MOURNE RAMBLERS NEWSLETTER February 2014

Welcome to the latest edition of the Mourne Rambling Group newsletter. In this issue I hope you will find articles and items of interest to you including:

 NEW MEMBER UPDATE  BILLY McBRIDE – A TRIBUTE  ICE  TRAIL MOUNTAIN GUIDE – WIND SPEEDS  NAVIGATION DAY  WEB UPDATE  NOTICEBOARD  MEDICAL TAGS

Vincent Trainor, Editor

Welcome to the following new members since the last newsletter (November 2013) (up-to-date as at 21 February 2014

Eileen Keenan, Martin Overend, Kerry Bradley, Donna Webb

Please note: Mourne Ramblers get a discount on car parking (£3 instead of £4 per car) when our walks start at Meelmore Lodge. Simply pay inside the café rather than at the machine. Billy McBride – A real original.

Billy McBride, who died recently, was one of those rare people, that if I think back to trips I took to Scotland or Donegal, Billy, and of course Edith, come straight to mind. The above photo from 1986, just about says it all. His smile and humour were totally infectious and often transformed the social side of a group trip. He was game for anything, the above snap being taken just before an ascent of a graded ridge, The Forcan, in Kintail. The main memory that Irene and I have of that trip is the landing between the men’s and women’s dorms in Ratagan Youth hostel – no luxurious B&Bs in those days. We were backpacking into Glen Affric, a day’s walk, where we would be based, far away from roads. Picture it, Billy and Edith sitting in the middle of the landing, with two piles of clothes and gear, one on each side of them. One pile was twice the size of the other. Edith picked up items, saying, “No, No,” to two articles which were dumped on a large pile growing in size by the moment, before allowing something smaller onto the other pile.

When I contacted Billy and Edith for their recollections for the fortieth year’s celebration magazine, they came up trumps. At the risk of losing a friend, and maybe more, I recommend that you read, or reread, Billy’s own contribution to ‘Memories’, and also the one he did with Edith. It can only give a flavour of the lighthearted laughter that he could induce, and the permanent twinkle in his eye. He will be sorely missed, and we extend our heartfelt commiserations to Edith.

David S. Oldfield ICE – IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

In Case of Emergency contacts listed in your mobile phone's contact list is a great idea but if you 'lock' your phone with a password/security code the emergency services will not be able to access the information. Alternatively, some handsets provide access to a list of ICE contacts directly from the ‘locked’ screen.

There are also smartphone ‘apps’ (applications) that allow custom ICE and emergency information to be displayed as the ‘locked’ screen - see your phone provider’s app store.

A campaign encouraging people to enter an emergency contact number in their mobile phone's memory under the heading ‘ICE’ (i.e. In Case of Emergency), has rapidly spread throughout the world as a particular consequence of the terrorist attacks in London. Originally established as a nationwide campaign in the UK, ICE allows paramedics or police to be able to contact a designated relative / next-of-kin in an emergency situation.

By adopting the ICE advice, your mobile will help the rescue services quickly contact a friend or relative - which could be vital in a life or death situation. It only takes a few seconds to do, and it could easily help save your life. Why not put ICE in your phone now? Simply select a new contact in your phone book, enter the word 'ICE' and the number of the person you wish to be contacted. For more than one contact, name ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 etc.’

TIPS TIP 1: For the name enter: ICE ‘name of person’ and then the phone number(s) e.g. ‘ICE Andy W’ You can add more than one: ICE ‘another name’ and their number(s) e.g. ‘ICE Fred B’ Most phones allow you to add 'notes' to contact entries e.g. ‘Mum’ and usually more than one phone number e.g. home, mobile, work. I've duplicated my ICE entries with a number in front as well so they appear at the start of my contacts list, so ‘ICE person’s name’ appears under 'I' for 'ICE' but I've put the same details under ‘1-ICE Andy W’ ‘2-ICE Fred B’ etc which appear before any 'A' entries

TIP 2: If you place an asterisk (‘star’) after your ICE contact number(s): a) It will allow your to separate the ICE number from your regular family listing. b) It will not show up on caller ID as ICE but as yourself. c) Lastly, If your phone has a camera, take a picture of yourself and call it ICE - Me. This will identify you with the phone.

Example: name: ICE1 phone number: xxx-xxx-xxxx* name:ICE2 phone number: xxx-xxx-xxxx** and so on It's so simple that everyone can do it. Please do.

How Does It Work? Simply use your mobile’s phone book to store the name and number of someone who should be contacted if you have an emergency – but add the letters ICE in front of their name.

Getting Started On most mobile phones you simply need to select ‘Contacts’ and choose ‘Add New Contact’, then enter the letters ‘ICE’ next to the name, followed by the telephone number of your next-of-kin. Make sure you choose a number that’s easy to get in touch with – a home number could be useless in an emergency if the person works full time. We recommend that you enter daytime and evening numbers where this is possible.

What Should I Do Next? Make sure the person whose name and number you are giving has agreed to be your ‘ICE partner’. You should also make sure your ICE partner has a list of people to contact on your behalf, such as your place of work. In addition, they’ll need to know about any medical conditions that could affect your emergency treatment, including allergies or medication.

If you’re under 18, your ICE partner should be your mother, your father or an immediate member of your family authorised to make decisions on your behalf. Friends and other relatives won’t be able to make decisions for you if you’re admitted to hospital.

Storing an ICE number makes it easier for everyone if you’re involved in an accident. It only takes a few seconds, so do it today - please.

Please also pass this information on to as many friends, relatives and colleagues as possible....thank you.

This is not meant to replace your ID bracelet, neck pendant, driving licence, wallet or purse for ID. It is 'in addition', not a replacement.

