Training - Lugnaquilla
On Sunday morning 4 of us decided to climb Lugnaquilla in Co. Wicklow. Lugnaquilla will be the first hike we do as part of the 4Peaks challenge so we wanted to test ourselves and see what the hike was like. It was a hike none of us have done before so we wanted to make sure we knew the route we would take. I spent a few days looking up different routes for Luqnaquilla and found the shortest one. A 11km out and back hike. Timing for this hike was 4hrs in total according to online sources but we would have to try shave time off of this if we are planning to do the 4Peaks in 24hrs.
The problem with shorter hikes is that usually it means the elevation is a lot steeper. The route takes you up 3 peaks. First peak is Ballineddan Mountain. This climb was probably the toughest part as it was very steep and I think the legs were only waking up after the drive. We did have to take a few stops along this climb. It was mentioned to us before that there are many false peaks along the Lugnaquilla hike and this was certainly the case. You’d think you were coming to the top of a peak to then realise you still had a way togo to get to the top. Talk about it being demoralising.
Once we got to the top of Ballineddan our next leak was Slievemaan. We had to descend a bit from Ballineddan in order to climb Slievemaan. To be honest the climb to top of Slievemaan wasn’t all that challenging. It was a nice gradual climb. Near the top was our first sighting of deer. Wicklow is full of deer so we knew opportunities of seeing some were high. Once we got to the top of Slievemaan we took a slight break before carrying on. The top of this peak was very wet and boggy. It did make walking through tough enough.
Next peak was Lugnaquilla. Again we had to descend down from Slievemaan in order to climb to Luqnaquilla. I didn’t mention it earlier but I hate having to climb a peak and then descend in order to climb the next. Itfeels like extra punishment for the legs. We couldn’t see the top of Lugnaquilla as there was a cloud over the peak. The lower ground between Slievemaan and Lugnaquilla was very boggy (hiking boots a must for this hike). The climb up was as steep as the first peak but with the legs warmed up it didn’t feel as difficult. Great thing about there being cloud too was that you couldn’t see too far in front. You just concentrate on the few metres in front of you. For me it makes it easier to climb. Once we got to the top it was a nice flat walk till we got to the trig pillar. Of course there wasn’t a view to be seen. But there was a bit of snow around which was cool to see.
We sat down for 5mins to have some food & tea. Off we ventured down. 2 of the lads that were with us are new to this hiking craic so at the top with visibility poor I let them off to see if they could lead the way down. Of course they went the wrong altogether. Once I led them back on track off we journeyed down. We made up good time on the descent and got back to the cards 2hrs 50mins after we started. It was great to see we could do it so quickly. Plan is to do Slieve Donard and Mweelrea over the next few weeks. 8 weeks till the 4Peaks challenge. We won’t feel it.
