eflanaga on Meenard Mountain

Walk commenced at entrance to Altbritain Forest and ascent via track & open hillside to Mullaghaneany summit. Crossing the fence near Mullaghneany’ summit IB (H68586 98620) we walked adjacent to the fence dropping to the col leading on to Meenard. Generally, I would tend to leave the fence at this stage and make my way across the mountain but decided on the day to follow the fence around to the point on its north-eastern flank where it turns to climb up Meenard. The ground close to the fence on the ascent is difficult with lots of peat-hags to negotiate. I found that by staying roughly about 100m to the left of the fence the ground improved greatly after about 150m of climb making the going much easier to the summit IC (H67284 98562) which is marked by a small cairn of white stones atop a peat-hag. Again, (following a short period where mist enveloped the summit) as on Mulaghaneany, we were greeted by fantastic panoramic views in all directions. Sawel and Dart (with a peculiar cloud over it) were bathed in sunshine, while in the distance across the valley, to the north-east, Benbradagh’s long ridge & snout lay invitingly. Mist beyond Benbradagh stole away the chance to see Binevenagh, Lough Foyle and the Innishowen Hills in Donegal often clearly visible from here. From here we were going to make for some of the area’s less well known and infrequently visited hills, new territory for us despite our experience in the Sperrins. Principal among these was Mullaghgash, a fantastic looking mountain and, which at 485m, should hopefully make the proposed 400+ section soon to be included here on the Mountain Views site. I will include a description of the route there when that resource is available. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/243/comment/2608/

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No Meen Feat

Menard is a mountain that on its own does not have the X Factor. Thankfully there is a great supporting cast to put on a show that might just be unforgettable. I have approached the mountain from all cardinal compass points and in the process tackled the hills and mountains that surround Meenard.

The most satisfying route was from Goles Forest to the S, tramping over Mullaghsallagh, Oughtmore and Mullaghaneany before the top of Meenard. This brings the highlight of dropping nearly due S from the summit to the steep ravines and waterfalls of Golnasivagh Burn which travels through a wonderfully bleak valley. The abandoned hamlet of Goles stands monument to this bleak place and the Goles River is then followed to return.

Banagher Forest to the E also provides a great approach over Oughtmore and Mullaghaneany with a bit of back tracking, though a different route can be followed back through the forest.

From the N the Owenbeg River can be followed to take in Mullaghgash and Barnes Top before heading for the heights of Meenard. This allowed me to take in a couple of new tops and approach from a new angle.

Perhaps the least adventurous would be from the high parking spot found to the W at the col with Sawel, unless the tops further E could be included.

A trusty fencline traverses the top of Meenard and a small cairn has grown a little bigger in recent years. Boggy ground and peat hags are a distinct feature, though these take on an amazing hue in frozen times.

The Sperrins are all about views and from the topviews reach to the Donegal Hills to the west with Muckish very distinct, north to Inishowen and Lough Foyle and east to Knocklayd at Ballycastle. The Scottish islands further north are even visible on occasion. South the line of the Mournes can be seen to stretch out to Slieve Gullion. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/243/comment/876/

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ice cold after sAwELX

Climbed Meenard as part of a proposed walk from Dart to Oughtmore via Sawel,Meenard and Mullaghaneaney.I say proposed because unfortunately Mucky Trousers was under strict orders from the "petticoat government" (his words) to be home for two, so when we reached Meenard's summit at one a hasty route back to Two Shovels' car was taken. But then again you can't sleep in and still do all you had planned to do .(isnt that right Brendan)
Tough walk starting from Crockahilly road a long long ascent of Dart before crossing onto Sawel ,down to Barne's road up past the County Rock and up Meenard before skirting round Mullaghaneaney and taking the forestry track to the Feeny ,Moneyneaney road.
Great walk, brilliant weather , good craic, and four ice cold cans of coke which two shovels had kept in his car cool box as a wee treat on walks conclusion.As Sir John Mills said in Ice cold in Alex " worth waiting for" although I can't recall him burping like Big Frank after his pint of Carlsberg..........please excuse poetic license in title :-) Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/243/comment/5820/

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