Maggie Pridgen TRAIL MOUNTAIN GUIDE ..... what is ‘too’ windy?

This table appeared in ‘Trail’ magazine (Feb 2014). Before heading out into the hills it is wise to check the weather forecast – however, how many of us look beyond temperature, rainfall and cloud cover? The strength of wind can be even more critical – especially on the tops – take heed! The hillwalker’s Beaufort scale  Force 0 ..... below 1 mph ..... Calm ..... No effect

 Force 1 ..... 1 to 3 mph ..... Light air ..... Worries the midges

 Force 2 ..... 4 to 7 mph ..... Light ..... Cools hot skin

 Force 3 ..... 8 to 12 mph ..... Breeze ..... Potentially chilly if you stop

 Force 4 ..... 13 to 18 mph ..... Moderate ..... Balance on ridges tricky

 Force 5 ..... 19 to 24 mph ..... Fresh ..... Tents need careful pegging

 Force 6 ..... 25 to 31 mph ..... Strong ..... Walking into the wind is hard

 Force 7 ..... 32 to 38 mph ..... Near gale ..... Walking is very strenuous

 Force 8 ..... 39 to 46 mph ..... Gale ..... At risk of being blown over

 Force 9 ..... 47 to 54 mph ..... Strong ..... Frequent falls/airborne grit

 Force 10 ..... 55 to 63 mph ..... Storm ..... Progress almost impossible

 Force 11 ..... 64 to 72 mph ..... Violent ..... Lie down and tie on

 Force 12 ..... 73 mph plus ..... Hurricane ..... You’re a bird without wings.

Many good weather forecasts are available to us. Try ‘www.myweather2.com’ which gives you comprehensive weather information including wind strength at both base level (10m) and upper levels (850m).

George Acheson  Navigation Day

A navigation course is planned for April or May – depending on the uptake more than one day might be available. Objectives  To have an enjoyable day

 To provide practical tips, leading to improved map reading and navigation skills Outline  The course will be led by MR leaders, working in groups of 2 - 4 people  10.30am-3.30pm, bring a packed lunch  Start at Meelmore Lodge, with an hour’s theory; then head into the nearby hills for practice with map and compass Content  Maps: grid lines, north points, scale, contours, symbols, physical and human features. Members are asked to bring 1:25000 scale Mourne map

 4 and 6 figure grid references

 Setting a map – being able to point out surrounding features

 Compass –it is recommended that you bring a Silva compass (with degrees) e.g. Silva Expedition 4

 Taking a bearing and adding on magnetic variation

 Walking on a bearing – lots of practice over short distances

 Using ‘legs’ – steps in planning a day’s walk

 Attack points

 Hand rails

 Aiming off

 Timings/distance/pacing; each person to count the number of double paces it takes him/her to cover 100m on level ground before attending Do not be concerned if you are not familiar with some of the terms used above – explanations will be provided, as the course is intended to cover the basic aspects of navigation. To Book

Please contact Laura Fawcett: [email protected] if you are interested. When the date is finalised, Laura will contact you. Web Update

The Mourne Ramblers web site has been updated with the details for 2014 - Social Events, Trips Away, Committee members etc. The Photo Archive (under Home) has a new folder - Leaders 2014 - and includes the five new leaders for 2014. Latest News currently has information on the committee meeting, the slide show and the May trip. This Month’s Walks, Latest News and Newsletters continue to be updated regularly.

Two additions have been made to Useful Links (under Walking). One is a link to Maggie Pridgen’s article in the November newsletter regarding emergency helpline number. The other is finding magnetic variations – see below.

Useful Links – Checking Magnetic Variation There has been an addition to Useful Links, under Walking (and temporarily under Latest News also) which will be useful in checking the magnetic variation. The site is www.magnetic-declination.com Once on the site there is no need to download Fast Maps and Directions. Simply use the left arrow key on the keyboard to move to the Ireland map and click on the nearest location. (e.g. Kilkeel will give a result -3 degrees 50 minutes West i.e the value by which you adjust your compass bearing)

Irene Cauley

NOTICEBOARD

 Thank you very much to Robert Roulston for the excellent job he did in producing the annual programme of walks.

 Harry’s Walk has not been included in this year’s programme of walks. In recent years the numbers participating have been getting smaller and smaller. Therefore, with regret, it was decided that Harry’s Walk will no longer be included in our programme.

 Santa’s Cottage is not available for this year’s Club Picnic on 8 June. The picnic will now take place at Leitrim Lodge on the same date.

 Weekend 2 – 5 May: Eleven Mourne Ramblers have indicated to Harry that they intend to go on this trip. As Harry will be on holiday from 28 Feb to 24 March he would need to have any further names advised to him by Wed 25 Feb. Tel:028 9260 1030 email: [email protected]

 Please take note of the article below which has been reprinted from the last Newsletter of November 2013. This matter is regarded by the committee as being highly important.

 The next issue of the club Newsletter will be in July. There has been a fair uptake by members to the request made some time ago to carry a tag with information on any medical condition and next-of- kin contact details. We wish to encourage all members to carry such information which could be invaluable in cases of emergency. If you have not already filled one in, please use the tag template attached below.

Fill in the details and have it laminated if you can. If you have no way of laminating it yourself, please deliver it to George Acheson, 26 Ballymena Road, Doagh, Ballyclare, BT39 0QR, and he will laminate and return to you. Your details will be kept confidential and will not be disclosed to anyone except the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. The tag should be carried in the outer pocket at the top of the rucksack.

Surname: ______First name: ______Date of birth: ______Address: ______Postcode: ______Next-of-Kin Surname: ______First name: ______Address: ______Postcode: ______Mobile phone no: ______Home phone no:______

Brief details of any relevant medical history, current medication and allergies: ______