Mid Tipperary Hillwalkers Programme of activities 2023
- Sunday Walks
The club has five grades of Sunday walks, A, B, B+ and C walks in mountain terrain and Sunday Rambles mostly on track. A, B, B+ & C walks leave from in Cashel at 10am. The meeting point for rambles is notified in advance. There are walks most Sundays of the year. Exceptions are late July and August, and the weekends of the Spring and Autumn Challenges.
- A Walks every second Sunday (except late July/August)
These are high level walks of approx.4-5½ hours duration, leaving Cashel at 10am every second Sunday. They will take in the highest summits and may include some scrambling or easy / moderate gullies.
- B Walks same Sundays as A walks (except late July/August)
These are hill walks of 4-5 hours duration on mountain terrain, perhaps reaching high peaks but at a slower pace than the A walks.
- B+ Walks every second Sunday (alternate to the A & B walks, except late July & August)
These are hill walks of 4-5½ hours duration on mountain terrain. The pace is between that of the A and B walks. They leave from Cashel at 10am every second Sunday (alternate to the A & B walks)
- C Walks same Sundays as B+ walks (except late July/August)
These are hill walks of 3-4 hours duration on mountain terrain but will not be aiming for high mountain summits.
- Sunday Rambles every fourth week, January-December
Sunday Rambles are low-level walks, mostly on forest track, and are approx. 2-2½ duration, and take place every fourth Sunday. The meeting point for each walk is notified in advance.
Other Sunday activities
- Gullies:
Occasionally on a Sunday, an additional walk taking in a challenging gully will be organised. This will require helmet and harness (which it may be possible to borrow) and may involve rope-work.
- July/August Sundays
There will be no regular Sunday walks (except rambles) from Cashel after mid-July to September. Instead, walks may be organised to different parts of the country (e.g., Kerry, Wicklow, Galway etc). If any club member would like to organise or lead any such walk, or has an idea for such a walk, please let us know.
- Friday Night Walks (May – August)
These are low-level walks, mostly on forest track. Meeting point is usually at the starting point of the walks, mostly at 7pm, and is notified in advance.
- Family friendly Walks
The club may organise up to 4 family friendly walks, similar to the Holly Walk, during the summer months. Two of these will be Friday Evening Walks in May and June and two will be Sunday Walks during July and August. Dates for these will be publicised in advance and holding them will depend on demand.
- New Walkers
New walkers are always welcome to come along and join us. Just bring walking boots, suitable clothes and a packed lunch. A change of clothes and particularly footwear for after the walk is also strongly advised. You are advised that hill-walking carries risks and that every walker is responsible for their own safety. The leader’s responsibility is simply to lead the walk. We hope that you enjoy the experience and will come again. On the third walk, we would ask you to become a member of the club by paying the €10 annual membership fee. We also encourage all members to become members of Mountaineering Ireland which, if done through the club, has a reduced rate of €35.
Disclaimer
Mid Tipp Hill Walkers recognises that hill walking activities come with a danger of personal injury or death and does not provide professional mountain leadership. Leadership and guidance given by members is in the tradition whereby a novice will learn from more experienced members. Leaders are not technical experts but amateurs with some experience they are prepared to share. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and are responsible for their own actions and involvement. Anyone participating in group events should recognise that any advice given is on this basis and that the onus of responsibility remains with the individual. Members/guests are responsible to ensure they have appropriate clothing and footwear when walking and if in difficulty or have concerns, should alert another club member or the walk leader. Members must be over 18. Re under 18s see Policy on ‘Participation of Children in Walks’ in Club Constitution Page.
- Foreign Trips / Other Trips
As the club has so many members, no single trip open to all club members will be organised. However, groups of members may wish to organise trips, and the steering committee will lend whatever expertise the have.
- Night Walk
A night hill-walk for A/B levelwill take place on Friday night, 17 February. As the walk will depend on the weather forecast, a decision to walk or postpone will be made in mid-week, and everyone will then be notified.
- Long Walks Sunday
Longer walks at A and B levels and a longer ramble will be held on 16 July to mark the final Sunday of walking before the summer break.
- Training in leadership, safety and navigation
The club will organise a course in navigation for members in spring 2023
- Orienteering Day
We will consult with members to ascertain the interest in such an event
- Litter Pick
After last year’s very successful litter-pick, another will be organised in March or April 2023
- The ‘Catch-Up’ Gathering
A catch-up gathering will take place on April 23. This will be an opportunity for members to meet others who they might not have met for some time
- Spring Challenge, 24, 25 & 26 March 2023
This year’s Annual Spring Challenge is in Co Clare, based in the Falls Hotel Ennistymon. Further details will be sent by email in early January. If you wish to be on the mailing list for the event, please contact autumnspringchallenge@gmail.com .
- Autumn Challenge
The 2022 Autumn Challenge took place in the Mourne Mountains on 14, 15 & 16 October with about 100 participants, and was a very enjoyable weekend.
Details of the 2023 Challenge will be announced in April
- Holly Walk
This year’s Holly Walk takes place on 10 December. This is a family friendly walk, so under 18s are welcome, but must be accompanied and supervised by a parent/guardian.
