Strabane Ramblers tackle ‘challenging’ heights of Bluestack Horseshoe
Thursday, 22 July 2010
Tommy Barr, Catherine and Monika reach the top of Blue Stack during Strabane Hillwalking and Rambling Club’s trip to County Donegal.
A TOUGH and challenging walk awaited the Strabane Ramblers at the weekend - the Bluestack Horseshoe in County Donegal. They were joined by a member of the West Tyrone Ramblers and two of their local Polish friends.
Starting from the Grotto in the remote townland of Crolack, the group ascended to Glascarns Hill. Visibility on this warm, clear day was excellent, allowing them to survey their intended route and therefore making navigation easy.
With a tough climb so soon into the walk the members took their time, stopping regularly to pick out future walks!
Soon they achieved their first 2,000 ft summit, Croaghbann (641m) and from here the views were astounding - with the Derryveagh range behind them, and Fermanagh and South Donegal before them, including Lough Eske, Donegal Bay and Lough Erne, to name but a few.
After a drop and short scramble up to Ardnageer (642m), the group had their tea. Crossing the ridge towards the large chunk of white quartz they noticed the long flat top of Cuilcagh sitting on the Fermanagh/Cavan border.
Not long after, they were surrounded by aircraft wreckage! Remnants of a Sunderland bomber that crashed, killing seven of its 12 crew, in 1944 according to the plaque placed just below the summit of Blue Stack (674m) - their highest peak of the weekend.
Just before they reached the summit cairn, the ramblers were handsomely rewarded as a giant bird glided effortlessly by. The Golden Eagle, accompanied by two seemingly small ravens, soared above their heads for a few minutes, checking them out before disappearing into the distance with slight movement of its massive wings.
“It's great to see such a truly majestic bird so close to home," a spokesperson said.
Dropping height onto the col, their hardest climb awaited them. After four and a half hours walking, the short but steep ascent of Lavagh More made them work hard for its summit.
Gathering at the summit, they made the long trek down to the road and the cars.
“Well done to all, some thought we were joking when the route was pointed out to them earlier! A long, challenging day but all agreed we were well rewarded for our efforts," the spokesperson added.
Next week's walk will be to Tievebaun/Truskmore, led by B Conway.
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