MEET: Outside old Irish Press Offices, Burgh Quay, down from Spar shop.

DEPART Sundays 10.00 A.M. (or when the bus is full)

COST: Private bus. £6.00 (unless otherwise stated)

NOTE: The leader has the right to refuse anyone who is not adequately equipped (i.e. without adequate rainwear, spare clothes, food, torch and hiking boots). The leader has the right to extend, curtail or alter the route from that described in the program. The leader sets the pace of the hike and walkers are expected to obey his/her instructions at all times.

During winter months it is essential to bring a (head) torch on all Sunday hikes and weekends away. Don’t forget to check your batteries and bulb.

Your club membership card MUST be carried and produced, if requested on all Sunday hikes. Numbered tickets will be given out on the quays by a committee member. People with a valid membership card and ticket will be given preference on the bus.

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. The Committee requests that anyone who is on medication or with a medical condition inform the leader before the start of the hike.

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. Try to reduce the erosion and widening of trails, e.g. do not walk on the edge of tracks.

In the interest of safety and comfort please keep the pointed end of your walking stick covered, especially when travelling on the bus.

Jim has asked us to include his email for queries regarding the walking schedule, including offers to lead for the September/October period, and weekend away queries. Virus free correspondence please.

Killarney Weekend Thursday 19^th – Monday 23^rd July

Killarney An Óige Hostel,

Cost £60.00. Includes 4 nights in hostel and transport by train. Self-catering, with food available in the hostel.

Saturday Hikes – Meet at Messrs Maguire Bar, O’Connell Bridge, Dublin at 8.45 a.m.

Bring: Packed lunch, wet weather gear and torch

Wear: Boots, tracksuit bottoms (no jeans), hat and gloves

Stepaside to Knockree Saturday 14^th July

Rockbrock to Marley Park Saturday 11^th August

For further details of all the above trips contact An Óige Head Office at 01-8304555

No more bookings are being taken for Martin Fagan’s trip to Italy. This trip to the Dolomite mountains will take place 1^st–15^th September 2001.

Booking has opened on this August bank holiday trip to Galway (see detailed programme at back of Hillwalker):

Leader: Proinsias MacAnBheatha

Dates: Friday 3^rd August – Monday 6^th August 2001

Booking : An Óige Head Office (01-8304555). £35 non-refundable deposit.

Cost: £70. (meals extra).

Hikes levels: Moderate and harder

I started my adventurous 5-week trip to Patagonia (southern Argentina and Chile) in mid-October 2000, so it was early spring in the Southern Hemisphere.

At least I arrived in style as I flew business class into Buenos Aires and then got a lift from my neighbour’s private driver into the city centre. The rest of my journey was more humble as they dropped me off in front of a youth hostel.

I immediately hooked up with my Lebanese-Australian roommate to explore the Argentinean capital. Tango on the streets is commonplace in certain areas so no need to pay to enter a show. The popular tourist area Caminito with its colourful metal houses, situated in La Boca, one of the poorer parts of the city, is where the ever-famous football player Diego Maradona started his career. We ended up cooking dinner in one of the local’s modest shelter and had a taste of mate, a strong bitter tea that one drinks through a pipe. I later found out that all Argentineans are addicted to it.

After a few days of acclimatisation I headed south to Península Valdéz NP (National Park). Because of its remoteness I was forced to join a bus tour. For most people the highlight is the boat trip which gets you very close to the (Eubalena australis) whales, others got really excited observing copulating sea elephants, whereas my weakness lies with the cute Magalan pinguins.

Next destination was the island of Tierra del Fuego in the far south which is half Argentinean, half Chilean. I only spent some time on the Argentinean side. The mountainous surroundings of Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, are simply captivating. There were good hiking possibilities from the city to Glaciar Martial but sudden snowfall and poor visibility made me return early. Inside the national park a choice of easy tracks along the lakes or somewhat more challenging ones up high.

Back on the mainland in Los Glaciares NP, I firstly joined a tour to the biggest tourist attraction the 60m high glacier Perito Moreno. Frequently big blocks of ice create an immense sound and light spectacle. More up north the Fitz Roy Range offers excellent hiking. I ended up camping with other backpackers. A bit too cold for me as it was still freezing at night but the harsh conditions were worthwhile as at sunrise the red glow on the famous peaks of Cerro Torre and Cerro Fitz Roy were absolutely breathtaking.

