Climbing Cuilcagh 👣 The Stairway to Heaven?

[@liammcerlean6020]

What a beautiful and honestly narrated video - TY for sharing it. In response to your question, can people fall in love with the mountain when it is visually dominated by the trail (or words to that effect) consider this - many people, myself included, are aging and now have limited stamina and endurance, yet we still want to explore the outdoors. A man-trail structure such as the Stairway to Heaven does not detract from the beauty of the mountain - in fact, the opposite is the truth in my eyes. The Stairway makes it attractive and possible for oldy goldies such as myself to once again go forth into nature and enjoy with mature understanding the privilege it is to be out in nature with all its natural wonderments. Thanks again for the vid - awesome job. Liam

[@BanjoGirl101]

Narration sounds very poetic. I really like it. This is the best video on this trail. I really need to do this walk.

[@honeyfitz3791]

Beautiful photography and excellent, informative narration. When I visit Ireland (from the USA) you have motivated me to hike some of these trails. Thank you.

[@bulldelaney]

Very honest views of this trail and a respect of the landscape that is clear to hear. Another great video guys. Thanks

[@ToughSoles]

Thanks Martin! ☺️ - ellie

[@jenuinepanic]

This kind of insight into the Stairway is one of the things I love about Tough Soles. You really think about what you put out and you're comfortable giving a different perspective on famous places people usually gush over without a seconds thought. Brilliant video!

[@ToughSoles]

Thanks so much for the really nice comment Jen! Really appreciate it. We definitely put quite a bit of thinking into this one, as we knew we wanted to share our “real thoughts” and not just nice footage

[@Omegajunior2658]

Hi Ellie, wow it sure is a really long way to walk to Fermanagh, (Northern Ireland known as the North as I refer to), United Kingdom 🇬🇧 from Cavan, Ireland 🇮🇪. The landscape looks beautiful by the way. Greetings from Dublin.

[@jimguitarfan]

"Build it and they will come". Yes, I am afraid that something like this, which makes it more convenient and less messy to climb a hill will inevitably create other environmental pressures, as shown by the creation of mountain railways on a place like Snowdon in Wales. I think I saw something similar with Errigal when I was in Donegal a couple of years back, though only for the first part of the ascent, thereby not having the same "draw" for non-walkers. It's a question with no ideal solution, I fear. Many of the most popular Munros here in Scotland bear the scars of the huge increase in the popularity of "bagging" in the last couple of decades. But who is to decide how human impacts can be mitigated, without affecting either access for us, or the landscape we pass through in our pursuit of the spiritual cleansing achieved simply climbing a hill and looking back? Big question. Glad you're getting some tangible benefits from the Patreon subs, by the way. Nice microphone :)

[@KDoc1951]

Yes. The council are in the process of sanitising Errigal i.e.making it easier for those who wouldn't want to negotiate the scree in the upper section, or risk slipping / getting wet & dirty in the lower boggy section. As you suggest, it will attract more people and the car park is quite small, so I suppose the next so-called development is the car park expansion, the provision of a toilet block soon followed by cafés. I think with these 'developments' what we are gaining on the swings we are losing on the roundabouts.

[@gerrymcveigh]

'People go to see the Stairway to Heaven, not the mountain" Ellie, a beautiful commentary (with your cool new mic) on our relationship with these magical outdoor places. Especially as we are living through such challenging times and crave some release from the levels of angst of modern day living. That increase in visitors is staggering and am sure is duplicated in other places like Errigal. I remember walking for what seemed like hours though bogland to reach the NW side of Cuilcagh at Tiltinbane and a glorious walk along that long summit plateau with no other people present. These are definitely changed times with a better understanding of these places role with climate change. Thank you 👍👍

[@apocuinn]

Climate change? Lol.

[@connachtboyadventures4672]

Lovely video and commentary guys

[@RichardUpstanding]

Maybe an odd question, but if you could pick any (at least water resistant) shoe for trail walking, what would it be? 😊

[@ToughSoles]

Hey Richard! So with footwear it really depends on each persons foot - Carl and I have l different shaped feet (not just length) so different shoes and brands fit each of us better. If I was looking for a really light pair of trail shoes/low boots just for trails, I quite like the Merrell Speed Moabs I have right now. I’ve loved Salomon in the past, but the model that fit me the best was discontinued. In general anything from these two brands and Scarpa are usually safe bets if the shape fits you. An American brand I had were called Oboz (Bridger Mid I think). Gortex is the obvious waterproof membrane that many brands use, but I often find their own brand membranes to work just as well (such as OutDry) so any shoe with a “waterproof membrane” should keep your feet dry. Any shoes without them won’t really be waterproof. My trail runners are Hoka Hoka One One which I love - but definitely not waterproof (maybe they make a GoreTex version?) Finally, here’s a blog I wrote on how to fit hiking boots - it’s basically the same for shoes. I hope this all helps! toughsoles.ie/blog/2018/5-2

[@RichardUpstanding]

@@ToughSoles great thanks. With the way shoe tech is going I’m torn between a trail shoe and trail running shoe. The one generally being tougher and the other possibly having more cushioning for long days. I’m so torn 🙈 I’ve loved Merrells for years, but the feet feel the pain after a few hours.