Typical Sperrins (in a good way!)

http://youtu.be/k9qICH8gweQ

Oughtmore is a typical Sperrin hill with long rounded slopes, apart from its steep eastern flank, and a long broad top of some 2km. The ground is mostly good for walking but can be quite wet in places.

Started this walk on the B40 to Feeney ,which climbs steeply uphill from Moneyeany to cut through Banagher Forest - as reach crest look for peat cutting track on left (B (H718 997)) with barely room to park. Can also park at entrance to forest track ( Glenedra Bridge (C706 003)) a little further along the road. Follow this for 20 mins to top of Cragagh Hill (450m). Drop down steeply west into cleft cutting through hill, this contains a little pool with dragon flies patrolling its edges and a bird of prey was hovering nearby. Follow fence uphill and cross another less steep gully, passing the first of many L/Derry Corporation Boundary stones.

It is a fairly gentle climb now to the summit of Spelhoagh (568m) with great views north and east all the way. As reach top view opens out west to the rest of the big Sperrin hills - Mullaghaneany Meenard Sawel and Dart (as sen in the pic). There is a slight drop and reascent as cross to summit of Oughtmore. There is no real feeling of being on the summit due to the lack of any physical structure marking the top, as with many of the neighbouring hills.

Continue to follow the fenceline as it drops down west then NW towards Mullaghaneany. The col is a favourite spot to stop and have lunch perched on the rocks and hopfully some shelter. There is a short stiff climb of some 500ft to Mullaghaneany but is well worth it for the panoramic views. North was Lough Foyle and east across entire length of Antrim Hills to the Belfast Hills across Lough Neagh Basin down to the Mournes and Slieve Gullion in the south and on to Cuilcaigh and up across Donegal with Muckish and Errigal as clear as a bell back up to Slieve Snaght on Inishowen. WOW.

Descend NE along fence and then drop east down open hill to forest edge. At C (H694 992) follow the moor as it intrudes into the forest to reach forest track, turn left and this will bring back to the B40, turn right and follow this quiet high road back to the car. 3.5 hours in all. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/330/comment/1029/

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Derry259 on Oughtmore

Climbed Oughtmore on Sunday 3rd January with "Berghaus Phil"and"Brendan the mountain goat"...........Took usual route of Moneyeaney-Feeny road-(B40) ...........Spent first hour of walk digging B.T.van out of snow drift ,because drivers sat-nav sent him shortest route which just happened to include 3-4 feet of snow......Climbed Craigagh in knee deep snow and crossed onto Spelhoagh then onto Oughtmores vast white summit....After a well earned tea break ,for me in particular (the other two used my size 11,s as snow ploughs to clear a path to summit) We returned along Oughtmores eastern ridge taking in views over Lough Neagh ,Antrim hills and the far of Mourne peaks...After sliding on our backs into the cleft below Craigagh hill (on purpose I might add) we turned left at Derry corporation sign (no L Philip lol) and followed valley around Craigaghs base........BIG MISTAKE.........the snow was waist high ,and it took us 30 minutes to travel a hundred meters although that was partly to do with laughing at each other sinking ......The walk finished as it started with us digging a wayward motorist out of the snow on the way back to the cars ...All in all a brilliant days walking made even better by the snow......... Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/330/comment/4330/

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bryanmccabe on Oughtmore

Beautiful mid afternoon view from just below the summit of Oughtmore looking southwest, taken 27/2/10. Snow drifted to 1m and deeper between peat hags on approach. Progress was less than half of normal pace and therefore couldn't complete Oughtmore-Mullaghneany-Meenard horseshoe as hoped. Fell in snow about 30 times, tiring but great fun. Snow shoes would have made for a fabulous day out. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/330/comment/4458/

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