Contributions to: [email protected] Deadline for May. 2016 issue: TheRambler 16th April, 2016 Cumann Siúloirí April 2016 na h-Éireann Live like its Spring. She turned to the sunlight And shook her yellow head, And whispered to her neighbour: "Winter is dead.” A.A. Milne, When We Were Very Young 1 Changes to Hike Start Times from 01 April 2016 Dear Ramblers, Just to update you on the question of hike start times. Following on further discussion and taking into account all your submissions, the Executive Committee has decided to introduce the Start Times listed below, from 01 April. These times are being introduced for a trial period until the end of June. While understanding some may be unhappy with the times, it is necessary sometimes to compromise for the greater good. Please support these timings and give them a chance. Thank You, Bob Nugent, Vice President Start Times with effect from 01 April Sundays Grades 1 & 2: 10:00 or 10:30 (depending on start point) Grade 3+: 10:30 Grades 3 & 4: 11:00 Grade 5: 11:00 Thursdays Grade 3+: 11:00 Grades 3, 4 & 5: 11:30 Saturdays Grade 3: 11:00 ( i.e. No Change) Hike Programme – April 2016 Please remember that Sunday Hikes will now commence from the Start Point given in the hike programme, as the Urban Car Pools are no longer being used. This is the same as for all other club hikes, all hikes now begin at the start point and time given. Please note the start times given above. The Club would encourage members to continue to seek to car pool to hikes if at all possible, so please use the club website to do so or make arrangements directly with your fellow hikers, as others already do, or contact those living in your area. Members availing of lifts should offer to share/contribute towards drivers’ expenses. It is advisable to try to share your car with others and not to rely totally on the beneficence of others. Car pooling arrangements should be made in advance of the hikes. If members are uncertain about how to get to the start location, they should contact the leader or another member to get directions. The hike should depart from the start point at the laid down time. Essential requirements for all Club hikes are adequate weatherproof and waterproof clothing, a map and compass, hiking boots, a rucksack, sufficient food and hot drinks, plus emergency rations for the day; a whistle, torch, double survival bag and first aid kit. For comfort after the hike a towel and change of clothing are recommended. Leaders and hikers please do not lose contact with each other. In common with all forms of mountaineering, hiking/hill walking is an adventure activity with inherent risk of personal injury or death. You are responsible for yourself on the mountains at all times. Please check your Email or the Club Website the day before a hike in case of changes In uncertain weather, contact leader before leaving home Hike Leaders please remember to complete your hike report on the Rambler Web Site 2 SATURDAY 2nd APRIL Co-ordinator Michael Cosgrave Ph. 087 9720003 Area: Glendalough Grade 3 Start: 11:00 Leader: Tricia Boyle Ph. 086 3628413 Glendalough Visitors Centre CP (T: 126 969) – Forest Tracks – Derrybawn – Mullacor – Glelnealo – Lead Mines - Cars Distance: 15km Ascent: 500m . SUNDAY 3rd APRIL