Guidelines for walk Leaders and Followers
Tullow Mountaineering Club in conjunction with Mountaineering Ireland recognises that mountaineering and climbing are activities which carry a risk of personal injury or death.
Participants should be aware of and accept risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.
Essential equipment required for hillwalking.
1. Quality walking boots with good ankle support.(Include spare laces)
2. Waterproof jacket and trousers .
3. Warm clothing ,including hat and gloves.
4. Proper outdoor trousers . No Denims or jeans.
5. Additional warm clothing.
6. Sufficient food and water for the duration of the walk.
7. A complete change of clothing and footwear, may be left in cars for use at end of walk.
8. Map and compass, with the ability to use them
9. Head torch with spare battery
10. Whistle
11. Personal first aid kit
12. Survival bag and or Group shelter
13. Emergency high energy food
14. Extra clothing in case of emergency
15. Mobile Phone. (Be aware coverage may be poor).
.
Weather.
Walkers
Walk leaders should do the following ;
1. Get the weather forecast and be guided by it
2. Depending on the nature of the walk , consider escape routes.
3. Have the route planned and be familiar with it.
4. Brief the walking group re the route, duration of walk. Level of difficulty, obstacles, steep ground, degree of exposure etc.
5. Consider the fitness and abilities of the group
6. Show good example to the group with respect to safety, conservation and enjoyment of group activity.
7. Carry a first aid kit. And group shelter.
8. Appoint a sweeper to assist the group stay as a unit while on the walk.
9. Do regular headcounts to ensure no one is missing, in poor weather etc, more frequent head counts will be required.
10. Have contact details of the group members in event of separation etc,If new people are on walk have Next of Kin contact details etc.
11. Ensure that all those who commence the walk are accounted for at walk end.
Any person involved is aware that those that might be perceived of as “In Charge”are not necessarily qualified, Do not need to be qualified, are not regarded by the club, nor regard themselves as ”Technical Experts” but are amateur climbers, hillwalkers or mountaineers, with some experience who are happy to impart their knowledge, and that any advice given may be viewed with this in mind by the recipient.
Getting to the walk start point.
1. In an effort to respect the environment and landowners, the number of cars travelling to the start point should be limited, and therefore car pooling and sharing is encouraged. Consideration should be given to the environment with regard to noise, access and cleanliness when parking at any start point. Do not obstruct entrances, gates, turning points etc. remember farm machinery /Forestry equipment may be much wider than you think.
2. It is expected that travelling expenses will be shared .
3. Don’t hinder or obstruct traffic while walking on the road . respect private property and observe the country code and the I.F.A. farmland code of conduct.
Safety on the walk.
YOU are primarily responsible for your own safety in the mountains. Remember you are on a club walk and therefore you have a responsibility not to endanger the group in any way. By adhering to, and following basic guidelines you will minimise risk to yourself and the group and add to everyone’s enjoyment..
1. The leader sets the pace and you are expected to follow this pace.
2. Follow all reasonable instructions from the leader.
3. If a walker wishes to stop for any reason while the main group is still walking, Toilet stop Etc, they must inform the walk leader or sweeper, if a sweeper has been appointed.
4. Inform the leader if the pace is too strong or if you are feeling unwell. The pace will be led at the pace of the slowest walker.
5. If you go ahead of the leader you risk being separated from the group and may get lost or injured. Should you go ahead of the leader you then, are considered to be no longer a member of the group and you are entirely responsible for your own actions and those who follow you.
6. A leader may decide to split the group into fast and slow groups with an agreed rendezvous point. If this happens , then an experienced walker will take control of each party and act as walk leaders. You are expected to follow his/her instructions.
7. If you decide to leave a walk early, you must contact the walk leader on your safe return to your vehicle. This is for your own safety and avoid call out of Mountain Rescue Team.
By joining the club and participating in its activities, you are agreeing to abide by the guidelines and understand the no walk leader is responsible for any individual who places themselves or others in danger or who ignores these guidelines.
Respect the mountains.
1 Leave no litter behind, even bio degradable items like tea bags and banana skins take long time to degrade, and are litter in themselves.
2 No dogs are allowed on club walks.
3 Do not disturb or damage plants, animal or birds.
4 Do not damage or interfere with crops , property or livestock
5 Leave gates as you find them and do not damage fences walls or gates.
6 Do not block or obstruct entrances when parking.
7 Remember that someone owns or has rights over the land on which e walk, and this land is their livelihood. we walk with the goodwill of landowners. Please respect their property and their goodwill.
8 If you see damage being done , illegal dumping , off road driving, quad biking etc report it to the relevant authorities. Try get registration numbers etc if possible.
9 The Club fully supports the principles of Leave No trace and asks all walkers and members to visit their website at www.leavenotraceireland.org for further information about protecting our environment and preventing damage to it by our visits and activities.
Leave nothing on the hill only footprints, Take nothing only memories.
Participants should be aware of and accept risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.
Essential equipment required for hillwalking.
1. Quality walking boots with good ankle support.(Include spare laces)
2. Waterproof jacket and trousers .
3. Warm clothing ,including hat and gloves.
4. Proper outdoor trousers . No Denims or jeans.
5. Additional warm clothing.
6. Sufficient food and water for the duration of the walk.
7. A complete change of clothing and footwear, may be left in cars for use at end of walk.
8. Map and compass, with the ability to use them
9. Head torch with spare battery
10. Whistle
11. Personal first aid kit
12. Survival bag and or Group shelter
13. Emergency high energy food
14. Extra clothing in case of emergency
15. Mobile Phone. (Be aware coverage may be poor).
.
