Circuit with Mullaghclogha

This dramatically-named mountain is often climbed as part of a traverse of 'the Mullaghs' - Mullaghcarbatagh and Mullaghclogher to the W and Mullaghclogha (highest peak in Tyrone) to the E. I had already climbed the first two as part of an earlier expedition that had to be abandoned due to intense fog, so just needed a handy start point for the two remaining peaks.

Heading W past the small village of Cranagh, I turned right up the minor road immediately before Glenroan bridge and a sign for Badony church. There's an old bar called The Glen just at the turn-off. Where the road forks, I headed right, up to a small forested area where there was room to park without blocking the road, about Glenelly Road, Parkreagh (H543 927). Don't drive any further as the road becomes a track with a gate a bit further ahead, where it would be hard to turn again. Setting off, I crossed the gate after a few mins and where the track arcs off to the left towards an abandoned farmhouse, I crossed another (wonky) gate and headed onto open hillside where a faint track continues for a time over some small brooks.

You can clearly see the col between this peak and Mullaghclogher (to the W) and after a while I just aimed for this via the path of least resistance. It was a tough enough slog, with large snowy patches with the recent weather. The views quickly opened up however, S over the Glenelly Valley and beyond to Mullaghcarn with its masts, and Bessy Bell with its windfarm to the SW. I could see another windfarm E of Mullaghcarn which I couldn't identify (around Pomeroy/Carrickmore direction).

I was glad to finally meet the fence which ran along the col, but sudden exposure to freezing winds was a shock to the system. I headed W uphill over terrain that was now almost completely snow-covered. This was my first experience of walking in deep snow and it was certainly memorable. I stayed close to the fence and even it was completely submerged by snow at a couple of points! Quite unsettling. I was often waist deep and once or twice had to drag myself up on my hands and knees! By now the views had opened up towards Owenreagh and its windfarm to the W (just how many of these are there in Tyrone alone? they seem to be breeding), with the snow-capped Derryveagh Mtns far beyond in Donegal (flat-topped Muckish being the most recognizable), and NW towards Lough Foyle and the Inishowen hills.

Luckily the going got a little easier towards the summit, marked typically by a meeting of fences. My next target, Mullaghclogha, could be seen clearly to the NE and thankfully proved a lot more manageable. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/311/comment/4469/

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gerrym on Mullaghasturrakeen

Mullaghasturrakeen is perhaps more a challenge in terms of pronounciation than in actually climbing. It is perfectly placed between Mullaghclogher and Mullaghclogha to make a good days walking at the W end of the Genelly valley, along which the spine of the Sperrins stretch. The first part of this walk can be seen at Mullaghclogher where I have approached from when climbing this hill. From col with Mullaghclogher (A (H536 948)) climb west, steeply at first, then ground levels. Move away from fence to avoid large wet area. As climb pass rocky areas on northern slopes where ravens soar, to the south the glacial breach of Barnes Gap is in full view. The summit yet again is marked by the joining of fences. The views to the north and west are fantastic. Drop down north east following the fence line to the next col over some very wet ground. Again there are options to drop down south along the valley here to Glenelly Valley. I continued up next top of Mullaghclogha - see for continuation of this circuit. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/311/comment/949/

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Second Arderin Of The Day

Approached this from Mullaghclogher, on the way to Mullaghclogha, on a very warm sunny day. Descending Mullaghclogher into a valley between the two along a col, there were some peat hags to negotiate and some boggy ground despite the good weather. It was simply a matter of following a fence from one summit to the other, as is common in the Sperrins, with great views along the way to the North and South, and the climb up was not as taxing as it looked from Mullaghclogher. Great day for a walk, and the Sperrins looking their best in the sunshine. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/311/comment/15959/

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