Wild, Wet & Windy morning on Caherbarnagh

It is very easy to describe this group outing. It was wet, windy and wild but after getting that out of the way, we did set of with a good group considering the conditions with a total of 9. We were delighted to see a new and young recruit in Maeve Lynes in joining, I only hope she does not question her father for dragging her out on a day like this.

For most of us it was our first time up Caherbanagh so we were delighted to have an experienced guide with us in Denis O'Mahony who looked after us very well. On days like this it is vital to have a well experienced person with the group, as all is fine until something goes wrong. Thanks again Denis from all of us.

Padraig, all wet but still smiling :)

The proof that we did make it to the top,
(the bottle isn't ours)

Our group motto is 'Hillwalking is about Exercise, Scenery and Fresh Air', we certainly got 2 of 3. The missing link was scenery!!! All the view was of cloud and fog. You will have days like this , so you just put your head down and drive on. Our total route just took over 2.5 hrs as there was no pictures or snack times.

It is days like this that make you really appreciate the dry sunny summer days, but one thing it certainly blows away the cobwebs or any dregs in your body. Also on a day like this you really look forward to a good shower, dry clothes, something hot to eat or drink and nearly throw yourself into the fire to warm up again.

Finally always remember one thing, Always Respect the Landowner by closing gates and leaving the place as you find it. If this is not done places like this will become inaccessible to the detriment of everybody. 

To better sunny or dry days out!! 

Trip to The Paps West and East

A good group of 11 of us set off from Kanturk on a trip to The Paps passing through Rathmore, taking a left turn at Barraduff for Glenflesk, taking a left turn at Glenflesk towards Macroom and a few miles over the road we started to follow the signs for Clydagh Bridge and Shrone Lake.

On the way back it was extremely foggy around Rathmore but after that it seemed to clear and that the fog was lifting.

We got to our starting point where it was still cloudy and foggy which stayed with us all the way to the first, West summit. What we noticed here was the fact that Northern side was clear but because there was very little wind, there was nothing to blow away the fog and cloud from the Southern side. But the views from the Summit were stunning, we were over the cloud and fog.

Looking west towards Mangerton and Macgillycuddy's Reeks

Group photo on The Paps West

There were spectacular views on three sides, all the way back to the Kerry mountains on one side to Caherbanagh and Clara on the other side with the TV mast at Mullaghanish rising stunningly over everything. Here we were told that this was the largest structure in Ireland, it was definitely stunning on this morning. Also all the area under us from Rathmore to Ballydesmond stretching from North Kerry to North West Cork were offering us a good reason to sit down and enjoy our snack time looking out at what was in front of us.

The Paps East from The Paps West

We left the Paps West, down into the valley to again start our next climb to the Paps East, again there was no great hurry on us because you really had to stop and stare at the beautiful view.

The Paps West from The Paps East

Descending to The Shrone Valley

Next thing was the descent towards the Shrone Valley where we started to head back into the cloud again, we got down to the forest roadway that connects around Rathmore on the Northside to the other side, here we took a short stroll towards Shrone Lake but again the conditions were dominating as the Cloud was stuck in the Valley but at least one thing the day was dry. We all headed back to the cars and for a pit stop in Rathmore to discuss our day. On our way here we looked right towards The Paps , and there they were in all their glory. Clear!! We probably had got to the top too early but that is the way the cookie crumbles and that is why you really appreciate the good clear dry sunny days out. Yes we had a really good day out but so close to being a brilliant day.

The Paps from the distance

Cheque Presentation to Kanturk Hospital & Marymount Hospice

On Friday Oct 30^th Kanturk Hillwalkers & Mountain Climbers represented by Padraig Breen, Ger Morrissey and Christy Mullane presented Cheques to Kanturk Hospital represented on the night by Sheila Clernon and Marymount Hospice represented by Claire McCarthy.

