The 12th Annual County Mountain Pursuit Challenge will be based on the southern side of the Galtee Mountains from Friday the 29th of September to Sunday the 1st of October 2006. In a change and step up from previous years, this year the route will involve carrying full pack for the whole weekend. As a result only scouts who are equipped and prepared for a full weekend of backpacking will be able to take part.

The start is at Galtycastle Forest Car Park (879 188), which is situated off the N8 between Cahir and Mitchelstown. Travelling from Cahir, turn right at the village of Skeheenaranky. After 1km, stay left at a y-junction. A further 2km on the road drops down to a series of sharp turns and crosses a bridge, before rising uphill. The car park is situated at the top of the rise. No valuables should be left in cars. Teams can present themselves for registration and gear check from 6.30pm. As there is a 4 kilometre walk to low camp teams must be at the start and ready to set off by 7.30pm at the latest (Remember it will be getting dark by then). The event will finish in the same place at 2.00pm on Sunday the 1st. All Venture Scouts from the county are more then welcome to take part.

ROUTE OVERVIEW
The walk on Friday night follows a series of forest roads into a valley to the south west of Galtymore. Low camp is located just beyond the end of the woods beside a stream, at the site of a ruined cottage. Saturday morning will see teams making their way up onto the main Galty ridge via the spur of Knockduff. Here the eastern end of the 3km long Galty Wall will be met. The route turns east along the ridge, first onto the twin summits of Galtymore, then over Galtybeg and spot height 786. Shortly after this, O’Loughnan’s Castle will be reached. From here a spur is followed down into the Glengarra valley. High camp is located between two streams near the north western corner of the Glengarra Woods. On Sunday a stream is followed from high camp up to the col north of Knockeenatoung. From here part of the ‘Black Road’ – an old turf track to Galtybeg - is followed south before a minor track leads down to Coopers Wood. A path leads down through the trees to a river-side forest track, which is followed back to the car park.



ALTITUDE PHOTO COMPETITION
In 2005 we held the first Altitude sponsored Photo Competition and they have kindly agreed to sponsor the competition again for 2006. The theme this year is very simple - "Adventure". We are looking for photos that best capture the adventure of both a County MPC and of scouting.
The categories are:
1. Best Camera Phone Photo
2. Best Photo by a Scout
3. Best Photo by a Venture Scout/Leader
4. Best Overall Photo

The camera phone photos can be submitted to a mobile number that will be supplied to all participants on the weekend. The best photo by a scout and by a leader can be taken with a digital camera or a traditional film/disposable camera. The Best Overall Photo will be judged from the previous three categories. These must be submitted as print outs and preferably with an accompanying digital version on CD to the Altitude CPMC Photo Competition c/o 20 The Walk, Fairfield Park, Old Tramore Road, Waterford City. The closing date will be Monday the 16th of October and the photos will be put on display at Altitude before judging and prize giving which will take place on Saturday the 4th of November at Altitude. There will be a first and second place prize for the first three categories as well as the overall award.



THE DUCK RACE (Hopefully...)
Last year we couldn't find a suitable stream but water levels permitting this year we will hold will the 5th Annual Regional Floating Object Race on the Sunday morning and teams are invited to enter either original plastic bottles or traditional plastic ducks. Ducks that do not float will not be allowed enter and the fastest two ducks will go on to represent us in the International Rubber Duck Championships in November. This year the event is taking place in the magnificent setting of Siurana in Catalonia in Spain.



EQUIPMENT AND GEAR CHECK
There will be a gear check on Friday night and all the gear listed below will be required by everybody taking part in the event. Obviously everybody is responsible for bringing their own supply of food for the weekend. It is recommended that scouts operate in patrols of between 3 and 4 so that they can share tents, cooking equipment, first aid kit, maps and compasses. We will be strictly carrying out the gear check and will have no choice but to send home any scout, venture scout or leader without the minimum equipment. The gear check can also be downloaded in pdf format here.

Essential Personal Equipment
– Boots with good ankle support
– Hike clothing and spares (No Denim)
– Jacket/Fleece
– Hat and gloves
– Waterproof coat and over trousers
– Foam mat and sleeping bag
– Toilet Paper
– Rucksack lined with large bin liner
– Small day sack
– Head torch and whistle.
– Food supplies and emergency rations
– Survival Bag
Recommended Personal Equipment
– Suncream and shorts
– Insect Repellent
– Organic Soap
– Gaiters
– Camera
Essential Team Equipment
– Tent and Pegs
– Trangia/MSR/Lightweight Cooking Stove
– Small First Aid Kit
– Map and Compass
– Team Food


LEAVE NO TRACE (More…)
Everybody is reminded that environmentally sound hiking is an absolute must for events of this type. The principles of Leave no Trace are a must for the weekend and they are:
– Plan ahead and prepare
– Be considerate of others
– Respect farm animals and wildlife
– Travel and camp on durable surfaces
– Leave what you find
– Dispose of waste properly



AND FINALLY
If you have any questions or require any assistance please do not hesitate to contact Colm Ennis or Paschal Guilfoyle. To assist us in the event organisation, we would be grateful if you could give us approximate numbers by Sunday the 24th of September by phone to any of the above. We are looking forward to seeing you on what's going to be an excellent weekend and yet again we are guaranteeing good weather. See you there!