HIKE PROGRAMME
July - September 2006
MEET: Burgh
Quay
|
DEPART: Sundays
10.00 am
|
COST: Private
bus. €10
|
PLEASE NOTE!
No minibus from
30 July to 20 August inclusive
Local bus or cars as indicated
|
9 July: Lake Views Leader: Joe Gilvarry Route: Ballyknockan CP * Silsean *
Moanbane * Black Hill * Ballynultagh Gap * Sorrel Hill * Lugnagun * Carrick *
CP (995 129). Distance: 19km Ascent:
930m |
|
16 July: Military Road Leader: Stephen James Route: Trooperstown forest
entrance * Forest tracks to Annamoe * Paddock Hill * Scarr * Kanturk * Oasis
* (Option Carrigshouk * Oasis). Distance: 18km Ascent:
650m |
|
23 July: Lesser Spotted Leinster Leader: David McCann Route: Fananierin
Forest Entrance (102 893) * Fananierin Ridge * Croghanmoira * Ballinacor
Mountain * Moneymeen Cross Roads * Cushbawn * Sean Linehan Memorial Walk *
Aughrim (Sacred Heart National School). Distance: 18km Ascent:
750m |
|
30 July: Enniskerry Rambles Leader: Garry Byrne No minibus.
Meet 9.30am for 44 bus from Screen Cinema to the Scalp. (Option: car to Enniskerry, walk to Scalp). Route: Scalp * Barnaslingan * Lead
Mines * Kathy Gallagher * Killegar * Knocksink * Enniskerry * Lover’s Leap *
Enniskerry. Distance: 18km Ascent:
250m |
|
6 August: Bank Holiday Weekend No
Hillwalkers Hike |
|
13 August: Clara & Laragh
Summer Leader: Pearse Foley No minibus.
Meet 10am at Burgh Quay for car-assisted hike to Laragh. Cost: €10 each to the driver Route: Laragh * Ragman’s Path *
Shay Elliot Memorial * Kirrikee * Clara Vale * Trooperstown Hill * Ballard Bridge
* Laragh. Distance: 19km Ascent:
680m |
|
20 August: Dempsey’s Delight Leader: Brendan Dempsey No minibus.
Meet 9.30am for 44 bus from Screen Cinema to Fernhill. Route: Fernhill Tunnel * Three
Rock * Two Rock * Fairy Castle * Wicklow Way * Crone Wood * Enniskerry. Distance: 18km Ascent:
650m |
|
27 August: Slieve Blooms Leader: Mark Campion NB: 9.30am start Distance: ca. 18km |
|
3 Sept: Introductory Hard Hike Leader: Brian Flynn Route: St. Kevin’s Way * Granabeg
* Glendalough * (Lynhams, time-permitting). Distance: 17km Ascent:
120m |
|
10 Sept: West Wicklow Leader: Gerry Walsh Route: Garryknock Bridge * Oakwood
* Arts Cross * Table Mountain * Wexford and Kavanagh Gaps * Lobawn *
Drumreagh. Distance: 19km Ascent:
750m |
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 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.
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.
HIKE LEADERS Any club
member interested in leading a hike, please contact:
Garry Byrne
Mark Campion
JUNE BANK HOLIDAY
Trip to Kerry 2006
BASKING IN THE
SUNSHINE
An Óige completed
another extremely successful trip to the mountains of Kerry. This year the
hikers were blessed with better weather conditions than those experienced last
year where some of the hikes had to be shortened as a result of high winds,
mist and fog. This year, however, fortunately things were very different.
The bus set off
from the city centre around 4.00pm in blistering sunshine conditions and
everyone aboard enjoyed a pleasant and quiet trip to Killarney. The sunshine
was to remain for the entire stay, improving all the time as the weekend
progressed. On arrival the hikers were to find that everything was meticulously
sorted out in the hostel in preparation for the following day’s hikes. The
rooms were neatly organised and it was pleasing to note that the organisers had
arranged the accommodation in such a way so that known friends within the club
were set up in the same rooms.
