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Essential Information/Requirements

Guidelines for New Members

The club has four different levels of walks:

1) Rambles (or Flat walks) are held all the year round, and are mostly flat, but can have a climb of 300m, cover mixed terrain and will be at least 12k in distance. A reasonable level of fitness is required. Boots are required and the correct clothing (see list below).

2)  &  3)  Hill walks are held all year round (with a break in August). We have both “A” and “B” level hill walks. The “A” hill walks are for the fitter members; they usually take in several peaks as opposed to the “B” walks which are usually one mountain only.  “B” hill walks are of shorter duration than  “A” hill walks and may be at a slower pace.
* Grade B hill walks – These walks are intended for people who wish to try hillwalking and are therefore taken at a slower pace. However, please note that a good level of fitness is required for climbing. Walking boots (preferable grade- 3 season and upwards) and the correct clothing are essential; see clothing list below.

4) Short walks are held from February to October and are no more than 2 hours in duration and are suitable for members who do have the time to stay out longer or do not have the level of fitness required for the other walks. Boots are recommended, but runners may be suitable in dry weather, and waterproof clothing is necessary. These walks leave the Church at Renmore at 13:30 on the same Sunday as the hill walks.

Clothing Checklist

  1. Walking boots – this is non-negotiable  (a walk leader has the right to refuse walkers who do not have proper footwear).
  2. Walking trousers or shorts. Jeans are NOT suitable.  Avoid cotton clothing.
  3. Good quality socks (merino wool/synthetic)
  4. Base layer (merino wool/synthetic)
  5. Fleece mid-layer.
  6. Waterproof/breathable jacket
  7. Waterproof  trousers (essential in wet weather, and are also a great barrier in cold windy weather)
  8. Gaiters (essential for the winter hillwalker- stops snow from getting into boots)
  9. Hat and gloves (the more the better)
  10. Bring a change of clothes so that you can change out of wet and/or muddy clothes at the end of a walk.
  11. Each member should try to have a small first aid kit with compeed plasters for blisters, ordinary plasters for small cuts, and paracetamol.
  12. A good lunch and a hot drink (especially in winter) are essential on rambles and hill walks.
  13. Water is essential on all walks –  a typical amount: 2 litres.
  14. In summer, sun screen/insect repellent is necessary.
  15. In winter a headtorch is essential for hillwalkers.
  16. Survival bag & whistle, essential for the hillwalkers.
  17. And a rucksack to carry it all!

We need to emphasise the wearing of non cotton clothing; cotton absorbs and retains moisture and isn’t suitable for strenuous sports.

“Visitors to this web site are reminded that hill walking, climbing and rambling are activities that can be dangerous and may result in personal injury or death. Participants should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.” (Mountaineering Ireland)