HIKE PROGRAMME
October 2007
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 and
won’t be stopping and waiting. Walkers must ensure that they are there in good
time for the bus. Places cannot be guaranteed as the bus may be full at Burgh
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.
|
14 October
2007 ---Military Road
to Wicklow Gap Maps:
Sheet 56 Leader: Tom Kenny 2nd
pick-up point: Bus Stop
at Rathfarnham Castle, before the Yellow House. Route: Oasis * Carrigshouk * Mullaghcleevaun
East * Mullaghcleevaun * Barnacullian * Stoney Top * Tonelagee * Wicklow Gap. Distance: 17km
Ascent: 760m |
|
21 October 2007 ---South
Dublin – North Wicklow Maps: Sheet 50 & 56 Leader: Tom Milligan 2nd
pick-up point: Bus Stop
at Rathfarnham Castle, before the Yellow House. Route: Boranaraltry (O 174 252) * Wicklow Way
* Prince William's Seat * Knocknagun * Glendoo * Cruagh Wood * Tibradden
Mountain * Kilmashogue Mountain * Larch Hill. Distance: 20km
Ascent: 800m |
|
28 October 2007 NO SUNDAY HIKE October Weekend Trip to
Armagh City Youth Hostel(see separate notice) |
|
4 November 2007 --- Circuit
of the Avonmore Valley Maps: Sheet 56 Leader: David McCann 2nd
pick-up point: Bus stop
before the roundabout at Loughlinstown. Route: Stump of the Castle * Avonmore River *
Cronybyrne * Glenwood * Trooperstown Hill * Avonmore River * Annamoe. Distance: 17km
Ascent: 460m |
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.
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.
HIKE LEADERS Any club
member interested in leading a hike, please contact:
Garry Byrne
OUT ON THE TRAILS
Austria, August 2007
WALKING
IN THE SALZKAMMERGUT
The trip was to
Bad Ischl, a spa town about 1.5 hours east of Salzburg in the Salzkammergut
region, famous for its salt-mines, lakes and mountains. Salzburg was wet and
miserable when we arrived in late evening, inducing a sense of déjà-vu. The
hostel was very central and had a bar and hot food available. A supply of two
towels for everyone was a nice touch.
Friday, August 3
Next day, it was
still raining in Salzburg, and also in Bad Ischl, so a low walk was opted for.
This was an easy pipe-opener along the Elisabethwaldweg initially, and later by
the Ischl River and back via the Bauernfeldweg. A nice interlude for coffee in
the Schwarze Katz (Black Cat) bar en route - a good omen for Kilkenny on the
following Sunday?
The evening meal
in the hostel was a "steal" @ 6 euro - soup, salad, main course and a
banana. The hostel was much more modern than that in Salzburg and was a
satisfactory residence for the duration of the holiday, the en suite dorms
being particularly welcome.
That evening we
repaired to a hostelry called "k.u.k. Hofbeisl", which became the
haunt for most of us for each of the four evenings. "k.u.k." stands
for kaiserliche and koenigliche, i.e. emperor and king, which points up the
extraordinary connection the town has with Franz Josef, the last Habsburg
Austro-Hungarian emperor. He built a summer palace here in 1854 and came there
almost every summer for 60 years until 1914. His presence and the entourage
that came in tow brought huge prosperity to the town.
Saturday, August 4
First mountain of
the trip - Schafberg (1783m). Initially, a half hour bus trip to St. Gilgen in
the sunshine. This brought home to us the beauty of the Austrian countryside.
There are no hedges hence an open vista of meadows, leading up to the mountains
or lake shores.
Flowers
predominate everywhere, be they in the gardens, in the vast array of
window-boxes or in the wild. From St. Gilgen, a short road walk by Wolfgangsee
(Lake Wolfgang) and then up through dense woods. A brief rest at Schafbergalm,
a high open summer meadow; these summer pastures are a feature of all the
mountains in the Alps. Further on, we encountered trains chugging up and down
from the summit on a narrow gauge railway, similar to the Llanberis-Snowdon
line.