Area: Blessington Pub & Food: West Wicklow Pub Blessington Security Ballydonnell CP: Tom Milligan Ballynultagh Gap CP: Jacinta Dowling & Siobhán Purcell Grade 1 Start Ballydonnell CP (O: 058 117) @ 10:00 Leader: Brian Casey Ph. 087 2870058 Grade 2 Start Ballydonnell CP (O: 058 117) @ 10:30 Leader: Dorothy Byrne Ph. 087 9698184 Ballydonnell CP– Ballydonnell Brook – Duff Hill – Stony Hill – Mullaghcleevaun – Black Hill - Ballynultagh Gap – Cars Distance: 18km Ascent: 850m Grade 3+ Start Ballydonnell CP (O: 058 117) @ 10:30 Leader: Brendan Tracey Ph. 086 2072241 Ballydonnell CP - Tracks - Boleyhemushboy Brook - Ballydonnell South - Duff Hill - Mullaghcleevaun East Top - Mullaghcleevaun - 063092 - Tracks - Cars. Distance: 14km Ascent: 690m Grade 3 Start Ballynultagh Gap (O: 043 108) @ 11:00 Leader: David O Connor Ph. Ballynultagh Gap – Details to follow Distance: km Ascent: m Grade 4 Start Ballynultagh Gap (O: 043 108) @ 11:00 Leader: Eileen O’Connor Ph. 086 8168684 Ballynultagh Gap –Sorrel Hill – Lugnagun – Forest Tracks – Car Park Distance: 11km Ascent: 390m Grade 5 Start: Meet at Avon Ri Hotel (Tennis Courts N: 981 133) near Blessington @11:00 Leader: Finola McDonald Ph. 087 2414929 (Phone leader if you require a pick-up in Blessington.) Blessington Greenway, Burgage, Pollaphuca, Russborough and back. Distance: 14 km Ascent: flat (Alternative 7km with bus from Russborough back to Blessington) 3 THURSDAY 7th APRIL Area: Wicklow Gap West Security Annalecka Bridge CP: Lynda Headon & John Burke Grade 3+ Start: 11:00 Leader: Martin Hackett Ph. 087 220 4070 Annalecka Bridge (O: 055 019) - Forest tracks - Glasnagollum Brook - Mullaghcleevaun - Fall Brook - Barnacullian - Stony Top - Tonelagee - Cars Distance: 18km Ascent: 850m Grade 3 Start: 11:30 Leader: Blaithin Bailey Ph. 086 3282799 Annalecka Bridge (O: 055 019) – Stoney Top – Tonelagee – Wicklow Gap – Tracks – Lough Nahanagan – Wicklow Gap – Tracks – Cars Distance: 14.5km Ascent: 650m Grade 4 Start: 11:30 Leader: P J McGowan Ph. 087 9373405 Annalecka Bridge (O: 056 019): Stoney Top - Tonelagee Distance: 11km Ascent: 490m [Car pooling from Glendalough VC at 11.10 - the 3+ & 3s are also starting from Annalecka Bridge] SUNDAY 10th APRIL Area: Glenmalure Pub & Food: Glenmalure Lodge Security Barravore CP: Dominic Gallagher Grade 1 Start Barravore CP (T: 066 942) @ 10:00 Leader: Brian Casey Ph. 087 2870058 Grade 2 Start Barravore CP (T: 066 942) @ 10:30 Leader: Joe Byrne Ph. 087 246 3634 Barravore CP– Arts Lough – Clohernagh- -Lugnaquilla- -Cannow – Camenabologue – Table track – Cars Distance: 19.5km Ascent: 1050m Grade 3+ Start Barravore CP (T: 066 942) @ 10:30 Leader: Milo Kane Ph. 086 8402566 Barravore - Table Track - Forest Road - Conavalla - Cook's Gap - Lugduff Ridge - Rebel's Cave - Balllinafunshogue - Road to cars Distance: 15km Ascent: 780m Grade 3 Start Barravore CP (T: 066 942) @ 11:00 Leader: Seamus Moriarty Ph. 087 2243443 Barravore CP - Table Track - Table Mountain - Conavalla - Lugduff – Cars Distance: 12km Ascent: 465m Grade 4 Start Glenmalure Lodge CP (T: 106 909) @ 11:00 Leader: Jonas Brandt Ph. 087 7801513 Glenmalure Lodge CP – Forest Tracks – Kelly’s Lough – Carraway Stick – Forest Tracks – Cars Distance: 13km Ascent: 610m Congratulations to Jonas for