These are strange days in the world and we, as walkers, are minded to think of the bigger picture and stay in or stay local for the next few weeks. For some of us that means road walking in an urban area. Although no substitute for the uplands or the coast or even the bog, it's a small price to pay considering the sacrifices that many are making. I'm not for one minute suggesting that the blog can compensate for a bit of fresh air, companionship or that satisfied tiredness you get after a good walk, but it might serve to remind you that it's a good time to brush up your skills, check your gear and indulge in some walking-related mental stimulation. Remember, if you want write something for the blog yourselves, please email us at roswaywalkers@gmail.com and we'll happily post it up. We'd love to hear about your favourite walk or trip away or anything at all really, anything to keep us going until normal service resumes.
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| Pic © F. Maguire |
Gear and general advice
Links to recommended gear lists are on the right hand side of the page. There's one main rule for walking-you are responsible for yourself and it's nobody's job to carry stuff for you, so make sure you have what you need and it's in good order before you leave the house.
For new members, get yourselves some good basics e.g. comfortable waterproof boots with good grippy soles, some good rain gear, and the rest will follow in time. Having the full complement of the most up to date gear on your first day out won't make you a competent hillwalker. Always have your bivvi bag and foil blanket (or the new combination one) in your bag.
Maintain your gear. Simple things like washing the dirt off your boots after a walk, letting them dry out slowly away from direct sources of heat, will prolong their life. Boots and rain gear should be re-proofed regularly. Check the soles of your boots regularly aswell to ensure that the tread hasn't worn down. Products such as Nikwax will keep leather supple and prevent it from cracking.
Layers are the way to go when walking. Two or three lighter layers which you can put on or take off depending on the conditions are better than one heavy one. Keep a hat and pair of gloves in your bag too, as the weather can change so quickly in Ireland, even during our so-called summers.
Check your bag before you go out and make sure you have enough liquid and food plus emergency rations to keep you going.
A good tip is to know where everything is in your bag. There's nothing worse than foostering around a rucksack for your blister plasters on the side of a hill in sideways rain while 20 other people are looking on, at least 19 of which are contemplating leaving you there.
Finally, walk with awareness. If things go awry, you might be the only one in the group who noticed a house or lane back the way which could mean getting the group to safety more quickly.
For new members, get yourselves some good basics e.g. comfortable waterproof boots with good grippy soles, some good rain gear, and the rest will follow in time. Having the full complement of the most up to date gear on your first day out won't make you a competent hillwalker. Always have your bivvi bag and foil blanket (or the new combination one) in your bag.
Maintain your gear. Simple things like washing the dirt off your boots after a walk, letting them dry out slowly away from direct sources of heat, will prolong their life. Boots and rain gear should be re-proofed regularly. Check the soles of your boots regularly aswell to ensure that the tread hasn't worn down. Products such as Nikwax will keep leather supple and prevent it from cracking.
Layers are the way to go when walking. Two or three lighter layers which you can put on or take off depending on the conditions are better than one heavy one. Keep a hat and pair of gloves in your bag too, as the weather can change so quickly in Ireland, even during our so-called summers.
Check your bag before you go out and make sure you have enough liquid and food plus emergency rations to keep you going.
A good tip is to know where everything is in your bag. There's nothing worse than foostering around a rucksack for your blister plasters on the side of a hill in sideways rain while 20 other people are looking on, at least 19 of which are contemplating leaving you there.
Finally, walk with awareness. If things go awry, you might be the only one in the group who noticed a house or lane back the way which could mean getting the group to safety more quickly.
Training
The Club subsidises training courses for members, with the proviso that they put the skills learned back into the Club. Training courses completed by members to date include Mountain Skills (MS) 1 and 2 and Remote Emergency Care (REC).
Several training tutorials in basic navigation and map reading are available on the internet. I've attached link to Mountaineering Ireland ones here MI skills tutorials. There's some good information on the BMC website also (see here). One of the most recommended books on learning hill skills/navigation is Carlo Forte's Navigation in the mountains (link to book), which is worth getting if you're interested in taking things up a level (no pun intended).
