Initial Doubts, But Worth It In The End

See summit comment on Mullaghmore for my approach to White Mountain - from the south and Moydamlaght Forest, via Craig-na-Shoke. From Mullaghmore, I took the access road for the mast. About half way between the summit of Mullaghmore and a sharp bend in the access road, I reached a point where a fence led up to the summit. Initially I regretted this route due to peat hags and some boggy ground. The summit looked a bit non-descript from here, and I started to think this was a bit of an empty exercise in pointless summit bagging, especially after the enjoyable walk up Mullaghmore. It was a short diversion to take in this top however, and reaching the summit, I was glad I took it. It was dry and rocky - easy to walk on. There were similarly expansive views as on Mullaghmore over almost the whole of Ulster, from the Derryveagh Mountains in Donegal, to the faint Mournes on the east coast, with Lough Neagh on the way. Great views to the north too, to Benbradagh and Lough Foyle.

On the way down, I took a course directly for the sharp bend in the access road, which had a lot fewer peat hags to contend with, but a fairly steep descent at the end on to the road, convinced me that the route up from further back on the road had actually been a good choice for ascent, having a much gentler gradient. From there, it was an easy walk back to the Moydamlaght Forest entrance on the roads. Definitely worth the short diversion to include this summit. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/380/comment/18364/

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not white but definitely a mountain

White Mountain sits on the eastern edge of the Sperrins and is somewhat upstaged by higher summits nearby. If visiting in winter it may often be white but today in August it was distinctly green/brown. I parked at the gate to the access road for the transmitter on neighbouring Mullaghmore (A (C733 019)). A quick trek up the access road leads to a flat area about halfway up. You should leave the road here and head east where the knobbly summit of White Mountain can be seen ahead. Tough going along this section with peat hags, floating bog and jelly peat to contend with - my advice is to wear wellies. Eventually you reach the 537m summit which is unmarked like so many of the Sperrins.

The views in contrast to the rather dull climb are very good indeed. To the east a vast swathe of mid-Ulster opens up beneath you with views of Lough Neagh. The Antrim hills lie to the north-east. There is an interesting view north-west to Benbradagh with Binevenagh peeping out behind it and beyond that the hills of Inishowen in Donegal. Further west I could make out the distinctive profiles of Muckish, Errigal and Loughsalt Mountain - some of my favourite Donegal mountains. To the west lie the higher Sperrins - Mullaghaneany and Meenard Mountain with Sawel towering over them all. Mullaghmore unfortunately blocks the view to the south.

There was a heavy shower on its way over from Oughtmore so I hurried back to the car, this time taking the direct route straight down the mountainside. Take care here though as the first section back down to the road is incredibly steep. This is not a hill I would recommend unless like me you were ticking it off. Nearby Mullaghmore offers better views and a drier climb. Total trip - about 45 minutes. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/380/comment/14771/

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Banagher (the long way round)

http://youtu.be/Uy6RFXHKw8M

To make it more interesting and a longer walk I started at Banagher Glen some 9km away (B (C670 050)) and some snow added in. The carpark at Banagher is only open June - Sept but there is limited parking beside some wooden sheds.

Walk along road past carpark which has an information board on flora and fauna and history of Altnaheglish Resevoir - highest dam in N. Ireland at 42m supplying water to Derry City. Pass an old water filter house, taking fork signed to Dam which drops down and crosses to left bank of river. There is now a steady rise up along Banagher Glen, through a national nature reserve full of oak trees and the occasional buzzard flying overhead. The Dam is reached after 40 minutes and is an impressive sight.

It is worthwhile spending a bit of time here exploring around the dam and taking in the scenery. Continue along track taking right turn towards resevoir and crossing stile to enter Banagher Forest.The track closely follows the edge of the resevoir which turns and twists for a couple of kilometres. This combined with the heavily wooded slopes reminds me of those pictures of N. American forests and it wouldn't feel too out of place if a bear were to come crashing out of the trees. Continue straight ahead ignoring a turn to the right which is part of a circular route around the resevoir (and a good shorter walk).

