march - april 2017 · the hillwalker march - april 2017 5 newcomers hard hike the hillwalkers club...

The Hillwalker ● March - April 2017 1

March - April 2017

http://www.hillwalkersclub.com/

Carina & Brendan on the Holly Hike – Photo Mel O’Hara

In this edition

Hike programme March – April 2017 2

The pick-up points 3

Club news and events 8

Environmental news 10

Relocation Techniques 11

Photos from some recent hikes 13

Burrishoole Walking Festival 18

Hillwalkers Club

TH

E H

ILLW

ALK

ER

Céilí Mór 28 February Further

http://www.hillwalkersclub.com/


Committee 2016/17

Chairman Russell Mills

Treasurer Ita O’Hanlon

Secretary Martin Keane

Sunday Hikes Coordinator Simon More

Environmental Officer Frank Carrick

Membership Secretary Jim Barry

Club Promoter James Cooke

Weekend Away Coordinator Vacant

Club Social Coordinator Vacant

Assistant Social Coordinator Gavin Gilvarry

Training Officer Russell Mills

Newsletter Editor Mel O’Hara

Special thanks to:

Webmaster Matt Geraghty

HIKE PROGRAMME March 2017 – April 2017

MEET: Corner of Burgh Quay and Hawkins St DEPART: Sundays at 10.00 am (unless stated otherwise), or earlier if it is full. TRANSPORT: Private bus (unless stated otherwise) COST: €15.00 (unless stated otherwise)

2nd pick-up point: On the outward journey, the bus will stop briefly to collect walkers at the pick-up point. Should the bus be full on departure from Burgh Quay, this facility cannot be offered. Return drop-off point: On the return journey, where indicated, the bus will stop near the outward pick-up point to drop off any hikers. We regret this is not possible on all hikes. If you wish to avail of the 2nd pick-up point, it advisable to contact the hike leader or someone else who will definitely be on the hike, to let them know.

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. 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. 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.


The pick-up points


Newcomers hard hike

The Hillwalkers Club offers a Newcomers Hike, usually on one Sunday per month. Guests are welcome to join us on this hike, as long as they provide their name, address and contact details for our records, which will be taken on the day of the hike. Unless guests have their own personal hiking insurance, they are not insured. There is no need to book a place in advance, just turn up on the relevant Sunday morning. Guests can come on one hike without becoming a member of the club, but after that they must join the club. Even though the name of these hikes is ‘Newcomers Hike’, participants should not be newcomers to hiking. These hikes are to introduce non-members to the Hillwalkers Club and its hillwalking activities. Therefore, participants need to have a good level of personal fitness and, ideally, have some recent significant experience of hillwalking. All intending participants should be aware that hillwalking and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or even death. By walking with the club, they are aware of and shall accept these risks. Moreover, they acknowledge that they wish to participate in club activities in a voluntary capacity and that they shall be responsible for their own actions and involvement. Please note that as guests of the club, they do not enjoy personal accident insurance, which is otherwise offered to club members through Mountaineering Ireland. Further details are available from Mountaineering Ireland

(www.mountaineering.ie/membersandclubs/Insurance/default.aspx) For further enquiries contact 086 356 3843

For Sunday hike leaders, the contact people for Mullally’s Coaches are: - Austin O’Hagan, 086 466 4680 - James Mullally, 086 383 7495

http://www.mountaineering.ie/membersandclubs/Insurance/default.aspx


Sunday 5th March

Leader : Dave McCann

2nd pick-up & return drop-off point: Bus

stop before roundabout at Loughlinstown

Route: Stump of the Castle *

Cronybyrne/Trooperstown Hill *

Trooperstown Bridge * Laragh East *

Paddock Hill * Wicklow Way * Laragh

Distance: around 16- 18 kms Ascent: 600 m

Map: OSI 56, East West Mapping

(Wicklow East)

