This is a hill I'd been meaning to climb for some time, being the closest of my 100 locals that I hadn't yet tackled. I parked at the same place as thisbliss, immediately to the east of Altbane Bridge where there are three gates close together. I crossed the gate immediately to the east of the bridge where there are the beginnings of a track heading uphill (which died out almost instantly). Immediately there was an area of excavation and I walked around this via a muddy section to get onto the hill proper.

I aimed towards the western edge of Broughderg Forest and on reaching its boundary crossed a fence about 674886 I. The terrain heading uphill was tough going, at times you'd be waist high in reeds but more often it was exceptionally tussocky requiring 'much lifting of one's legs' (as I remember someone said in reference to another hill on here, not sure which). I was reminded of Slieve Beagh straddling Tyrone/Monaghan/Fermanagh. I aimed first for a solitary tree up on the hillside then an obvious rise which turned out to be very close to the summit. In typical Sperrins fashion, this was difficult to identify exactly but was close to a meeting of fences.

The ascent had offered an interesting view SE to Slieve Gallion and the upland SW of it taking in the southern Oughtmore & Davagh Forest. The view N which greeted me just as I reached the summit was breathtaking and made the slog worthwhile: the high Sperrins, and most prominently Sawel & Dart, rose majestically above the Glenelly Valley, Sawel's eastern shoulder topped with snow. The view W wasn't so clear sadly.

Wanting to get my bearings, I crossed through a gap in the fence running along the hill's spine and walked some distance down the other side. Heading N towards the Glenelly Valley via Carnanelly/Mullaghbane looked like an enjoyable if very long walk. I spotted an unusual structure off to the W which I aimed for. As I got closer, it turned out to be a large crucifix. The statue of Christ had slipped down and was missing an arm! Nearby there was some sort of modern stone shrine or tomb. I've no idea what the story is here but it was at the same time serene and a little unnerving. After taking some photos I headed back towards the summit and descended again, this time finding the terrain a little easier by keeping close to the edge of the forest. I could see my car down on the roadside so knew exactly where to aim for. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/759/comment/4448/