HIKE PROGRAMME
March 2008
MEET: Burgh Quay
|
DEPART: Sundays 10.00 am
|
COST: Private bus. €12
(unless stated otherwise)
|
2nd pick-up
point: The bus picks up
walkers who are already at the designated point. It won’t be waiting and places
cannot be guaranteed as the bus may be full at Burgh Quay.
2nd drop-off
point: Where indicated in
the programme below, the bus will drop off hikers at the 2nd pick-up point on
the return journey, unless circumstances dictate otherwise. We regret that this
is not possible on all routes.
|
9 March 2008 ---Wild West
Wicklow Leader: Joe Gilvarry 2nd
pick-up point: Bus stop
at Rathfarnham Castle, before the Yellow House. Route: Oasis * Carrigshouk * Mullaghcleevaun
East * Mullaghcleevaun * Billy Byrne’s Gap * Moanbane
* Cock Brook * Hampden Memorial * Kilbeg * Poulaphuca shore * Lacken. Distance: 18km Ascent: 800m Maps: OS 56 and Harvey |
|
16 March
2008 ---St.
Patrick’s Weekend Special Hike Leader: Jim Barry Route: Mount Leinster from Sculloge Gap, with
stop for meal on the way home. Map: OS 68 Please note
earlier departure: 9.30 am |
|
23 March 2008 EASTER No Sunday Hike |
|
30 March
2008 ---Introductory
Hike – Circuit of Glencullen Leader: Eoin Moroney 2nd
pick-up point: Bus
stops at Milltown Bridge. Route: Fern Hill Tunnel * Three Rock * Fairy
Castle * Tibradden * Cruagh * Killikee * Glendoo * Knocknagun * Prince
William’s Seat * Wicklow Way * Car Park (O 185 169). Distance: 19km Ascent: 720m Maps: OS 50 and 56 |
|
6 April 2008 ---Commemorative
Walk for Annick Van de
Venster Leader: Mark Campion 2nd
pick-up & drop-off point:
Bus stops before the roundabout at Loughlinstown. Route: Walks finishing in Glendalough
International Youth Hostel for tree planting in memory of Annick (see
separate notice). Maps: OS 56, Harvey and Healy |
GENERAL HIKE
NOTES
PARTICIPATION Mountaineering
is an activity with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants should
be aware of and accept these risks. People who take part in our club activities
do so at their own risk and are responsible for their own actions and
involvement.
INTRODUCTORY
HIKES An Introductory Hike is organised once per
month for aspirant members. Any participant on these hikes must be a member of
An Óige.
CO-ORDINATION If necessary, tickets are
given out on Sundays to ensure that participants reserve a bus place as they
arrive.
LEADER The leader has the right to refuse anyone who is not
adequately equipped (e.g., without appropriate boots, rainwear, food, torch,
hat, gloves, etc). The leader may alter the route from that described in the
program. The leader sets the pace of the hike and walkers are expected to obey
the leader’s instructions at all times.
ENVIRONMENT Try to reduce the erosion and widening of trails, e.g.
do not walk on the edge of worn tracks; walk through the centre of the original
track or go several meters into the scruff where the ground is untrodden,
walking parallel to but not on the track.
EQUIPMENT It is essential to bring good rain gear (both jacket
and over trousers) and to leave cotton t-shirts and jeans at home!
Boots must be
sturdy with proper ankle support and a rigid non-slip sole such as Vibram.
LITTER Litter is unsightly and dangerous to animals. Even
bio-degradable items like orange peels and banana skins take years to
disappear. Bring all your litter home and try to include at least one extra
item from each day out. Do not bury litter – animals will dig it up.
WALKING
STICKS AND RUCKSACKS Remember that walking sticks and
rucksacks cannot be brought onto the bus and must be stowed away in the boot
during the journey.
Annick Van de
Venster
It was with great
shock and sorrow that the club learned of the tragic death of our friend Annick
Van de Venster. She had been trekking in Uganda's Mount Elgon National Park
when her camp was attacked on February 5th at night by what are believed to
have been cattle thieves. She was hit by gunfire and died the next day, the
weather and her remote location preventing speedy evacuation. It was almost a
week before definite knowledge of the tragedy reached many of us in the club.
