Guidelines for leading a walk
The following article contains information on the qualifications required of a walk leader and information on route planning, preparation and leading the group during the walk.
Leaders should:
1. Be competent to lead groups and be appropriately equipped to ensure the safety of the group.
2. Be trained in first aid and carry a first aid kit.
3. Know the route and the ability of the group and ensure that they are all properly equipped.
4. Be prepared to alter the route to meet the needs and interest of the group, and the weather conditions.
5. Ensure that everybody in the group knows what to do, what not to do, and why.
6. Show good example to the group with regard to conservation issues and relationships with landowners.
Route Planning
1. Match the route to the ability of the group.
2. Get the weather forecast and plan your route with weather in mind.
3. Avoid unnecessary height loss.
4. Where possible, keep to the ridges and spurs rather than walking on the side of a slope or crossing ridges and spurs unnecessarily.
5. Avoid steep ground if possible; but remember if you must cross steep ground plan the route so that you walk up rather than down - it is safer to ascend steep ground rather than descend it.
6. Especially with young groups, try to vary the terrain in a day's walk.
7. Make out a detailed route card to include distance, height gain, and time taken for each leg. Include compass bearings where appropriate.
8. Always plan a suitable alternative or escape route in case of bad weather or problems arising.
Preparation
Route Selection: Use the map to choose a route, taking into account the experience and fitness of the group. Work out approximately how long the walk will take.
Weather: Get the weather forecast and know how it will affect the walk (ring 1550 123 850 for the Munster area).
Equipment: Make sure the leader/s and the group are suitably equipped.
Transport: Organise transport and meeting places before and after the walk.
Safety: Leave notice of where you are going and when you are likely to return. This can save a lot of confusion in the event of an emergency.
Map & Compass: A map and compass, with the ability to use them, are essential pieces of equipment for all leaders. A G.P.S. while useful as a back-up is no substitute for a map and compass.
During The Walk
Size of group: Large groups should be avoided. They are difficult to manage, cause environmental and access problems
Stay together: If people become separated from the group they may get lost or injured.
Inform people: Tell people where they are going and how long it should take. Show them the map.
Shared responsibility: Avoid taking all responsibility by delegating the different jobs of organising and leading a walk.
Leaders should:
1. Be competent to lead groups and be appropriately equipped to ensure the safety of the group.
2. Be trained in first aid and carry a first aid kit.
3. Know the route and the ability of the group and ensure that they are all properly equipped.
4. Be prepared to alter the route to meet the needs and interest of the group, and the weather conditions.
5. Ensure that everybody in the group knows what to do, what not to do, and why.
6. Show good example to the group with regard to conservation issues and relationships with landowners.
Route Planning
1. Match the route to the ability of the group.
2. Get the weather forecast and plan your route with weather in mind.
3. Avoid unnecessary height loss.
4. Where possible, keep to the ridges and spurs rather than walking on the side of a slope or crossing ridges and spurs unnecessarily.
5. Avoid steep ground if possible; but remember if you must cross steep ground plan the route so that you walk up rather than down - it is safer to ascend steep ground rather than descend it.
6. Especially with young groups, try to vary the terrain in a day's walk.
7. Make out a detailed route card to include distance, height gain, and time taken for each leg. Include compass bearings where appropriate.
8. Always plan a suitable alternative or escape route in case of bad weather or problems arising.
Preparation
Route Selection: Use the map to choose a route, taking into account the experience and fitness of the group. Work out approximately how long the walk will take.
Weather: Get the weather forecast and know how it will affect the walk (ring 1550 123 850 for the Munster area).
Equipment: Make sure the leader/s and the group are suitably equipped.
Transport: Organise transport and meeting places before and after the walk.
Safety: Leave notice of where you are going and when you are likely to return. This can save a lot of confusion in the event of an emergency.
Map & Compass: A map and compass, with the ability to use them, are essential pieces of equipment for all leaders. A G.P.S. while useful as a back-up is no substitute for a map and compass.
During The Walk
Size of group: Large groups should be avoided. They are difficult to manage, cause environmental and access problems
Stay together: If people become separated from the group they may get lost or injured.
Inform people: Tell people where they are going and how long it should take. Show them the map.
Shared responsibility: Avoid taking all responsibility by delegating the different jobs of organising and leading a walk.
Guidelines for hillwalkers
The following guidelines are intended to ensure that all the members of Clonmel Peaks Mountaineering Club enjoy their time in the mountains while respecting the safety of their fellow walkers, looking after the environment and respecting the rights of land owners on whose land we walk, not as a right but with their goodwill.
Peaks Mountaineering Club in conjunction with the Mountaineering Council of Ireland (M.C.I.) recognizes that mountaineering and climbing are activities which carry a risk of personal injury or death. Participants should be aware of and accept there are risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.
Insurance
Each member is insured under the MCI insurance. Full details can be had from the MCI (01 6251115 in www.mountaineering.ie). To participate in any club activity you must be a member of the club or carry MCI insurance either personally or through membership of another affiliated club.
Grading of Walks
The club organises various walks throughout the season as follows:
10.00 AM Walks
Are held every Sunday and require a good level of fitness, super fitness only. This walk is of five to six hours duration. New members are required to participate in a minimum of two 12.00 walks before undertaking a 10.00 walk.
12.00 PM Is a walk of approximately four to five hours duration at a reasonable pace and is aimed at members who don't wish to participate in an all day walk. The walk does take place in the mountain environment and does require a reasonable level of fitness. Essential Equipment for Mountain Walking
1. Quality walking boots with good ankle support. Remember you will not be allowed on a club walk without proper boots. NO BOOTS – NO WALK.
