eflanaga on Annatoran

Climbed 02.06.06 – Started this walk at the ‘carpark’ on north-eastern side of the beautiful Easky Lough IA (G451 236). Took bearing of 62 NE ascending initial steep & rocky, but relatively easy, slope before reaching open heath. Steady ascent following course of Sruffaungarve for a time over short tussock grass and peat hags to Farbreagabeg IB (G46272 24428) (447m)which is marked by a group of large boulders in an otherwise comparatively rock free environment. From here Annatoran’s height can be seen a short distance to the east. Walk continues on similar terrain as before up to the white post which marks the summit IC (G47497 24486) (513m).The ascent from Easky to the summit is quite easy and took just short of an hour and a half at a fairly sedate pace. Views from the top are extensive to the west towards Killalla and the North Mayo range and to the north/northeast to Sligo Bay and beyond Slieve League and the Croaghgorms. The plateau, upon which Annotran is a ‘hump’, limits the view in many directions while northeast the heights leading to Knockalongy are in view. Overall, a pleasant climb to an unremarkable top but enjoyable in the beautiful summer weather. Next stop was Knockalongy. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/429/comment/2378/

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Easky's Amalfian Shore

Half of Dublin is named after places in or about the Bay of Naples. The "nomenclaturri" of The Black Lake pay homage to foreign topographies that are dependably stunning. Indigenous transient perfections seem less honoured.
Behold Sruffaungarve which can be seen sweeping down to Lough Easky from the car park beneath Annatoran. On this sunny Easter morning these little gems sparkled briefly before fading into misty grey scales. One of the great wonders of our little hobby is that we are occasionally present for such moments of illumination. There is a case to be made for the transient beauties of this world, all the more so given our nature. Passing them as they bloom reverberates basso profondo. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/429/comment/16029/

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A soggy summit

After many showers in previous days, we made the most of a little break in the weather and decided to head out to Lough Easkey to summit Annatoran and Sruffaungarve on the way back. Using the track uploaded by simon3, the going was slow and tough. Lots of wet, marshy ground and peat hags that needed careful navigation. I had wellies in my backpack thankfully, and less than an hour into the walk I started using them. The weather changed, and rain started coming down as we reached Annatoran. On this cloudy day, the views weren't anything much especially with the hump like shape of the summit limiting views in most directions. The way back to D (G45612 23531) (F) was a bit more pleasant, with a smaller number of peat hags and dangerous marshy spots to navigate. The summit of Sruffaungarve held better views and wasn't as much of a slog. After a vicious hailstorm, it was back to the carpark at lough Easkey, and anice warm, dry car!

It's obviously best to wait for a long dry spell before hiking in this area, but if you have your wellies you'll survive ok (just about!). Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/429/comment/17898/

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Dry is Best!

Start at the incredibly scenic carpark at the northern end of Easky Lough ( Easky L (G44905 23723)).

Climb past the quarried area next to the carpark to reach a fence which finds the Sruffaungarve river. This provides a line of ascent on mostly easy grassy ground beside the river, negotiating between boulders on the way. Great views over Easky Lough soon appear and views beyond to the bigger hills of Mayo.

A group of large erratic boulders provide an immediate target on the way up to the plateau(E (G45419 13659) ). On reaching the plateau a further and more impressive group of erratics and small lough are reached (D (G45612 23531) ). This is a fantastic spot to clamber over the boulders trying to get good photos or just to explore.

Drop slightly passing two small pools of water (F (G45602 23280) ) before rising to the top of Sruffaungarve. The ground on the way up was damp even after a prolonged dry spell - at the top a small pile of stones marked the top at a height of 407m. Views reach over Easky Lough SW to the Nephin Begs. The high Ox plateau takes up most of the views to the E as it rises to over 500m.

Drop down NE to pick up and follow the river appearing from the slopes just below summit of Knockalongy. There is fantastic walking alongside the river and it gradually narrows as rise higher - plenty of hopping across as it meanders. Well worth stopping to look back at ever widening views. The river splits and disappears and it straight ahead to higher ground.

Tough going for a while before the ground becomes easier and then enters the menace of peat hags near the summit! A white plastic filled pipe marks the summit, reached in 1.5 hours and 4.7 km. Views reach from Slieve League in the north along a vista of ocean to the heights of the North Mayo cliffs and further south to Nephin and the Nephin Begs and a distant Croagh Patrick.

A long slog to Knockalongy and back beckons ahead and I couldn't resist. An easy return follows the hillside with cracking views over low bog to the coast. A group of glacial erratics is reached on Farbreagabeg G (G46266 24433) and an easy and gentle drop brings the return alongside the line of ascent back to the carpark.

It was nice and dry but with clear warning signs of a wetter natural state which i would not have fancied at all! A lonely place up high giving a great feeling of solace. Those glacial erratics are a real special part of the experience. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/429/comment/14694/

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Anna(Tora! Tora! Tora!)n

A summit which probably won't feature in any poetry, but it has it's charms.
You may struggle to name them after the trudge there and back from whichever direction you do it. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/429/comment/23308/

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