Annick was from
Antwerp, Belgium and had been working and living in Ireland for many years now.
She was a club member since 2000, participating in our hikes, weekends away and
parties. Her most recent outing with the club was on Don Reilly’s Holly Hike
last December.
Seemingly quiet,
she had a ready laugh and friendly personality. As fellow members of An Óige
Hillwalkers, we shared one aspect of Annick’s zest for life. There are many
others, some of which we are only learning now we share memories with persons
inside and outside of the club.
One aspect of her
life that I did not know about was that she ran a Vegan cake stall in the
Temple Bar food market. Several of us though can attest to the delicious
quality of her baking. Music was another great passion and she was most
animated when talking about her favourite band, U2, who she followed with
extraordinary devotion.
Another aspect of
her character was her deep-felt concern for the environment and social justice,
which expressed itself though her volunteer work for the environment and the
developing world. Tree-planting for An Óige at Knockree, conservation work
while on holiday in Australia and working for Oxfam Ireland were examples of
the practical way she expressed her values.
Her love of
travel brought her on fantastic travels around the world, particularly in the
Southern Hemisphere. I always admired her courage and resourcefulness in
exploring these far-flung lands alone. Her ability to make friends on her
travels and to seek-out the real wilderness attests to her adventurous spirit.
Two of her
closest friends in the club, Sandra Brady and Caroline Carswell, had these
words to offer in her memory:
“Annick was a
very kind, gentle and very caring person. She also had a slightly other-worldly
quality with an incredibly free spirit and strong ethical principles.
Annick was too
gentle for this world and this makes what happened to her even more tragic. Her
love of travel took her all over the globe, and her last journey led her to
Mount Elgon in Uganda. For her, this trip had two purposes – she was
following a dream of visiting Africa, and would learn about the continent for
which she was working at Oxfam Ireland.
A natural
modesty prevented Annick seeing just how many people valued her, and in the
“me, me” generation, this quality was even more admirable. Her self-reliance
was legendary, but she had many friends and was never heard to say a bad word
about anyone. Annick was a wonderful person and it was a privilege to know her,
we will all miss her very much.
May her soul be at peace and her spirit live on forever… We will carry
her forever in our hearts.”
The club offers
its deep condolences to her father and mother, Paul and Liliane, and her sister
Christel. We hope they derive some solace from the knowledge that in our
company over the years she enjoyed beautiful walks and good friendship. May she
rest in peace.
Warren
Lawless
The article
below was written by Annick Van de Venster and first printed in the July/August
2001 edition of the club newsletter. We are reprinting it here as a tribute to
Annick.
Patagonia,
South America,
2000
I started my
adventurous 5-week trip to Patagonia (southern Argentina and Chile) in
mid-October 2000, so it was early spring in the Southern Hemisphere.
At least I
arrived in style as I flew business class into Buenos Aires and then got a lift
from my neighbour’s private driver into the city centre. The rest of my journey
was more humble as they dropped me off in front of a youth hostel.
I immediately
hooked up with my Lebanese-Australian roommate to explore the Argentinean
capital. Tango on the streets is commonplace in certain areas so no need to pay
to enter a show. The popular tourist area Caminito with its colourful metal
houses, situated in La Boca, one of the poorer parts of the city, is where the
ever-famous football player Diego Maradona started his career. We ended up
cooking dinner in one of the local’s modest shelter and had a taste of mate, a
strong bitter tea that one drinks through a pipe. I later found out that all
Argentineans are addicted to it.
After a few days
of acclimatisation I headed south to Península Valdéz NP (National Park).
Because of its remoteness I was forced to join a bus tour. For most people the
highlight is the boat trip which gets you very close to the (Eubalena
australis) whales, others got really excited observing copulating sea
elephants, whereas my weakness lies with the cute Magalan pinguins.