2. Waterproof jacket and trousers.
3. Warm clothing, including hat and gloves
4. Proper outdoor trousers. NO JEANS.
5. Additional warm clothing.
6. Sufficient food and water for the duration of the walk.
Additional Items Recommended
1. Map and compass, with the ability to use them.
2. Head torch with spare battery and bulbs.
3. Whistle.
4. First Aid Kit.
5. Survival Bag.
6. Emergency high energy food.
7. Extra clothing in case of emergency.
8. Mobile phone (coverage may be poor in mountain areas).
Club leaders may refuse to take anyone who is not properly equipped or who, in the leader's opinion is unfit for the walk planned.
Weather
Mountains are colder, wetter and far windier than lowlands. Temperatures drop by 1ºc for every 150 meters climbed. So the top of Galtee Mor will be 6ºc colder then when you met in the car park. This variance could be even greater with wind chill.
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 everybody'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. Inform the leader if you are tired or unwell or if the pace is too strong. The walk will be led to the pace of the slowest walker.
4. If you go ahead of the appointed leader you may get separated from the group and may get lost and/or injured. Should you go ahead of the leader then you are no longer considered to be part of the group and you are entirely responsible for your own actions and for those who follow you.
5. A leader may decide to split a group into fast and slow groups with an agreed rendezvous point. If this happens then an experienced walker will be appointed to lead both groups and you are expected to follow his/her instructions.
6. If you decide to leave the group during a walk you are required to contact the appointed leader on your safe return. This is for your own safety and to avoid call out of mountain rescue.
By joining the club and participating in its activities you are agreeing to abide by these guidelines and understand that no leader is responsible for any individual who places himself or herself in danger or who ignores there guidelines.
Respect the Mountains
1. Leave no litter behind, even biodegradable items like banana skins and teabags take years to disappear and are litter in themselves.
2. Avoid taking dogs on the mountain at all times
3. Leave cairns as they are. Old cairns may be of archaeological importance and creating new ones may confuse some walkers.
4. Do not disturb or damage plants, birds or animals.
5. Do not interfere with livestock, crops or other property.
6. Leave gates as you find then and do not damage fences or walls.
7. Do not block or obstruct entrances when parking.
8. Remember that somebody owns or has rights over the land on which we walk, and often this land is their livelihood. We walk with the goodwill of landowners; please respect their property and their goodwill.
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Peaks Mountaineering Club in conjunction with the Mountaineering Council of Ireland (M.C.I.) recognizes that mountaineering and climbing are activities which carry a risk of personal injury or death. Participants should be aware of and accept there are risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.
Insurance
Each member is insured under the MCI insurance. Full details can be had from the MCI (01 6251115 in www.mountaineering.ie). To participate in any club activity you must be a member of the club or carry MCI insurance either personally or through membership of another affiliated club.
Grading of Walks
The club organises various walks throughout the season as follows:
10.00 AM Walks
Are held every Sunday and require a good level of fitness, super fitness only. This walk is of five to six hours duration. New members are required to participate in a minimum of two 12.00 walks before undertaking a 10.00 walk.
12.00 PM Is a walk of approximately four to five hours duration at a reasonable pace and is aimed at members who don't wish to participate in an all day walk. The walk does take place in the mountain environment and does require a reasonable level of fitness. Essential Equipment for Mountain Walking
1. Quality walking boots with good ankle support. Remember you will not be allowed on a club walk without proper boots. NO BOOTS – NO WALK.
2. Waterproof jacket and trousers.
3. Warm clothing, including hat and gloves
4. Proper outdoor trousers. NO JEANS.
5. Additional warm clothing.
6. Sufficient food and water for the duration of the walk.
Additional Items Recommended
1. Map and compass, with the ability to use them.
2. Head torch with spare battery and bulbs.
3. Whistle.
4. First Aid Kit.
5. Survival Bag.
6. Emergency high energy food.
7. Extra clothing in case of emergency.
8. Mobile phone (coverage may be poor in mountain areas).
Club leaders may refuse to take anyone who is not properly equipped or who, in the leader's opinion is unfit for the walk planned.
Weather
Mountains are colder, wetter and far windier than lowlands. Temperatures drop by 1ºc for every 150 meters climbed. So the top of Galtee Mor will be 6ºc colder then when you met in the car park. This variance could be even greater with wind chill.
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 everybody'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. Inform the leader if you are tired or unwell or if the pace is too strong. The walk will be led to the pace of the slowest walker.
4. If you go ahead of the appointed leader you may get separated from the group and may get lost and/or injured. Should you go ahead of the leader then you are no longer considered to be part of the group and you are entirely responsible for your own actions and for those who follow you.
5. A leader may decide to split a group into fast and slow groups with an agreed rendezvous point. If this happens then an experienced walker will be appointed to lead both groups and you are expected to follow his/her instructions.
6. If you decide to leave the group during a walk you are required to contact the appointed leader on your safe return. This is for your own safety and to avoid call out of mountain rescue.
By joining the club and participating in its activities you are agreeing to abide by these guidelines and understand that no leader is responsible for any individual who places himself or herself in danger or who ignores there guidelines.
Respect the Mountains
1. Leave no litter behind, even biodegradable items like banana skins and teabags take years to disappear and are litter in themselves.
2. Avoid taking dogs on the mountain at all times
3. Leave cairns as they are. Old cairns may be of archaeological importance and creating new ones may confuse some walkers.
4. Do not disturb or damage plants, birds or animals.
5. Do not interfere with livestock, crops or other property.
6. Leave gates as you find then and do not damage fences or walls.
7. Do not block or obstruct entrances when parking.
8. Remember that somebody owns or has rights over the land on which we walk, and often this land is their livelihood. We walk with the goodwill of landowners; please respect their property and their goodwill.
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