On Saturday, the
hikers set off for the scenic route around Slieve Mish, Dingle Peninsula. That
was a very pleasant day out and all hikers enjoyed the continuous sunshine and
the nice friendly atmosphere of the day. Some of the views experienced on that
day were quite breathtaking. It was at some level a warm-up for the more
challenging climb to follow on Sunday when both the Hillwalkers and the
moderate group alike ventured out to Carrantuohill.
Taking on that
mountain is no mean feat and it is at such times that all the skills of the An
Óige leaders are called upon. The hikers themselves, in general, venture out on
the weekend trips for pure enjoyment and relaxation. However, it isn’t exactly
like that for the leaders and the organisers. They have to ensure that
everything is properly organised and set up for the hikers to enjoy their
weekends. To have the bus arrive on time, accommodation set up at the
destination, packed lunches prepared is as a direct result of good
organizational skills, hard work and dedication by the organisers.
The Kerry trip
this year was easier to lead in comparison to previous years when the leaders
were faced with extremely challenging weather conditions where navigation
proved to be difficult. But each trip presents its own challenges and this year
was no exception either. The club, like all clubs, is made up of different
people with different and varying views and ideals. Some people like to take on
hard hikes with the confident self-belief that they are able for them. That
calls for both intuition and judgement on the part of the leaders. Some members
do have habits of walking out in front of the group which, coupled with other
issues, can cause concern for the leaders. In any event, it was comforting to
note that the leaders were equipped with the necessary skills to deal with such
issues. The walks were safely negotiated and all hikers arrived back in the
capital city at 8.00pm on Monday evening.
I would like to
thank the leaders of An Óige Hillwalkers Club for another enjoyable and
successful weekend trip to the mountains, and hope that they continue to
organise such trips long into the future.
Eamonn Coyle
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
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? Contributions to:
barbarasudrow@eircom.net
CLUB NEWS
AGM Announcement: The 2006 Annual General Meeting of An
Óige Hillwalkers Club will take place in mid-October.
Further details
with exact time and place, etc. will be published in the September issue of The
Hillwaker.
Map & Compass Course 2006: An Óige Hillwalkers Club will run its
annual Map & Compass Course, starting in November.
The course
usually includes three Tuesday evening sessions, two hours' duration each, held
in An Óige Headquarters, Mountjoy Street. In addition, there are two weekend
training sessions as well as one night navigation hike, all based in Wicklow.
Accommodation for the two Wicklow weekends is usually provided in the
Glendalough Hostel. A separate consolidation session will be organised in the Comeragh
Mountains, Co. Waterford, for a weekend in January or February 2007. Course
organiser: Jimmy McCullagh.
Detailed
information of dates, cost etc. in the September edition of The Hillwalker.
Membership 2006-2007: Many thanks to all hikers who joined or
renewed their membership for the current year (Oct 1st 2005 to Sept 30th 2006).
Details for the
coming membership year from 1st October 2006 will be published in the September
newsletter.
INSIDE THE COMMITTEE
Treasurer
I have been a
member of An Óige since 1972. I was actively involved with the now defunct
Mountaineering Group in the early 1980’s. I saw the formation of the
Hillwalkers Club in 1993 and since then I have performed various roles as a
committee member. I have also been a member of the governing Council of the
Association since 1995.
I inherited the
club treasurer’s job from the retiring Proinsias Mac An Bheatha in 2003 and
have just about settled in at this stage. The job can be demanding at times and
carries a huge responsibility. The club will go through approximately €80,000
in transactions before the end of the current club year. Basically, I have to
manage the club coffers in a business like fashion. The treasurer has to ensure
that there are sufficient funds in the kitty to pay for all activity. All
transactions must be accounted for and documented. There must also be a
reasonable surplus in the account to pay for any expenses, deposits and advance
bookings that have to be paid several months in advance of an event. All
Association account transactions are monitored by An Óige Head Office to which
I present an annual account of my stewardship as well as to the Club AGM.
Finally, I enjoy
the activity of hillwalking as a hobby and the friendships I have made from
whichever side of the Liffey they may congregate on. I look forward to being an
active member of the Hillwalkers Club for many years to come.
