IMC Fair Head Meet

Fair Head is not a place for faint hearted. This world class crag has some of the best routes to be found in the part of the world and attracts the most serious climbers. It also had us. The IMC bunch.

The weather worked out as well, and plenty of routes were climbed.

Again I was able to produce a mini video from the event:

 

This time round Jon was the organizer, and he booked us in to the usual place – Sean’s Farm – but unusually we got to use one of Sean’s guest houses. Perfect! He also arrange for an evening talk featuring Rob Hunter – Local bouldering legend.

 

The easiest routes start at VS, but even those are demanding. Not a place for our new starters I’m afraid.

Below Girona – goes at VS – Sarah on a lead:

 

 

All the pictures here – https://photos.app.goo.gl/RrSW9BpsR38HV11GA

2018 IMC Kerry meet

This years Kerry meet had us come to Cronin’s Yard – The usual place for those visiting the Reeks. The Saturday objective for most was to climb Ireland’s highest peak – Carrauntoohil via it’s most adventurous (albeit easy enough, graded at Vdiff) route – The Howling Ridge.

On top of normal photos I managed to take my newest flying photo equipment up the mountain and produce this short:

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6IVh7vMBLo%5B/embedyt%5D

 

On the way in:

 

The stakes were high for most of the new members, as while this is relatively easy route – the exposure is massive.

 

These days most experienced parties will just solo the whole thing, and while the total elevation gain is almost 1000m, the approach can be longer than the climb itself

 

We were lucky enough to be on our own the whole time in 2 parties. I lead Monika and Thomas while Derek and Edgar swap leads.

 

Summit photo

 

 

Thomas looking a one of many descent routes.

 

The Sunday had all of us go to Gap of Dunloe, which has couple of accessible, roadside crags. Good half day climbing in HS to E1 grades.

 

Album with all the photos HERE: https://photos.app.goo.gl/3G3smKZwc5QyaN5E8

IMC New Members Mournes meet

The June is the usual time for the IMC to bring its new members to a more adventurous, mountain setting. Mourns Mountains is the perfect setting for what we needed. Abundance of routes at all grades, easy enough access (less than 2h drive from Dublin) and famous walk ins.

As usual on these type of meets we paired up the more experienced team members with the newbies and set off to the crags.

 

 

Most of the new members wouldn’t have enough experience to lead routes yet, but that’s ok. The idea of the meetup is to learn from tons of experience present.

 

This time round most of the climbing would happen around Lower Cove.

Some of the groups however opted for Slieve Binnian.

All the photos can be seen here.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/15oGUTcopsZ7kybH7

Back to the roots

Few weeks ago Irish Mountaineering Club folks asked me to become content editor on the club’s FB profile page.

Since I enjoy documenting my climbing adventures (now as a proud member of the club, since I rejoined after few years of absence [I originally signed up around 2011]) and tend to take a lot of pictures I though that’s the list I could do to promote the club.

Now, since I don’t really wan’t to make my private blog to be the place of ‘official Club business’, for the events that I take part in that are part of the Club’s official schedule, I’ll just link these posts here (it mostly will be photos with some captions).

The first one is last Thursday’s Quarry night. It’s part of the New Member’s Program. “The goal of the introductory sessions is to give climbing instruction as well as help new members to get to know others and build up some contacts that should help them get out and about this summer and beyond.”

Since I myself am a product of this program, I’ve volunteered to server as a ‘mentor’ for this year’s New Starters (now, I’m not a professional in the field, but over last 7 years I’ve learned enough to be able ‘show the ropes’), a role that I really enjoy to be in (Over the years I’ve actually mentored a lot of interns and graduates at work [I’m in IT field] as well).

 

So, the last Thu: Nothing serious was climbed, as the main focus was put on getting new members used to the basic outdoors climbing skills that will help them survive next weekend’s final meeting in Glendalough.

Anyway, below is my inauguration post (all pictures taken by me).

And a bonus video from the outing: