Xmas Boardies Wicklow shin-dig 29th Dec

Ok, so I have 6 beds provisionally booked, but from PM's it looks as if quite a few will be getting a taxi home. I'll need to confirm or cancel the beds with the Lodge, so let me know ASAP if you want a room that night (about €35-€40pp B&B).

But to confirm, there is sufficient interest and numbers to make this happen (there was a huge spike in queries after Oryx asked if clothing was mandatory for the swim;)), so it is most definitely going ahead.

Plan is: meet at the Glenmalure Lodge 1pm Sat 29th. We'll run some trails, and ascend a path that will take your breath away. Weather dependent, we should be able to traverse Clohernagh to the summit of Lugnacoille, the highest mountain in Leinster. The views to and from here are something to always remember. From there we'll head down to either Art's or Kelly's lough (again, route will be determined by the weather), swim in the lake , and run back down the trails back to the lodge. Showers should be available, and we'll grap a table by the fire, get a bite to eat, and set into pints and merriment. I'd have liked to include bikes, but in all honesty there isn't the daylight to set up MB's beforehand. Lots of MB routes for anyone staying the night, who wants to clear the head the next day, though!

There's a good few confirmed, enough for it to happen and be fun, and if you want to turn up, please do, the more the merrier. It's a done deal though, in that the date and time are picked and as are, so there's no messy poll option; just bring yourself and your gear and your funnybone, and we'll bash a bit of Xmas cheer out of the day:D The more the merrier, all most welcome!

This is where we'll be swimming. We'll leave the Glenmalure Lodge carpark at 1:00pm, run up past the lake, dump bags/wetsuits, run up to the top of Lugnachoille (weather dependent), run back to the lake and start the swim (its about 400m long), and then back down to the lodge to get cleaned up. There's one triple room booked for those staying over, everyone else, we'll have a few drinks at the bar. Bar food is an option, although if people prefer, I can book a table in the restaurant.

Open to everyone, there's about 8 confirmed so far, the more the merrier.


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Oryx wrote: »

And because of the skewy perspective in that photo, the lake looks tiny

I guestimate from the map its about 400m at its widest.

BTH wrote: »

On the off chance that someone finds themselves back in the city earlier than expected after the Christmas break, where would that person find out about potential lifts to this fantastic event?

Anyone willing/able to help out here? As it happens, I think everyone confirmed is coming from all around the country except Dublin!

It's going to be cold swimming, no matter what the weather, so no harm in being prepared. Loneswimmer has some very good advice on cold water swimming, well worth looking over. Also, this is a corrie pool, which means submerged rocks, so no diving and be aware (especially so when near the sides).

Good to see at least one bike Mick, it will help make it a proper Tri excursion!

I was doing a recce today, the zigzags are easy to ascend, but the area from the top of them to Kelly's lough is very damp. I'd like to include the views from the zigzags, so we'll probably ascend along drier forest trails via WW to the lake, (weather dependent ascent to Lug and back), swim, and descend getting our feet wet by the zigzags. Back to the Lodge for ales and food.

If anyone is interested in a map, EastWest mapping (based in Clonegal) have a very good map which includes this area, Lugnaquilla & Glendalough. Superb detailing, and a must for hillwalkers/runners, they usually get orders delivered in a couple of days.

*Edit* Actually now that I think about it, anyone who wanted to make a proper "off-road" tri of this could. Mountain bike the trails up to the lake, run to Lug and back, swim the lake, MB back down. Options there if more than one are interested I guess.