Fantastic Club Day Out On The Paps

 On Sunday Mar. 26th we had an absolute fantastic day out on The Paps with a group of 13 doing the trip. All the way around we had blue skies overhead with views stretching to the limit on all sides from the Galtees to the North East with The Reeks just behind us and on our South side you could see all the way into the depths of West Cork.
 The only bad thing you could say was at the top of both peaks it was extremely windy and it was no day for hanging around too long but one thing the wind did too was to dry the place out as the ground conditions were good and dry.
The Paps Loop Link
 The route we took was our usual one in that we started at the cleared away forest entrance near Clydagh Bridge which is on the Cork side of Glenflesk & just off the main road from Cork/Macroom to Killarney which leads us on to a fine tough opening 45 minutes which is always testing leading onto the first peak before heading along for the first Western Pap and then down into the valley before climbing up again to the Eastern Pap before heading down into the valley going eastwards to link with the Forest Roadway onto the road and back to our cars.
 Not much more to say as we have been here before but this was a fantastic day to be out.

Trip from Shrone Lake To Caherbanagh & Back

On Sunday Oct the 23rd we set off on a mystery tour so as we left Kanturk we did not know where we were setting off to. We met the rest of the group in Rathmore and we folloewed on the lead car. A few miles away the mystery was starting to unveil. We were heading towars the northern side of The Paps. We eventually ended up at the gateway to the mountain road at Shrone Lake. This road disects the mountains and can lead you out to the other side near Glenflesk & where we usually start the hike up The Paps.But this day instead of going right for The Paps we were turning left.

In tthe days group we had 9 which was a good number, we started our hike on the mountain roadway & after a few hundred yards we turned left up Shrone More and headed on upwards towards Knocknabro, at this stage of our the morning mist was still down low & it was windy as well so we did not go to the top of this one.Once we got to the top of the first climb most of the day consisted of lots of rambling of going up & downwards through the mountain and as we stretched into the day the weather was starting to clear and it was remaining dry which is always good.

At this stage our destination was the top of Caherbanagh which was the only place still covered in cloud and mist.

We descended down from the top and skirted along the top of the gully heading on towards Glanaphrene where we were intending to link up with the Duhallow Trail. At this stage the skies and scenery were now unfolding nicely on all sides of us.

At this stage we moving more or less parrallel to the main Mallow to Killarney road in the distance with good location markers of the Cadbury factory and the wind turbines of Munster Joinery in view.

Taking the time of the year the conditions were absolutely fantastic and even for the fact of meeting up with the odd boggy patch the blue skies made you forget it very quickly.At this stage The Paps were coming back into good view again so that meant our trip was coming to an end.

We had a great day out and the weather for the most part was really good and this was a new route for us which all adds up and make it another memorable day but I can say talking for most of us that we were tired as we were out six hours and we were glad to see the cars and the chance of a reward of a cup of Coffee & a treat and a drink on the way home.

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