Short Mountain (N-S)

Posted: July 13, 2018 · By: Donnacha Clifford · Comments: 1
Under: Climbs

A climb of legend and only braved by those who have excess energy or lacking in common sense, Short Mountain from the north to south approach is quite the challenge although dubbed as being much easier than the south to north approach (a story for another day). The benign adjective ‘short’ sounds like a rather fluffy term that can only lead to the perception that this climb “can’t be too bad” but anyone who has done it will know better, unfortunately “short” when it comes to climbs in Kerry does not always mean sweet. This climb was twice recently the course for the National Hill Climb Championship, once in 2010 and again in 2013.

short mountain (n-s) gradient

At the Summit of Short Mountain looking Southwards towards the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks

This is a climb of two halves, kicking off with a tough 7-10% gradient over the first kilometer or so, with a lull of approx 2% gradient in the middle for about 300 metres, then a sharp ramp of 10% beginning the latter half of the climb, and approaching 11% just before summiting near those illusive masts that are visible around much of Mid and North Kerry.