Spelga Skyline
by hbowman1 8 Jul 2011
I climbed Butter mountain for the first time last week-end as part of a circuit of Spelga Dam. Starting from Spelga car park we headed toward Slievenamiskan, followed by Cock Mountain. Thereafter, we headed toward the Mourne Wall at Pigeon Rock Mountain. This section is very marshy and I would strongly recommend gaiters for this part of the Mournes. After a short break we traversed down Pigeon Rock toward Deers Meadow. After crossing the road, we began the ascent of Slieve Muck. I would say this was probably the toughest part of the walk. At the summit of Slieve Muck very fine views were to be had of the High Mournes. The next mountain along the route was Carn. Thereafter we descended toward the stile at the foot of Slieveloughshannagh. After climbing the stile we headed toward Ott car park grid, keeping Ott mountain to the left. Upon arriving at the car park, we ascended Butter mountain. I think the best part of hillwalking is the point at which the crest leads onto the summit and the panorama opens up at once, when all before one only sees a grassy bank. Butter mountain is one mountain which falls into this category. Upon reaching the summit, the views across Spelga Dam towards the western Mournes were amazing. I think it is one of the best panoramas in the Mournes. The full walk is just over 9 miles and took about 6 hours.
(Comment Rating 3.00)
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Picture from Bleck Cra : Butter to the Left
Picture: Butter to the Left
by Bleck Cra 17 Jul 2006
Beneath Bearnagh and above ground zero, disbelief is suspended beneath something called Butter Mountain. What is it? Well it is as ordinary at get-out and it wins no prizes for …, well anything. Of course, we get nowhere by begging the question of Mother Nature “why?”, but we can of her travellers. WHY bother with Butter, Spelga and indeed Ott? They - or perhaps better described as “it” present no challenge, no trickery and no resolutions. In the midst of their damp pointlessness, a man (or perhaps frighteningly, a woman) has spread an endless fence of luminescent green coated barbed wire, racked to a tension that would have broken Braveheart, to mark out territory. Territory?! Sure if they gave the whole lot to me for free, I wouldn’t take it. But …., on a better day, you can catch the mellow mists on an eastern horizon cast a speakeasy smoke backdrop behind dramatic Bearnagh. On a better day, you can touch ragged fingers with the wild, western tops of Hen, Cock and Pigeon. On a better day, a dark, silent figure may emerge from a bleak horizon and pass you on a better road. Or sure, maybe not. Spelga impresses the life out of me with her South Western flank, reminiscent of my own training grounds in the Scottish lowlands. All new to this game must train on this slope - it will give you the heart of a lion and the lungs of Jane Mansefield (see an earlier contribution). Catch the lot from Spelga Dam or Ott-not. Incidentally, to Simon of the Site, herewith I think we have an Ulster-Scots hill “Craig Doo” - a man will tell me this is Black Crag (dubh) and I will vouch it is Pigeon Crag (doo: dove Scots: pigeon). Any takers ?(Comment Rating 2.75)
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Picture from mneary34 : Butter Mt above Spelga
Picture: Butter Mt above Spelga
by mneary34 27 Oct 2005
We started in early morning darkness in November '04 at the track, grid ref. 269 274 (Point A) , which is 50 metres east of Spelga Dam car park. This provided a gentle start to the walk and we continued for 500 metres till the track petered out before taking a direct heading for the summit. This photo taken on another day shows the profile of the mountain.
(Comment Rating 2.40)
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Picture from zeaphod
by zeaphod 15 Jan 2004
Straight up from the car park below Spelga Dam. Used as steep ground exercise for Walking Group Leader training. Great views up the valley to Spelga, and over Cock and Hen Mtns. Photo shows Slieve Muck in the distance.(Comment Rating 2.12)
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Picture from Jaak
by Jaak 24 Nov 2005
Nothing spectacular about Butter, an easy climb from either the Spelga Dam or Ott car parks.(Comment Rating 2.00)
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by paulocon 24 Jul 2009
Others have summed it up perfectly - a handy walk from either Spelga Dam or Ott carpark. A broad peak - not entirely sure where the summit is. Would be an ideal family walk from Ott carpark as there is a visible trail all the way up. From Butter, we made our way around to Spaltha and then to the cairn on th epeak of Spelga before descending back to the Spelga Dam carpark.
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(End of comment section for Butter Mountain.)
Slieve Donard, 850m
slemish
Harry Goodman
simon3
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