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. Cost €9.00.

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.

Try to reduce the erosion and widening of trails, e.g. do not walk on the edge of worn tracks; walk through the centre of the original track or go several feet into the scruff where the ground is untrodden, walking parallel to but not on the track.

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.

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

The Club is organising the annual Circuit of Imaal walk on 22 June. We would like to ask for your support to help make it a safe and successful event by volunteering to man checkpoints on the day. If your up for it, speak to Jim.

Uncle Jim has prepared a varied feast of walks and weekends for the club, details of which are littering the newsletter. Jim is also looking for a leader for the August Bank Holiday Weekend. Also bodies for checkpoints on Ring of Imaal -  22^nd June (see note elsewhere).

After April, the next Mournes outing is scheduled for 9^th June.

The Editor’s list of those members paid up and on email is not always up to date, so apologies to does who are included in the initial mailing of the newsletter. Your patience is appreciated.

Saturday Hike – 11^th May Maulin and Crone

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

Weekend Away 3^rd to 6^th Doorus Hostel & Burren, Co.Clare

Ring An Óige office for details (01-8304555).

Shocking reports have emerged of a devious scheme being operated to lure club members on a phoney holiday in return for extortionate rates. Several people had complained to travel agent representative and consumer affairs groups about the activities of "Hayden Travels". This group are apparently approaching hillwalkers in venues like the Palace Bar and proporting to offer "incredible walking holidays in the West of Ireland". One sample of the literature used to advertise these walks is shown at the back of this newsletter.

A more elaborate version of their brochure promises five-star hotel accommodation for the walks and leadership by (quote) "an expert and hardened veteran of the Irish mountains, with commanding leadership and natural sense of navigation". The truth, alas is startling short of the promise.

Our investigators, posing as interested walkers, found that the accommodation, while comfortable and well-situated, did not offer the jacuzzi, massage or breakfast-in-bed facilities offered in the Hayden Travel’s brochure. More significantly, the background of the leader of these hikes emerged as been somewhat dubious. Our investigators managed to trace a participant, or dare we say, a survivor of a previous Hayden Travels walking holiday. This individual (referred to as El Warro to protect his identity) did not wish to be discuss his "holiday from hell" as he put it, but then felt he should speak out lest others fall into he same trap he did.

Warro told us about his Mediterranean trip with Haydens. "Yeah, you know, the leader seemed an honest bloke and I was really impressed with his navigation skills and apparent knowledge of the mountains. But as the holiday went on I found we were be led up the garden path, ye know?, down gorges and up the sides of mountains along non-existent trails. If any of us queried his route, he would just wave his map at us and insist the trail was close by. But I would spot him reading up on the trail the night before, so he obviously hadn’t walked where he was bringing us before."

"Accommodation?? Are you joking? Well, he got quality rooms, but the rest of us were lucky to have a plank of wood to sleep on. And that time he brought us to the monastery…great spot, but pity the monks were up singing matins at 5am." The aggrieved Warro grumbled on at length, mentioning the leader’s habit of slipping off at night and been found drunk and insensible the next morning, in no state to lead. When asked if he had received any compensation, Warro laughed: "Oh, we all planned to sue (those of us who were still left and hadn’t been hospitalised). But then our leader brings us into a waterless gorge and won’t show us the way out until we sign a document waiving our rights."

All this was a few years ago, but the scarrs are still fresh and Hayden tours are still going. Alas, these fly-by-night outdoor ventures operate narrowly within the law and the authorities are powerless to do more than advise people to be aware of their rights. So before taking the bus west, ask yourself, is this a hillwalking trip or a cowboy operation?

Among weekends away currently planned for this year are:

1. Burren, Co. Clare, 3^rd to 6^th May, to be led by Prionsias MacAnBheatha. Full details at the end of the newsletter.
2. Westport, Co. Mayo, in June, to be led by Philip Hayden. This trip is the subject of an in-depth report above, and further details are at the back of the newsletter. Philip assures me the Saturday bus departure will take account of people (i.e me) who will be watching the World Cup game that morning.

The Editor knows a clique when he sees one and can’t help noticing the close bond that has developed around those who partook in the Kerry weekend away. Already several parties have been held among them without an invitation appearing in the Editorial Inbox. Even more horrifying, a tight silence continues to surround the activities of that weekend. Regular sources have dried up (or else dried out and are hence no longer susceptible to alcoholic bribes) but the Editor is patient and will wait for a loose tongue to tell the tale…

Hayden says Editorial Offices too much of a Dump

Philip Hayden is repeating his successful cleanup operation of last year, as part of An Taisc’ National Spring Clean. The initial proposal to tackle the Editor’s apartment has been abandoned in the face of the hopelessness of ever mastering the rubbish piled high in its corridors. "Only a nuke would clean up that office", Mr. Hayden was overheard to comment, but this idea was abandoned as it ran counter to the environmental spirit. Instead, the pleasant environs of Knockree Hostel are the focus point for his efforts. Volunteers can meet at the Wicklow hostel at12noon 27^th April. Gloves & bags provided on the day. As ever, any unopened beer cans recovered can be recycled by participants.

Chairperson: Donal Finn
Secretary: Frank Rooney
Treasurer Prionsias MacAnBheatha
Editor Warren Lawless
Sunday Hikes: Jim Barry
Membership Secretary: Gerry Walshe
Training Officer: Joe Kellegher
Young Hillwalkers: Dave Rooney

Distribution: Cyril McFeeney & Pearse Foley

Webmaster: Matt Geraghty

The Hillwalkers Club annual membership fee is €19.