Crossing the border into Chile, The little seaside town Puerto Natales was the starting point of my backpacking trip in the huge Torres del Paine NP. A large choice of tracks. I did a popular 5 day hike carrying all my gear and food. The park was not yet invaded by the masses, which allows you to enjoy its sheer beauty even more. The most famous feature of the park are the Torres: 3 granite columns reaching 2600 to 2800 metres. On the eastern side via a steep climb over rock blocks you can see the Torres in full but when I reached that point they were hidden by fog. Staying in huts is rather dear but the Chilean hut wardens were extremely friendly. In one hut they spontaneously started singing beautiful Chilean songs.

Further north to the volcanic Lake District. Puerto Montt is a boosting tourist fishing town, with several national parks nearby. I did a few day trips. The fairly unfrequented and difficult accessible Alerce Andino NP is famous for its alerce trees, huge native conifers. I undertook a marathon hike in the volcanic Pérez Rosales NP partly climbing up the perfectly shaped Osorno volcano. I seemed the only hiker and was only surpassed by cars.

Eastwards into the Argentinean Lake District. Bariloche is the most famous ski resort of the country having undergone many European influences (p.e. Hotel Edelweiss, Mont Blanc ...). The city overlooks the large Nahuel Huapi Lake. Plenty of hiking possibilities, weather permitting. A must is to pop into the prestigious remote Lloa Lloa hotel built in an idyllic area overlooking mountains and lakes. Thick snowflakes changed the spring landscape suddenly into a beautiful winter scene.

The little town San Martín de los Andes by Lacar Lake was my final destination. I was invited to join 2 other hikers to climb Cerro Colorado volcano. Track invisible due to the thick snow layer so we had to make our own often sinking way. The top was coloured red, offering spectacular views. My last few days I took it fairly easy just walking along Lacar Lake.

Back to the hustle and bustle of hot Buenos Aires felt like a slight shock after several weeks of peace and quietness in the outback. I never had the impression I was making that trip all by myself as I met a lot of other backpackers and bumped into them at various locations.

There follows an article by the famed nature observer Sir David Attenborough. The commentary is from a soon-to-shown TV program on the wildlife of Wicklow.

"Gazing out over the barren hills on a chill winters day, nothing, you would believe, could survive in this harsh environment. But one creature not only survives, but indeed flourishes in these harsh conditions. For this is the territory of the walkus hillus, also known to nature lovers as the ‘hillwalker’, ‘mad ejiit’ or ‘bog trotter’.

The walkus hillus can be readily identified by their bright outer plumage. Unlike other creatures of the wild they have not developed the use of camouflage. Whether this is a sign of their dumbness or their lack of predators we have not determined. Whichever, this outer fur does have the advantage of extreme water-resistance (it is even thought they were hunted in the past for their skins, which were made into clothes for humans). They also have thick soles and large humps on their back.

In hotter months their appearance changes, with the shedding of their heavier outer fur and the display of hairy legs. Devoid of their natural protection from the sun, many turn a deep brown or burnt red.

The hillus walkus can be found in small groups or by itself, giving it greater stealth. However, many have grouped into large herds, perhaps for greater protection. These enormous herds thunder across the hills, driving off all other wildlife and leaving wide trials in their wake. More than once I and my camera crew had to flee out of the path of the rumbling mass.

These herds exhibit strange behaviour. In one herd stragglers were carefully nurtured and encouraged to rejoin the main group; in another they were mercilessly abandoned and left behind. We made a special study of this herd, calling it the "hillus walkus hardus". The same herd seemed to have an organised system of scouting ahead, as several of the creatures were always observed out in front. It was hard to tell sometimes if they belonged to the herd or not, so far ahead were some of these scouts, but most likely they were carefully looking for threats, food or trails.

Within the group there was a loose hierarchy – the dominant male was an old, white-furred creature, who clearly had special privileges with the females. Several young bucks were challenging him for their attentions, but they were no threat to his dominance. The same great stag was observed in three different herds, no doubt trying to increase the spread of his genes.

The herd would gather together when food was found and then move off after half an hour (always half an hour!!! We never figured out why, even though some of the creatures evidently wanted to eat or rest more). As they moved off they would split into male and female clusters and then regroup some minutes later. Any males still lingering in the female group as they split were ruthlessly driven off.

Several of these herds had a instinctive ritual of gathering at a great watering hole called "the Palace". Here the creatures engaged in social interaction and mating rituals. The waters of the Palace must have some potent chemicals as some of the creatures who had drunk deepest from it were to be observed staggering weakly as they left the area.