Next destination
was the island of Tierra del Fuego in the far south which is half Argentinean,
half Chilean. I only spent some time on the Argentinean side. The mountainous
surroundings of Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, are simply
captivating. There were good hiking possibilities from the city to Glaciar
Martial but sudden snowfall and poor visibility made me return early. Inside
the national park, a choice of easy tracks along the lakes, or somewhat more
challenging ones up high.
Back on the
mainland in Los Glaciares NP, I firstly joined a tour to the biggest tourist
attraction, the 60m high glacier Perito Moreno. Frequently big blocks of ice
create an immense sound and light spectacle. More up north the Fitz Roy Range
offers excellent hiking. I ended up camping with other backpackers. A bit too
cold for me as it was still freezing at night but the harsh conditions were
worthwhile as at sunrise the red glow on the famous peaks of Cerro Torre and
Cerro Fitz Roy were absolutely breathtaking.
Crossing the
border into Chile, the little seaside town Puerto Natales was the starting
point of my backpacking trip in the huge Torres del Paine NP. A large choice of
tracks! I did a popular 5 day hike carrying all my gear and food. The park was
not yet invaded by the masses, which allows you to enjoy its sheer beauty even
more. The most famous feature of the park are the Torres: 3 granite columns
reaching 2600 to 2800 metres. On the eastern side via a steep climb over rock
blocks you can see the Torres in full but when I reached that point they were
hidden by fog. Staying in huts is rather dear but the Chilean hut wardens were
extremely friendly. In one hut they spontaneously started singing beautiful
Chilean songs.
Further
north to the volcanic Lake District
Puerto Montt is a
boosting tourist fishing town, with several national parks nearby. I did a few
day trips. The fairly unfrequented and difficult accessible Alerce Andino NP is
famous for its alerce trees, huge native conifers. I undertook a marathon hike
in the volcanic Pérez Rosales NP partly climbing up the perfectly shaped Osorno
volcano. I seemed the only hiker and was only surpassed by cars.
Eastwards
into the Argentinean Lake District
Bariloche is the
most famous ski resort of the country having undergone many European influences
(p.e. Hotel Edelweiss, Mont Blanc ...). The city overlooks the large Nahuel
Huapi Lake. Plenty of hiking possibilities, weather permitting. A must is to
pop into the prestigious remote Lloa Lloa hotel built in an idyllic area
overlooking mountains and lakes. Thick snowflakes changed the spring landscape
suddenly into a beautiful winter scene.
The little town
San Martín de los Andes by Lacar Lake was my final destination. I was invited
to join 2 other hikers to climb Cerro Colorado volcano. Track invisible due to
the thick snow layer so we had to make our own often sinking way. The top was
coloured red, offering spectacular views. My last few days, I took it fairly
easy just walking along Lacar Lake.
Back to the
hustle and bustle of hot Buenos Aires felt like a slight shock after several
weeks of peace and quietness in the outback. I never had the impression I was
making that trip all by myself as I met a lot of other backpackers and bumped
into them at various locations.
Annick
Van de Venster
Remembering
Annick Van de Venster
The Hillwalkers
were deeply shocked and saddened to hear of Annick’s untimely death under such
tragic circumstances. There have been and will be a number of events dedicated
to Annick:
v Many Hillwalkers attended the
Commemoration Service organised by Oxfam Ireland on 29th February, at the
Unitarian Church on St. Stephen’s Green. Gerry Walsh spoke in tribute of Annick
at the Service.
v Frank Rooney, Chairman, entered a tribute
to Annick in the Book of Condolences at Oxfam Ireland on behalf of the club.
v At the beginning of the last Committee
Meeting on 28th February, a minute’s silence was observed in memory of Annick.
v A Commemorative Walk for Annick is planned
in the Glendalough area on Sunday, 6th April 2008.
v A tree dedicated to Annick will be planted
in the grounds of Glendalough International Youth Hostel on Sunday, 6th April
2008, at 5 pm.
v An Óige Hillwalkers Club has made a
donation of €200 to Oxfam Ireland in memory of Annick Van de Venster.
