West Tyrone Ramblers enjoy six hour trek in the snow!
Thursday, 5 January 2012
On Saturday, December 17, 10 West Tyrone Ramblers set off through Victoria Bridge and Aghyaran to Killeter Forest. Snow suddenly appeared on the ground and the group had to park at the 'Big Bridge'. This added 8K and two hours to the original planned walk.
The group set off on the forest walk over wonderful crisp, even and dry snow that gave a marvellous crunch every step of the way. This is a fairly rare event for the Ramblers because although there have been cold winters the last two years conditions were too bad for
walking or even to be able to drive to the walks. After an hour, the group reached the border and Crolly's Forest at Kelly's Bridge. On the way they passed the ice-covered Loughahull.
The planned walk now started. This was rectangular 3k walk continuing on the road, then a 100m ascent, 3k back east along an up and down ridge and then back to the cars. From the road the first climb was up to the summit of Meenadreen.
Terri - one of the group - was born in the townland, although she had never been up the hills. The heather was covered in the snow, some drifts were four feet, and carried the Ramblers dryly over the wet and soggy ground. The weather was mostly good and blue sky appeared often during the day. The views for this time of year were excellent with Lough Derg to the South East.
From Meenadreen (387m), the group went along a down and up ridge to a small cairn on the summit of Croaghnameal (the stack of midges) at a height of 438m. Here the group had lunch overlooking the frozen tarn of Lough Croagnameal.
A short, icy flurry of snow drove the group from their lunch spot and on to a down and up ridge to a small cairn on a unnamed summit at 383m in height. So, a six hour ramble was enjoyed by all and with snow underfoot every step of the way!
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