Lynn Maheffy from St. Johnson is taking on the challenging terrain of the Dingle Peninsula in Kerry as part of the Chief Commissioners Award 2009 expedition.

The local woman is an active Assistant Leader with Convoy Guide Unit and also used to work as a Regional Development Officer in the North West Region. She is joined by her team mate, Catherine Whelan from Dublin, and 12 other members of the Irish Girl Guides.

The Award (or the “Chief’s” as it is affectionately known) has now run 12 times since 1987. Teams of two or three are dropped off with a map at a location unknown to them, having been deprived of most luxuries during a rigorous gear check. Teams have only a compass, tent, stove, other minimal weatherproof lightweight supplies, one mobile phone per team for emergencies only, and a budget to challenge any recession of less than €5 per person per day.

They must then hike more than 60kms and camp over five days to reach a prescribed pick up point. They are given a list of projects and challenges, of which eight must be completed and recorded every day.

On day five, they get a quick shower back at base camp. However, before any Awards might be presented, teams must undergo two assessment interviews with panels of previous participants and experienced Guiders, and demonstrate again how phenomenal they really think they were over those five long days.