The club intends giving preference to members for places on the Sunday bus, so please be sure to renew your membership now. 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.

Walking holiday articles and pictures must be in electronic form where possible or at least typed, and should be a maximum of 500 words. A stamped addressed envelope should accompany any photographs or printed articles to ensure their return. Articles will generally be published in order of receipt. A prize will be awarded for the best article and best cover photo featured in the newsletter at the annual club Christmas party.

Current and back issues of the Hillwalker available at online at:

In a surprise development, hillwalking activities in Ireland have been thrown into disarray by the formation of a new union. F.O.O.L – The Federation Of Outdoor Leaders – is a recently formed entity that threatens to upset the way clubs have traditionally operated. Representing all those that are responsible for leading people in the hills, their manifesto states their aim is (quote) "to win respect, thanks and possibly some recompense for the hard work put in by those who lead club walks. Plus we are tired of all the moany gripes we get if lunch is too short or we get temporarily navigationally-challenged, sniff". Citing the low regard walk leaders have been held in, their intention is to strike until their demands are recognised. Already pickets have been mounted on Lugnaquila, Tonlegee and the path up by Mr. Darcy’s farm in Wickla.

Neither the ITGWU or SIPTU are rushing to affiliate with the new union. When asked for a reason why, a spokesperson at Liberty Hall said "Well, frankly, they smell a bit and keep leaving muck all over our conference floors". However, the various Irish hillwalking clubs have reacted with alarm to the new union. They are particularly afraid that the various club committees might themselves adopt a similar manifesto and start looking for respect, understanding and patience from their membership for their voluntary efforts. "Heaven’s forbid", said one dedicated grouch who prides himself on his Moanrows rather than his Monroes.

Already tensions are rising on the picket lines: The F.O.O.L members picketing on Lug were annoyed by the sight of other hillwalkers sneaking around their picket and coming up via the North Prison, whilst attempts by F.O.O.L to mount a picket outside Lynams of Laragh caused scruffles with thirsty walkers and turned into a riot when a member of the biker fraternity got hit with a platypus. The situation is set for dramatic scenes on Burgh Quay.

It is the smallest Youth Hostel in Ireland with just 16 beds. It is surely the most primitive hostel in Ireland and you would find it difficult to find its equal worldwide. The running water is the river that passes the front door, the toilets are the 'old fashion type' and you cook and eat your meals by magic gas light.

Will we close Glenmalure Hostel? Well, just now that this winter depends on you, the membership of An Óige? We need voluntary wardens immediately, only for weekends in the winter months! The hostel has operated that system for many years but fewer people are helping this ‘spirit of An Óige’ work.

If you are available to help out one Saturday night in the coming months, please contact Head Office with your details at 830 4555 or An Óige General Manager David Owens at 8822569.

Eddie McCrane

Since its founding in 1993, the Hillwalker's Club has organised a popular Map and Compass programme each year. The course aims to provide a comprehensive grounding in Mountain Skills and it typically involves three indoor evening sessions followed by three outdoor training weekends. The syllabus covered in the course is similar to the Mountain Skills courses (MS1 and MS2) prescribed by Bord Oiliunt Sleibhe - Irish Mountain Training Board and offered by the various Irish outdoor adventure centres (eg, Tiglin, Delphi, etc).

In order to further promote and develop mountain skills amongst club members, financial support in the form of bursaries will be made available to members who successfully complete a Mountain Skills Assessment in 2002.

The Mountain Skills Assessment (MSA) is based on a skills evaluation programme and is held over a weekend. It involves a number of stages as follows:

1. A written (multiple choice type) assessment on general navigation issues.
2. Practical assessment of day navigation skills.
3. Practical assessment of night navigation skills.
4. Near and far feature recognition.
5. Steep ground awareness.

To undertake the Mountain Skills Assessment (MSA), it is necessary to fulfil the following requirements:

1. to have completed at least 30 hill walks in Ireland or Britain over a period of 24 months,
2. to present a Mountain Skills log book detailing the above walks,
3. to hold a valid Rescue and Emergency Care (REC2) certificate or its equivalent (Basic First Aid Certificate).

The National Adventure Centre at Tiglin, Wicklow (www.tiglin.com) amongst others, organises the MSA at a current cost of £125.

The financial resources to support these bursaries will be made available from the surplus associated with the Club's annual Map and Compass training programme. Support in future years is contingent on sufficient funds being available from this source.

Further enquiries from Donal Finn or Joseph Kellegher.

• Black Head, Gleninagh and Cappanawalla Mountains

• Turlough Hill

• Burren Flora Field Studies on both moderate walks

• Visit to Ancient Monastic Settlement of Clonmacnoise,Co Offaly

• Social Events

Ordnance Survey Maps: 1:50.000 Discovery Series Sheet 51

Hostel accommodation: limited to 50 persons

Booking: EUR 50 NON REFUNDABLE deposit to An Óige Head Office by credit card or cash deposit (8304555). Booking facilities available from 1^st April 2002.

Cost: EUR 90 (includes 3 bednights & Transport costs)

Meals: available locally – more details next programme.

Food: bring sufficient amount for at least one breakfast.

Bring: : Suitable Walking Boots, Rain Wear/Change of Warm Clothing/ Sheet Bag/Towels/Toilet gear/ flask/torch/ first aid kit/camera/binoculars/ valid An Óige membership card.

Departure: Friday evening from Custom House Quay at 4pm/ 1600hrs sharp.

Return: Monday evening /arriving Dublin City centre at 9pm(2100hrs) approx.

Please note that the walking programme may be altered or curtailed at the discretion of the leader to take account of adverse weather conditions and walkers capabilities.