Soon leave trees into a desolate area of clearfell as valley continues to narrow, a short steep climb onto open moor, eventually reaching isolated B road.Turn right and follow the road until reach the service road for the communications mast atop Mullaghmore. Climb the metal gates and begin a steep and steady ascent . There are impressive views across the sprawling trees of Banagher Forest into the heart of the ever bigger mountains of the Sperrins. There are also good views N across the Roe River Valley to the escarpment of Benbradagh.

At a cattle grid on the road follow a fence off to the left towards the summit of White Mtn. This took around 20 minutes over ground containing numerous peat hags with knee deep drifted snow - although on retracing my steps the true nature of the ground was apparent as my footprints were full of water. The fence continues to the summit, which has a distinct little rocky rise. The summit area heads off to the west to give views of Slieve Gallion and the Lough Neagh basin.

As said I retraced my steps to the service road and continued to the summit of Mullaghmore, with its distinctive communications mast. This is by far the more interesting of the two summits with better views and some steep little cliffs on flanks. Having soaked in the views and endured the full force of the biting wind it was back down the hillside and through Banagher Forest past the resevoir to the car, just before darkness. A walk of around 6 hours made a slightly less than average hill into a good days varied and interesting walking. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/380/comment/1393/

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Hogs back.

This is a flattish broadly east west ridge.
Not a particularly exciting summit, however there are, as often happens, some interesting views for example towards Benbradagh to the north.
Although the occasion was too dark and misty for anything satisfying photographically, there's probably a good view from the east which this photo hints at. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/380/comment/6186/

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Well White Mtn

White Mountain has been a slow burner in my heart but recent cold spells have turned up the heat (if that makes any sense?). Recent trips over the Glenshane Pass have provided long lingering views of the shapely curve and rise to the summit from low level - something that i did not appreciate when using the hill as an add on to the more exciting neighbour of Mullaghmore.

A recent trip took me along this shapely curve on a seven hour journey starting and finishing in Glenshane Forest (C (C777 043)). Everywhere was blanketed in 6-8 inches of snow, the fir trees looking stunning under their heavy burden and the river starting to freeze as i followed it to the ends of the forest - a walk of 3-4 km which seemed never ending in the snow. Past the Priests Chair and uphill steeply to break out of the gloom to a stunning blue sky contrasting with deep white powder for as far as the eye could see.

Low cloud still rolled about in the valleys below and touched down on the odd top but the clear Arctic air provided stunning views as i ploughed through wondrously sculpted snowdrifts to the top of Bohilbreaga (478m). A drop and rise brought the cliffs of Criag na-shoke as my boot prints left their mark in an otherwise virgin whiteness. Moydamlaght Forest below just barely standing out from the deafeningly white landscape. Great fun trying to stay atop 3-4 ft drifts by carefully spreading weight, with the odd mishap having my legs completely disappear.

A touch of mist with a bright sun above gave the summit of Mullaghmore a hauntingly beautiful feel, the normally sticky peat lost in a carpet of white - with wallpaper of the same colour covering the transmitter station. Followed the nearly invisible access road downhill as big drifts filled in the ditches either side. The walk off to the top of White Mtn was glorious, the name bringing a wry smile as i went through drift after drift which brought a rare equity to the hillside. Stunning views from the summit as the winter light began to fade from the high Sperrins to the west and a towering snow cloud loomed over Benbradagh to the North.

With the light gone i dropped off into the valley below instead of going over Corick Mtn - not a good move as i plodded endlessly through the deep snow for an hour to reach the Ulster Way track heading back to Glenshane Forest. The flashing lights of gritting lorries worked their way up and down the Glenshane in the bitingly low temps as i went. A beautiful cloudless sky revealed millions of stars to go with the millions of glittering ice crystals at my feet.

Truly special to have such amazing winter weather conditions here, transforming our hills into a walking experience which is hard to put a cost on and leaving memories which will last a long time! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/380/comment/1394/

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