The MaumTurks Challenge 2017

​Starting a 28km hike across The MaumTurks mountain range at 5.15 in the morning while looking into the blackness of the early morning seemed like a good idea at the time but as the day wore on i think we as a group were questioning our sanity. Looking back down from the slopes of Corcogemore at the 200 + head torches we soon realised we were not the only crazy hikers out on the hills. From Corcogemore it was onto Mullach Glas, Binn Mhor and down to The Chapel and Patrick’s Well for a well earned rest and a chance to refuel. By now the sun had burned off the early morning fog and mist, and from here on in it was only going to get hotter. The banter on any mountain challenge is always first rate but on The MaumTurks Challenge it's almost like every on the mountain wants you to do well and finish the challenge which gives you the push when needed to get up those parts of the mountain that would normally have you running back to your car. From the Holy Well it onto Binn Chaonaigh, Barrslievenaroy, Knocknahillion, Letterbreckaun, Maamturkmore, then it's down to the now legendary "Col of Despondency" where its time to decide if you have what it takes to get up this fairly "easy looking hill on any other given day"but when you are already at your limit this hike up Leenane Hill can seem like the gods have conspired and changed the gradient to something you would find high in the Alps. But get up it you do with words of encouragement from your group and fellow hikers. Once up on Leenane Hill it seems like the all those moments of pain and self doubt evaporate like the early morning fog and mist. From here it's a slow and steady climb on weak legs down past the Old Deserted Village, across the river and into Leenaun where it's time to meet old friends and collect that well earned cert and all the questions that come at the end of such a magic day, "will we do it again next year, how did you find it, did you better last year's time?" all questions for another day perhaps. Full credit to Declan Rambsbottom and Theresa Watkins for having the courage and self belief to take on this epic challenge and complete it with smiles on their faces. Well done to NUIG Mountaineering for once again putting on such a great day and making sure that everyone got up and down safely. The only negative with this years challenge was the registration process which sold out in 3 minutes and which allowed one walking club to take 50 places of the 200 on offer. Hopefully this will be sorted for next year.