Cheque presentstion to Sheila Clernon from Kanturk Hospital

Cheque presentation to Claire McCarthy from Marymount Hospice

Other Climbers that attended were Jimmy Moore, Paola O'Connell, Niall Breen, Conan Crowley, Jer Linehan, Anna Ozimkowska, Dan Murphy and Roseann Heffernan.

Both Cheques with other climbers that attended the presentation

A total of  €6500 was raised from the Climb which was evenly divided to both Kanturk Hospital and Marymount Hospice which are both worthy and well deserving causes and well worth us making a big effort to raise some money doing something we like doing especially as most times most of us are doing it in small groups where we really get the ' Buzz ' of doing it in a big group especially at that time of the year when the Winter is starting to close in on us, it is just a good way to finish off the year.

Overall the whole event went off without any major glitches and hopefully we will be back again next year to raise some more money.

Carrauntoohil via Devil's Ladder and down Heavenly Gates

A small group of us went to Carrauntoohil on an absolute glorious day, we went at a leisurely pace where time did not bother us the day was so good.

Jer at the top of Devil's Ladder

We used the Devil's Ladder route to get to the top, this route is probably the shortest route to the top but one that is not really recommended to use to come back down by because of loose stone and debris and worn paths that are okay to go up. When we got to the top of the Ladder there was hardly a puff of wind blowing with great views and as we headed for the top we looked over our shoulders and there coming up the Ladder behind us was a Cloud right up the Gully which was spectacular.

The cloud coming up Devil's Ladder Gully

We got to the Top most notable for the fact on such a good day the place was very quiet . Everybody must have been at home watching the World Cup Rugby match  vs Argentina. When we were having lunch at the diner, we heard the score. Not Good !

The clear view stretched in all directions from Kenmare to Dingle, North Kerry to over the Border in Cork. Never seen this place so calm and tranquil.

Posted by Padraig Breen on Sunday, 18 October 2015

The Boots

To make our visit to the top complete, the famous brown boots had to be photographed on the top of Howling Ridge (again!), down below the "TURN BACK NOW!" sign. Those boots will yet climb it from  Heavenly Gates up to the top someday.

And then there was John Cronin singing a Kingdom Song teasing us, replied by Johnny Logans " Whats another Year "

We headed for home by using The Heavenly Gates track. A track that again is a short way home but requires a bit of srambling and sitting on the bum in places especially for a fella with bad knees, thats my excuse. Again there was no great hurry in us the day was so good.

Anna at the Heavenly Gates

The day finished off by a cup of coffee and nice things in the Coffee Shop. A good day out by all.

Trip to Mangerton

Yesterday 7 of us went on climb up Mangerton, a mountain reached by going out the Muckross Rd. out of Killarney and turning left after Molly Darcy's Pub and then following the signs.
Mangerton is a relatively safe mountain to climb once you take the usual necessary precautions like checking the forecast and having the right gear & some food & water. The one thing I find handy if unsure is to go at a busy time like a Saturday or Sunday morning as if need be you can tow in with others or least there are others in the vicinity.

This Climb started off very foggy but after a while we seemed to be over the fog but yet still under the cloud but visibility was reasonably good but we were still waiting for the cloud to lift or blow away , but on this morning there was absolutely no breeze at all and it was virtually completely calm .

After a brief stop at the Punch Bowl we got to the top where it was very cloudy so much so we passed the turn off to go back down by over a 100 yards, Bad visibility and no breeze at the top so no point in taking the group photo.

Devil's Punchbowl

After slowly coming down to the Punch Bowl again the skies finally cleared and we got to take the group photo and a few nice snaps of the lake. From there down the day was beautiful with Torc & Purple finally coming into view with the lakes looking stunning so we headed home with the Welly down as the Rugby match was on.

Well done to the young lads 11yr old Liam Breen, our 3 13 year olds Niall Breen, Conan Crowley, Josh O'Connor and first timer up Mangerton Bernie Collins plus Chris Clery and myself - Padraig Breen

Group photo

Start Point/Car Park GPS coordinates: Lat: N 52.006735, Long: W -9.480363