Colmcille Climbers

Sunday 25th November 2001 - Muckish, Co. Donegal - By James (Psyclone) Boyle

Alan Millar, Lindsey (5.10) Carver, and myself all turned up at the layby at 10:00am, jumped into Alan's van, and were off. Alan, our newly elected secretary had decided just how macho a secretary can be and was going to show us how to storm up muckish, so naturally I decided to go too.

Lindsey, our newly imported American member was also up for the challenge of a November "wet & dirty" and eagerly grabbed the front seat, leaving me sprawled in the back. Myself and Lindsey had planned on getting a little rock-climbing done that day too, so it being the equal-opportunity, women's lib world that it is, I got to carry all the gear, while she got the day-pack. That was my fatal downfall - that, and the fact that it's been ages since I'd been on a mountain. Within 200-300m I was wrecked....lung's bursting, thighs straining, I dumped the gear half way at the base of the crag, and we continued merrily up the hill looking forward to a cigarette at the rest-food-stop at the old quarry. After that it was the push for the top.

What a view from the top!! It was my first ascent of Muckish, and I have to say, I wasn't disappointed. The wind was very high at the top, so we snapped a couple of photos and headed back down to see what fun and games were available at the crag. When we arrived at the crag, myself and Alan took a quick shufty at the guide book, to see what was on offer. I was in the mind of bagging the lead of a Vdiff or a S, and figured "There must be some sheltered, dry spots someplace - There's no way I brought that gear all the way up here for nothing!!" I couldn't have been more wrong. There was a howling wind hitting every square metre of the rock, and it was mingin'!! Not a dry patch everywhere. Slimy horrible stuff everywhere, and bloody useless. [Report of a similar day] I made the decision to leave it till spring and head back down the mountain to the pub instead. Wise plan. The descent is really fun, with a quartz "thing" to run down and break your neck on- I'd definitely recommend it to anyone. A nice quiet pint was had back at the Corncutter's Rest in Creeslough, and a sound sleep later. Excellent day out, with many thanks to Alan. My only disappointment is there's so few people participating in the "Wet & Dirty's" this year. C'mon- Get the fingers out!!!!

See youse on the rock, James