pplsgod on Mullaghcleevaun

Climbed Mullaghcleevaun via Carrigshouk and the East Top on the 26th September 2009. Decided to traverse across from Carrigshouk to Ballyknockan. There is a nice pub called the Lakeview Lodge where I parked my car in the morning and got a lift back to the start point of Carrigshouk at A (O102 050)

The climb to Carrigshouk itself was relatively straightforward, the ground on the day was dry and made climbing a lot easier. From the summit I took a moment to get my bearings and then proceeded north-west to Mullaghcleevaun east top. The cloud had descended around me by the time I was nearly at the summit but thankfully the ground was easy to walk along.

For those of you who geocache there is one hidden not far from the east top summit so I spent a few minutes looking for this. From here I then went due west trying to avoid descending too much ground before heading to Mullaghcleevaun itself. Due to the thickness of the cloud at this time I was at the summit in no time as the hike over from the east top is relatively straightforward .

Mullaghcleevaun was busy on the day as I ran into a walking club on the summit so I didn't hang around too long, sadly due to the cloud cover the views were hidden on the day. From here headed down to Billy Byrne's gap before heading upto Moanbane summit. The clouds had dissipated at this point and the view of the reservoir by now was excellent.

Took the relative short walk across to Silsean which due to the broken nature of the ground took longer than anticipated. The route up and indeed most of the summit has been destroyed by quad bikes making the hike a tougher slog than it would normally have been. Be sure to take care if the weather is wet.

From here it is descent all the way to Ballyknockan. Its a long descent and I found it tough on the feet so take a little extra time. Refer to the Mullaghcleevaun traverse on the walks list of this site for more info. Overall start to finish took 4.5 hours and well worth a little preparation with a 2 car set up. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/20/comment/4151/

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Geo on Mullaghcleevaun

The terminus of our Sunday walk on March 22 2009. Took about 3.5 hours from Sally Gap and 3 hours return by the same route. Ascending to the trig point from Mullaghcleevaun East, you will be glad to have favourable weather as you can pick your way upslope hard to the right to avoid the awfull peaty mud. If its misty and you have to follow a bearing its best stay on the bearing as going too far north to avoid the muck will bring you close to a bluff overlooking the corrie lake of Cleevaun Lough, which is a gorgeous little jewel set in the massive head of Mullaghcleevaun itself. A couple of memorials up here to look at as you wander around the summit trig point. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/20/comment/3674/

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Cleevaun Lough

Cleevaun Lough frozen solid during our recent arctic weather Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/20/comment/6265/

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simon3 on Mullaghcleevaun

Mullaghcleevaun at 849 metres is the second highest mountain in Wicklow, after Lugnaquillia. Claude Wall said "[it].. commands the great plains to the north and west for an immense distance, the northern half of Leinster and the distant heights of Connaught and Ulster being visible on a clear day." On the north-east side of the summit, there is Cleevaun Lake. Often this is shrouded in mist, its wet surrounds making a cold place to rest before the steep ascent onto the summit. The day the picture was taken, at the end of an Indian Summer in Sept 2002, the clear view can be seen. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/20/comment/149/

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Pádraig on Mullaghcleevaun

During the recent run of dry weather I climbed Mullaghcleevaun. Leaving the car in Gelnmacnass car park I walked up the Military road for some 2.5 miles to reach Carrigshouk. Having walked around this hill, you are given clear access to Mullaghcleevan East Top. Take some of the sheep paths through the heather and it will direct you on a hassel free approach. From East Top the gentle walk to the top of Mullaghcleevaun is straight forward (particularly in such dry weather). Once on the summit, it's nice to make a stop and maybe offer a prayer at the memorial for the An Oige members who died back in the fifties. On the descent I headed in the direction of Tonelagee (south). The stretch of land to Barnacullian is very unusual as there are great fissures in the bog resulting in a slow and time consuming trek. In some parts I came across crevasses that were nearly twenthy feet deep and fifteen feet wide. To stray into one of these would certainly give you a bit more than a sprained ankle. So, as you can imagine, there was a lot of doubling back and trying to find a different route. With a leap of imagination you could almost feel that you were trying to negotiate the Khumbu Icefall (or at least a boggy version of it). I'm sure this route could be somewhat dangerous in wet weather or in poor visibility. Anyway, once you hit Stoney Top, the pleasure of Tonelagee awaits. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/20/comment/990/

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