HIKE PROGRAMME
July/August 2007
MEET: Burgh
Quay
|
DEPART: Sundays
10.00 am
|
COST: Private
bus. €12
|
A 2nd pick-up
point is provided: the bus picks up walkers who are already at the designated
point and won’t be stopping and waiting. The onus is on walkers to ensure that
they are there in good time for the bus. Places on the bus cannot of course be
guaranteed, as the bus may be full at Eden Quay. In addition, the bus may be travelling back to town by a
different route, so set down places on the return journey may differ from those
of the outward journey.
|
8 July 2007 ---Introductory
Hillwalkers Hike Maps: Sheet 56 Leader: Pearse Foley 2nd
pick-up point: Bus
stop before the roundabout at Loughlinstown Route: Forest Entrance opposite
Trooperstown (GR 158 972) * Paddock Hill * Gosson Stones * Scarr *
Kanturk * Inchivore River Track * Forest Entrance Military Road
(GR 106 055). Distance: 20km Ascent: 700m |
|
15 July 2007 --- South
West Wicklow Maps: Sheet 56 Leader: Jim Barry 2nd pick-up
point: Pond
at Sean Moore Park on Tallaght By-Pass Route: Forest Entrance Wicklow Gap
Road Distance: 17km Ascent: 550m |
|
22 July 2007 --- West
Wicklow Maps: Sheet
56 Leader:
Brian Flynn 2nd
pick-up point: Pond
at Sean Moore Park on Tallaght By-Pass Route:
Forest
Entrance Ballylow Bridge (GR 061 129) * Ballydonnel Brook * Duff
Hill * Mullaghcleevaun East (SH 776m) * Cleevaun Lough * Billy Byrne’s Gap *
Moanbane * Ballyknockan. Distance: 20km Ascent: 750m |
|
Please note: |
|
19 August 2007 ---Circuit
of Glencree Maps: Sheet 56 Leader: Philip Roche 2nd
pick-up point:
Rathfarnham Castle, before the Yellow House Route: Forest Entrance CP
(GR 155 175) * Oldboleys * Lough Brays Lower and Upper * Track
(GR 141 139) * Source of the Liffey * Tonduff North and South *
Maulin * Crone. Distance: 19km Ascent: 550m |
|
26 August 2007 ---Military
Road Revisited Maps: Sheet 56 Leader: Pam Coleman 2nd
pick-up point:
Rathfarnham Castle, before the Yellow House Route: Glenmacnass CP * Tonelegee *
Stoney Top * Barnacullian * Mullaghcleevaun * East Top * Carrigshouk * Oasis.
Distance: 18km Ascent: 750m |
|
2 September 2007 ---Introductory
Hillwalkers Hike Maps: Sheet
56 Leader:
Brian Madden 2nd
pick-up point: Pond
at Sean Moore Park on Tallaght By-Pass Route:
CP
Lugnagroagh (GR 963 083) * Hollywood Hills * Toor * Church Mountain
* Corriebracks * Lobawn * Captain Bolton’s Yard * Donard. Distance: 18km Ascent: 550m |
GENERAL HIKE NOTES
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.
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.
HIKE LEADERS Any club
member interested in leading a hike, please contact:
Garry Byrne
OUT ON THE TRAILS
June Bank Holiday 2007
Actually two
accounts of a great weekend away! The first article was written by Eamonn Coyle
who seems to enjoy his comforts as much as a good hard hike. The second
article, provided by Philip Roche, invites the reader to enjoy the stunning
vistas of the Twelve Bens and beyond. All photos by Philip Hayden.
ACCOUNT
1:
BEN
LETTERY BY EAMONN COYLE
This year's An
Óige June Bank Holiday trip was to Ben Lettery in Connemara.
The numbers
venturing out this time around was smaller than the normal full bus loads on
such trips. Perhaps some people expected the hostel to be a tad on the
restricted side. However, the hostel’s unique location presented the ideal
scenario for people to mix, mingle and to get to know one another.
The Hillwalkers
booked in for the trip gathered in the city centre for 4.00pm on the Friday.
All turned up on time for the bus to commence the fairly innocuous trip west.
On the way, we stopped off in Lucan to pick up Mark Campion, and then later on
to pick up two more hillwalkers near Kinnegad. Next stop on the trip was Tuam
where everyone got off for a meal and to stock up for the weekend. The bus
journey west was comfortable, relaxing and good spirited with no major traffic
problems and the added bonus of a fairly friendly and helpful driver.
