VERMIN Track listing

My next solo collection of instrumental oddities will soon be available. Writing finished, Mixing in progress, Mastering and release details to follow. Once again, in the interests of keeping production costs to a minimum this will be a digital-only release.

Track listing:

Until later

Shane

'People who do this for fun must be idiots!'

This is the bitter exclamation of a TV show contestant. I overheard it while said contestant was scaling a hill in the Brecon Beacons as she raced to avoid elimination. I sit here as the wind howls down our chimney and I'd be inclined to agree: current Real Feel of -4 as we prepare to get a light dusting of snow.

By way of trying to inject humour into one of our recent sojourns in the (very wet) rain I rehashed this quote, wondering if she had a point. Getting wet is part of the experience of hillwalking, especially in Ireland, but failing gear can put a serious dampener (!) on your progress and leaky boots are the worst.

The first quarter of the year is not really conducive to outdoor pursuits and my boots were just not cutting it in anything over 1mm of rain, so the past couple of months have been all about sourcing really decent replacements. After some amount of online research I reckoned on needing a pair of Meindl Burma Pros, or something of similar stature. After some amount of travelling, fitting, waiting, phoning, more waiting and finally purchasing, turns out I was right. Approximately 50km in and I am very close to recommending them. Simple design, sturdy materials, very comfy right out of the box (when paired with a top quality replacement insole).

So....onto the actual walks. In recent weeks the joy of setting off to some unknown (and known) places has offered great therapy when most needed. Here are some of the highlights:

One of our 'go-to' spots, because it is local and has great 360 views taking in the Poulaphouca reservoir, the Seefin / Seefingan / Seechon trio, Mullaghcleevaun, Moanbane and Turlough Hill.

Summit at Black Hill

I'm looking over the reservoir, but you can see Black Hill and a snow-capped Mullaghcleevaun

When venturing further afield we went to Glendalough to tackle Derrybawn and take the ridge across to Braigue Mountain. It was a beautiful day for walking and this was our view at lunchtime:

Upper Lake at Glendalough, shouldered by Camaderry (right, centre) and The Spink (left, foreground)

Getting a new map is something I look forward to with an unnatural enthusiasm. The map opens new possibilities and is like discovering a secret doorway. Out first opportunity to explore new terrain came with a trip to the infrequently visited Keadeen and nearby Carringbrack. I had viewed Keadeen from afar on visits to Lobawn and Pinnacle Mountain. It's a good looking mountain that really stands out in the flat lands near Baltinglass and Rathdangan. In addition to the classical look there are extensive remains of a Passage Grave at the summit:

Passage Grave at Keadeen's peak, with life-size map reader for perspective

 

Fairy Castle

Tibradden Mountain, a feature of The Dublin Mountains Way, is always very rewarding for its great views over the city and beyond. Plus there is a worthy chambered cairn at the peak, along with ancient stone engraving. We passed by there once again on our way to the famous Fairy Castle cairn at Two Rock Mountain.

Cairn at Cullentragh

Ordinarily, a trek in and around Cullentragh and Braigue Mountain would afford some lovely views to Mullacor, Lugnaquilla, Derrybawn and the like. Not on this day, though. This is where 'the idiots' were thwarted and the household's original pair of Meindls died an undignified death - after 1000km of service! All in all I've definitely enjoyed breaking in my new boots, the weekly routine of route planning and the unmistakable taste of coffee from a metal flask. Here's to at least another 950km and the accelerated bagging of more peaks. Rain or Shine.


Massive thanks to Aoife Brennan for the awesome photos!

 

If you go down to the woods today...

Apparently there lurks a bear in the Glenealo Valley, specifically in the woods of An Spinc. I did not see it today, but prepare to be surprised if you're in the zone any time soon.

Today marked my return to hillwalking: the first outing of 2013, and I've decided to open up my blog to include tales of the trekking variety.

I chose to start with a visit to Glendalough on this fine, crisp January day. Though I have been there numerous times as a 'tourist' in my own backyard, I haven't spent much time exploring the outlying lands and hills. A typical visit to the area includes ample photo ops at the Monastic Village, a gentle stroll to the Upper Lake, maybe a pint of Guinness (or three) in Larragh, and then onward or homeward. Truth is, this land is truly awesome, and you can imagine the inspiration felt by those early settlers - centuries ago - as they stumbled on this perfect valley. If you have been, you'll know what I mean. If you haven't been - go. One of Ireland's greatest treasures, for sure.