There is a substantial
restaurant at the summit, though we had our lunch outside at the picnic tables
on the balcony, wrapped up in our fleece jackets, as the cloud cover still
persisted. A colony of jackdaws begged at the tables - obviously permanent
residents.
As we left, the
skies cleared and the marvellous views opened up. We stopped on the way down at
a train stop - Schafberg Alpe - for coffee in the sunshine. It was an easy drop
down to St. Wolfgang on the lake-shore, where it was a glorious summer
afternoon. It was thronged with tourists and there were many waterside
activities. We had our evening meal here and later took a bus back to Bad
Ischl, changing en route at Strobl.
Sunday, August 5
We walked
directly from the hostel, heading for Leonsberg (1745m). There was an
interesting stop at a tiny wayside church "Maria Heim Suchung" (The
Visitation), which seated only 8 people and had a fine "Visitation"
painting behind the altar. A 3-hour walk to the Leonsbergalm - more alpine
pastures. There was an intermediate peak - Gspranggupf (1368m) - before taking
on the final steep climb to Leonsberg.
This included a
ladder and a couple of steel wire rope sections, but nothing daunting. A huge
iron cross dominated the summit. Lakes were visible in every direction, and Schafberg
lay to the west with its NE facing cliff now very evident.
The descent began
relatively gently - an up-and-down ridge to Gartenzinken (1557m), and then a
long steep drop via Walkerskogel (1243m). This stage was enlivened by the
banter between David and Paul, which came to an abrupt end when our leader
interposed himself between them. The ensuing silence was deafening! It still
turned out to be a long 9-hour walk in the heat. The final section through the
lower forest, even with easier gradients, was tedious due to many fallen trees,
causing several detours.
We emerged at
Pfandl, 3 km west of Bad Ischl, gasping for water and found a fine roadside
restaurant, where we imbibed greedily and had a fine meal to boot. The desserts
were the piece de resistance - apple strudel and Sachertorte (chocolate cake).
A mad rush to catch the last bus was unsuccessful for some, who ended up
re-walking the Elisabethwaldweg (this time in the opposite direction). Still
fit enough though for another session in the k.u.k.Hofbeisl!
Monday, August 6
A day of much
variety. An early train to Obertraun, dropping Rosemary and Jim off at the
Hallstatt halt to catch the ferry to Hallstatt across Hallstaettersee. The rest
of the group soon arrived at the cable-car station, only to discover that one
of the two services was shut and there was an hour's delay. Eventually we made
our way up in two 5-seater cabins as far as Gjaidalm (1805m). From there, we
had a delightful walk across the meadows for 1.75 hours on a nature trail. It was
a treasure of alpine flowers with wonderful views of the glaciers above us at
2600m. The end of the trail was at Wiesberghaus (1872m) where soup, coffee and
desserts were available - quite a pleasant surprise. From here, an
uncomplicated descent brought us down to the lakeside at Lahn and Hallstatt,
passing some striking sheer precipices, gorges and mountain streams to our side
on the way.
A welcome snack
in Hallstatt at a cafe by the lake and then a taxi back to Obertraun (for the
return train journey), as we were late for the last ferry.
Tuesday, August 7
No major walk so
a variety of activities - some shopped, others toured the town, and some went
swimming in the nearby Parkbad - a sensible option in the temperature of 30C.
A small group of
five had a 4-hour hike up the Rettenbach Valley and eventually reached
Kolowratshoehe (1109m) before completing a nice circuit.
A presentation
was made to Frank Rooney at Salzburg Airport in appreciation of all the
time-consuming work he put into both the organisation of the long week-end and
his cheerful and successful leadership of all the hikes.
Nice one, Frank!
Pearse
Foley
ANOTHER TALE OF AUSTRIA
Our first day was
met by some heavy downpours reminiscent of the previous fifty days back in
Ireland but fortunately that was to change the following day when the group
were welcomed by extremely strong clear and warm sunrays which were to last for
the remainder of the trip. In consideration of the somewhat earlier inclement
conditions the group, on the first planned day of hiking, used the occasion to
both settle in and partake in a local short walk around Bad Ischl itself which
allowed them the opportunity of sampling the local atmosphere. The local
buildings, waterways, mountains, forestry, overall tidiness and cleanliness of
the village all seemed as if they were all deliberately, intelligently and
naturally placed there by hand exactly in a way one would like their
surroundings to appear.