CLUB NEWS
An Óige
Hillwalkers Club extends its best wishes and congratulations to Deirdre
Corrigan and Paul Smith on their recent marriage.
Congratulations!!
~~~
Paul Smith and Deirdre Corrigan
Would like to thank all our friends
in An Óige Hillwalkers Club
Who joined us in celebrating
our marriage on 29 February 2008.
It was great that so many of you could make it, and a
special thank you for the extraordinarily generous gifts.
Sorry that we couldn’t spend more time with you on
the night itself, but we look forward to seeing you all on the hills soon.
Paul & Deirdre
We would like to
hear from you!
Whether you …
· wish
to contribute an article …
· have
read an interesting book you'd like to recommend to club members …
· would
like to share your favourite hikes …
· want
to comment on any club matters …
Why not get in
touch? Write or email to:
Barbara Sudrow,
24 Glenmalure Park, S.C.R., Dublin 8, barbarasudrow@eircom.net
Forthcoming
Events
June
Bank Holiday Weekend
Friday, 30th May
– Monday, 2nd June 2008
Walking in
Galway & Mayo
Sheefry Hills *
Mweelrea * Devil’s Mother
Leaders: Mark Campion & Philip Hayden
Separate
notice below
~~~
BBQ Weekend
Sat-Sun in June or July TBC
Ballinclea Summer Madness
Hikes, food, music and good company
Leader: Don Reilly
Details in April newsletter
~~~
Hillwalkers Trip to Slovakia
Sat, 5th July to Sat, 12th July 2008
--THIS TRIP IS NOW FULLY BOOKED--
Please email rooneyf@eircom.ie, if interested in waiting
list.
~~~
Hillwalkers Trip to Scotland
Wed, 30th July to Tue, 5th Aug 2008
--THIS TRIP IS NOW FULLY BOOKED--
Please email campion@ireland.com, if interested in waiting
list.
COMMITTEE 2007 -
2008
Committee 2007
- 2008:
Chairman Frank
Rooney
Secretary/Sunday
Hikes Garry Byrne
Treasurer Jim
Barry
Membership/Training Donal
Finn
Weekends Mark
Campion
Promotion Deirdre
Muldowney
Newsletter Barbara
Sudrow
Special thanks
to:
Webmaster Matt
Geraghty
Distribution Pearse
Foley & Cyril McFeeney
JUNE WEEKEND AWAY
An Óige Hillwalkers Club
JUNE BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND
Fri 30th May – Mon 2nd
Jun
Leenane Hotel, Co. Galway
Walking in the hills between
Lough Mask and the Atlantic
Moderate and Hillwalkers Welcome
Leaders: Mark Campion & Philip
Hayden
Possible
hikes:
Mweelrea
Horseshoe * Ben Creggan and Ben Gorm * Sheefry Hills
Maumtrasna to
the Devil’s Mother * Ridge Walk South of Leenane
Please note
that the walking programme may be altered or
curtailed at
the discretion of the leaders, in the event of bad
weather and in
accordance with walkers’ capabilities.
Notes
Strictly bus trip only
Hotel accommodation only (3 nights
B&B)*
Cost: €280
Booking: €150 NON REFUNDABLE
deposit by credit card or cash to An Óige Head Office, phone 01-8304555.
Booking facilities open from 10th March; balance to be paid by 9th May.
Meals: All breakfasts, packed
lunches and dinner Sat and Sun included in the cost.
Departure: Friday 30th May, from
George’s Quay (Tara Street) at 4 pm sharp.
Return: Monday 2nd June,
arriving in Dublin City Centre at 8 pm approx.
* Overlooking
Killary Harbour, Ireland's only fjord, the Leenane Hotel enjoys one of the most
scenic locations in Ireland. Originally established as a Coaching Inn, the
earliest records show that there has been an establishment in existence here
since the 1790's. The Hotel is situated in the village of Leenane which sports
two pubs, Hamilton's Bar and Gaynors “The Field” Bar. Visit