HIKE PROGRAMME |
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MEET: Burgh Quay
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DEPART: Sundays 10.00 am
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COST: Private bus. €10
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Date |
Route
Description |
Distance. |
Leader
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Apr 4th |
Introductory Hillwalkers Hike Route: Trooperstown Hill - Clara Bridge - Kirikee -
Shay Elliot Memorial - Ragman’s Path - Laragh. |
18km/ 500m |
Pearse Foley |
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Apr 11th |
Easter Weekend in the
Lake District |
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Jim Barry |
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Apr 11th |
Extra Local Hike on Easter Sunday – public busRoute: Stepaside, Fernhill Tunnel, Three Rock,
Fairy Castle, |
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Pearse Foley |
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Apr 18th |
Route: Ballinastoe Woods, White Hill, -
Djouce, - Coffin Stone, - Sheepshanks bridge, - Luggala, - Knocknacloghoge, -
Pier gates. |
16km/ 800m |
Martin
Fagan
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Apr 25th |
Route: Fentons, - Banana Road, - Camara Hill, - Lugna
quillia, - Cannow Mt. – Caminabologue, - Table Track, Stranahely Woods
Knickerea Ford |
17km/ 900m |
Brendan O’Toole |
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May 2nd |
Route: Hikes in the
Mourne Mountains. |
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Tom Kenny / Jim Barry |
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Pearse Foley has kindly offered to lead an extra local hike on Easter
Sunday. Meet up in time to catch the public bus.
May 2nd is a Day Trip to the
Mourne Mountains with Hard Hike to be led by Tom Kenny and Moderate Hike to be
led by Jim Barry.
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.
SUNDAY HIKES
Participants on Sunday Hikes must be a member of An Óige Hillwalkers Club. If
you are not a member of the Club, but are considering joining, we invite you to
participate on our monthly Introductory Hikes.
INTRODUCTORY
HIKES An Introductory Hike is organised once per month for aspirant members.
Participants on these hikes must be a member of An Óige.
CO-ORDINATION
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.
TORCH During
winter months it is essential to bring a (head) torch on all Sunday hikes.
Check your batteries / bulb.
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.
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 In the interest of safety and comfort
please keep the pointed end of your walking stick covered, especially when
travelling on the bus.
HIKE
LEADERS If any member is interested in leading a hike, please contact either:
Tom
Kenny Email: tomk2003@yahoo.ie
Philip Roche
Email: philip.roche@boimail.com
I’ve
written this article for the Hillwalker in the hope that the
information might be of use to any members wishing to do winter mountaineering
in future.
I signed
up for 3 X 1 week courses in winter mountaineering in Wales and Scotland.
Welsh
Winter Mountaineering is a well run course set in PYB near Boets-y-coed in
Wales. The accommodation was very comfortable and clean and the food was
excellent. The tuition was informal but in-depth. A ratio of 1:4 instructors to
student. The other student were English hill walkers and like me were looking
to take that step up to full on winter conditions and tools etc. One problem;
No Snow. We climbed up to about 800 meters to get what was available but by day
3 even this was gone. We continued to hike and scramble anyway and the level of
exposure on Tryfan mountain and the Nantly Ridge was still a new experience for
me but I was left licking my lips in anticipation of Scotland.
Week 2. Glenmore Lodge, Cairngorm, Scotland.
15-21
February 2004.
Scottish
Winter Mountaineering was the perfect follow on to Wales. Plenty of snow (I
thought), excellent facilities and rooms. Great food and lectures in the
evening. The week began a bit too slowly with a huge emphasis on safety and
avalanche awareness. Like Wales you are in the hills every day but not
necessarily moving any great distances. The one really big day was a ridge walk
over Carn Mor Dearg to Ben Nevis but most of the week was spent in a couple of
corries near the ski slopes. I came away straining at the leash for some really
good hiking.
Week 3. Martin Moran’s Lodge,
Strathcarron, Scotland.
28 Feb-05 Mar 2004
Scottish Winter
Mountaineering with Martin was the perfect end to my “British Expedition”.
There were long tough climbs, usually from sea level, through thigh-high soft
snow, up to huge ridge walks like An Liatach and the Forkin Ridge. We were
really pushed to the physical limit. Main emphasis is on covering ground up on
high, sometimes solo, sometimes roped. The Torridan Mountains were exactly what
I imagined high mountaineering to be like. The everyday use of ice axe and
crampons in situations that were not contrived is so much more enjoyable.
Whilst the facilities are nothing like the other two national centers, I felt
this course satisfied me the most and left me with a desire to return to the
North-West Highlands and Skye again.
I should
point out that I didn’t use Tiglin and our own Scottish Winter Mountaineering
course simply because I reserved these courses about 4 months earlier. My
excitement and impatience wouldn’t allow me wait for the Tiglin brochure. As it
happens, Tiglin run their course close to Martin Moran’s place so the
mountaineering would be excellent and I’m already think of travelling with
Tiglin next winter.
An Óige A.G.M
The An Óige A.G.M will be
held in Mountjoy St HQ. on Thursday 22nd April 2004 at 8pm sharp. All members
are welcome but must present valid membership cards to gain admittance.
