18th pint after 6 out of 12 pens.

The spine of Binn Choirr as it turns on to Binn Dhubh, in the Twelve Pens Mountain Range.

For the last hurrah of my holidays I climbed six of the twelve pens (Connemara's main mountain range) on a fine day yesterday, with Brendan McGowan.  We set off early - meeting at Peacock's Pub in Maam Cross at 9.15am, and then drove the two cars past Recess village until we came to the Youth Hostel at the bottom of Ben Lettery Mountain.  This would be the finishing point, so we dropped one car here and drove back 4 kms to where the climb would start.  The plan then was to walk the Gleann Chócháin loop, which takes in the six 'pens' (peaks) called: Binn Dhoire Chláir,  Binn Choirr, Binn Dhubh, Binn Bhrian, Binn Ghabhair and Binn Lettery.  'Binn', the Irish for 'Ben', is the old Irish word for 'Peak'.  The day was perfect for walking - with the most important thing being that the underfoot conditions were perfectly dry.  

A pool of water at the top of Binn Choirr, in the distance you can see the last two peaks of the loop, Binn Ghabhair and Binn Leitrí.

The first climb, up to Binn Dhoire Chláir (or Derryclare), was nearly the most difficult part - after this it was a series of shorter ups and downs, with the exception of one or two steeper climbs, and sharp descents.  The sun was shining on us through Derryclare and Binn Choirr and we began falling into the shadow when we hit the aptly named Binn Dhubh (dubh being the Irish for 'black').  From time to time there were gusts of wind as it would funnel up through the valley below.  At every turn we were amazed by the beauty of the scenery all around.  Brendan was carrying a copy of Rough Guide's 'Walking Ireland' and the estimation there was that this loop could be done in 7.30hours - we were doubting it would take that long!  

We stopped three times for a bite and a drink - short breaks, no more than ten minutes.  Tea does not taste as good anywhere else as it does out in the wilderness like this!  The ascent up Binn Bhriain and the descent that followed was both the most enjoyable and the most difficult part of the day - the difficulty being the descent.   We reached the end in about 8 hours - so Rough Guide were actually low in their estimation, because we certainly weren't slow and our breaks were brief.  On the way down Ben Lettery, making our way to the car, Brendan realised that he had left his keys back in my car!  This meant a 4km walk would be added to our journey!  It only made the pint in Peacock's that bit sweeter... it being my 18th of the year.  Overall, this was a great day, and a heck of an achievement - these being amongst Ireland's most impressive mountain ranges.  Fair play to Brendan for suggesting this loop - and spending 9hours in the man's company was entertaining throughout.

Back to work on Tuesday - a fully fledged hillwalker now!  Also, there is a matter of a 16 mile long run which must be completed tomorrow or Monday.  Yikes!