Anything else, please ask us
Completing a challenge like the Four Peaks does require preparation. And below, we’ve detailed a list of questions that regularly come up when teams are making their plans.
Covering topics including the climb itself, driving, sponsorship and accommodation, we hope we’ve got all your questions answered. And if you don’t find what you’re looking for below, just give us a call.
The Climb
- What if I have no experience climbing on mountains?
- What about safety?
- What are the climbing routes that all teams must follow?
- On average, how long does it take to complete each climb?
- Why do we need to take a bus from the Killarney registration point to the base of Carrauntoohil?
- What equipment should each team member have to complete a climb?
- Do we as a team need to carry anything specific on each climb?
- What time can we start to climb each peak?
- Do you offer any navigation / orienteering training in advance of the event?
- Will I need insurance cover on the event?
Driving
- Why do we need two drivers?
- Can you suggest a driving route that our team could follow from peak to peak?
- Can you recommend a car hire company?
Sponsorship
- How will we raise the sponsorship?
- When does our minimum sponsorship have to be submitted?
- Is our €100 deposit included in the €3,800 in sponsorship?
Accommodation
- Do we have to cover the cost of all of our accommodation?
- Can you recommend accommodation for our team?
The Climb
What if I have no experience climbing on mountains?
Team members do not have to be mountaineers, but a good level of fitness is required. It is desirable for at least one team member to have some mountain walking and navigation experience. We will be hosting a navigation training day on Saturday 14th and 21st April for our June Four Peaks Challenge and Saturday 14th July and saturday 21st July for our September Four Peaks Challenge which will provide the opportunity for novices to gain experience and for those who are a little rusty to brush up on their skills. For more details on the Training and Navigation day please click here.
What about safety?
Information about training, equipment and safety is available on this site. Please ensure that every member of your team takes time to review this information. The event is fully supported throughout by experienced mountain guides who will be situated at checkpoints along the climbing routes, which you must report to so that we can monitor your position and progress. First aid cover is also provided.
What are the climbing routes that all teams must follow?
All teams must follow the routes as outlined in our climbing routes PDF (83KB).
On average, how long does it take to complete each climb?
The average climb time for each of the mountains is: Carrauntoohil - 6.5 hours, Mweelrea - 5 hours, Slieve Donard - 3.5 hours, Lugnaquilla - 4 hours.
Why do we need to take a bus from the Killarney registration point to the base of Carrauntoohil?
All teams must register at the Killarney International Hostel and take a bus to the base of Carrauntoohil. This is because the road leading to the start of the climb at the base of the mountain is very narrow and would not be able to carry the volume of cars required to bring all teams to the climb start. Teams are asked to obey this request to ensure that all teams can be brought to the base of the mountain as quickly and efficiently as possible.
What equipment should each team member have to complete a climb?
Each team member must have: good hiking boots, waterproofs (top and bottom) a fleece / warm clothing, a hat and gloves and at least one litre of water per mountain. For further suggested equipment, please download our equipment list (82KB).
Do we as a team need to carry anything specific on each climb?
Yes, for the list of equipment that each team needs to have, please download our equipment list PDF (82KB).
What time can we start to climb each peak?
For the climb of Carrauntoohil, your team will be allocated a start time between 8am and 10am. The climb of Mweelrea on Saturday takes place between 10am-11am, the Slieve Donard climb starts between 6am - 7am and the Lugnaquilla climb starts at 2pm.
All of the above times are approximate and may be subject to change.
Do you offer any navigation / orienteering training in advance of the event?
Yes, we offer a navigation training day on Saturday April 14th and Saturday April 21st for our June Four Peaks Challenge which one member of each team is invited to attend and Saturday 14th July and Saturday 21st July for our September Four Peaks Challenge. Further details on this are available here.
Will I need insurance cover on the event
This is up to you. Focus Ireland has a public liability policy but you are responsible for obtaining personal cover if you so choose. As far as we are aware, hill-walking insurance is not available in Ireland, but you can arrange cover through UK companies. One such company is Sports Cover Direct: www.sportscoverdirect.com
Driving
Why do we need two drivers?
