The Aghlas - Three of a Perfect Pair

Although this peak is higher than either of its neighbours, Aghla More or Aghla Beg, it has always remained unnamed on Ordnance Survey maps, hence the need to resort to the slightly inelegant but practical name of "Aghla Beg (South)" on MV. This anomaly has been pointed out by several members. For instance, denise-vosges asks: "Why this lack of recognition for Aghla Beg South, which is the highest of the three summits, yet has such a small cairn and doesn’t have a name of its own?" As it has never even been marked with a spot height on the 6 inch map, it seems likely that it was omitted because of a failure to realise that it was the highest peak in the group during the first Ordnance Survey in the 1830s. This would not be too surprising when you consider the situation over the water at the same time. There was great uncertainty about the number of Scottish peaks over 3,000 feet and their precise heights until the publication of Sir Hugh Munro's Tables in 1891. My own guess is that the Aghlas were most often viewed from the NW, i.e. from Cloghaneely, the hinterland of Gortahork and Falcarragh, and that their appearance in this view influenced the naming. The upland valley to the SE is easily accessible nowadays to motorists thanks to the road from Letterkenny to Dunlewy, and it is quite clear from here which is the highest peak, but this valley is uninhabited, so the view from this angle would be of little importance. When seen from the NW, Aghla More and Aghla Beg, although slightly lower in reality, are more prominent, whereas Aghla Beg (South) is set considerably further back, which may explain why it has received less recognition. In the picture below Aghla Beg (South) is not seen because of the mist, but it does at least give the idea of how Aghla More and Aghla Beg are more prominent. Time to build a decent cairn on the summit? Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/266/comment/5886/

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denise-vosges on Aghla Beg South Top

The ‘Aghlas’ were my third experience of hill-walking in Ireland, after Brandon and Croaghaun (Achill). We followed David Herman's route (Hillwalkers' Donegal). We started the circuit from the little road near Procklis, from which we could see Aghla More on the right and Aghla Beg on the left. At the start we had to walk a little further north along the road than indicated in the book before we could head east, due to a "No Entry" sign. We then walked across an uncomfortable, boggy valley-floor before ascending Aghla Beg (564m), up to the surprisingly big summit cairn. This ascent was easier than expected because there were patches of vegetation which offered a smooth route through the scree slopes. From here, it was easy to reach Aghla Beg South (603m), with a very small summit cairn! From Aghla Beg South we had a view of Dooish, which we had climbed the previous day. Descending to a saddle, we crossed some rather stony, boggy ground before climbing back up to Aghla More (584m). The mist was clearing all the time, The descent was more difficult, with a rugged and boggy slope to Altan Lough in the valley. We were happy to find a path after this lough to get back our car in the falling-black night! We made it in 4 hrs 10 mins, just over the 4 hrs indicated by David Herman. Question: why this lack of recognition for Aghla Beg South, which is the highest of the three summits, yet has such a small cairn and doesn’t have a name of its own? Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/266/comment/2869/

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simon3 on Aghla Beg South Top

Aghla Beg (South) is also known by the tongue-twisting Ardloughnabrackbaddy and is the highest of a triangle of summits known as the "Aghlas" between Muckish and Errigal. Its north-eastern face is very steep sided, leading to Lough Aluirg shown here in the picture. Unusually the lough appears unshadowed and very blue as a result of good weather with blue skies. The heights at the top of the picture is a view along the broad back of Muckish. Between Muckish and L. Aluirg is the complicated high ground around Crocknalaragagh (471m). Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/266/comment/150/

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zeaphod on Aghla Beg South Top

Climbed as a good a to b walk on on 02/05/04. One car at the Muckish gap, another at the end of the track to Lough Altan. Followed the Glover route over Crocknalaragagh, then up the middle saddle between Aghla beg and Ardloughnabrackbaddy. This gives easy access to both these summits. Drop down south to the lough, taking in Aghla More if time and weather permit (it didn't for us). About 5 hours easy pace. The "track" back to the valley road is covered in a nice shallow sucking bog. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/266/comment/957/

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ahendroff on Aghla Beg South Top

Wed 26 Aug 2009, 3pm Aghla Beg (South) summit was my last 600m MV top. Nothing more to climb all now lower than that magic 600m mark. Full of joy inside, tho' slightly muted outside. Different emotions from when I finished the 2,000 footers in 2006. Don't know why. Perhaps the first time's the sweetest? Like my last 2,000 footer (ironically also in Donegal), the "curse" of the last summit returns - zero views. Progress nearly stopped by normally benign stream that metamorphed into a raging river. Boots off. Step in. Water almost waist high, and I'm 6ft 1. Weather unforgiving - low cloud base all day, misty, prolonged light rain, wind 20mph gusting to 35mph, winds NW/WNW blasted straight at Aghla's. Sharp contrast to walk day before in the Bluestacks. Sharp contrast on return as well. Car window smashed, door handle damaged, door doesn't open, shattered glass everywhere ... on the seats , on the mats. 1,263 euro worth of damaged so was I told by the repairers. Nothing disturbed or taken from car. Not even MP3. Odd. Never experienced such nonsense on R251 at base of Mackoght in years of hillwalking. Normally safest place to be. Effects of reccession? Yeah, any excuse. These low-lifes and time-wasters are disturbed. Sick in the mind. Get a job. Life's got more to offer. But will they ever realise their talents? Sadly, realistically - no. Whenever I venture into the hills or mountains, some people I know tease out safety issues. Tho' I always feel the mountains and hills are the safest place to be. The unforgiving world of man is what I worry about.... for me the message definitely hit home tis' day. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/266/comment/4057/

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