News
Carrauntoohil
On Friday the 11th June the EPS Environmental mountaineering team fully equipped but for a pair of walking boots which was later delivered by air (thanks Quinn’s!!), set off for Killarney. Like a scene out of the Wacky Races several car loads (and one fun bus) departed Cookstown. Hundreds of miles later we arrived at our destination were the intention was to meet that evening and discuss the walking route. Instead it was spent consuming food and drink as there were no maps to talk about the route (did Laura remember to bring anything!!). Prior to departure, senior management had given strict instructions on alcohol consumption as we needed fresh walkers the following morning for an early start. Thankfully it was kind of adhered to!!
On Saturday the 12th June the EPS Environmental mountaineering team successfully climbed to the summit of Carrauntoohil, and within the time frame set by WaterAid (they wanted each team to be at the summit of their chosen peak between the hours of noon and 2pm).
Leaving our starting point, the group had mixed emotions, excitement, nervousness; this all was to change to fear when the sight of the mountain emerged in the distance! The short trek to the bottom of the Devils ladder was a good warm up to what was ahead. With everyone taking in the scenery and preparing the body and mind we made a stop at the bottom of the Devils ladder to take water and fuel on board.
The devils ladder itself was a daunting climb with a steep incline together with loose and slippery rocks. The reality of the risk involved was soon realised as a backpack was lost and tumbled some distance, almost taking out Rory on the road down (was this a tactic Mark?!). Thankfully the bag was later recovered from another climbing group. The group made it to the top out of breath and tired but with a small sense of achievement as the views were spectacular even from this half way point. Unfortunately this was only the beginning of the final climb to the peak of Carrauntoohil! The climb up to the top was a long steep climb which was as much if not more challenging as the devils ladder. At the top of the summit more liquids and food were taken on board and Michelle’s fundraising did not stop and a further donation was received!! A quick change into our EPS Environmental designer t-shirts (thanks Leanne) and a few snaps later to prove we made it to the top we started to pack up and think about the decent back down.
With everyone on a high from this great achievement we descended the mountain at a brisk pace, where Mark met the other group on its way up to collect his back pack. Arriving back at the top of the devil’s ladder we had a choice to make: either take the (almost vertical) devils ladder back down again or take in another peak further north with a more gentle meandering path back down the other side. Not one to take short cuts and with the feeling we could take on the world, we choose to go up another hill (oh how my feet now regret that decision!). Eventually the path back down intersected the path on our way up earlier that morning and it was all ‘down hill’ from there. Unfortunately the descent proved to be a challenge with one member of the group injuring herself, although we suspect this may only have been an excuse to get someone to carry her down (we all know she was just being lazy!).
Arriving back at the starting point, the car park soon turned into a biohazard zone as all members removed boots and socks and bathed in the glorious sunshine. Two bottles of bubbly were popped, a toast to the group raised and smiles all round at a job well done!
Congratulations guys...we did it!