Sweets for the Children of the World Traditional Cache
Hidden : 5/4/2008
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
3.5 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:


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****THIS IS NOT A HOLIDAY CACHE. I LIVE IN IRELAND AND I AM REGULARLY IN THE KERRY AREA. HOLIDAY CACHES ARE GENERALLY FROWNED UPON IN IRELAND.****


20 years ago, during a fabulous heatwave, my family and I were holidaying closeby in a lovely cottage by the lake. It was one of those holidays that you remember forever.
I decided to take my then 2 eldest sons on a trek up Tomies mountain (Altitude 735 metres). There were no track or waymarks then so it was quite a rough climb. The weather was so nice that I was able to lie down and snooze at the summit, not an altogether common occurrence in the Kerry mountains.
My second son David, then 10 years of age, had read somewhere that when he summitted Everest Sir Edmund Hillary wanted to leave something on the mountain. All he had left at that point was a packet of sweets so he left the "sweets for the children of the world." David thought it a great idea to do the same so he left a packet of sweets on top of Tomies.
Almost exactly twenty years later David and I and his two younger brothers Sean and Barry decided to climb it again and this time we placed a small cache there. We didn't get the heatwave but it was nice and sunny at the top and the views and walk were pretty spectacular. We had a look for David's sweets but the summit has been changed out of all recognition by various walking groups that the chances were very slim anyway.
There are several routes to the top of Tomies and probably the most common one starts at N52 03.181 W009 36.653. Not many car parks there but lots not too far away. I am calling this a three and a half stars for terrain because of this route. It starts at a small old brige (Tomies Bridge) and follows a well trodden stoney path most of the way to the summit,

When we placed the cache we did not use this route. We walked up into the gap of Dunloe to N52 01.877 W009 38.213 where there is a gap in the fence on the left just after a little bridge. At this point you are looking up at sheer high rocks where there are two very distinct gullies with a rock escarpment in the centre. These are called "The Chimneys" so ***PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ROUTE IS VERY DEFINITELY A 5 STAR FOR DIFFICULTY AND TERRAIN*** but it is so spectacularly beautiful that it is well worth the effort.

The Chimneys Route

Few people view the Gap of Dunloe, one of Ireland's most scenic areas and the full Reeks themselves, from this kind of vantage point.
When you go through the fence you follow a narrow path along the fence and then you will see a large rock escarpment about half way up to the Chimneys. There is a zig zag path at N52 01.807 W009 37.920. The route goes to the left of this escarpment and the route up to the top is through the right hand gully where there is a trodden path. The base of the correct gully is at N52 01.780 W009 37.658. The top of the gully is at N52 01.753 W009 37.596.
You are now out on open ground where you should be able to see Tomies looming in front of you. The best route from here is over the gently rising hill on the left and Tomies is not nearly as difficult as it may look. If you don't fancy going down the way you came up then one route is to follow that hill directly left (approx N52 01.725 W009 36.974) as it sweeps down over other hills (N52 02.318 W009 37.101) all the way to a noticeable green shed with Kate Kearney's Cottage clearly visible over the river. Bear in mind that this route is not on tracks and the ground can be quite rough and tiresome. Another route down is by way of the stoney path which goes to Tomies Bridge which is the starting point I mentioned with the lack of parking. For those more adventurous types you may wish to carry on from Tomies to the ridge that can take you to Purple Mountain or the other smaller surrounding ones before returning.


***WARNING*** THIS IS A MOUNTAIN CACHE AND WEATHER CONDITIONS CAN CHANGE IN AN INSTANT. PLEASE BRING PROPER HILLWALKING CLOTHES AND GOOD BOOTS. IT MAY BE WARM AT THE BASE BUT CONDITIONS AT THE TOP COULD BE 5 TO 10 DEGREES LOWER. IF YOU CHOOSE TO GO THE CHIMNEYS ROUTE, IT IS QUICKER BUT PEOPLE WITH VERTIGO OR THOSE WITH ANY DIFFICULTY CLIMBING STEEP GROUND SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT IT. PLEASE ALSO BE SURE TO HAVE SOMEONE WITH MOUNTAIN NAVIGATION CAPABILITIES OR SOME DETAILED GPS MAPPING THAT INCLUDES CONTOURS. NO OTHER SPECIALIST EQUIPMENT IS REQUIRED.

IN SUMMER YOU WILL PROBABLY NEED SOME STRONG MOZZY REPELLANT PARTICULARLY ANYWHERE NEAR THE LAKE AREA. SOME PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED TICKS IN THIS AREA IN THE SUMMER MONTHS SO PLEASE BE AWARE OF THIS. The cache is a small tablock box with some old caching bits used. It is behind a small stone under a pretty typical piece of rock used to hide caches (see spoiler picture below if necessary).

If anybody wants a tip for a place to stay in this area try "The Invicta" B&B (phone 064 44207) which is very close to Tomies Bridge just down by the lake. It is run by Sean and Mary Sweeny who will make you feel as welcome as the flowers in May. Just tell them that Sean from Dublin sent you! Also, try a bit of fly fishing on the lake and don't forget the fly repellant!!

Do not start the trek without all the proper mountain rain gear, waterproof boots and the guidance material, compass, map, GPSr with mapping etc.

Please note that all parts of this cache are hiked at your own risk. The cache owner takes no responsibility of any sort for any reason including accidents or mishaps.


Please be aware that cars parked in areas close to walking trails are vulnerable and they can be vandalised or stolen. Unfortunately this is an ongoing problem which is extremely difficult to solve, so there is a risk involved. I have heard recently that many hiker groups are parking at the nearest population centres and getting taxis to and from the start points at very little expense.

Please observe the country code to the best of your ability. Local landowners often generously allow access to upland areas across or through parts of their private property. Please, please be conscious of this and return the courtesy by keeping all gates closed, immediately and not on your way back!. Please use the gates where appropriate but if you have to climb over them then use the hinged side ONLY.
Please do not cause any damage of any sort to fences or barriers along the way.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



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