Art O’Neill Challenge 2012 Participants Information

1. Art O’Neill Challenge 2012 Participants Information

2. Registration From 8.30 pm to 11.30pm for walkers and 12.30am for ultras & hybrids. Gear check followed by sign on (arrive in plenty of time). Mandatory gear will be checked and there will be no leniency. There will be a Great Outdoors mobile store at the castle where missing pieces can be purchased. At reg. you will receive a bib number(to be worn on chest area and be visible at all times), a bag tagto be placed on your extra bag to be given to staff, and a timing chipwhich will be worn on your wrist. Participants needing guides will be issued with high viz badges which they must wear in order to be identified by guides at checkpoint 1. Hand your extra bag to a marshal to be taken directly to checkpoint 1. We would advise you to pack extra water/food/electrolytes in this bag for when you access it at CP1. Last Lap Cafe/shop will also be there for any last minute food purchases/hot drinks. Start for Ultras & Hybrids 2am SHARP. Supporters welcome.

3. Section 1: Dublin Castle to Kilbride Army Camp Please study the map for this section which will be entirely on street and road. There will be directional arrows at key junctions - be vigilant. Pace yourself. Many fit people have dropped out at checkpoint 1 because they went too hard on this section.

4. Checkpoint 1: Kilbride Army Camp On arrival pass your timing chip over the mat which will be at hand height. Those who need guides will meet their guide who will be taking walkers on a first come-first served basis. From here, you will be under the direction of your guide. You will be directed to where your extra bag will be waiting for you. (Ultra area is separate) You will then collect your food (Soup/roll/coffee or tea. Water will also be available). There will be Mountain Rescue First Aid here. You must return your bag to the staff who will bring this to the FINISH for your arrival. Guided groups will be ushered by the guides and must leave on their instruction. Unguided folk we recommend that you spend no more than 20 mins at this CP. You must check out via the timing system to record your departure. There will be transport here back to Sandyford Luas Stop at 6am for those who drop out at this point.

5. Section 2: Kilbride to Ballinagee There is a change to the old route on this section which will be fully marked. The new route passes by private houses, as it will be approx 4.30 am we kindly ask you to keep it down on the decibel front! This is the first off-road section and this is the period where your mind will be asking for sleep......please remember that pangs of needing to sleep come in waves and once daylight approaches, all can feel better in an instant. Hang in there and help each other when one is struggling. Singing helps! There will be Mountain Rescue First Aid at Ballynultagh Gap car-park.

6. Entry point to the private land and first off road section at Athdown. This is c.2.5km from Kilbride Checkpoint on the right hand side of the road directly opposite the direct route to Seefin. Please keep the noise to a minimum here and keep the gate closed as much as possible. This entry point will be marked.

8. This is the first full mountain section and starts at Ballynultagh car-park. • There will be first aid available here if needed and also a mini-bus if people can’t continue. • The map shows the main route and the two main options from Billy Byrne’s Gap. One via Glenbride and the more direct route. Both routes will have crossing points marked if necessary.

9. Checkpoint 2: Ballinagee Bridge You must time in on your arrival. You will collect your food (porridge, coffee/tea and water). Mountain rescue First Aid will be available. Transport to the finish will be available for people who drop out here. You must time out on your departure. There will be no access to your extra bag at this point. Don’t spend too long here, it is a beautiful but inhospitable place! There is a cut-off time of 12pm for leaving CP2 at Ballinagee Bridge.

10. Section 3: Ballinagee to Arts Cross This is the toughest of the three legs. You will pass Arts Plaque and Cross. Those who are unguided, this is the most challenging section for navigation. If you are confused or don’t feel confident please wait for a guided group. Small mistakes can have huge consequences on this section. Independent groups will self navigate while guided groups will take alternate routes so that erosion is kept to a minimum.

11. This map shows two possible routes with Route A being the more commonly used as it passes Art’s Plaque and Art’s Cross. • Guided parties will use several routes between White Hill and Coanty to reduce erosion in this area as much as possible. • All navigators need to be especially vigilant on this challenging section.

12. Finish You must time in on arrival and hand your timing chip back to the staff! There will be a hot chocolate waiting for you on arrival. There will be a minibus waiting to take you 5km to Glenmalure Lodge. At Glenmalure Lodge your bag will be waiting for you in a marquee in the car park. You will receive an official finishers T Shirt in the Glenmalure Lodge. Glenmalure Lodge will be doing an Art O Neill deal on specific meals at the pub for every participant. There will be a bus timetable sent to each participant after the challenge with departure times back to Sandyford Luas Stop. They will leave approx. hourly with the last bus departing at 6pm. Please support DWMRT with your sponsorship card, downloadable on the website:  www.artoneillchallenge.ie

13. Nutrition Don't rely solely on AON supplied food at checkpoints. Bring plenty of fluids and energy bars or whatever you feel happy eating, that gives you plenty of energy. Don’t use any foodtypes for the first time on the challenge. Only what you are used to. Eat plenty of carbohydrate meals the day before and the day of the start. Graze on high energy food the day of the start. Drink plenty and be hydrated. Not just water, add electrolytes or cordial with a pinch of salt. It is important to keep your salt intake up. Pack plenty of extra water and energy bars/chocolate in your extra bag to be accessed at CP1. You will never have a better excuse to eat loads of chocolate! Keep eating and drinking throughout the walk and remind others to do the same. It is very hard to rehydrate whilst on the go so make sure you drink plenty at the beginning of the hike. If you feel tired/light headed make sure you notify your group leader and take the time to stop and eat/drink.

14. Gear Basic first aid kit (Minimum: 1 x Dressing Pad for heavy bleeding (field dressing, bandage and plasters)* Survival bag* Foil blanket* (a combination of these is sufficient) Head Torch with battery power for 12 hours* Maps of the route GPS and/or compass Whistle* Energy food and drink Gloves* High Viz Vest* Fleece/Wool Hat* Technical base layer * (top and bottom merino wool recommended) Fleeces top/mid layer* (two recommended) Water-proof top (preferably with Taped seams)* Water-proof bottoms*  Down Jacket  Extra socks and footwear Gaiters – Not compulsory but highly recommended. Rucksack* Mobile Phone fully charged and functional

15. Safety & Leave No Trace Be prepared and have a good knowledge of the route. Make a note of the emergency contact numbers on the bibs. Fill out the med. Form. Have a good idea what the weather will be like for the duration of the challenge. Watch out for traffic on the road sections. Be considerate of residents – locals and wildlife! Wear your high viz jacket(and badge for guided people)at all times. Know which guide you are with and co-operate with them. Don’t leave your group or make unscheduled stops without letting your guide know first. Follow alternate routes when requested and otherwise stick to the centre of the trail…where it exists. Stick to durable ground where possible. Stick to the marked gates only for those going through Glenbride. Take care at fences and gate crossings. Be very careful on river crossings and steep ground. Don’t litter and dispose of any waste considerately.  Watch out for yourself and each other. If you have any problems inform your guides, group leader or AON contact number.   Enjoy it!