This was like nothing that had gone before.
The intensity of the heat added another 30%/40% to the difficulty of each walk, each day. This was ultra 'senior hurling' and yet everyone made their way safely off the mountains each day.
Without exception, everyone walked phenomenally, understood what was required and carried it off in style. It was a masterclass in challenge hillwalking and we hope that when all the walkers go back to their respective clubs/groups that they will share the information on their achievements.
The absolute certaint take-away from the weekend is that the participants are the hillwalkers that are going to develop the activity, by inspiring others through their passion and knowledge.
These participants aren't 'just hillwalkers', they're athletes that have a professional approach to their activity - from fitness/endurance, to hydration , to nutrition, to navigation, they tick all the boxes.
We continue to get a tremendous amount of goodwill from within and beyond the hillwalking community and we greatly appreciate that. Thanks to everyone who donated. We'll do a separate 'Statement of Affairs' post on the financials when the bills have been paid and a line has been drawn under the 2022 event.
Congratulations to Galtee Walking Club on being crowned All-Ireland Hillwalking Club Champions again in 2022. Is the treble on?
Well done to Tommy O'Brien on his Epic Effort Award - 2022. It was a very difficult decision to make this year as there were so many exceptional performances. Given the conditions, the same award could have been given to anyoine who went out. We were just in awe of the class on show.
This was the first year of the event being run under the Na Sléibhte Hillwalking Club banner and we look forward to many more years with the input, energy and volunteerism on that basis.
Participants
Eric Barry, Stas Bernarsinski, Patrick Boland, Karol Caulfield, Anne Coffey, Fintan Cooney, Eric Crowe, Killian D’Arcy, Patrick Dennis, Seán Doherty, Aoife Fitzgerald, Ian Fitzgerald, Sean Freeman, John Geary, Padraig Hackett, Catherine Horgan, Derek Kearney, Ian Kelleher, Jenny Kelly, Seán Lonergan, Jason McAndrew, Gerry McVeigh, Joan Neill, Darren Nicholson, Alan O’Brien, Bríd O’Brien, Josephine O’Brien, Mary O'Brien, Paul O'Brien, Thomas O'Brien, Tommy O'Brien, Mary O’Connell, Mary O'Looney, Graham O'Reilly, Andy Owens, David Power, Michelle Rooney, Noel Ryall, Mark Vesey, Marian Wallis, Cormack Walsh, Justin Walsh, Rowan Walsh.
Thanks to Nuala, Kate & Miriam for helping out, Mary Sheehy for the sponge cakes, Kinetica for the Protein Bars, and Bill and Padraig for offering to help if someone needed to come off.
Thanks to the land owners and those that allowed us to use their facilities.
Event Statistics
75 Registered
44 Participated
19 did 3 days
12 did 2 days
13 did 1 day.
8 Participants were new to the event.
Clubs and Walking Groups Represented:
Ballyhoura Bears, Bishopstown Hillwalking Club, Galtee Walking Club, Limerick Climbing Club, Mid-Tipp Hillwalkers, Na Sléibhte Hillwalking Club, Peaks Mountaineering Club, Trailblazers Hiking Group.
Well done Josephine O'Brien on doing 26 days, of the 27, over the last nine years.
Photo Credits : Derek K, Cormac & Karol.
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