4 Peaks

Ireland is split into 4 provinces - Ulster, Munster, Leinster and Connaught - an as part of my preparation for Nepal, I took on the challenge of climbing the highest peak in each province non-stop. However, it wasn’t me alone, but with Jason Black Mountaineering and a bus full of like minded individuals who accepted the challenge and wanted to push their boundaries and in many cases go way outside their comfort zone.

Whilst the mountains in Ireland aren’t of Alpine or Himalayan proportions, they do present a significant challenge owing to their remoteness, steepness and the very changeable weather conditions that hits their slopes and peaks. Climbing the 4 highest is a feat of logistics (just getting from one to another), fitness and mind over matter.

Climbing like this is a matter of endurance - don’t go too fast and try to minimise the stops along the way. Keep hydrated, not just with water, but top up the salts using hydration tablets or powder and keep refuelling - the first hour after coming down off a peak is vital to get the glycogen back into the muscles. Rest is important and whilst the adrenaline flows, it is important to try and relax and get some rest travelling between the peaks - this was the part that I found the hardest as I didn’t really get much sleep but did get enough rest to go again at the next peak.

So what did I learn? Well, my fitness was good and my endurance was where I’d expect it to be at this stage with the training I have done so far. Mental resilience was good too. Getting around a challenge like this is made all the easier when there is a great team involved - and that was definitely the case here. Good teamwork not only provides the support everybody needs, but keeps the spirits up when the mind and body are tired.

This type of training, involving back-to-back days in the hills, is impossible to replicate in a gym or fitness environment but is so beneficial in building endurance, resilience and strengthening ankles, knees and hips. So what next, well I was so taken with the challenge I persuaded my wife to give it a go and I signed up with her for another outing in September!