Hill/Mountain Walking Beginner

Ziycon · 14-07-2009, 14:06

Myself and my girlfriend are interested in starting hill/mountain walking but I'm unsure how to go about it, is there groups/clubs that regualerly organise them or is there a beginners course you can do?

Appericate any help.

Conor74 · 14-07-2009, 14:30

Get boots, get a map of the area around Glendalough or some other place within driving distance of Dublin, and start walking!

It is that easy. I was thinking about it for ages, wondering would I join a club, what would I need, should I be fit etc. etc. and one day I just went for it and haven't looked back. Think boots, a compass and map (and some basic knowledge of how to use them, there are many tutorials online), a whistle/torch just in case, raingear, a change of clothes in the car and go for it. As you see what you like, you can acquire more and more, weather gear/gaiters, flasks, hydration packs, proper layered clothing, books on good walks etc. But would go in at the shallow end before incurring too much expense - for my first few walks I went in runners before spending any money, but was sticking to tracks then. Even still, lots of my gear is cheap, though have good boots.

Mickeroo · 14-07-2009, 20:56

check out www.mountaineering.ie, there should be a list of clubs on there, clubs are a great way to get training and experience, if you find you really like it I would recommend doing a Mountain Skills course

Ziycon · 15-07-2009, 08:59

Thanks for all the advice.

Alun · 15-07-2009, 09:14

Agree 100% with the club idea. You can tap into years of experience of the local area from some of the more experienced members and find areas and routes that you'd never discover yourself just armed with a map or even some of the guide books.

muddy · 17-07-2009, 20:31

www.wicklowwalks.com is probably also worth a look.

14-07-2009, 14:06	#1
Ziycon Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,159 Adverts \| Friends	Hill/Mountain Walking Beginner Myself and my girlfriend are interested in starting hill/mountain walking but I'm unsure how to go about it, is there groups/clubs that regualerly organise them or is there a beginners course you can do? Appericate any help.

14-07-2009, 20:56	#3
Mickeroo Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Mayo Posts: 662 Adverts \| Friends	check out www.mountaineering.ie, there should be a list of clubs on there, clubs are a great way to get training and experience, if you find you really like it I would recommend doing a Mountain Skills course __________________ "The great Dawkins said we cannot tolerate those who don't use reason. They go around chopping down trees for tables when they have perfectly good tummies to eat on! How reasonable is it to eat off wood instead of your tummy?!" - Head Otter

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14-07-2009, 14:30	#2
Conor74 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 3,670 Adverts \| Friends	Get boots, get a map of the area around Glendalough or some other place within driving distance of Dublin, and start walking! It is that easy. I was thinking about it for ages, wondering would I join a club, what would I need, should I be fit etc. etc. and one day I just went for it and haven't looked back. Think boots, a compass and map (and some basic knowledge of how to use them, there are many tutorials online), a whistle/torch just in case, raingear, a change of clothes in the car and go for it. As you see what you like, you can acquire more and more, weather gear/gaiters, flasks, hydration packs, proper layered clothing, books on good walks etc. But would go in at the shallow end before incurring too much expense - for my first few walks I went in runners before spending any money, but was sticking to tracks then. Even still, lots of my gear is cheap, though have good boots.

15-07-2009, 08:59	#4
Ziycon Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,159 Adverts \| Friends	Thanks for all the advice.

15-07-2009, 09:14	#5
Alun Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Bray, Co. Wicklow Posts: 8,405 Adverts \| Friends	Agree 100% with the club idea. You can tap into years of experience of the local area from some of the more experienced members and find areas and routes that you'd never discover yourself just armed with a map or even some of the guide books.

17-07-2009, 20:31	#6
muddy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 2 Adverts \| Friends	www.wicklowwalks.com is probably also worth a look.