If anyone wishes to participate in skills courses through the Club, please get in touch with Training Officer Fiona at club email address (roswaywalkers@gmail.com). The courses usually take place over two consecutive days and usually at weekends.
Several training tutorials in basic navigation and map reading are available on the internet. I've attached link to Mountaineering Ireland ones here MI skills tutorials. There's some good information on the BMC website also (see here). One of the most recommended books on learning hill skills/navigation is Carlo Forte's Navigation in the mountains (link to book), which is worth getting if you're interested in taking things up a level (no pun intended).
If anyone wishes to participate in skills courses through the Club, please get in touch with Training Officer Fiona at club email address (roswaywalkers@gmail.com). The courses usually take place over two consecutive days and usually at weekends.
Environment
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| ©F. Maguire |
Our Club Environmental Officer, Bríd, has drawn up some guidelines that we should abide by and they can be found in the Club Constitution document on the right hand side of the page. Even something as simple as car-pooling or abandoning the plastic and bringing a re-usable bottle or platypus on walks makes a difference.
Planning
Although all Club walks have been postponed for the moment, now is a good time to get out the maps and/or guide books and start thinking about walks you'd like to do in the future or places you think would be good for an away weekend. Our walks' planning meeting is held every November and new leaders are most welcome. The Club ethos is to encourage and assist anyone who would like to lead a walk if they haven't done so before. Get in touch with any of the committee members and they will be happy to advise.
Books, films and sound
We won't get this time again, so put down that bun/paintbrush/powerwasher and treat yourself to some mental stimulation. If you check out the 'view my complete profile' section of the blog, you can see what we're into.
There are so many good books out there. In praise of walking by Shane O'Meara published last year is a little different than most walking books in that it talks about the act of walking itself. If you haven't read Tim Robinson's Connemara put it on your list. I've just finished and can recommend Chris Bonnington's Quest for adventure -an old one but a good one. As is the wonderful Dervla Murphy's book In Ethiopia with a mule if you want to remind yourself of how much we are capable of and just don't know it. Also anything by Robert McFarlane-The old ways, Mountains of the mind and so many more. The Collins Press have published loads of walking guides for Ireland-lots of areas to chose from. Good stories abound-if you want a good laugh about a good walk try Bill Bryson's A walk in the woods (the film is good too) or Pete McCarthy's Road to McCarthy.
There are so many good books out there. In praise of walking by Shane O'Meara published last year is a little different than most walking books in that it talks about the act of walking itself. If you haven't read Tim Robinson's Connemara put it on your list. I've just finished and can recommend Chris Bonnington's Quest for adventure -an old one but a good one. As is the wonderful Dervla Murphy's book In Ethiopia with a mule if you want to remind yourself of how much we are capable of and just don't know it. Also anything by Robert McFarlane-The old ways, Mountains of the mind and so many more. The Collins Press have published loads of walking guides for Ireland-lots of areas to chose from. Good stories abound-if you want a good laugh about a good walk try Bill Bryson's A walk in the woods (the film is good too) or Pete McCarthy's Road to McCarthy.
Mountaineering Ireland also have links on this page MI link to radio broadcasts on Everest related material-well worth a browse. If you're a member of the library, you can access the audiobooks online with your library card. Singing and dancing are good for the soul too and the internet is a good source for some old music especially. My personal top 3 songs about walking are:
1. Whiskey in the jar (Thin Lizzy)
2. The only way is up (Yazz)
3. High on a hill lived a lonely goatherd (from The Sound of Music)
For a good scare, try some mountain-themed films. Who could forget the chill-inducing Everest from a couple of years ago, the rubbishy Vertical Limit, also set on Everest or Cliffhanger (Rambo with ropes), partly filmed in Italy in the 1990s. The Way, a popular film about the Camino de Santiago, is also worth a watch, if only to dream about Caminos past. Although a bit loose with the facts, it does capture some of the spirit of the Camino. If anyone has a favourite or a recommendation, we'd love to hear from you.
Enough warbling-there's work to be done. In the meantime, take care everyone and stay safe. We must look after each other and hope for the best. As the wise and wonderful poet Seamus Heaney wrote 'If we winter this one out, we can summer anywhere'.
See you along the road somewhere.
See you along the road somewhere.