If anyone thought
reaching Galway meant being “almost there” they had to think again: the final
destination was some 40 miles more onwards giving an arrival time of 11.00pm
that evening.
Arriving in the
hostel, the guests were all greeted by the friendly Edel who was very pleasant
and helpful, even to the extent of helping out with towels for those
Hillwalkers who had neglected to include same in their list of travel
necessities.
On Saturday
morning the hikers arose to heavy downpours of an incessant nature. Nothing to
perturb hardy hikers, of course, but still six or so remained back in the
hostel with four of those later heading to the Aran Islands while the other
two, namely the writer and Philip Hayden stayed in the hostel to play Connect
Four and enjoy Edel's company. The hikers who did venture out all came back
stating that they were at least two stone heavier from the water they were
carrying in their clothes. Edel had arranged for drying facilities in the back
room and thanks to her foresight, all hikers would be ready to take on the
mountains again the following day. Billy Connolly once stated that "there
is no such thing as bad weather, just wrong clothes."
After everyone
was showered and further dried out the hikers then headed to Clifden for a meal
and social evening. Everyone enjoyed the friendliness of the place and later on
watched a Bob Dylan video to accompany a few pints; this was followed by some
more entertainment after the return to the hostel.
On Sunday
morning, the hikers must have felt that they awoke in a different country with
the sun strongly beaming in through all the windows. It was a truly amazing
setting. Tom Kenny set off with the moderate hikers who didn’t need the bus
that day since the walk was planned in and around Ben Lettery itself. Philip
Roche took the hard hikers to the Glencoughan Ridge, and in this writer's
estimation the use of the word “hard” was justified.
Having walked in
various provinces and taken in mountains such as Errigal, Muckish and
Carrountoohil etc. nothing ever experienced compares to the hard hike on that
day. At the end of the first peak some people suggested that they may find the
walk too demanding so the group split in two, with Mark Campion and Philip
Hayden taking off with another three members. The scenery experienced was
breathtaking and truly exceptional. Any readers who haven’t experienced this
walk before should consider googling "Glencoughan Horse Shoe" to
enjoy a virtual tour of the hike. The five hikers setting off on their own completed
the hike around 4.00pm and were later joined by the others who had wisely
decided to cut it short.
Sunday night was
very much a repeat of Saturday evening in Clifden and then on Monday a walk was
arranged around Letterfrack, a truly enjoyable hike, particularly since the sun
decided to join us again.
On behalf of the
members who participated in the weekend, the organisers deserve much praise for
a truly pleasant weekend.
Eamonn
Coyle
ACCOUNT
2:
BEN
LETTERY BY PHILIP ROCHE
A very enjoyable
trip to Connemara was led by Tom Kenny assisted by Philip Roche. The western
weather was at its worst and best over the weekend. On Saturday the weather was
windy with practically no break in the rain, so the proposed "Hard"
hike to the Maamturks was jettisoned and all walkers instead joined the
Moderately hard hike near Leenane, led by Philip Roche. When the bus reached
the originally intended starting point, a nearby river which would have been
forded, was in spate and too dangerous to cross. We were greeted by the sight
of a walker, who having pitched his tent on the far side of the river the night
before, was left stranded and staring forlornly back over the river at his car
which was now parked halfway into the water!
Instead, the walk
started near Leenane and followed a route up onto a ridge, from where we
progressed to Leenane Hill. On the descent the ground was so sodden that some
of the more intrepid walkers bodysurfed down a grassy slope on the way back to
Leenane Village. We adjourned to the Village Pub in Leenane where a cosy fire
and several drinks restored the saturated bunch. That evening we took the club
bus to Clifden where an exhaustive quality assessment of the town's pubs took
place.
In contrast,
Sunday turned out to be a lovely sunny day. Tom led the Mod hike out of the
hostel up onto Ben Lettery and from there to Ben Gower and Ben Gleniskey. The
Hard hike (a very accurate description) took on the Glencoughan Circuit, which
starts near Ben Lettery Hostel and literally finishes at the back door of the Hostel.
On our way around we were treated to great vistas over the Bens and out to the
Atlantic Islands and spotted some of the participants taking part in the Twelve
Bens Challenge.
