Nav Challenge 1 - Comeraghs
Forum Messages
| Author | Date | Message |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Hogan | Aug 20 2025, 10:20pm | <html> <p> The Comeragh Nav Challenge is fast approaching with entries set to open next Monday, 25 August. This is the first of four events in Nav League 2025, and it also marks the first such event to be hosted in Munster in recent years. We are all very excited!</p> <p> The last weekend in August is a busy one for the folk of IMRA. Many of our great Masters Athletes competing at the World Championships will be doing our country proud on the slopes of Meduno in northern Italy. The weekend also sees the penultimate round of the hotly contested Leinster Championship take to the stunning, and challenging, Mullaghcleevaun crossing.</p> <p> But if you are at a loose end and fancy a somewhat different challenge on the hills, then the Comeraghs may be where it's at!</p> <p> Please see the event page for full details and keep an eye here on the the Forum in the lead up.</p> <p> An enormous thank you to Niall and everyone at 'Power's the Pot' camp and caravan site who are very graciously hosting our base for the day (and anyone who fancies making a weekend of it).</p> <p> The <i>chef du jour</i> is the great Damien McDonnell - his cakes alone are worth the trip!</p> <p> And make sure to have your (EastWest) Comeragh map and compass dusted down ready to go!</p> <p> Please note that this event is run over an unmarked course in an open mountain environment so is not suitable for juniors (<18 years).</p> </html> |
| Nick Hogan | Aug 20 2025, 10:24pm | OK....let's try it without the dodgy <html>. Rookie error - apologies! The Comeragh Nav Challenge is fast approaching with entries set to open next Monday, 25 August. This is the first of four events in Nav League 2025, and it also marks the first such event to be hosted in Munster in recent years. We are all very excited! The last weekend in August is a busy one for the folk of IMRA. Many of our great Masters Athletes competing at the World Championships will be doing our country proud on the slopes of Meduno in northern Italy. The weekend also sees the penultimate round of the hotly contested Leinster Championship take to the stunning, and challenging, Mullaghcleevaun crossing. But if you are at a loose end and fancy a somewhat different challenge on the hills, then the Comeraghs may be where it's at! Please see the event page for full details and keep an eye here on the the Forum in the lead up. An enormous thank you to Niall and everyone at 'Power's the Pot' camp and caravan site who are very graciously hosting our base for the day (and anyone who fancies making a weekend of it). The chef du jour is the great Damien McDonnell - his cakes alone are worth the trip! And make sure to have your (EastWest) Comeragh map and compass dusted down ready to go! Please note that this event is run over an unmarked course in an open mountain environment so is not suitable for juniors (<18 years). |
| Derek Hay | Aug 20 2025, 10:33pm | Hi Nick, Thanks a mill for putting this on, I'm really looking forward to getting lost in the Comeraghs:) Is there any chance we could have the outer grid references on the map area that's required? Cheers. |
| Nick Hogan | Aug 21 2025, 9:01pm | Hi Derek. Many thanks for your message. Great to hear you are Comeragh-bound next weekend....looking forward to seeing you then! No point in keeping the suspense going any longer I suppose :)... |
| Nick Hogan | Aug 21 2025, 9:06pm | Area covered by course: [SW] 210/160 [NE] 260/210 |
| Derek Hay | Aug 22 2025, 12:27pm | Thats great thanks Nick! See you soon. |
| Nick Hogan | Aug 25 2025, 8:05am | Good morning all...any more volunteers available for next Saturday would be very warmly received. Thank you! |
| Nick Hogan | Aug 28 2025, 11:33pm | For those navigating your way to the Comeraghs on Saturday, thank you for making the journey! We are looking forward to seeing you all then. Just a few things to note: Kit: Given the forecast for heavy rain and gusts that looks to be perfectly aligned with the event window, please carry (or wear!): your waterproof jacket, mobile phone, hat + gloves, emergency/bivvy bag, and a map + compass! Please also bring a pencil/marker to mark your own maps (a biro/ballpoint is generally not reliable in wet conditions), and suitable waterproof protection for your map and mobile phone. We will have sealable plastic bags that will comfortably accommodate an A4-sized sheet at registration - you are welcome to take one. A reminder of the area corner coordinates: [SW] 210/160 [NE] 260/210 The LONG course option can run 15/16km with 600m elevation. The SHORT course option can run 8/9km with 300-400m elevation. The courses are largely on open mountain. The course will close at 4pm. Parking: In the field just south/downhill from the main camp site entrance. The wonderful Karlo and Barry will be directing operations. If you could have some small change to hand as a token of gratitude for the parking and facilities being made available to us at Power's The Pot - thank you! Registration: Open from 1030 at IMRA van in the main campsite yard. From the parking area you can access the camp site via a pathway diagonally opposite the gate you drove through. You will be given you control card here. Ensure your name and number are written on it. Map showing the area outline and any out-of-bounds will be available by the registration desk. Please study this carefully and mark up your own maps. Any queries you might have - please don't hesitate to ask. Toilets: In the building adjacent to registration. There are also showers available here. Start: The start will be 800m from registration. Follow the road uphill to the animal grid....the pull up Ard na Briste provides a nice warmup! Please aim to be at the cattle grid by 1150 for a short briefing. The control coordinate list will be released at 1200, and the master map 5 minutes after this. The Format: To allow some flexibility around your route choice, there will be 9 controls set out on the mountain. LONG course participants will locate and punch your cards at 8 of these in any sequence. SHORT course participants will locate and punch your cards at 4 of these in any sequence. And by way of a final twist - after everyone has departed the Start area, details of a 10th control will be posted on the sign here that will be clearly visible as you pass back for your final road descent down Ard na Briste to the finish. This is a mandatory control that you must locate and punch before you cross the line. I can assure you that this will not be adding extra distance or exertion to your day - just a little something to keep everything switched on right to the end! As such LONG will finish with 9 punches and SHORT with 5 punches. Roads: Please exercise caution on the road section between Power's The Pot and the animal grid (start area). While the roads are relatively quiet along here, traffic does travel at speed and there are a number of bends with limited visibility. Make use of the grass verges wherever possible. There are 2 designated road crossings for entering/exiting the mountain section (North and South); these will be marshalled and no road crossing is permitted outside of these. These points will be clearly marked on the area maps at registration along with 2 tarmac road sections that are out-of-bounds. Finish: The finish will be by the registration desk in the main campsite yard. For your last leg you will let gravity take over and get to enjoy Ard na Briste in reverse! Please have your IMRA number visible as you cross the line, and don't forget to hand over your control card, making sure your name and IMRA number is included and legible. Enormous THANKS to Dee, Shane, Stephen, Carol, Karlo, Damien, Fiona and Barry who will be looking after all of us. Please note that some alteration to events may be required on the morning if adverse weather dictates. |
| Brian Farren | Aug 28 2025, 11:50pm | Hi Nick, will the foil blanket do instead of the bivvy bag? |
| Nick Hogan | Aug 29 2025, 5:10pm | Hi Brian, thanks for the query. Yes, Kit C requirements state blanket is sufficient. All the best... see you tomorrow. |
| Mike Long | Aug 30 2025, 5:45pm | Thanks to Nick and his team for a superbly organised and extremely hospitable race in the Comeraghs today |
| Brian Farren | Aug 30 2025, 10:06pm | Thanks to Nick and his team for a great event. And then the home made food and hot showers on top of all that, fantastic. |
| Brian Flannelly | Aug 31 2025, 7:51pm | Results are now up for this event - any questions/queries on them, please email: brian <dot> flannelly <at> imra <dot> ie |
