Second Time Lucky!

I have the same set of cards as dr_banuska and have also had this walk on my planner for quite some time. Finally got around to climbing it today having had an aborted attempt last weekend due to ferociously strong winds and driving hail/snow at Crockmore. Today was much milder although the stretch from Crockmore to Crockbrack and then on to Craigbane was very exposed with strong winds.

I followed the entire card route and descended from Craigbane along the track marked on the OS map and back into Moneyneany making a 12.3km circular route.

This is an easy to moderate route with easy navigation. The only non-tracked section is from the summit of Crockbrack to Craigbane but the suggested route follows the fenceline exactly.

I found the summit to be approx 145m from the summit waypoint in the Emerald Isle maps and will upload my reading here as it matches the OS map summit. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/403/comment/14914/

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It's Good but can be better....

Climbed Feb 04 fom Moydamlaght Forest (grid E (H743 986)). Followed the well signposted Ulster Way to B42 through Moneyeanny village for 1.5 miles. Turned onto a narrow lane climbing slopes of Crockmore (478m).


As the lane winds up the hill houses and farm buildings are left behind, with ever widening views. From the summit of Crockmore turn right to follow the fence to Crockbrack. The summit is marked only by the joining of fences. Views were crystal clear E and S to the Antrim Hills, Lough Neagh (mostly masked by Slieve Gallion) and the Mournes in the distance. To the W and N the Sperrins were laid out along the Genelly Valley. The walk to the summit took 2 hours but this was with 4-5 " snow with drifts up to 3 feet.

Follow fence W as drops down into Finglen. Cross burn and up other side to high ground between Mullaghsallagh and Oughtmore (F (H697 962)). Drop into next glen along Golamuck Burn to Goles River and the isolated settlement of Goles. Had to follow the river upstream to find a suitable crossing point.

Follow fence (G (H677 964)) onto southern flank of Meenard. A good climb before views open out W to Sawel and Dart. The ground was snow covered with big drifts filling in between the peat hags so going wasn't too quick. Fence continues right along mountain top - there is a little cairn of sorts off in the peat hags.

The Sperrins are all about views which to my mind are unsurpassed in the north of Ireland. I was able to see the Donegal Hills to W, with Muckish very distinct, N to Inishowen and Lough Foyle and E to Knocklayd in Antrim. I could even see the Scottish islands further N. S the line of the Mournes stretched out to Slieve Gullion. Of course the immediate scenery of the Sperrins was thrown too.

From Meenard follow the ever present fence and drop down 300ft before the short climb to the summit of Mullaghaneany, through peat hags. Summit is marked by the joining of fences (again!) and the views as outlined were perfect with clear air from the north. Taking in Oughtmore would have been a natural finish to the circuit but as was nearly dark i decided to follow fence NE to the B40 running through Banagher Forest.

With snow on the ground and a clear night sky there were even shadows on the ground, though with no torch I had to take it very easy and did find the going tricky. On reaching the road turn right (east) and follow as it drops down out of the hills, the road was covered in frozen snow and ice and again was difficult underfoot. With the clear night sky and isolation of walking along the road for 3 miles I had a fantastic experience with the parallel electricity pylons buzzing away to the side. At (H (H738 984)) turn left along the lane and left again to reach the carpark (9 hours and 14 miles). Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/403/comment/873/

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dr_banuska on Crockbrack

This is a peak I'd been planning to tackle for some time, as it's featured in a nice set of walking cards I have called Landscapes from Stone: Walk the Sperrins. I started in Moneyneany village, outside Draperstown. I parked in the large chapel car park at the top of the village (as the card recommends) and headed south, over the Douglas River and turned right up the Drumderg Road. The first part of the route is signed as part of Hudy's Way, a 10km walk developed in memory of a local man who once attempted flight using home-made wings, unsuccessfully leaping off the nearby Craignashoke cliffs! Follow the minor country road to Crockataggart townland (I (H741 969)), where the Ulster Way is currently signed left and Hudy's Way right. The UW signage is in fact obsolete as this route was recently redeveloped and diverted south here via lower lying country roads. Regardless, diverge from Hudy's Way and head left as the trail begins to climb more steeply uphill. This is a long and winding but very pleasant walk, with ever widening views: to the north was Mullaghmore/Moydamlaght Forest, then to the left the distinctive profiles of Benbradagh then Binevenagh appeared, and finally Inishowen. To the east/south east the view was quite hazy but Slieve Gallion dominated and I could just about make out Lough Neagh beyond (and the Antrim/Belfast hills beyond it). To the west the long ridge of Craigagh Hill, Spelhoagh and Oughtmore were clearly visible and took on a different appearance in the winter sun. You cross three cattlegrids in total, the last just west of the lower peak of Crockmore (478m, J (H727 955)). I detoured quickly to check out this featureless summit, thinking it may one day appear on MV and I'd be kicking myself I didn't bag it when I had the chance! Returning to the path, after a short distance it forks again. Follow the right fork which makes its way towards the higher summit; or rather it runs parallel to a fence which reaches the summit. After a time, the path levels out and you see an old rusty gate ahead. Look to your right and a path continues the short distance to the summit. When you reach the fence straight ahead, turn left and the summit is marked by a meeting of fences in typical Sperrins fashion. By now the views had opened out to include the higher peaks of Sawel, Dart etc., Carnanelly & Goles Forest across the Glenelly Valley, and the region's various loughs, namely Loughs Fea and Ouske. There is a stile here where you can cross and begin the long descent north then east back to Moneyneany via Craigbane. After some deliberation I opted not to follow the suggested route, but rather to tackle the neighbouring summit of Mullaghsallagh (485m), to the west, for which I'll do a separate account. The suggested descent however would have been much simpler and shorter, and is quite easily discernible from OSNI map 13. If anyone would like to see the route card I would be happy to scan and email. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/403/comment/4290/

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BILLNOR on Crockbrack

Climbed on 16-10-2005. Started the walk with my wife at Derrynoyd lane just outside Moneyeanny village. The lane starts off as tarmac and then after about one mile a gravel path which was very wet and muddy. As we made our way up the slopes to the summit of Crockmore (478m) heavy cloud and mist rolled in from the south east and visibility reduced to at time less than twenty feet. We stopped for a wellcome cuppa before heading to the summit of Crockbrack . Visability became very poor so we turned back. We returned the way we came once or twice we wher e lucky to see through the cloud to see the Glenelly valley below. We intend to return another day when the weather and cloud is kinder as we believe the views are good from both these summits. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/403/comment/2009/

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New way marking

Did the walk again today, had done it previously from the old card as mentioned by other walkers. The route is now thoroughly way marked as Crockbrack Way along with Ulster Way and Hudy's Way at various points. Also some new very vertical ladder stiles have been added. Couldn't get lost if you tried! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/403/comment/18274/

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