The beautiful
weather continued on into Monday, when we took the bus over to the National
Park Headquarters in Letterfrack. All walkers did the ascent of nearby Diamond
Hill. From there we were afforded great views across the Bens, down into
Kylemore Abbey and up & down the coast from Sligo to Clare.
Philip
Roche
BBQ Weekend 2007
By all accounts,
the first ever BBQ Weekend organised by An Óige Hillwalkers Club was a roaring
success and this despite of the unseasonable weather…
In anticipation
of a washout weekend, food preparations had to be relocated indoors and instead
of sizzling sausages, coal smoke and BBQ steak the hungry hikers were treated
to a choice of pizzas and Chinese delicacies…
But evidently,
the weather had no negative effects on the hardy hikers’ ability to celebrate
the night in tried and tested hillwalker style…
Three great
cheers to Mark Campion, who despite of the hard work and the worries of
event-organising still finds time to enjoy himself! Here’s to BBQ 2008!
& & &
& & & & & & & & & & & & &
Club News
October
Bank Holiday Weekend
The Hillwalkers
will be staying in lovely Armagh, a great base for exploring the Mountains of
Mourne!
Arriving: Friday,
26th October 2007
Departing: Monday,
29th October 2007
Accommodation: Armagh
City Hostel
Meals: 3
nights B&B plus 2 evening meals
Estimated cost: €
190
Leaders: Frank
Rooney & Brendan Magee
Further details
and booking information in the September newsletter
~~~
Membership
2007-2008
The new
membership year will begin on 1st October 2007 (to 30th September 2008).
The new
membership form will be printed in the September newsletter and will also
become available to download from our website http://www.hillwalkersclub.com/
~~~
An
Óige Hillwalkers Club ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The AGM will be
held in mid-October 2007
Details of date,
time, venue etc. will be published in the September newsletter
~~~
CONGRATULATIONS
TO ALL HILLWALKERS WHO COMPLETED THIS YEAR’S LUG WALK!
“Okay weather at
the start, but then weather got quite bad, rain and mist, 12 hours in total.
Jenny did it also, with Brian Flynn.”
Text message
from Stephen James
“brian flynn and
jenny lee completed the lug walk last saturday in 15 hours. also taking part were alma hobson, pam
coleman and steve james. under difficult weather conditions. everyone survived.”
Email from
Jennifer Lee
~~~
Brendan Dempsey
would like to thank all his friends for the cards and phone messages he has
received.
While Brendan
won’t be able for his legendary long hikes at the moment, he is making good
progress in his recovery. After having been house-bound for several weeks, he
is gradually getting out and about, even going solo on shorter hikes.
That’s great
news, Brendan, and hopefully we will meet you out on the hills in the not too
distant future!
TRAINING COURSE
Map & Compass 2007
An Óige
Hillwalkers Club will run its annual Map & Compass Course commencing in
October '07. Full details are available at the end of this newsletter (page 9).
The course will
include three evening sessions, each of two hours duration, which will be 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 the
Wicklow mountains. Accommodation for the two Wicklow weekends will be provided
in the Glendalough Hostel.
Booking opens 1st August
2007.
Cost: €125
Course
organisers: Donal Finn & Tom Kenny
Contact: An
Óige Head Office, 01-8304555
Note: An
optional consolidation session will be organised in the Comeragh Mountains, Co.
Waterford, for a weekend in February 2008 (Cost not included in above fee).
Note from the editor
Many thanks to all hike leaders and weekend
organisers who gave their time and expertise to the Hillwalkers Club during the
past year!
THANKS!
Your contribution is much appreciated by all
club members!
~~~
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
Recent Social Events
LA
PALOMA, SPANISH RESTAURANT
A recent social
event, a night out at the La Paloma Spanish restaurant was organised by Paul
Farrell, and took place on Wednesday, 16 May past. Our group of 14 people sat
at a long table in the centre of the restaurant and enjoyed the food, company
and ambience.
There is a very
nice rustic and relaxed feel to La Paloma, and the staff are great. Our number
(14) was just right, large enough to be a small crowd and small enough to not
take over the whole restaurant, which soon was full to capacity. Thanks to Paul
for suggesting and organising the night.