Sunday 12th March

Leader: Tom Kenny

2nd pick-up & return drop-off point:

Bus stop at Loughlinstown roundabout

Route: Lead mines car park * Brockagh

mountain * Tonelagee * Wicklow gap **

Turlough hill * Camaderry * Glendalough

visitor centre car park

Distance: 18 km Ascent: 8500 m

Map: OSI 56,

East West Mapping (Wicklow Mountains

West)

Sunday 19th March

**Newcomers Hard Hike**

Leader: Tom Hennessy


Bus stop before roundabout at Loughlinstown

Route: Laragh * Wicklow Way * Derrybawn

* Mullacor * Drumgoff


Maps: OSI 56,

East West Mapping (Lugnaquilla &

Glendalough )

Sunday 26th March

Leader : Brian Madden

2nd pick-up point & return drop-off point:

Bus stop before roundabout at Loughlinstown

Route: : Aghowle (GR 224 951) * Carrick

Mountain * Ballinastraw * Cronybyrne *

Trooperstown Hill * Trooperstown CP

Distance: 17 kms Ascent: 570 m

Map: OSI 56 East West Mapping

(Wicklow East)


Sunday 2nd April

Leader: Udo Sap



Route: Laragh turn-off * Paddock Hill *

Scarr * Kanturk * Oldbridge *Wicklow Way

to Parking Place at R 759.

Distance: 18.5 km Ascent: 700 m

Maps: OSI 56, East West Mapping

(Wicklow East)

Sunday 9th April

Leader: Ruadhri O’Connor


Maldron Hotel, Tallaght

Route: Snugborough Bridge * Sugar Loaf *

Lobawn * Corriebracks * Church Mountain *

Drumreagh * St Kevin's Way * Hollywood

Village (Hollywood Inn).


Map: OSI 62 & East West Mapping

( Wicklow Mountains West)

Sunday 16th April

Easter Sunday

No Sunday Hike

Sunday 23rd April

**Newcomers Hard Hike**

Leader: Chris Byrne

**Walk in the Cooley Peninsula**

**No second pick-up and drop off point**

**Normal €15 bus fare **

Route: Windy gap * Foxes Rock * Ravens

rock * Split Rock * Eagles Rock *

Carlingford Mtn * Slieve Foy * Barnavave *

Famine Village * Rooskey Loop *

Carlingford


Maps: OSI 36

Sunday 30th April

Leader: Tom Milligan

**Dinner at Wicklow Heather**

**€20 for dinner & €15 bus fare **

**Club Members Only **

** Late return to Dublin**



Route: Ballinafunshogue CP (T:080 928) -

Rebels Cave - Lugduff - Glenealo Bridge -

Camaderry - Lead Mines - St. Kevin's Road -

Wicklow Way - Laragh.

Distance 19 km, Ascent 1140 m

Maps: OS56 & EastWest Mapping (Wicklow

Mountains West, Lugnaquilla &

Glendalough)

tel:080%20928


Club news and events

Mountain Skills Training 2017

The club training officer, Russell Mills, will again be

offering Mountain Skills training to club members at a very

generous discount to usual commercial rates.

The training courses will run over the weekends of

September 23rd & 24th (MS1) and December 2nd and 3rd (MS2)

Interested members should contact Russell directly at

086 446 6997 or [email protected]

Club weekends away 2017

For the first time since the club was founded there is

no away trip planned for Easter 2017.

Regarding the June Bank Holiday weekend, the committee, at the request of some of our members, is making arrangements to facilitate club members take part in the Burrishoole Walking Festival, see page 18.

If any club member is interested in organising an

away trip then the committee would be delighted to support them in the planning and running of the trip, with organising accommodation and transport and assisting with whatever else is required.


Club news and events continued

Hike and dine

On April 30th, the Sunday of the May Bank Holiday weekend,

there is an opportunity to enjoy a three course meal in The Wicklow Heather, Laragh, following Tom Milligan’s hike.

