BLACKSTAIRS WALK 2010

BLACKSTAIRS WALK 2010

An incredible 210 walkers turned out on what was to be a fantastic day for the Wayfarers Association as they celebrated their 40^th anniversary Blackstairs Walk.

Just short of 32km it was great to see how this walk attracted both the veteran and the juvenile walker – and all sporting a plastering of “Factor 50” – this would prove as an essential for the day to come!

The Challenge Walk itself - is I suppose basically two jolly good hauls up two jolly large massifs, the first being Mount Leinster and the second being Blackstairs Mountain.

With a couple of smaller summits thrown into the walk’s proceedings - there isn’t a whole lot of navigation required as the eager hillwalkers find themselves following tracks and at times nice country laneways.

These laneways (especially towards the end of the walk) are a lovely addition and greatly help to keep tiring feet off hard tarmacadam – no doubt this is testament to the good relations built up over the years between the Wayfarers and various land-owners. Coming down one of these lanes (the easier option to the left of Knockroe – yes, yes I know – it is cheating just a little)  a sign reading “Water” directed us into an enchanting farmhouse where cold refreshing water was being pumped straight from their well.

A God-send.

As the heat of the day made water a very precious commodity.

Indeed the couple of kilometres that run along the stone wall towards Bran Scultair were totally devoid of even a gasp of wind as an increasingly hot sun really did beat down and turn many a punter’s quickstep into a slower potter!

I have to admit that I never thought I’d see the day when I’d hear the words “What I wouldn’t give for a bit of cloud-cover”

Definitely a different type of Challenge Walk, the Blackstairs Walk really does enchant as the most beautiful views are to be enjoyed “just over” the next “false top” or around the next country track.

Yup - Hillwalking in Ireland is definitely on the up - and this is in no small part thanks to clubs like the Wayfarers Association who over the years have continually endeavoured to promote and encourage - to both the young and the old - the joys that can be had atop a jolly large mountain on a jolly hot day.

Jim Holmes.