eflanaga on Ardnageer

Climbed June 7th – Leaving Croaghbane IB (G97850 91070) summit (see for previous stage on walk) I took a bearing of 264 degrees SW towards Ardnageer, although it was hardly necessary to do so as it was clearly in view a short distance away. Nevertheless, a glance to my left and the encroaching low cloud base, which was creating an inversion effect on the hills around me, suggested that I could find myself in deep mist fairly quickly so caution appeared the best option. As it turned out the cloud didn’t make much more headway, eventually being burned off by the heat of the sun as the morning progressed. It’s a fairly short and relatively easy walk to Ardnageer from Croaghbane over exposed rock for the most part. Short climb up onto summit with small cairn and excellent views all around. Ardnageer SW top with it’s distinctive mound of white quartzite beckoned, again just a short distance south-west. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/205/comment/2386/

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gerrym on Ardnageer

From N15 through Barnesmore Gap follow signs for Bluestack Drive around N side of Lough Eske to a carpark overlooking the Lough. Walk right along road to top of hairpin bends and take tarmac lane to left past Edergole Bridge. At a prominent walkers sign changes to a gravel track, fords a river ( large boulders can be used if high) and parallels with steep gorge of River Corabber. When turns away continue straight uphill to cut out a switchback and reach the head of the gorge. There is an impressive waterfall here dropping into a deep pool - pool can be reached by a steep path? for some good pics. Continue along river bank passing sluice gate for small hydro scheme BEWARE the ground from here becomes very wet and time is taken trying to find the driest line through the river valley. When a noisey river joins from the left follow it uphill towards Lough Belshade - even wetter here if you can believe it. Lough Belshade is a wild place (only slighty spoilt by the visible elements of the hydro scheme) backed on 3 sides by steep rocky ground (see pic). Follow the S shore to meet up with a stream coming down from the mountains (C (G974 894)) and follow it uphill. The ground soon firms and are walking on areas of bare rock. Can follow this stream right up to the summit area but would be wise to take compass bearing as fragments among the rugged ground as crosss a level area before the final climb. Reach summit area just to the east of top of Ardnageer which has a prominent outcrop of white quartzite just to the N. Continue NE along good ground to reach the cairn at the top of Knockgorm. Extensive views N over the high hills of Donegal and W to Croaghgorm and Lavagh More. Steep drop from here NE to col, passing some fascinating glacially deposited boulders, with little valley containing a lough. Climb up 300 ft to reach the top of Croaghbane with fine views over Lough Belshade to Lough Eske. At summit cairn the views stretch to the Sperrins and Cuilcaigh and over Donegal Bay to Benbulbin and Sligo Hills. Met two people walking dogs on way to L Belshade but that was it. For completion of this walk see Croaghaniwore. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/205/comment/1205/

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bryanmccabe on Ardnageer

A rare break in the fog revealed Lough Belshade taken from near the summit of Ardnageer in snow. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/205/comment/4440/

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Scramble To The Summit

I started from the Reelan Valley, heading almost to the top of Glascarns Hill, but just short of the summit I bore west, across the flank of Croaghbane, crossing the Effernagh River high up where it was only about a foot wide. As I had climbed Croaghbane before, and today I wanted to get as far as Lavagh Beg, I stayed below the summit, and made straight for Ardnageer. I scrambled up the steep northeast side and reached the summit marked by a cairn. The rest of my intended walk over Ardnageer SW Top, Croaghgorm, Lavagh More and Lavagh Beg now stretched out in front of me. Great views in the other directions too, particularly down over Lough Belshade and Lough Eske. I would have liked to have taken the time to explore the southeastern slopes looking down over Lough Belshade, but I had a long walk still ahead, so had to leave it for another day. Instead, it was onwards to Ardnageer SW Top. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/205/comment/17625/

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