As the very reasonable €20 cost of the meal to partakers is due to it being partly subsidised by the club this particular event will be confined to club members only.

The JB Malone Memorial Walk will be held on Sunday 21st May. As usual, refreshments will be provided by the club at Knockree Hostel following the hikes

Survey of members

A survey seeking the views of members on various issues pertaining to the club will be conducted by e-mail over the coming weeks. It is hoped that the survey results will help the committee better serve the membership so please take the time to participate.

Club membership

Club membership can be taken out and renewed on the club website see

http://www.hillwalkersclub.com/membership-application-form.php

If you have any difficulty using this facility please contact

Membership Secretary, Jim Barry, [email protected]

A current Hillwalkers Club membership card is a requirement for participation in the Sunday hikes

Guests may sample only one hike before taking out club membership

http://www.hillwalkersclub.com/membership-application-form.php

mailto:[email protected]


Environmental News

Irish Honey Bee - Apis mellifera mellifera – Photo M O’Hara

Tree Week commences on Sunday 5th March. Raising awareness of the importance of trees is vital. Planting trees may not be possible for lots of individuals however other measures can be beneficial to the ecosystem. More careful pruning of hedges and trees can be more supportive of wildlife While seasonal restrictions on hedge cutting are in the interests of nesting birds, bees also depend on the flowering plants. Bees are essential to the pollination of many species of flora and their declining population is a major cause of concern. Choosing suitable plants for flower beds and window boxes etc during the spring assists in increasing the food supply for the bee population Less frequent lawn cutting and weeding can be beneficial as dandelions other weeds on the lawn and in flowerbeds attract hungry bees. Dandelions are very proficient and an irritant to gardeners but they are loved by bees so perhaps a section of the garden can be left “wild” and requires little work to be a haven for wildlife. www.biodiversityireland.ie and www.irishbeekeeping.ie has information on suitable measures that can assist in supporting bees.

Frank Carrick Club Environmental Officer

http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/

http://www.irishbeekeeping.ie/


Relocation Techniques Russell Mills Training Officer

One of the most important navigation skills is being able to relocate yourself when you have become ‘lost’ or more correctly, ‘temporarily misplaced’. Having the techniques to deal with such a situation is a key element in being a competent navigator. Firstly, do not panic. Stay calm and stay where you are. Many people, on realising they are misplaced, will press on more quickly, or walk in any direction in the hope of finding something they recognise, thus making the problem worse. Have something to eat and drink, this will both give you time to calm down and increase your blood sugar to help you think.

1. Gather All Available information

What can you see around you? Are any features in view, such as a forest edge or a stream, and what is the shape of the terrain around you, which way is the ground sloping? How far have you walked since your last known position, (the location where you were last certain of your position). How long did it take you? What distinctive features did you pass, such as a path junction, knoll or forest edge? See if you can locate any of these features on your map, and use the information to narrow down the possibilities.

2. Aspect of Slope

If the terrain you are on is sloping it is possible to use this important technique to help you find your position. Use your compass to take a bearing directly down the line of the slope, that is the line that a rolling ball might take, adjust for magnetic variation, and then search the map for slopes with that aspect.

In the example left, if we know we are somewhere in the vicinity of hill 668, and we take a bearing down the slope of 198°, then we can eliminate all slopes that do not have that aspect. With our bearing set on the compass, we can line up the orienting lines in the compass housing with the north-south grid lines on the map. By moving the compass around the map we can locate the slope(s) where the long edge of the baseplate is pointing directly down slope, (and is at right angles to the contours). We can now locate ourselves

somewhere on the southwest slope of hill 668.


3. Back Bearings

If you have been walking on a bearing, and the indications are that it was incorrect, then it is still possible to return to your last known position. Instead of walking with the red end of the compass needle aligned with the orienting arrow, (keeping red in the shed), turn yourself through 180° and align the white end of the compass needle with the orienting arrow, (put white in the shed). Following this bearing and remembering the paces, or time it took, you can return you to your previously known position. This will only work if you did not stray wildly off the original bearing, or wander around the hill hoping to see something you recognised.

