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Hiking to Rocky Mountain National Park’s Sky Pond

October 8, 2012 by Moire

“There could be snow up there. And you’ll have to climb up a steep waterfall”. He looked at me with deep suspicion. “You know you need water, food, extra clothes, and proper shoes”. The Rocky Mountain National Park Ranger was trying to put the fear of God in me. And all I said was that I wanted to hike to Sky Pond from Bear Lake that day.

Incredible scenery in Rocky Mountain National Park.

I had found this nine mile trail on alltrails.com. It looked like a perfect way to spend my first morning in the US Rocky Mountains. There was not too much climb, it was deemed to be a well-marked trail, and there were a few other lakes to visit on the way. However the Ranger wasn’t too sure if I should be let lose on the route.

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Rugged Peaks Multi-Sport Race in Remote Donegal

October 3, 2012 by Moire

I grew up in the north of Ireland and was born in the remote region of County Donegal. So when I saw a 65km adventure race advertised 30 minutes from my birthplace, I couldn’t help but register.

Me in my blue North Face jacket running down the trail from Urris lakes.

The race was run by Extreme North, a new adventure racing company based on Donegal’s Inishowen Peninsula. They have seen the potential of this remote part of Ireland, with its rolling hills, rugged coastline, and stunning, un-spoilt scenery. They have also seen the country’s rise in interest in long distances multi-sport races, with the likes of Gaelforce, Causeway Adventure Racing Series, and the WAR races becoming more and more popular.

It was wet, windy, cold, and generally miserable when I arrived at the race start. The weather only added to my apprehension. I’d never done an individual multi-sport race before. And to make matters worse, I’d never raced on a road bike before. In fact, I had just borrowed my bike from Peter Crommie, my Beast of Ballyhoura team-mate and owner of Roe Valley Cycles in local Limavady.

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Jaunt around Wicklow’s Glacial Lakes

September 25, 2012 by Moire

The temptation to run up and down summits befalls most mountain runners. So when a race route suggests running to mountain lakes as opposed to mountain peaks, it’s always work checking out.

The romantically shaped Lough Ouler, the first lake to visit on the Glacial Lakes route.

This year, IMRA released its Glacial Lakes route, a 40 odd kilometer jaunt around 7 of Wicklow’s Lakes. Starting from Glendalough Hotel, it requires runners to reach Lough Ouler, Lough Firrib, Three Lakes, Art’s Lough, Kelly’s Lough, and then the Upper and Lower lakes in Glendalough before checking back in at the hotel.

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Dublin Bikes are the Business

September 21, 2012 by Moire

I hate driving around Dublin. The Luas never brings me where I want to go. And I can never figure out the bus routes. So when I had to be in Dublin for 3 days this week, and I thought I’d end up walking everywhere.

Dublin Bikes – THE way to get around Dublin.

Then I remembered Dublin Bikes. It was launched back in September 2009, just after I left for Vietnam. I’d heard rave reviews about the scheme, so decided to give it a go. So…

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Treacherous Way up Ireland’s Highest Mountain, Carrauntoohil

August 27, 2012 by Moire

The Irish Mountain Running Association (IMRA) knows the best way up mountains. Take its race route up Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrauntoohil. It directs its runners up soft slopes, along the Cahir Ridge, and then back down a bouncy fun descent.

Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s Highest Mountain at 1,038 metres, in Co. Kerry

Up until last weekend, that was the only route I’ve known up the 1,038 metres of Carrauntoohil. But there’s a far more popular route that walkers use, up via the Devil’s Ladder from Cronin’s Yard. And, after last weekend’s excursion, I’d say that’s one of the most dangerous routes I’ve seen in Ireland and one that should be immediately closed to tourists.

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Posted in Running around the World | Tagged , Co. Kerry, Dangerous Mountain Route, Devil's Ladder, Hag's Glen, , Macgillycuddy Reeks, | 5 Comments »

Dandering around Dingle’s Mountains

August 20, 2012 by Moire

“You can’t go up there. People have gotten lost up there”. The owner of the Bed and Breakfast where I was staying was adamant. Going up and over Brandon Mountain via the walker’s Dingle Way was not a wise thing to do. I was 19 years old. I didn’t know about mountains or map reading or hiking in misty conditions. I took the B&B owner’s advice and took the next available bus home.

Brandon Mountain on Dingle Peninsula, Ireland

Nearly two decades have passed since that failed Dingle walking trip during my university years. So when I got a chance this summer to head back to that south western corner of Ireland, the first thing I wanted to do was to head up and over Brandon Mountain.

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The Beasts of Ballyhoura – Back Adventure Racing

August 13, 2012 by Moire

I swore 5 years ago that I would never adventure race again. 5 years on, I have forgotten all the reasons why I made that very same promise. So, thanks to my amnesia, last Saturday at 6am I found myself at the start line of Ireland’s Beast of Ballyhoura 36 hour non-stop adventure race. It was dark and raining. I suddenly remembered Ireland’s shite weather was one of the reasons behind my original adventure racing moratorium.

Our team – Me, Peter Cromie, Paul Mahon and Adrian Hennessy – out on the hills. Photo courtesy of Valerie O’Sullivan.

I had agreed to race with some of the best adventure racers in the country. Paul Mahon, an old friend from mountain running days, had persuaded me to join his crack team of Adrian Hennessy and Peter Cromie. I figured that it would be a good way to spend some of my 6 weeks’ summer holiday in Ireland, catching up with old friends and fellow racers, as well as a chance to see again some of Ireland’s best countryside.

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