beenkeragh ridge (kinda) not the best and then over Coomlaughra Horseshoe of the lakes, over to Cahir then up to Carrauntoohil - where you can see the cross! then back over to Cahir and the lakes again.