Weather.
- Mountains are colder, wetter and far windier than lowlands. Temperatures drop by ONE degree C. for every 150 metres climbed. Top of Mount Leinster is 6 degrees C. colder than Barrack street, Wind chill will make it even colder. Rain will make it feel even more so.
Walkers
- It is a requirement that walkers are members of either the Tullow Mountaineering Club or some other club affiliated with Mountaineering Ireland, or a private member of Mountaineering Ireland However new walkers are permitted two walks before joining to ”try” it out, after this they must join the Club or fulfill either of the other conditions.
- Walk Leaders Walk leaders are all members of the club who have demonstrated that they have the experience and personal skills to lead a group safely in the terrain that they will encounter. Bear in mind the leaders are all volunteers and should be respected as such.
- Walk leaders has the right to extend , curtail or alter the route from that described at the walk start point.
- Walk leaders may refuse to take anyone who is not properly equipped or, in the leaders opinion, unfit for the walk planned .
- It is irresponsible to go on a walk if you are unwell or carrying and injury, If in doubt err on the side of caution.
- If you have a medical condition etc. Let the walk leader know in advance.
Walk leaders should do the following ;
1. Get the weather forecast and be guided by it
2. Depending on the nature of the walk , consider escape routes.
3. Have the route planned and be familiar with it.
4. Brief the walking group re the route, duration of walk. Level of difficulty, obstacles, steep ground, degree of exposure etc.
5. Consider the fitness and abilities of the group
6. Show good example to the group with respect to safety, conservation and enjoyment of group activity.
7. Carry a first aid kit. And group shelter.
8. Appoint a sweeper to assist the group stay as a unit while on the walk.
9. Do regular headcounts to ensure no one is missing, in poor weather etc, more frequent head counts will be required.
10. Have contact details of the group members in event of separation etc,If new people are on walk have Next of Kin contact details etc.
11. Ensure that all those who commence the walk are accounted for at walk end.
Any person involved is aware that those that might be perceived of as “In Charge”are not necessarily qualified, Do not need to be qualified, are not regarded by the club, nor regard themselves as ”Technical Experts” but are amateur climbers, hillwalkers or mountaineers, with some experience who are happy to impart their knowledge, and that any advice given may be viewed with this in mind by the recipient.
Getting to the walk start point.
1. In an effort to respect the environment and landowners, the number of cars travelling to the start point should be limited, and therefore car pooling and sharing is encouraged. Consideration should be given to the environment with regard to noise, access and cleanliness when parking at any start point. Do not obstruct entrances, gates, turning points etc. remember farm machinery /Forestry equipment may be much wider than you think.
2. It is expected that travelling expenses will be shared .
3. Don’t hinder or obstruct traffic while walking on the road . respect private property and observe the country code and the I.F.A. farmland code of conduct.
Safety on the walk.
YOU are primarily responsible for your own safety in the mountains. Remember you are on a club walk and therefore you have a responsibility not to endanger the group in any way. By adhering to, and following basic guidelines you will minimise risk to yourself and the group and add to everyone’s enjoyment..
1. The leader sets the pace and you are expected to follow this pace.
2. Follow all reasonable instructions from the leader.
3. If a walker wishes to stop for any reason while the main group is still walking, Toilet stop Etc, they must inform the walk leader or sweeper, if a sweeper has been appointed.
4. Inform the leader if the pace is too strong or if you are feeling unwell. The pace will be led at the pace of the slowest walker.
5. If you go ahead of the leader you risk being separated from the group and may get lost or injured. Should you go ahead of the leader you then, are considered to be no longer a member of the group and you are entirely responsible for your own actions and those who follow you.
6. A leader may decide to split the group into fast and slow groups with an agreed rendezvous point. If this happens , then an experienced walker will take control of each party and act as walk leaders. You are expected to follow his/her instructions.
7. If you decide to leave a walk early, you must contact the walk leader on your safe return to your vehicle. This is for your own safety and avoid call out of Mountain Rescue Team.
By joining the club and participating in its activities, you are agreeing to abide by the guidelines and understand the no walk leader is responsible for any individual who places themselves or others in danger or who ignores these guidelines.
Respect the mountains.
1 Leave no litter behind, even bio degradable items like tea bags and banana skins take long time to degrade, and are litter in themselves.
2 No dogs are allowed on club walks.
3 Do not disturb or damage plants, animal or birds.
4 Do not damage or interfere with crops , property or livestock
5 Leave gates as you find them and do not damage fences walls or gates.
6 Do not block or obstruct entrances when parking.
7 Remember that someone owns or has rights over the land on which e walk, and this land is their livelihood. we walk with the goodwill of landowners. Please respect their property and their goodwill.
8 If you see damage being done , illegal dumping , off road driving, quad biking etc report it to the relevant authorities. Try get registration numbers etc if possible.
9 The Club fully supports the principles of Leave No trace and asks all walkers and members to visit their website at www.leavenotraceireland.org for further information about protecting our environment and preventing damage to it by our visits and activities.
Leave nothing on the hill only footprints, Take nothing only memories.