leading his first solo hike for the Club Grade 5 Start Barravore CP (T: 066 942) @ 11:00 Leader: Una Kinirons Ph. 086 0880376 Car Pool at Roundwood 10:30 optional, to start from Barravore @ 11:00 Barravore CP - Table Track - Lower Benleagh - Cars. Distance: 8km Ascent: 175m 4 THURSDAY 14h APRIL Area: Sally Gap/Pier Gates Security: Ballinastoe Deirdre Morris &Michael Keogh Cloon Forest: Jerry O’Dwyer Grade 3+ Start: 11:00 Leader: Terry Leonard Ph. 087 628 8055 Ballinastoe Car Park (O 194 078) - Mason's Glen – Djouce – War Hill – Maulin – Wicklow Way - White Hill – Barrack Hill - Cars Distance: 17.5km Ascent: 890m Grade 3 Start: 11:30 Leader: Eoghan Brangan Ph. 01 2956958 Ballinastoe Woods CP (O: 194 078) - Glasmullen - Paddock Pond - Wicklow Way - J. B. Malone - cars Distance: 17km Ascent: 560m Grade 4 Start: 11:30 Leader: Donie Harmon Ph. 086 8098397 Cloon C.P. (O: 174 170): Cloon - Knocknagun - Prince William’s Seat Distance: 12km Ascent: 350m Grade 5 Start: 11:15 Leader: Micheál / Mary Mullarkey Ph: 086 0735450 Meet at 11:15 at the Square, Blessington, (N: 982 144) - Blessington Reservoir Greenway – Ardree – Russborough House – Return Distance: 11km Ascent: negligible th SATURDAY 16 APRIL Co-ordinator Michael Cosgrave Ph. 087 9720003 Area: Glendalough Grade 3 Start: 11:00 Leader: Lillian Buchanan Ph.086 7373153 Glendalough Visitors Centre(T: 126 969) – WW – Tracks – Derrybawn Valley – Cullentraugh – Shay Elliot – Old Military Road – Tracks - Cars Distance: 16.5km Ascent: 450m . th SUNDAY 17 APRIL Area: Glenmacnass/Glendalough/Bray Head Pub & Food: Coach House Roundwood Security Glenmacnass CP: Mick Whelan Grade 1 Start Glenmacnass CP (O: 114 030) @ 10:00 Leader: Brian Casey Ph. 087 2870058 Grade 2 Start Glenmacnass CP (O: 114 030) @ 10:30 Leader: Mairead Edmond Ph. 087 246 0104 Glenmacnass Car Park - Brown Mountain - Scarr - Paddock Hill - Wicklow Way - Brockagh Mountain - Tonelagee - Cars Distance: 22km Ascent: 1080m Grade 3+ Start Glenmacnass CP (O: 114 030) @ 10:30 Leader: Terri Neylon Ph. 087 2322367 Glenmacnass CP- Scarr Mountain – Paddock Hill – Red Barn – Barton Woods – Boy Scouts Lough Dan – Brown Mountain – Kanturk – Cars Distance: 18km Ascent: 650m Grade 3 Start Glenmacnass CP (O: 114 030) @ 11:00 Leader: Frank D’Easaille Ph. 085 7386245 Glenmacnass - Brown Mountain - Scarr - return via Inchavarra River - Brown Mountain - Cars Distance: 15km Ascent: 500m Grade 4 Start Glendalough VC CP (T: 126 969) @ 11:00 Leader: Brendan Glynn Ph. 087 2900124 GlendaloughVC –Forest Tracks – Spinc – Lugduff – Side of Mullacor – WW - Cars Distance: 13km Ascent: 500m Grade 5 Meet outside the Wilton Hotel, Southern Cross Road opposite Kilruddery Estate @11:00 Leader: Margaret Doorly Ph. 01 2782624/086 3288968 Bus No 84 from Bray Dart Station towards Greystones (Stop No. 4168) leaving at 10:50 passes near Wilton Hotel. Return buses 84 and 184. Walk the circuit of Bray Head & its environs. Distance: 10km Ascent: 240m 5 THURSDAY 21st APRIL Area: West Cork, Lacken & Blessington Grade Open to All Environment Walk Start: 11:30 Leader: Liam O Brien Ph. 086 2658292 Start Avon Ri Blessington (N: 982 134) to environs of Russborough House and back to Blessington. Place will be limited and allocated on a first come first served basis.