Steve Buckney
~~~
OLYMPIA
THEATRE
The most recent
social event was attending the play 'Tom Crean, Antarctic Explorer' on
Wednesday, 13 June.
The play was on a
return run, but even so was filled to capacity at the Olympia Theatre. We had
excellent seats in the second and third rows of the balcony. A lot to be said
for booking early. The play speaks for itself. I personally enjoyed every
minute. All in, we had a total of 15 people attending, a nice and diverse
crowd. People came from as far away as Trim and New Zealand to attend. (The
lady from New Zealand could possibly have had other reasons for being here.)
After the play,
the die hards, (it was a Wednesday after all) adjorned to the Forum Bar. We
were joined by a couple of indepenent operaters who booked for themselves and
sat downstairs , if you can believe it. The pub was a loud experience. The
admittedly excellent musicans were amplified in a serious way, with speakers in
even the far reaches of the pub. This made conversation challenging and
localised to a very near neighbour, but was still a good time.
The night over
all was a great success, and as far as I could tell was thoroughly enjoyed by
all.
Steve
Buckney
~~~
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WON’T BE ANY ORGANISED SOCIAL
EVENTS IN JULY AND AUGUST – BUT WATCH THIS SPACE IN SEPTEMBER!
~~~
As
always, your suggestions are welcome!
Please contact our Social Organiser, Steve
Buckney
Long Distance Walks 2007
Comeragh Crossing (1) Sat,
7th July
Organising
Club: Dungarvan
Hillwalking Club
Start: Clonmel
Finish: Dungarvan
Walk: 30km, approx. 1150m; Ascent Challenge:
40km + approx. 1920m.
Contact: Mike Power email:
michael.depaor@gmail.com
Many summits (2) Sat, 14th
July
Climb
a mountain, Raise a flag
and raise funds
for juvenile arthritis.
Arthritis Ireland
are looking for 50 teams to simultaneously climb 50 peaks on Saturday July 14th
2007 to fly the flag in aid of the 5000 children in Ireland affected by
juvenile arthritis.
Contact: Arthritis Ireland at (01) 661 8188 or
nmullen@arthritisireland.ie before 30th June.
Joyce Country Challenge (3)
Sat, 21st July
The Lake District
Hill-Walking Club in Galway/Mayo are running the Joyce Country Challenge
(Dúshlán Dúiche Sheoige).
There will be 2
options:
The longer A
walk is 30km with 1900m
ascent, covering the plateau of 'Maumtrasna', the 'Devils Mother' and the circuit
of Lough Nafooey. This route is suitable for the experienced walker with
competent navigation skills.
The B walk will be 14.5km with 281m ascent circling
Lough Nafooey. This walk will be lead by an experienced hike leader.
Further
details: www.lakedistricthwc.com
Contact: Fergal O'Neill, email:
joycecountrychallenge@eircom.net
Hart Walk (4) Fri/Sat,
20th/21st July
The annual Hart
Walk will take place on Friday 20th/Saturday 21st July. Essentially it's a road walk from Terenure
to Drumgoff in Glenmalure, up the zig-zags to Lugnaquilla and across the
mountains to Ballynultagh Gap and back to Terenure via Stone Cross. It's 111k long with 3000m ascent, and the
goal is to do it in 24 hours. Why? Heaven only knows.
If anyone would
like to join us for the road walk or/and for the mountain section then please
contact me at tomilligan@eircom.net or
2883312 (h).
If any Good
Samaritan was available to meet us at Glenmalure with our boots, etc., then
they would have our eternal gratitude.
Tom Milligan
Mourne Seven Sevens (5) Sat,
4th August
Club: Spartan Red Sox Walking Club
Start: Donard Park, Newcastle, Co. Down,7-9am
Distance: 28km
Ascent: 2495m
Route: To climb the seven summits above 700m by
any route desired by participants. This is one of the more extreme walks.
Entry fee: £10.00 Sterling
Contact: Sharon Stuart (048) 92683878;
(028 from NI), e:
ramblernige@hotmail.com
Burren Walk (6) Sat, 25th
August
Organising
Club: Burren Walking Club
Distance: 14km / 25km / 27km
Contact: Steve Wright,
email: burrenwalk@eircom.net
Burren Walk (7) Sat, 14th,
15th, 16th Sept
A once-only
commemorative trek commemorating this historic event in 1607
Organising
Club: Burren Walking Club
Distance: 75km
Ascent: 500m
Contact: Anne Leonard
http://www.flightoftheearls.ie/events.html
For
further information go to http://www.simonstewart.ie
Mountain Meitheal
The
final pole goes into place: Work can now move to
fitting the deck and the side rails. It is expected that the bridge will be
complete and open for traffic by the end of July.