On Saturday, the first day of serious hiking, the group set out
from Bad Ischl by bus to St Gilgen to take in Schafberg Mountain and then
finishing in the beautiful setting of the local village in St. Wolfgang. The
hike was extremely enjoyable and much varied in so far as the group were
sheltered from the sun by the trees for the early stages and thereafter walking
in open mountain terrain. Any walker experiencing difficulties could have opted
for the local steam train to the top and back down again if they so wished -
which I thought was fictional when first told about - but not unlike St Thomas
I totally believed when I seen and took some photos for the benefit of other
likely doubters. More surprises were in store as we approached the top to
discover there right on the summit a beautiful combined Guest House and Hotel. Sounds rather out of context but the
Austrians seem to have this natural ability of blending their buildings with
the local environment.
Saturday
concluded at St Wolfgang where all hikers sat down for an extremely tasty meal
and then enjoyed the local Austrian parachute jumps from helicopters. Five
people in all jumped from various helicopters and each one of them getting
closer and closer to the ground before pulling the cord. As the last one jumped
an immediate debate commenced on the ground as to whether or not he was out of
control. Most spectators initially agreed that he had indeed lost it at which
juncture he calmly reached across his chest and quietly pulled the chord to the
ensuing loud and rapturous cheers of the many spectators.
The hike on Sunday was local, taking in Leonsberg Mountain
at a height of 1745m with a climb of 807m and overall distance of approximately
20km. The hike was extremely challenging from all angles with no let off at all
in the climbing until the summit was well and truly conquered. Having got to
the top and then enjoyed a very relaxing lunch in the basking sunshine the
descent ahead appeared somewhat of a downward stroll but once underway it
appeared as if the base was constantly moving away from us.
Having completed
the walk I quietly meditated on the differences between the just finished hike
and that encountered in various provinces in Ireland. I consider that the main
differences would be generally walking in extreme heat, surrounded by a variety
of tall mountains and lakes on most elevations, and even with glaciers in sight
on one elevation in the distance. The said glacier was to be the challenge for
the following day.
Monday morning arrived far too early for some hikers who decided to
taste alternative means of entertainment for the day of which I may add there
were plenty of, even if that meant only taking in the local swimming pool in
the warm sunshine. On the day, and considering that the hikers were going to
take in the Shadows of the Dachstein at the foot of permanent glaciers, the
choice of the pool was tempting. At 7.00am the writer, along with Ray Gough,
advised Jim Barry that we were taking the day off to which he retorted “I
cannot understand how anyone can not go to see the Shadows of the Dachstein and
the Hallstatt River Crossing”…
On the final day
of the trip, six walkers headed out on a local hike, with the remainder of the
party electing to enjoy the outdoor swimming pool and others taking on a
cultural and shopping trip around the city of Salzburg itself. And before
anyone realised it fully, it was once again time to make tracks for the
airport.
If ever you would like to experience hillwalking in another
country then I strongly recommend you give Austria some serious consideration.
The group at
large would like to extend their very best wishes to trip member Brendan Magee
who is getting married soon and who liked the trip so much that he is also
honeymooning in Austria.
Eamonn
Coyle
CLUB NEWS
October
Bank Holiday Weekend
Dates: 26th - 29th October 2007
Accommodation: Armagh City Hostel
Meals: 3 nights B&B plus 2 evening meals
Leaders: Frank Rooney & Brendan Magee
A
few places left! For full details see below!
~~~
Membership
2007-2008
The new
membership year has just begun (1st October 2007 to 30th September 2008).
The new
membership form is available to download by clicking on the Membership Form link on the menu on the left.
~~~
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
TRAINING COURSE
Map & Compass 2007
This
course is now fully booked!
Reminder for registered
attendees:
The first evening
session will take place on Tuesday, 16th October, in An Óige Headquarters,
Mountjoy Street.
