Walking Forum

Regions - Trip reports, destination advice, recommended routes, etc. => Ireland => Topic started by: henryb on 15:50:47, 30/07/17

Title: Slieve Meelbeg
Post by: henryb on 15:50:47, 30/07/17
Having walked the eastern and southern Mournes in recent weeks, I decided to venture into the central Mournes this week-end for a change. I had been intending to walk the Happy valley horseshoe taking in Slieve Meelbeg and Meelmore but a deterioration in the weather forced me to descend the Happy valley before summiting Slieve Meelmore. Starting from the happy valley car park I headed in a SW direction up the broad ridge. I've only climbed the ridge once before in cloud and, with decent visibility this time, discovered the best ascent route for Meelbeg. Much of the ascent was over grassy pathless terrain until the Mourne wall is reached. Upon reaching the wall, I turned left and made my way to the summit. There will never be general agreement on the best view in the Mournes. Some views are great for being extensive enhanced by steep declivity such as Eagle; others for picturesque qualities of peaks and reservoirs such as Doan; others for offering double lake panoramas such as Slieveloughshannagh. I counted 30 other mountains from Meelbeg, 360 degrees. If anyone came the Mournes wanting to do one mountain only, my recommendation would be Meelbeg. I saw a band of rain coming in from the west, so I dropped down to the colony Meelbeg shares with Meelmore. Climbing the stile I dropped down to the Happy valley after getting the rab bergen coat on. Total distance was just under 7km. Headed back to Meelmore Lodge for lunch.


Retrospective view of the Dromara hills:
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20430170_1733301723365586_2193488878011916005_n.jpg?oh=d4383fac73e5f7af125101853ef4acb2&oe=59F3CEF5)


Slieve Croob:
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20431706_1733303383365420_1306145111787049700_n.jpg?oh=bc121cbb144f7d11e8a2f96a4addf9c2&oe=59F9B8E7)


Fofanny reservoir:
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20374444_1733303763365382_6629059989393376946_n.jpg?oh=e48734879e5c1e63c4a6bfeb5960d1db&oe=5A0707A1)


The western Mournes from the ridge:
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20294476_1733307413365017_5547461160623224983_n.jpg?oh=616e7d1e57fed07d9db5e8a24bd086c0&oe=59EC76B4)


Doan and the eastern Mournes:
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20430001_1733307873364971_2639340829601042430_n.jpg?oh=e877d4743dc31c00abe0e2361bb7f059&oe=59F2D8FE)


Butter from Meelbeg:
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20480019_1733308376698254_1761977637781235804_n.jpg?oh=97802a21657b2bbed7927bf7c38ad9b8&oe=5A03262B)


Muck and Lough Shannagh:
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20375802_1733309203364838_315165904803559628_n.jpg?oh=b7f740b0939edfdae196ad8524ac19c0&oe=5A010EFC)


Butter mountain and Spelga reservoir:
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20374737_1733310100031415_4841689930349132899_n.jpg?oh=53ca748a976005ef328fccc7f61f9e98&oe=5A046324)


Slieveloughshannagh from Meelbeg:
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20525691_1733310470031378_8142877776846049500_n.jpg?oh=28c6320e7bc7ca604169b4f817e194d3&oe=59F58A7E)


From Knockchree to Ben Crom, ascending Meelbeg:
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20294420_1733311300031295_6049499151047876373_n.jpg?oh=1f7ac2fdc35cc68f9c370e9e1fea6f62&oe=59FDC7F0)


Lough Shannagh, Spelga reservoir and the central/western Mournes:
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20375903_1733312056697886_5641326181629181298_n.jpg?oh=133e05ba7f590c337b341ec94e8e3594&oe=5A039888)


The eastern Mournes from Meelbeg:
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20430113_1733312816697810_27468195735793862_n.jpg?oh=03fdd93552752c9e12d5fb79bd5d0649&oe=59FC4696)


Lough Shannagh, Doan, Ben Crom and Binnian:
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20476340_1733313016697790_6150124017864229965_n.jpg?oh=a08d3b06b124a3859c5ec723f67a3e52&oe=59FD1778)


Bernagh and Lamagan:
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20479955_1733313313364427_5697745538833430115_n.jpg?oh=61438013986689606cff25fd63c45e4b&oe=5A043548)


Descending the happy valley:
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20375981_1733313543364404_1534961423885620605_n.jpg?oh=ac16d726caef61833be61636808b1329&oe=59FF2E9D)

Title: Re: Slieve Meelbeg
Post by: Penygadair on 16:10:49, 30/07/17
Full of interest as usual Henry.


At 7km this sounds an ideal walk for days when the weather is a bit uncertain. I'm putting it on the short list for when I eventually make it over to the Mournes.
Title: Re: Slieve Meelbeg
Post by: henryb on 16:21:30, 30/07/17
Thanks Penygadair; if the weather is better and you're looking for a longer walk you could easily add Meelmore and Bernagh in a circular walk. Alternatively, Doan and Slieveloughshannagh could be added onto Meelbeg. That route would include two of my top five summits :)
Title: Re: Slieve Meelbeg
Post by: Ridge on 16:22:32, 30/07/17
Great pictures Henry. Love the Muck and Lough Shannagh one with the stone wall


Doan looks like a kids drawing of a volcano.
Title: Re: Slieve Meelbeg
Post by: henryb on 19:21:12, 30/07/17
Thanks Ridge O0
Title: Re: Slieve Meelbeg
Post by: April on 12:44:48, 02/08/17
Some very nice shots Henry, thanks for showing us The Mournes  O0
Title: Re: Slieve Meelbeg
Post by: adalard on 16:47:23, 02/08/17
Excellent photos as usual, Henry.  O0
Title: Re: Slieve Meelbeg
Post by: henryb on 18:19:22, 03/08/17
Thanks April and Adalard :)