The hillus walkus was also found to sometimes undertake long distance migrations to other parts of their native isle and even beyond. Whether thirst or hunger drove them, we have not established. But they always returned to Wicklow, probably because they found the far southern regions too dry and hot and missed the damp climate of their homeland.

I have been observer these fascinating creatures for many years now and it is with a tinge of regret that my documentary ends. For the days of the hillus walkus may be ending. Devoid of natural predators, the creatures numbers have increased greatly. Many people, farmers and environmentalists included, decry the damage done to the hills by their large herds and a cull is now been sought. It will be a sad end for these strange, noble, walkers in the mist…

p.s contributions to the ‘Save the Hillus Walkus Fund’ can be sent to the Editor c/o The Boar’s Head, Capel Street, Dublin 1.

The Hillwalkers Club annual membership fee is £15.

Membership for the new year is due for all of us. An application form is enclosed and should be sent to the membership secretary at the following address: Mr. Ger Walsh, 15 Summerfield Avenue, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.

Chairperson: Donal Finn

Secretary: Frank Rooney

Treasurer Prionsias MacAnBheatha

Editor: Warren Lawless

Sunday Hikes: Jim Barry

Weekends/Holidays: Martin Fagan

Membership Secretary: Gerry Walshe

Training Officer: Joe Kellegher

Distribution: Cyril McFeeney & Pearse Foley

News has reached us that Steven James has been in trouble with the cops in Arizona for speeding down a motorway. The fact that he was walking on foot at the time did not mitigate the offence…

We would like to congratulate Ger, our membership secretary, and Pauline on the birth of their child Feargal. He has a healthy set of lungs, according to Ger, and baby sitters are welcome to apply.

Philip Hayden led a successful cleanup expedition to Knockree hostel back there in June. We tackled the abundance of rubbish along the section of river that runs through An óige property. Members of all three walking sections of An Óige were present. The unopened bean and beer cans were grateful recycled by the editor, ensuring that the occupants of No. 19 had no need to shop that week.

Fabien Heinen and Gerry Cooke have taken up the idea raised at this year’s AGM to organise a camping section for interested members. They purchased tents and planned a trip for the end of June. Gerry Cooke had to pull out at the last-minute due to to car problems, but the others went ahead with the trip and were blessed with beautiful summer weather,

We had to bring all our own food on the trip. There was little risk of us starving but as a precaution I made sure my flatmate Matt was well fed and fattened up in the week before hand. Just in case, just in case…

On a beautiful Friday evening, Fabien, Matt & I followed the Lough Brook from the Glenmacnass road and arrived at Lough Ouler. We gazed in admiration at the waters of the lake. As we choose our spot to pitch camp we were overwhelmed by a hoard of midgets and retreated to the ridge below Toin le Gaoith. Here we had a nice breeze to keep off the midgets. We pitched our tents, ate and enjoyed daylight until after 10.30 PM. As the darkness gathered, we gazed at the bright stars and the Red Planet, Mars.

That night on the ridge was very cold. But next morning we were revived by a cup of tea and were joined by Sean O’Reilly who had arrived after us and spent the night down by the lake. We then made our way across to Turlough Hill, had a nice siesta in the sun and wandered toward a blue, sparkling Lough Forrib and then onto Three Lakes. We made camp here, sheltered by bog banks and enjoyed a hot meal, after which we took a casual stroll over to Art’s Cross.

The Saturday night was much milder and we broke camp early next morning, bid a fond farewell to the Three Lakes and headed east along Clonavalla, Lugduff, Glendalough and down by the old Green Road into Laragh. Here we quenched our thirst and filled our bellies.

I had joined the trip as a novice camper but learned a lot from it and would encourage others to try it out (well, I had camped once before…but I’m told it does not count if you get milk and cookies brought out to you at midnight). Camping was a very different exercise from hillwalking in terms of the extra equipment and endurance needed, but with the extra benefits of being able to thoroughly enjoy the wilderness at leisure: No timetable, no undue haste, with plenty of wildlife and solitude.

A star-studded gathering were present at the official launch of The Hillwalker web-site. We have already been bought out by Yahoo.com and become overnight millionaires. Tastefully put together by Matt Geraghty (when he was meant to be working), it will shortly be on view at http://homepage.eircom.net/~thehillwalker There will also be a link to it from the main An Óige page http://www.anoige.ie This site will offer the advantage of allowing people to download the newsletter in whatever format of Microsoft Word they like, as well as allowing us to display more photos where possible (no, not THOSE sort of photos!).

Course Organisers:
Joseph Kellegher and Donal Finn.