My particular venture started at the Visitor's Centre Car Park, and I took the boardwalk route to the Upper Lake - an easy 2km stretch to get you warmed up, and exchange pleasantries with several small family groups. This section of the walk roughly traces a short section of the famed Wicklow Way, up past the Poulanass Waterfall, before bearing right towards An Spinc (Pointed Hill). For approximately 5km, a well built boardwalk will guide you along the very steep cliff overlooking the Upper Lake, all the while affording plenty of naturally beautiful views in all directions.

This route doesn't provide any navigational difficulties - it's a well marked, well trodden circular - but care should be taken in frosty / icy conditions, as some of the railway sleepers can be too slippery to pass. I couldn't resist taking a customised detour to Lugduff for a lunch stop. There is a decent track leading all the way to the peak, and several comfy outcrops on which to set up your pop-up cafe! With views to Lugnaquilla, Conavalla, Turlough Hill, Mullaghcleevaun and Tonelagee as well as back to base, this makes for a mighty fine rest-stop. I descended using a fairly direct bearing to Van Diemen's Mines and the footbridge that will allow safe crossing of the Glenealo river. The old miner's track will return you all the way to the Start / Finish point. There's a kind of 'sweet spot' halfway down the zig-zagged track, where you can get a little overwhelmed at the perfect nature set before you. Probably something to do with the fading light and the extremes of peripheral vision. Either way, it's a bit special:

Distance: 15.45km
Highest Elevation: 644m
Climb: 505m
Duration: 4hrs 20 mins inc. Lunch

Until Later

Shane (Composer and Hillwalker)

Happy Wintermas

Men at Work, The Beach Boys, Pearl Jam, Skunk Anansie, Faith No More, The Eagles, Queensryche, Rush, King's X, King's X again, Rush again, Dire Straits, Pink Floyd, Mr. Big, Cutting Crew, Def Leppard, Joni Mitchell, John Mellencamp, Bryan Adams, Brad, King Swamp, Stone Temple Pilots, Jerry Cantrell, Zero Pilot...*

I cut down the fir that will be our Xmas tree today. A little belated so we are, in bringing the festive spirit into our home. However, since Xmas paraphernalia has been available in Tesco since before my (September!) birthday, I don't think we were in danger of being bypassed.

As is my wont, I tend to reflect a little at this time of year, asking life's tough questions: Do I have enough booze in the house? What time is dinner served on 25th December? How bloody good is Jerry Cantrell's 'Degradation Trip'? Heavy stuff, right?

As I review 2012, it has been very fruitful year on the musical front, with the release of 'Unauthorised Soundtrack', 'Mountain Goat Misadventures in the Wicklow Wilderness' and most recently, 'Mission'. These were all solo efforts, all produced entirely by myself for my own amusement, on a strict budget, in a limited space. In the background, I've been working heartily on a number of collaborative efforts, though. It is these that are likely to form the backbone of next year's output, and in the spirit of eclecticism, it's going to be an exciting ride. Here are a couple of names to look out for in 2013:

Maggy Simpson
Working on this debut album with Bat Kinane since June. Expect an original album of genuine breadth early in the New Year. We've already courted comparisons with King's X, Maiden, Glyder, QOTSA, The Kinks, Pantera, Santana and U2, among others. Plenty of hot playing, matched by smartly crafted stories, and pure songwriting skill. Here's a sample:



Filthy Bayonets
Working on this project with Trev Mooney, Dave Horan and Justin Maloney. The near future will be occupied with tracking down a top notch percussor to add even more weight and dexterity to our Groovy, Grungey Rock / Metal tunes. This will be for anyone that loved the good stuff in the '90s - Unapologetic Hard Slabs of ROCK with memorable tunes, and devious dollops of PROG. Y'Know, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, Tool, Corrosion of Conformity. As opposed to the 2D punk by that other famed Pacific North Western combo. No offence.



Anyway, I want to wish everyone I know a delightful, wondrous Christmas season. I certainly won't be able to catch up with you all individually, so SPAM it is ;)





*oh yeah...the eclectic set of artists whose work is currently within arms reach

Mission - The Update

My new (mini) album will be available tomorrow over at bandcamp, so here is a sneak preview for your bemusement:

Until Later

Shane