BHGL #13 - Cruach Mhór Traditional Geocache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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Cruach Mhór with his 932m is the 11th highest summit in Ireland. The summit can be reached directly from teh valley going over the footbridges and the Point B or over The Big Gun arete. The direct approach is simpler still t5, an extreme scramble, 100m elevation gain on last 100m of distance.
Cruach Mhór is the 13th (or maybe better the 1st) stop on the Big Hag's Glen Loop. Only very experienced parties should complete the loop via Knocknapeasta (#11) and Cruach Mhór (#13). the most dangerous part of the loop is between #11 and The Big Gun (#12).
The Bone provides a valid direct access route to Maolán Buí from the Glen, yet it is safer to return via #7.
Unless, you are a very experienced scrambler it is recommended to take Cruach Mhór on alone, not as part of the BHGL in one day. Also in winter months the ascent and descent is even more life threatening than in summer.
The cache is within 2-3 meters SWW from the grotto that will provide very effective wind shelter.
The cache is a slim dark green yet transparent PET tube closed with a green lid. The tube is stuck under a larger stone outcrop and masked with one flat loose stone. Be sure to rehide exactly as you find, so that the spoilers remain useful.
General advice to the whole loop
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Print the spoilers in advance to speed up your search. All caches either small or micro are masked with smaller loose stones, usually under a larger boulder or slab.
Safety warning regarding the whole loop.
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The loop contains extremely dangerous portions that require scrambling (levels 2 to 3) and should not be taken at all by inexperienced parties.
Numbers #01, #02, #03, or even #04 can be collected by sturdy Reeks rookies, but they should definitely back up before #05 to remain unscathed, unless led by someone very experienced.
Moderately experienced parties can make #1 through #10 or even #11 BUT then they should get back to #7 and get down to the valley via zig zags, which is the safest way down in this part of Reeks.
I myself though that the way down from #10 via the ridge called The Bone is safe, yet very nearly killed myself on The Bone after placing #10 of this series..
Beware, there is no direct safe way down to Hag's Glen except from #1 #7 and #13. If you have crossed the arete between #11 and #12, you should continue to #13 for safe descent.
Descent through O'Sheas' Gully, Heavenly Gates or Devil's Ladder is not advised. Descent from #10 via the Bone is valid although not as safe as the advised descent routes from #1, #7, and #13. Please remember that descent is always more dangerous than ascent and that 90% of injuries happen on descent.
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The Big Hag's Glen Loop
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BHGL #01 – Break Fast on Knockbrinnea North Plateau (visit link)
BHGL #02 – Knockbrinnea East Summit (visit link)
BHGL #03 – Knockbrinnea West Summit (visit link)
[BHGL #04] – Coomloughra Horseshoe #4 – Beenkeragh (visit link)
[BHGL #05] – Coomloughra Horseshoe #5 – The Bones (visit link)
[BHGL #06] – [Coomloughra Horseshoe #6 – Honorary Member] Corran Tuathail (Ireland's Highest Cache) (visit link)
BHGL #07 – Cnoc na Toinne (visit link)
BHGL #08 – Cnoc an Chuillinn (visit link)
BHGL #09 – Cnoc an Chuillinn East Top (visit link)
BHGL #10 – Maolán Buí (visit link)
[BHGL #11] – [Honorary Member] Serpent Hill (visit link)
[BHGL #12] – [Honorary Member] An Gunna Mór (visit link)
BHGL#13 – Cruach Mhór (visit link)
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Frr gur fcbvyre cvpf