James Barry
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
October Weekend 2006
Friday 27th –
Monday 30th October
RETURN TO DERRY & DONEGAL
Four Star Accommodation
in Tower Hotel Derry.
Graded Walks in
Donegal.
Leader: Frank
Rooney
This is an
advance notice. Booking will start in September through An Óige Head Office.
SOCIAL CORNER
We will use the
summer months to gather ideas for autumn social events.
Suggestions
welcome!
Please contact
our Social Organiser Steve Buckney
LONG DISTANCE WALKS
July to September 2006
A selection of
dates for your diary! Further information can be found on Simon Stewart’s
website: www.simonstewart.ie
Climb
a mountain, Raise a flag
Sat, 15th July
2006
Arthritis Ireland
are looking for 50 teams to simultaneously climb 50 peaks to fly the flag in
aid of the 5000 children in Ireland affected by juvenile arthritis.
Contact: Arthritis
Ireland, t: 01-6618188.
Hart
Walk 2006
Fri & Sat,
4th & 5th August
Walk in
commemoration of its first completion by H.C. Hart (1847-1908) in 1886.
Starting from the site of the old Terenure tram station, opposite the RC church
on Terenure Rd. where Hart commenced his trek. We leave at 8pm. This will not
be a record attempt; expected finishing times will be in the region of 20 - 24
hours.
Contact: Tom
Milligan
Mourne
Seven Sevens 2006
Sat, 5th August
Organised by
Spartan Red Sox Walking Club, the challenge is to climb the seven summits above
700m by any route desired by participants. Ascent 2500m in total, distance
28km. Start from Donard Park, Newcastle, Co. Down between 7 and 9am. Entry fee:
£10.00 Sterling.
Contact: Sharon
Stuart, t: (048)92683878,
Burren
Walk 2006
Sat, 26th August
Registration @
9.00am. First walker off at 10.00am. Last walker off NO later than 12.00 noon.
Map: OS Discovery series Sheet 51. The walks start and finish at the Fanore
Recreational Area and finish 3km south of Black Head on the R477. Certificate
of completion will be presented at the finish.
Contact: Steve
Wright
Glover
Highlander Walk 2006
Sat, 9th
September
This walk leads
from Muckish to Errigal covering eight peaks, 22.5 km, total ascent of 2,000m.
The number of entrants to the walk is limited to 200 in total.
Contact:
Josephine Hegarty, t: 04871-348873
An Óige Ring of Imaal
Marathon Walk 2006
This year’s event
was a great success and a good publicity exercise for the Hillwalkers Club and
the association of An Óige.
Over 100 eager
souls turned out at Donard National School on a wet and murky June morning to
brave the arduous 35 kilometres of road and hillside circling the infamous Glen
of Imaal.
The day went off
relatively incident free and all participants returned safely to base. There
was one first aid casualty who required hospital treatment. The Mountain Rescue
Service was not required.
The evening did
brighten up to provide participants with a few pleasant hours of walking back
to the finish where refreshments were on hand. The President of the
Association, Ken Kilkenny, was on hand to sign and present certificates to the
joyous finishers on their arrival back to base.
The event could
not have been staged without the tremendous support of An Óige volunteers who
offered their services to take charge of the registration administration and
stewarding of the checkpoints. Six radio ham operator volunteers were on hand
to provide a communications link between all of the checkpoints and Donard
base. There were approximately 30 people assisting at various stages throughout
the day.
The Association
is also grateful to the following organisations and state bodies for providing
assistance and granting access permission to An Óige:
· Department of Defence Property
Section at Mobhi Road, Dublin.
· The Irish Army Ranger Service,
Coolmooney Camp, Glen of Imaal
· Wicklow Mountain National Park,
Administration Unit
· The Coillte Administration at Carnew
Enterprise Centre, Co. Wicklow.
· Donard National School Board of
Management
· Members of the Mountain Rescue and
Radio Ham Service
· Members of An Garda Siochana and
Ambulance Service
I have received
many phone calls and texts from well wisher participants and volunteer helpers
praising our management of the event.
It proved to be a
very successful day for An Óige, The Hillwalkers Club and all the helpers and
participants who thoroughly enjoyed the event. Well done to everyone.
Jim Barry