This challenge involves a huge amount of driving and in order to complete it safely and within the recommended time frame, it is necessary to have two fully licensed competent drivers who do not climb the mountains, but are well rested to take their team members on to the next mountain. Having two means that the driving challenge can be shared, it is also safer and ensures that your team will always be in good hands while travelling between mountain locations. Please click here to download our Drivers Information and Driving Routes
Can you suggest a driving route that our team could follow from peak to peak?
As the routes change regularly with the opening of new motorways, we recommend that you check on AA route planner for the quickest routes before you leave. However past participants have advised us of which routes they found the quickest: Please click here for more information.
Travelling from Dublin to Carrauntoohil
In the past teams have recommended driving to Killarney via Limerick and via Cork. There are two new motorways and AA route planner suggests the new Limerick motorway may be slightly quicker.
Travelling to Galway from Killarney
When travelling to Galway and Mwellrea there is an option to take the Shannon Car Ferry. Teams have been divided on whether or not the car ferry is quicker than driving direct. It seems to depend on timing. If you arrive when a ferry has just left then you will be waiting and therefore loose time.
The Shannon Car Ferry leaves Tarbert every half hour between (07.30 - 21.30hrs) and leaves Killimer every hour on the hour (0700-2100hrs). The fare is €17 for a car and €27 for a mini-bus.
Travelling from Galway to Mwellrea
When travelling to Louisburgh teams have also disagreed as to whether travelling via Leenane or through Westport is quicker however Westport seems to be the favoured route.
Travelling from Mwellrea to Slieve Donard
When travelling from Mayo to Down all past teams have agreed that travelling to Down via Dublin while not the most direct route is the quickest due to better roads on the M1 from Dublin.
Travelling from Slieve Donard to Lugnaquilla
Finally when travelling to Wicklow from Down the quickest route is again to travel down the M1 leave at Junction 1, then take the 3rd exit onto the M50 (signposted southbound). From the M50 drive through Blessington and onto Donard village. Once you get to Donard the route will be signposted to the mountain base.
Can you recommend a car hire company?
Yes. Both Thrifty Car Rental (Freephone: 1800 515 800), and Enterprise Rent a Car (Phone: 01 836 6577), offer car rental at a discount to Four Peaks Challenge participants.
Sponsorship
How will we raise the sponsorship?
Sponsorship should be raised by a team effort. Hold your own event like a pub quiz or raffle, ask your friends and family for sponsorship, send an email to colleagues, place a notice on your staff notice board, get the whole company involved or join forces with a neighbouring company or client. You should not be dependant just on your employer to pay your sponsorship money, although having access to a potential corporate sponsor will be a great help. Remember this is a team event so spread the responsibility, e.g. if you have a team of four climbers and two drivers, that is only about €633 each. We will provide you with t-shirts, collection buckets, sponsorship forms and posters if required. Check out our fundraising tips for inspiration!
When does our minimum sponsorship have to be submitted?
The €3,800 is the minimum sponsorship required 50% of this must be submitted four weeks before the events takes place and 50% submitted six weeks after the event ends. There are no exceptions. Failure to comply will forfeit your team's place in the challenge. If you are unable to collect your minimum sponsorship at this point you will be asked to make the difference up yourselves and refund it when you have collected the balance. We will accept letters of guarantee from corporate sponsors who may not give you the sponsorship money until after the event has taken place.
Is our €100 deposit included in the €3,800 in sponsorship?
Yes, the deposit is included in your total sponsorship. You will need to raise a minimum of €3,700 after the deposit has been paid.
Accommodation
Do we have to cover the cost of all of our accommodation?
No, Focus Ireland will provide optional hostel accommodation on the Friday night of the challenge. You are responsible for your team's accommodation in Co. Down on the Saturday night. Click here to download our June accommodation booking form and here for our September accommodation booking form.
Can you recommend accommodation for our team?
Yes, we have lots of accommodation listings in our Four Peaks Booklet to download click on our Four Peaks Booklet (222KB).