4. Resection

Resection can be a time consuming process. It also relies on the fact that you can see far enough to identify two, and preferably three, major features that are also on the map such as hill tops or stream junctions. It could be argued that if you can identify these features then you are not misplaced! However, under certain circumstances it can be a useful technique. If you are somewhere along a long, featureless ridge for example, and need to pinpoint your position more accurately.

a) Take a compass bearing to a

feature, and after converting it to a

grid bearing, place one of the top

corners of the compass baseplate on

the feature identified on the map.

b) Carefully manoeuvre the

compass until the orienting lines in

the housing line-up with the north-

south grid lines on the map, being

sure to keep the corner of the

baseplate on the feature and the

orienting arrow pointing north.

c) Your position now lies somewhere along the long edge of the compass base plate, you can

now plot this line on the map using a pen, (see red lines above).

d) Repeat this for one or more features to pinpoint your position, depending on the accuracy

with which you took the bearings your position will lie at the intersection of these lines.


Photos from some recent hikes

Don leads the Holly Hike - Photo M O’Hara

Holly Hikers on Church Photo – M O’Hara


St Stephens Day Hike Howth Photo – Frank Rooney


Jenny braves the cold Photo – M O’Hara

Lugnaquilla Jan 1st Photo – M O’Hara


Misty Knocknagun Photo – Frank Rooney

Glendalough reflection Photo – Frank Rooney


Jan 1st - Søren holds onto Lug Photo – M O’Hara

Always Welcome Good photos for inclusion on Hillwalkers Club Facebook Page

and / or in Newsletter

Please send photos to James Cooke

[email protected]

or Mel

[email protected]




Burrishoole Walking Festival

Co Mayo June long weekend 2017

Friday 2nd to Monday 5th June

In response to requests from some of our members to organise a

club outing to the Burrishoole Walking Festival, the committee will facilitate

members who wish to participate in this festival. The festival is based at

Derrada Community Centre, approximately 5 kms west of Newport, Co

Mayo.

Provided there is sufficient interest from members the committee

will organise transport to and from the festival and will help with booking

accommodation in the Newport area.

There is a range of B&B and Hotel accommodation available in the

area and there are a range of options regarding evening meals.

The cost of festival entry is €35 for 3 days walking and €20 for

one days walking. This includes a packed lunch and transport from Derrada

to and from the hikes. There are choices of high level and low level

walks. The walks are led by local leaders.

2017 is the 30th anniversary of the walking festival so there will

be a special celebration, including a buffet, at the community centre on

the Sunday night.

This festival is very popular and early booking of accommodation

is advisable. If you are interested in attending the festival please contact

Mel O’Hara, 085 198 1248, [email protected] as soon as possible, ideally

before March 17th.

The links below provide additional information on the festival.

http://www.burrishoolewalkfest.net

https://www.mayo.me/derradda-a-walkers-paradise

http://www.walkingandhikingireland.com/new-routes-added-to-burrishoole-

walking-festival/ ( Refers to 2014 event but is still informative)

https://www.facebook.com/Burrishoole-walking-festival-2017-

1242376025852287/


http://www.burrishoolewalkfest.net/

https://www.mayo.me/derradda-a-walkers-paradise

http://www.walkingandhikingireland.com/new-routes-added-to-burrishoole-walking-festival/

http://www.walkingandhikingireland.com/new-routes-added-to-burrishoole-walking-festival/

https://www.facebook.com/Burrishoole-walking-festival-2017-1242376025852287/

https://www.facebook.com/Burrishoole-walking-festival-2017-1242376025852287/

march - april 2017 · the hillwalker march - april 2017 5 newcomers hard hike the hillwalkers club...

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