CHANGE OF VENUE FOR WEEKLY MEETINGS

We will be changing our Thursday night meeting venue to “The Model Farm” (formerly the Tennis Village and McCarthy’s Bar), now owned by Eileen and Pat Burton, starting on Thursday 15th October 2015’   Plenty of parking spaces at the northern (river side) end of the building.

Climbing Triglav Mountain, 2864 meters in Slovenia - BHC trip August 2015

Climbing Triglav Mountain by Michael Henchion

Our climb up Triglav Mountain, Slovenia’s highest mountain involved a 2 day trek.

We departed our Hotel,” Hotel Alpina”,Kranjska Gora, at 10 am on Monday 17^th, and arrived at the start of the walk after driving to the end of a forest road in the Krma Valley. At 11:10am we set off in a slight mist. 

Beginning the trek upwards

 It was a marked trail the whole way to the top, initially through wooded areas and then onto open mountain. It took us four and half hours to get to Planika Dom, where we would over night, after climbing about 1,500m over a distance of about 10km.As we were settling in to our temporary accommodation we noticed six people descending from Triglav.  It transpired they were our fellow BHC hillwalkers SC , JJ et al who had chosen to climb Triglav  along an alternative route, beginning in the Kot  Valley. They would be overnighting in Triglav Lodge at Kredarica.

After rising at 6:15am the following morning we took some photos of the sunrise, ate breakfast, packed our bags, leaving some in the hut to be collected later, secured out harnesses and 
by 7:40 am we were on our way.

Ridge to the Summit

The route to the top was well protected with iron cables & poles particularly in the more exposed areas along the ridge.The route was demanding but technically manageable with ample foot holds in the limestone rocks; The main challenge was the extreme exposure in places !!.  

We arrived at the top 2864m, at about 9:30am and did the compulsory photo-shoot and Monro hug before beginning our descent. 

Triglav Summit 2864 meters

We all arrived back safely at Planika Dom around 11:30am. There was plenty of banter and chatter on the way up and down and all in all it was an exhilarating and enjoyable experience for everyone.

We relaxed at Planika Dom until 12:10pm and then we continued our journey down.

We initially passed through stunning valleys bordered by craggy limestone peaks  which eventually gave way to woodland tracks.We arrived at Konjsko  Sedle , 2020m at 12:37pm  and stopped for lunch at Vodnikov Dom at around 13:30pm. The weather was good up to the final hour when we were subjected at this point to multiple peels of thunder and lightening and the accompanying rain. Our guide Iztok, who had been involved in mountain rescue for many years had informed us earlier that he had personally been in volved in the recovery of 32 bodies from the mountain over the years  many of whom had been the victims of lightening strikes. So you can imagine we didn’t dally on the mountain!. All the way down    we were serenaded by songs from Tommy , Louise , Linda, and Michael. We arrive at the car-park at 5:30pm. The waiting bus was a welcome sight. At this stage we had been  walking on the mountain almost 10 hrs.

Climbing Triglav Mountain by Sean Cotter

A group of six led by BHC walk leader Sean Cotter climbed Triglav in one day without helmets, harnesses or lanyards/hooks to attach to the fixed steel ropes.

Started south of Mojstrana in the Kot Valley and climbed over 2,200 metres in 6.5 hours to the top of Triglav (2864 m), via Valentina Stanica and Triglavski Kredarica huts, in light rain and wet cloud.


Descended and stayed overnight in Triglavski Kredarica hut (2539 m).  The only people that we saw on the paths all day were two

Bulgarian people that we met on our way back down from Triglav and who requested that we bring them down from the first section that they had climbed up to (both had vertigo problems).







The next day we descended via the Cez Prag, a difficult route with
lots of Via Ferrata sections, to the Aljazev hut in the Vrata Valley (west of the Kot Valley) in 4.5 hours. Both routes are on the north side of Triglav. 

 (left-to-right: Sean Cotter, Ann Daly, Kathleen Healy, Jerry Foley, John J Cotter & Harry Dillane)


A collection of photos by John Cotter may be viewed  HERE

To view a selection of photos by Sharon and Michael  Click Here

INCIDENT IN THE COMERAGHS  --  REMINDER AS TO THE RISKS ON THE MOUNTAINS

On Saturday last whilst ascending at the back of Coum Eag in the Comeraghs we had an incident resulting in a serious injury to Patricia O’Connor, one of our members.  Whilst ascending up a grassy slope a large rock was dislodged from on high and rolled downhill striking her on the lower leg. Thankfully everyone else managed to avoid being struck. Once everything settled down it was obvious from her pain that she had suffered a serious injury, most likely a fracture/break in the ankle.  Initially we treated her for shock,(shaking, vomiting sensation, breathing), which she recovered from in a short time thanks to excellent care from the members present.  Having assessed the injury, the weather, the surrounding terrain and the experienced members present it was determined that we should evacuate her off the mountain ourselves.  We improvised a stretcher from walking poles and a fleece, dressed her in additional layers of clothing to keep her warm and proceeded to descend the mountain stopping at regular intervals to give the bearers rest.  Once down she was driven to Cork when they established that she had suffered a fractured ankle.  We wish her a very speedy recovery.

From a personal viewpoint, a big thanks to all who assisted on the day – people remained calm, assessed the situation, decided and implemented a course of action.  Special thanks to Colin, Tommy, Declan, Ger, Tony, Michael and Louise who executed the carry-out.

There are lessons to be learned here. There are constant dangers on the mountains and we must remain vigilant at all times.  Accidents can and will occur from time to time.  We must be constantly assessing situations and be aware of any risks to ourselves and to others.

In this particular case, when ascending a gully, no matter what the risk, it is better for the group to stick close together thus lessening the risk of being struck by falling rocks.  In particular, at this time of the year rocks, loosened by snow and ice can become unstable.

Michael Carey

Leenaun Weekend 2014

Friday 24th' off to Leenaun again for the now Annual 'A' team assault on the Connemara Mountains.This years goal, Glen Cogan, Glen Corbett horseshoes, Failmore Circuit with Ben Gorm/Ben Creggan as back up. Forecast looked good leading up to the weekend and again Connemara showed it has no regard for forecasts.

Saturday, ready to climb at 09:30h. Cloud lifting to give a clear view of the Majestic Glen Cogan, things looking good,so on and up. About 300m the first of the gales hit; maps, hats ect. took off on their merry way which led to a mad scramble to recover same. Navagation easy enough at this stage but it was not to last. Wind increasing to storm force with heavy rain (should have listened to Mels weather warnings...) Makes one wonder what the 12 Bens Challange must have been like! No takers for the escape route at the half way point so on to the finish. The 7 hours extended to a 9 hour exhausting battle against the elements, but what a day!

Sundays forecast even worse so even plan B went out the window. 80k winds so low level with no dissenters. A long walk on the shore of Irelands only Fjord out to The Quay with a little bit of Ascent for good measure. The beauty of Killary Harbour is something to behold (pity about the mussel farms) Paid our usual visit to Ganeys, The Field pub, followed by a musical evening in the Hotel. A wonderful local artist Mary Keane pulled out all the stops, so good ,as John J said, even he stayed to the finish.  Good also of Rosemary to entertain TONY!!!

Only Monday to go, again the forecast looked good...it did yeah! Rain and wind again belting down, for the second year running the Glen Corbett mission had to be abandoned after a few hours. Next Year??.

Wrapped up the weekend with dinner in Morans on the Weir.

Well done to all for the effort put in in the most adverse weather conditions.

No looking back after that.

Victor

Pictures by Dan McCarthy of the Weekend can be viewed HERE