Annual Blackstairs Walk 2004
The Blackstairs walk is a mountain walk along the
Carlow-Wexford border. The walk begins at Killanure (Grid Ref. S 890 537) of
the R746 (L32) road from Bunclody to Kiltealy, and ends at Byrne’s Pub in Glynn
(Grid Ref. S 745 395).
Date of walk: Saturday 15th May 2004
Length: 26 kilometres. (16.2 miles)
Ascent: 1525 metres. (5000 feet)
Duration: Average of 9 hours.
Map: Ordnance Survey Discovery Series No
68.
Entrance Fee: €5 (payable on the bus)
Bus Fare: €5 (payable on the bus)
Two buses will leave at 6.45am for
the start of the walk. One bus will leave from St. Mullins (the campsite) the
other from Glynn. Participants are advised NOT to drive to the start, as there
is NO official transport from the finish back to the start. The bus should be
used to get to the start.
A get-together meal at the hall in
Drummond has been arranged for after the walk.
The cost is €12 per person. As numbers are limited, you are advised to
book early.
Payment for meal must be made at least one week in
advance of the date of the walk.
It will not be possible to provide a choice of menu
due to limited catering facilities. However, a small number of vegetarian meals
can be provided, but it is absolutely essential for the vegetarian option to be
ordered in advance, as the caterer is
unable to take orders for the
vegetarian option after 9th May 2004.
All
enquiries/reservations to: Gerry Griffin and Gerri Skehan, 29 Tudor Road,
Ranelagh, Dublin 6.
Eemail: ggriffin@indigo.ie
Ring of Imaal Walk, Saturday June 19th 2004
This event is
now being administered by the An Óige Hillwalkers Club.
Members are
advised that the Ring of Imaal walk will take place on Saturday 19th June.
The walk
will commence from Donard National School,Glen of Imaal,Co. Wicklow.
Registration
: 0700hrs to 08.30hrs. only.
Entry
Fee: €10
The event is
for experienced and fit walkers only and can take from 8 to 11 hours to
complete.
Walk Details
Route:Donard Village -
Davidstown - Brusselstown Ring - Keadeen Mtn - Ballinfoyle - Ballinabarney Gap
- Ballineddan Mtn - Slieve Maan - Lugnaquillia Mtn - Camenabologue Mtn - Table
Track - Table Mtn - Wexford Gap - Cavanagh's Gap - Lobawn - Track to Bolton's
Yard - Road walk back to Donard National School.
Checkpoints:Brusselstown Ring - Base of Keadeen - Keadeen - Ballinabarney - Slievemaan - Lugnaquillia - Table Track - Lobawn.Mountain Rescue personnel will also be on duty.
Participants will be expected to have reached Table Track by no later than 1700hrs.
Distance:35 Kilometres/Ascent:1900metres
Volunteers are required for checkpoint, roll up and registration duties.
Contact:Jim Barry at
Head Office(01-8304555).
The club continues to support members who wish to undertake the Mountain Skills Assessment. Further details from Jimmy McCullagh.
The amount of money raised by last year’s Challenge enabled us to completely re-roof the hostel. After this year’s Challenge it is hoped to have sufficient funds for the development of new sanitary facilities in an environmentally friendly way.
The Challenge will take place over two days with graded walks available each day. Exact routes will be finalised at a later date.
15th
May Leave Dublin by bus at
8.45hrs
Hike
Dinner/Overnight
in Glendalough
16th
May Breakfast
Hike
Bus
to Dublin arriving c. 18.00hrs
·
Overnight accommodation in Glendalough Youth Hostel
on the night of May 15th
·
Transport to and from Dublin and in the Wicklow
mountains
·
Dinner on the night of 15th May
·
Breakfast on 16th May
·
Packed Lunch on 16th May
Sponsorship cards are available through Pat Doyle or Marie McDonnell or from An Óige’s Head Office on 01-8304555. We hope you will again support us with this exciting project.
Dates: 30th April-3rd May (May Bank Holiday
weekend)
Outline: 7 guided walking events held over three days. This year we will also hold workshops in establishing best practice in organising Walking Festivals.
SPECIAL INFO:
26 Mile mountain marathon challenge. Day on the Galtee Mts. Ireland’s highest
inland mountain. Special Family Nature walk.
LOCATION:
Ballyhoura Country straddling the counties of Limerick, Cork and Tipperary
CONTACTS:Tel:
063 91300 email: info@ballyhoura.org Web: www.ballyhouracountry.com
Accommodation:
Kilfinane Outdoor Education Hostel Tel: 063-91161
Hike Leadership Workshop
1.30-6p.m.,
Saturday, 22nd May,
An Óige
Headquarters, 61 Mountjoy St. Dublin 7
Tel; 01-8304555
The
Club plans to hold a Hike Leadership / Discussion Workshop on the afternoon of
Saturday, May 22nd at An Óige Headquarters.