Carrawaystick
Brook in spate: If you were asking yourself is a bridge
over the Carrawaystick Brook necessary, have a look at this photo taken on 1st
July by Mountain Meitheal member Phil O'Neill. Crossing this river would be a
challenge to even the most experienced hillwalker.
Friends of Hillwalking Steering Group
Following the
success of the launch meeting on 28th April 2007, a steering group has been set
up to initiate the new umbrella group which will provide services and
information to walkers. The members of the steering group are John Fitzgerald,
Finola McDonald, Ted McGrath, Hugon Simm and Simon Stewart.
The first step
taken by the steering group will be the setting up of a new website which will
facilitate sharing of information on topics of specific interest to walkers and
to provide walking-related news. Currently emerging topics are challenge walks,
training and photography.
In order to set
up this new website the steering group has to come up with a name for the
“Friends of Hillwalking” initiative.
Anyone who is
interested in further information or would like to comment on the new umbrella
group can contact them by emailing HWGcomment@yahoo.ie.
COMMITTEE 2006 - 2007
Chairman Frank Rooney
Secretary/Sunday
Hikes Garry Byrne
Treasurer Jim Barry
Membership Donal Finn
Social Events Steve Buckney
Weekends Mark Campion
Officer-at-large Eoin Moroney
Newsletter Barbara Sudrow
Special thanks to:
Webmaster Matt Geraghty
Distribution Pearse Foley &
Cyril McFeeney
Map & Compass Course
An Óige
Hillwalkers Club
Map & Compass
Course
PROGRAMME
AUTUMN 2007 / SPRING 2008
Date: Tues
16th Oct 2007
Venue: 7.30
pm in Room 102, An Óige Hostel, Mountjoy St
Topics: Introduction
and Mountain Skills I: Map, Scales,
Legend, Grid references, Contours.
~~~
WEEKEND 1 -
WICKLOW MOUNTAINS
Dates: 20th
- 21st Oct 2007
Meet: Sat,
9.45am, Laragh
Activity: Practical
exercise in the Glendalough area, navigation by map only.
Overnight in the
Glendalough Hostel.
1. Map
setting 2. Feature recognition
3.
Self-location 4. Route choice
5. Distance
estimation 6. Handrail features
~~~
Date: Tues
23rd Oct 2007
Venue: 7.30
pm in Room 102, An Óige Hostel, Mountjoy St
Topics: Mountain
Skills II: Distance, altitude,
timing, Naismith's Rule
Emergency procedures
~~~
Date: Tues
30th Oct 2007
Venue: 7.30
pm in Room 102, An Óige Hostel, Mountjoy St
Talk: Mountain
Skills III: Compass, bearings, route
card
Mountain hazards
~~~
WEEKEND 2 - WICKLOW MOUNTAINS
Dates: 3rd
- 4th Nov 2007
Meet: Sat,
9:45am Laragh
Activity: Practical
exercise in the Glendalough area, navigation by map & compass.
Overnight in Glendalough Hostel.
1. Revision of 1st
weekend 2. Walking on a bearing
3. Back-bearing 4. Sight-bearing
5. Pacing 6. Steep ground work
Presentation: Personal Equipment, Sunday 19th at
9.30am, IYHF Hostel, Glendalough.
~~~
NIGHT HIKE - WICKLOW MOUNTAINS
Date: 17th
Nov 2007
Meet: Sat
@ 4.00pm, Coachhouse Pub, Roundwood.
Activity: Night
exercise on Trooperstown Hill from 4.30pm to 8.30pm. Bring head-torch
~~~
OPTIONAL WEEKEND -
COMERAGH MOUNTAINS (COST NOT INCLUDED)
Dates: Feb
1st-3rd 2008 Meet: Rathgormack Hiking Centre, Co. Waterford,
Friday night
Activity: Practical
exercise in the Comeragh Mountains. Overnights Friday and Saturday in
Rathgormack Hiking Centre, Rathgormack, Co. Waterford.