Errigal

 A superb Donegal mountain ridge climbing experience with some very fine and exposed positions. Access Errigal’s North West face from the northern farm access road, be careful where you park. Errigal's Tower Ridge faces NNW and takes time to dry out after rain. Start at the eastern (left hand)base of the ridge and scramble up and over rocky obstacles (very greasy when wet and poor protection) until the base of the 1st Tower is reached. This point can also be accessed directly. From here scramble up the Eastern edge of the 1st Tower until a narrow ramp allows access back to the centre of the tower. There is a belay below the Finger (projecting Block). Easier going from here until the top of the 1st Tower and a good belay position. There is a good view of the narrow 'Staircase' from here. Scramble up the 5 steps of ‘The Staircase’ (2nd Tower). Be careful of the 3rd step which is loose, very narrow and poorly protected. Climb the block at the top to gain a good ledge and access to the top of ‘The Ramp’ and a bombproof belay position. Walk past the top of the ramp to the base of the 3rd Tower and gain the right hand skyline ridge for a short airy and unprotected scramble to the col with the NWMC Ridge and then a pleasant dander up to the 2nd Summit. More Details (1 Comments)

An excellent airy scrambling mountain that is renowned as the Connoisseur Hill walker’s route to Donegal’s highest summit. Members of the North West Mountaineering Club have been climbing it since the 1950s and the route has the potential to be as easy or as hard as you want it to be. It is an excellent route in both summer and winter conditions but the rock can be very greasy when wet so care must be taken. The ridge faces 10 NNE, is poorly protected but can always be avoided by a winding path on the western flank. At the Northern base of the mountain, make your way up a short scree slope and gain some rocky blocks and scramble up to the Col. These blocks can be avoided on the right hand flank. From the col, locate a sloping slab with a very visible off-width crack high on the eastern flank of the ridge. Climb this crack and step right and follow the ridge from here. The best line is to make sure that you always have a good view down the Eastern Face of the mountain and a view of 'Tower Ridge' on the Western flank.  Follow the ridge until you come to a high rock that has an overhanging base. To escape, you can scramble off to the western flank. However, it is best avoided on the eastern side and after 4 metres scramble back up to the ridge and follow the ridge until you meet the walker's path on the western flank. From here it is a pleasant dander up to the col with ‘Tower Ridge’ and then onto Errigal’s Summit. For me, it’s definitely a 3 star route *** More Details (0 Comments)