The workshop will consist of a
number of presentations on basic key aspects of hike leadership as well as a
presentation from the Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team. It is intended to
keep all presentations short to facilitate audience participation through
discussion, interaction and feedback. The overall aim of the workshop is to
provide an opportunity for members to explore issues that relate to hike
leadership by pooling and sharing the wealth of leadership experience that
already exists within the Club. Everyone who currently leads or who hopes tto
lead hikes is encouraged to come along on the day.
In
order to promote further discussion after the event, a light meal will be
provided at the hostel restaurant (6.30-8p.m.) To facilitate timely planning for
the organisers, we would ask interested participants to register their
attendance at An Óige Head Office by May 17th. Final details
including programme will be posted in the May programme.
Mountain
Meitheal 2004 – Fancy joining us?
Since March 14th the Mountain Meitheal
group has been back on the mountains. The routine is a workday every second
week, alternating Saturdays and Sundays
Fancy
joining us?
There are many parts to a Mountain Meitheal Work day
– meeting new people, working as a team, doing valuable work, helping to
disseminate good environmental practice to passers by and ENJOYING yourself, so
please come and try it.
Recreational users of the mountains ( infact anyone
who is used to the outdoors) is welcome to come on any of our workdays. We
usually meet at 10.30 a.m. and finish about 4.30p.m. These projects are subject
to change, i.e. depending on weather conditions, finishing projects soomer than
expected, midge situation etc. There may be additional days depending on
availability of leaders so please contact gay Needham on email: mountainmeitheal@eircom.net to be
put on our email list.
Be
prepared for a day on the hills - rain gear, food, a change of clothing, working
gloves, and if you have any useful equipment such as a spade or shovel etc.
Don't worry if you don't have equipment. Mountain Meitheal has a pool.
Mountain Meitheal Contact information
Gay Needham (Hon. Sec): gneedham@indigo.ie
Mountain Meitheal South East:
Jimmy Barry: jimmycbarry@hotmail.com
Website: www.pathsavers.com
email: mountainmeitheal@eircom.net
Friday 4th
June – Monday 7th June
Trip
to the Galtees and Knockmealdowns
Moderate/Hard
Walkers Welcome
Leaders:
Jimmy McCullagh & Philip Roche
Walking
Itinerary to include:
Galtymore: A classic horseshoe route over the highest peak in the Galtees
with magnificent panoramic views and awesome corries below.
Lough Muskry: A
fine circular walk above a spectacular glacial lake on the northern face of the
Galtees
Eastern
Knockmealdowns: Over the high peaks east of the Vee with plenty of
walking on amazingly bog-free clear
paths.
Western
Knockmealdowns: A relatively gentle ramble over two modest unassuming
summits with lovely views far and
wide.
Ordnance
Survey Maps: 1:50.000 Discovery Series Sheets 74
Bookings (through Head Office) for this trip will open at the beginning
of May. More details will posted on the Club Website and included in the next
issue of the Newsletter
Club President and Chairperson: Prionnsias
MacAnBheatha
Secretary: Frank Rooney
Treasurer: Jim Barry
Sunday Hikes: Tom Kenny and Philip Roche
Membership Secretary: Barbara Sudrow
Training Officer: Jimmy McCullagh
Editor: Deirdre McMahon
Members-at-Large: Donal Finn, Joe Kellegher
In addition,
four club members work behind the scenes as follows:
Distribution: Cyril McFeeney & Pearse Foley
Webmaster: Matt Geraghty
MCI Environmental Officer: Patricia
Goodman
The Walker's Haute Route
July 2003
A high-level trek through the Swiss Valais/Wallis
region,
from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland
normally undertaken over 14 days
by
Donal Finn
Tuesday May 18th, 8.30pm
An
Oige Headquarters Mountjoy St.
This is a spectacular and demanding summer walk: a strenuous high-level traverse in the French and Swiss Alps, which commences in Chamonix, France and finishes in Zermatt, Switzerland and is normally undertaken over about 14 days. The route traverses below the summits of ten out of the twelve of the highest peaks in the Alps, and crosses several high passes, the highest being a shade under 3000m at 2964m (9,800ft).
Although walkers encounter at one level a world of
glaciers and towering, snow-capped peaks, one also meanders through green
alpine valleys with flower-covered meadows and picture-book villages. As the
route progresses, walkers pass from France into the Swiss Valais or Wallis
region, which consists of two distinct French and German speaking cultural
regions with different architecture, rural environments and customs.
The early season from June to mid July is the
quietest and most beautiful, however, hikers most be prepared for old snow on
the higher paths which can be icy and in some cases even dangerous and makes an
ice-axe an essential piece of equipment (which we did not bring!).
Barbara and I completed the route in early July 2003
over a two week period of almost unbroken sunshine and this slideshow will give
our photographic impressions of the trek.
Websites:
http://www.nbfenn.freeserve.co.uk/pages/hols99.htm
http://website.lineone.net/~skennedy/haute1.htm
The
Hillwalker is delighted to hear of the engagement of longtime members Deirdre
Corrigan and Paul Smith. The question was popped on the summit of Lugnaquillia
on Sunday, February 29th. We wish the happy couple happiness and
health to enjoy the mountains together.
Collette Nolan weds French
fiancé Etienne Planco on April 1st
in Wexford. The couple will live in Paris.