The plan: We will walk up to Lake Muskry with all our gear and camp there overnight. On Sunday we will hike out via Farbreaga, Greenaun and O’Loughlins Castle.
The main aim of the hike is to prepare scouts and ventures for future expeditions by giving them an introduction to wild camping, freshen up their navigation skills and give them a hands on experience with the gear required for this sort of adventures.
Your scout should have a good lunch/dinner before leaving home and bring a snack or two with them. Nothing like pringles or cans of fizzy drinks, they’re bulky and heavy. During the next scout/venture meeting and on the Thursday (6th Feb) evening we’ll also meet to discuss and plan food options and check their gear, issue tents, trangias and maps etc. On the day of hike we’ll have a final gear check at the meeting point, parents dropping off need until that’s done..
Start: Saturday, February 8, 15.30 at Lake Muskry Trailhead car park
End: Sunday, February 9, 15.30 at Lake Muskry Trailhead car park
Travel directions:
- Take the M8 towards Dublin
- Leave M8 at exit 13 and follow the directions for Limerick (R639/N73/R513)
- About 15km after taking the exit there’s a right turn-off for Galbally R662
- After just under 1.5km turn right at the junction (the sign says The Glen Hotel/Lisvarinnane)
- Head on straight for about 15km (you’ll drive parallel to the Galtees basically)
- In Rossadrehid turn right at the little grotto (sign says Lake Muskree/Galtee Waterworks)
- The roads becomes a boreen very quickly, follow it for 1.7km and you’ll see the sign for the Lake Muskry car park on the left.
- Just over 1 hour from Douglas
Note:
- Ensure your scout/venture had a dinner/lunch
- We will do a quick gear check before leaving the car park – parents need to wait till this is done.
- We expect to be back at the Lake Muskry Car Park at 3.30 pm on Sunday (we’ll update via WhatsApp)
Hike Gear List
- Neckerchief
- Rucksack – 65 liter or larger. Smaller bags won’t work.
- Large bin bag to line rucksack.
- Hiking Boots
- Rain gear: jacket with hood & trousers
- Hiking trousers – no cotton!
- Hat, Gloves, Snood + spares just in case.
- Head torch + extra batteries
- Warm sleeping bag (it’s February!) + liner for extra warmth
- Ground mat – foil backed
- Plate, bowl, cup, knife, fork, spoon + tea towel
- Water bottle – 1 litre min.
- Warm clothes (layers!)
- Wool or hiking socks – not cotton + spares.
- Personal wash gear
- Small 1st aid kit
- Survival bag, i.e. the scout shop has these
- Whistle
- Compass
Optional, but very useful:
- Gaiters – higly recommended!
- Trekking poles
Electronic Device Policy: It is advised that scouts do not bring electronic devices, Douglas & St Fin Barre’s Scout Group, its leaders and Scouting Ireland will not be held responsible for any electronic devices lost or damaged.