We parked the car near a picturesque small jetty at the south end of Doo Lough at L845677 B and walked on the Dhulough Pass Road to find a track that meanders inland on the narrow neck of land between Doo Lough and Glencullin Lough towards the Sruhauncullinmore stream. Insects drifted languidly in the still air and the surface of Doo Lough was like a mirror which vividly reflected the snow covered mountains that we were to tackle. We took a route which led us over the Sruhauncullinmore stream towards the boggy bed of the coum and then headed right towards a grassy spur at the bottom of Ben Bury’s East Ridge.

After a hard pull upwards past some rocky outcrops on Glencullin we came to a strange line of sandstone boulders akin to a giant’s hedge, left behind eons ago by retreating ice. Here we paused for refreshment taking time to enjoy the view of the long ribbon of golden sand marking the boundary between land and sea near Barnaboun Point, the myriad islands beyond dancing and floating in the mottled sunlight reflecting off the vast expanse of ocean and, inland, the sun kissed snow covered peak of Croagh Patrick. The next part of the route became a scramble upwards over good grippy sandstone. The turf began to freeze and before long we were treated to the sight of a frigid lake. Patches of snow began to appear on the ground and after deciding to strike upwards for Ben Bury’s North East Ridge via a traverse of the north face of the mountain that was encrusted in places with icicles as thick as organ pipes, we put on our crampons and donned our ice axes.

We now moved steadily upwards following the tracks left by a fox. Once on the ridge we were treated to a good Scot I grade climb, and had to kick and cut steps on the steep ascent to the top. The views from here were breathtaking; Mweelrea, lit by shafts of sunlight radiating through broken cloud looked menacing and magnificent in its winter glory, and behind this rocky giant lay Killary Harbour shining like quicksilver.

We decided to forego this summit and opted instead for the Lugmore Ridge walk. Weaving round the corniced top of Glencullin cliffs via a narrow and thrilling arête we continued ESE along the ridge that drops towards Delphi. As we descended we removed our crampons to traverse Ben Lugmore. Below us lay a contorted, jumbled mass of rock which broke like an unwelcome and unending wave which called for yet more scrambling. We chose a direct and dizzying descent from this elongated mass of rock towards the inky blackness of Doo Lough to gain a sluice gate just west of the Owengarr River at the Doo Lough outflow. From here it was a short walk along the road to reach the car as the first stars began to glisten in a darkening sky to end a fantastic and challenging eight hour day in these most beautiful of mountains. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/43/comment/4491/