valerie’s Logs

Another beautiful morning so headed out with Eric, Gilly and Padhraig. Met them at Lamb's Cross and headed to Kilcroney (just west of Bray) via Stepaside, Kilternan and Enniskerry.

Glorious weather for February so couldn't possibly stay indoors despite the match being on. Headed to Djouce with James, Rosie, Liz and Bridie the dog. Started at Crone wood, climbed Djouce and then looped around to War Hill, Tonduff and Maulin before returning to find the carpark locked. Thankfully, there was a group a few minutes behind us who knew someone who knew someone and they had a key so we were free! Spectacular weather - managed to get a touch of sunburn on my face despite wearing suncream and it being February in Ireland!

First road bike of the year - out of shape and out of practice! Headed off from Eric's house with Eric, Romaine, Gilly and Padhraig via tibradden road to glencullen and back via Kilternan. 22km - felt a hell of a lot longer.

Lovely hike with Jules, Karen D, Dermot and Declan. Had a nice early start - cold and windy day but clear and beautiful views. Need to get a lot fitter if I'm to keep up with those guys!

Hiked up Brockagh with Rebecca - fairly miserable weather to be honest.

Headed down to Seapoint for an evening swim. Got bored waiting for the others so did 2 trips to the rock and back. It seemed to be raining everywhere else in Dublin but there and it looked incredible to see the purple clouds on the horizon and the sun setting behind the Martello tower. Joined then by Sarah and Lucy in the water and we had a bit of a gossip as we swam. Perfect end to the weekend!

Trying to climb mountains I haven't climbed before and it's leading me further off the beaten track. This time it was still in Wicklow but off sheet 56 which is a fairly radical departure for us. We (myself, Dermot, Lucy, Emer and her two friends, Dermot and Andy) started from Iron bridge and headed up Croghanmoira mountain, across to Ballinacor Mountain and Carrickashane Mountain before heading back down the Wicklow way. Turned out to be a long enough hike, nearly 20km as we added a ridge on the way to make it a loop hike rather than an out and back.

Apparently it was a stunning day in Dublin today. "Almost too hot", my flatmate said. Unfortunately, up in the Dublin mountains, it was foggy with little visiblility. Still, a lovely hike with Emer, Dermot, Rita, Bren and Gez starting from just above the stone cross, heading up to Seahan, across to Corrig Mountain to the high point of Seefingan and down to Seefin. Seahan, Seefingan and Seefin all have megalithic tombs on their summits but only on Seefin can you climb inside. It was my first time up there and well worth the walk. Photos to follow shortly. https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/282156_10150737834565366_860565365_20068961_4221424_n.jpg

After 1 day of torrential rain and another of thick, lowlying cloud, the sun finally came out for a spectacular, short hike from the Aiguille du Midi to the Torino hut. First cable car up in the morning, a good bit of time wasted getting roped up and crampons on and then on to the ridge, narrow and airy. There was ten of us on 2 ropes and it's an incredible hike with absolutely breathtaking views. We made our way around huge crevasses at a fairly leisurely pace to the Torino hut and got the Helbonner cable car back to the Aiguille du Midi.https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/253368_10150737853080366_860565365_20069296_3810502_n.jpg

Another glorious day. Headed up to L'Index again with Emer and Liz but this time headed east to Lac Blanc and stopped to have a bite to eat. Beautiful spot but overrun so a little offputting. From there, headed down to meet some friends climbing at Aiguillette d'Argentiere. https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/282002_10150737851050366_860565365_20069270_4404495_n.jpg Long steep walk down to Argentiere after that.