Organisers: Donal
Finn & Tom Kenny
Contact: An
Óige Head Office, 01-8304555
Annual General Meeting
An Óige
Hillwalkers Club will hold its Annual General Meeting on:
Thursday,
11th October 2007
Venue: Cassidy's
Bar (upstairs), formerly Westmoreland
Hotel
27 Westmoreland Street
Dublin
2, Tel. 01-6708604
Time: 8
pm
All club members
are welcome to attend, whether you have been a member for years or joined the
club just a few months ago.
This is your
opportunity to get to know the club members who serve on the committee, to ask
questions and to make suggestions in relation to Sunday Hikes or any other club
business.
Anyone interested
in getting information on what is involved in serving on the committee should
talk to our Chairman, Frank Rooney, at 085-1742119.
We
look forward to seeing you soon!
Social Events
WANTED – SOCIAL CO-ORDINATOR
If you have a
flair for organising events and getting people to turn up for them, you might
like to follow in the footsteps of Steve Buckney who will be stepping down from
the committee at the AGM (see notice above).
Anyone interested
in taking over Steve’s role, please contact Frank Rooney @ 085-1742119 as soon
as possible!
MCI Events
Autumn
Meet in Donegal
12th
- 14th October
The event is
being hosted by the North West Mountaineering Club who have organised several
successful and lively events for the MCI in the past.
On Friday evening
you can enjoy a historical talk about Inishowen; Saturday choose between
walking, bouldering and rockclimbing (all skill levels welcome) followed by MCI
Members’ Forum then dinner and a presentation that evening by the renowned
Anindya Mukherjee (Rajah) on “Expeditioning in the Himalaya”. On Sunday you can
choose between a walk up Binnian or a talk on nutrition and exercise before
heading off happier (and healthier!) on your journey home.
To obtain a
booking form please email: mcioctmeet@yahoo.co.uk or phone Josephine Hegarty at
(028) 7134 8873 (048 from RoI) or contact the MCI office:
memberssupport@mountaineering.ie, phone: 01-625 1115.
WINTER
LECTURES
Robbie Fenlon
It’s not the
destination that counts, it’s the path (Trekking in the Himalayas)
Date 24th
October, 8pm to 10pm.
Venue Park
Inn Dublin, Smithfield Village, Dublin 7
Robbie Fenlon is
a Professional U.I.A.G.M mountain guide and is based in Chamonix.
~~~
Des Clark Living in the high mountains
When not working
professionally as an IML, Des relishes the challenge that winter traverses of
long ridge routes in the High Atlas provides.
Date 7th
November, 8pm to 10pm.
Venue Park
Inn Dublin, Smithfield Village, Dublin 7
All MCI Lecture
ticket prices: 10 euro for MCI members, 15 euro for non-members.
For further
information on forthcoming MCI events, please visit www.mountaineering.ie
An Óige Events
Digital
Masterclasses for Beginners
The Course will
include six Tuesday evening sessions of two hours each to be held in the Dublin
International Youth Hostel, 61, Mountjoy Street, Dublin 7. On November 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th and
December 4th, 11th plus a field trip.
The subjects that
will be covered include:
· Making sense out of your instruction
manual.
· Understanding the settings on your
camera and what they do.
· Field work using your own camera.
· Downloading images.
· Adjusting your image for printing.
Evening sessions
(6): 7:15pm for 7:30pm start.
Venue: The sessions will be held in Room 102 at
the Dublin International Youth Hostel, 61 Mountjoy Street, Dublin 7.
Requirements: Digital Camera and instruction book.
Field Trip: Sunday, 25th November 2007. Details will
be given at the sessions.
Course Cost: €100. Cost includes
6 evening
sessions and field trip.
Booking: It is essential that interested persons
book in advance through the An Óige Head Office, Tel. (01) 830 4555. Credit card bookings acceptable.
Course Given
By: Peter Gallagher
L.I.P.P.A. Tel. 087-2469883.
~~~
Wednesday, 24th October 2007
Presentation by Frank Nugent
Come join us for
an audio visual presentation by Explorer Frank Nugent on Wednesday,
24th October 2007, at 8 pm.
Theme: In the Footsteps of Irish Polar Heroes -
Crozier, Mcclure, McClintock, Shackleton, Crean
Location: Dublin International Youth Hostel, 61
Mountjoy Street, Dublin 7
Admission: €5.00
All the proceeds
of this will go to the Glenmalure Restoration Fund
For your Diary
With the festive season not all that far away
– yes, we’ve all noticed the “Christmas Shoppes” coming alive in various
department stores and “Traditional Mince Pies” making a first appearance in
supermarkets – you may want to enter the following dates in your Calendar of
Important Events Not-to-be-missed-under-any-circumstances Special Diary:
9th December 2007
DON
REILLY’S FAMOUS HOLLY HIKE will see moderate, hard,
musical and hungry hikers come together at a secret location in Wicklow …
15th December 2007
TIME AGAIN
FOR THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY with hikes, soup,
Christmas Dinner, raffle prizes and lots of home-grown and canned music …
GET WELL WISHES
AN OIGE
HILLWALKERS CLUB
would like to send get well
wishes for a speedy recovery to club member
Gerry Cooke
who injured his leg while
climbing in the Cuillin Ridge on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, earlier this year.
We hope to see you soon,
Gerry!
Very best wishes
from all your
friends!
Mountain Meitheal
Last year Mountain Meitheal and the landowner, in conjunction with
Wicklow Uplands Council, agreed to improve the deterorating "Zig
Zags" route up Carrawaystick leading on to Lugnaquilla. Mountain Meitheal
volunteers carry out the work. Wicklow Uplands Council and the landowner
provide the funds and materials. In return for this, the landowner provides
permissive access across his farm for the public to enjoy the beautiful hills
above Glenmalure.
The route, commonly referred to as the Zig Zags, is an old stalkers
trail built by the Parnell family from Avondale in Rathdrum. Since November
last year, Mountain Meitheal members and volunteers have given over 1,333
volunteer hours of work to building new drains, surface work, and the now
completed Carrawaystick Bridge. For the remainder of 2007, we will continue
working on the drainage higher up the trail.
If any of your members feel like volunteering to join us working in the
mountains on behalf of hill walkers, we would love to hear from them.
Chris Avison, Secretary
Contact: 01 2986085; website: www.pathsavers.org
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
OCTOBER WEEKEND 2007
An Óige
Hillwalkers Club
October Weekend
2007
Friday 26th
– Monday 29th October 2007
Walking in
South Armagh and the Mourne Mountains
Stay in Armagh City of the Two Cathedrals
Hard and Moderate
Walkers Welcome
Two grades of
walks on Saturday, Sunday and one grade on Monday
Leaders: Frank Rooney and Brendan Magee
Weekend Walking Itinerary to include:
Slieve Donard, Slieve
Commedagh, Slievenaglogh, Slieve Bearnagh
Slievelamagan, North Tor, Slieve Binnian, Wee Binnian
Camlough Mountain and Slieve Gullion
Maps:
Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland, Discover Series Sheet 29, 1:50,000
(for all walks)
Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland, Activity Map 1:25,000 (Mournes only)
This is not essential but can be purchased to give greater detail.
Notes:
Coach Trip: Transport included, Return Dublin-Armagh and
to and from all walks
Hostel Accommodation: Armagh City Hostel. Cost includes 3 nights
B&B 26th, 27th and 28th, two
evening
dinners on the 27th and 28th and three packed lunches.
Food: As above - stopping
at local shops for extras etc.
Cost: EUR 185
Booking: EUR
110 NON REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT to An Óige Head Office by
credit card or
cash deposit (01-8304555).
Balance
of EUR 75.00 to be paid before Friday 5th October.
Bring: Sterling Currency (!), Suitable Walking Boots/Rain
Wear/
Change of Warm
Clothing/Towels/Bathroom Gear/ Flask/Torch/
First Aid
Kit/Camera/Binoculars etc.
Meeting
Place/Time: Georges
Quay (beside Tara Street Dart Station)
at 18.00 hrs. for
non-stop bus journey to Armagh City.
Participants
are advised to have their evening meals prior to departure.
Come
along and enjoy the weekend!