2009-2010 Walking Season

Club AGM

The club AGM was held on Thursday, October 8th, in Maudie Kennedy`s. Fourteen members attended. Nothing startling to report, I think! After the chairperson`s address and the secretary`s and treasurer`s reports a number of issues were discussed:

It was decided to leave the subscription at 40 euro, and members were requested to pay it in November if possible.

It was decided to hold a social night on Friday, November 27th in Maudie Kennedy`s. The draw for the club fund raising Christmas hamper will take place on the night. Members are asked to come along and support.

An extra walk will be held on the Sunday after Christmas (27th) to the Nire Lakes. Members please note the later gathering time in Rathgormack of 10.45. Back to Maudie`s for a few sambos and mince pies aterwards!

The old committee was reelected with a couple of new faces added. A sub committee of Kevin, Alan, Emily and Mick was appointed to look into our weekend away.

Grading of Walks

Grading walks can be very subjective. For our club purposes they are:

Grade A: 5-6 hours – to the plateaux and ridges. Strenuous. May be some scrambling.

Grade B: 3-4 hours – to the coums and lower hills. Rarely above 600 metres.

Grade C: 1-3 hours – on forest paths and back roads. Rarely over 10 km long.

Meeting Points and Times

All walks will start at 10.30. Car pooling is encouraged for environmental reasons.If we meet for car pooling we will allow for travelling time.Most walks will be looped/horseshoe walks.DateAreaMeeting Point/TimeLengthGrade

Rathgormack Ramblers` Walks` Schedule

Oct. 4th

GalteesCahir car park at 10.00

to be decided

A/B

Oct 11th

Tower Hill

Wall`s pub Carrickbeg

9 km - 2.5 hrs

C

Oct 18th

Comeragh Plateau

Mahon Falls at 10.30

13 km - 6 hrs

A

Nov. 1st

Coum Knockaun

Hiking Centre at 10.00

11 km - 4 hrs

B

Nov. 8th

Suir Towpath

Davin Park at 10.00

12 km - 3 hrs

C

Nov. 15th

Boolabrien

Ballymacarbry at 10.30

16 km - 5 hrs

A

Nov. 29th

Seefin

Hiking Centre at 10.00

9 km - 3.5hrs

B

Dec. 6th

Milk Hill

Hiking Centre at 10.00

11 km - 4 hrs

B

Dec 13th

Glenary/Russellstown Wood

Hiking Centre at 10.00

10 km - 2.5 hrs

C

Dec 20th

Crotty`s

Hiking Centre at 10.00

9.5 km - 4hrs

B+

Dec 27th

Coumalocha and Coumfea

Hiking Centre at 10.45

10 km - 4 hrs

B

Crotty`s Lake

New Members

New members are welcome. Please contact Mick (club secretary) at 087-2927077.
Club rules allow 2 walks with the club before making a commitment to joining.
Suggest intending members start with a couple of C walks to acclimatize.
Club rules and guidelines are posted on the site.

Rathgormack Ramblers

Rathgormack is a small village situated in County Waterford in the foothills of the Comeraghs about 10 kilometres south-west of Carrick-on-Suir on the R678. Rathgormack Ramblers Hill Walking Club was founded in 2008. The club provides it`s members with an opportunity to partake in rambling and hill walking, mainly in the Comeraghs and Knockmealdowns. The club particularly urges it`s members to be aware of the need for safety on the hills and of the need to respect the communities and environments of the mountains.
We are a small club with a membership of about 40. We are affiliated to the Mountaineering Council of Ireland. All our members are insured both for personal accident and personal liability insurance.

Rules/Guidelines for club members of
Rathgormack Ramblers


1 Introduction

Rathgormack Ramblers Hill Walking Club is totally committed to the safety of its members and
considers it good practice to operate in accordance with the following guidelines.


2 Club Activities

(A) Club activities are recognised as being those which:
Are published at a club meeting.
Are published on club notice boards.
Are funded by the club.
Require group transport through the club.

(B) Organisers of Club Activities are bound by the conditions of the Club`s Constitution and Rules.


3 MCI Warning

(A) The Mountaineering Council of Ireland recognises that mountaineering and climbing are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants should be aware of and accept this and be responsible for their own actions.
(B) Each club member is insured under the same insurance as all MCI affiliated clubs. If you require further information please contact the MCI.


4 Grades of Walks

Grading walks can be very subjective. For the purpose of our club walks:

Grade A Walks: 5-6 hours duration and over 12 km in length. Will reach 700 metres in elevation and traverse ridges and mountain tops and may involve some scrambling. A good level of fitness required.

Grade B Walks: 3-4 hours duration and 8-12 km long. Usually on lower hills or to the mountain lakes, rarely reaching over 500 metres. A reasonable level of fitness needed.

Grade C Walks: 1-3 hours duration and less than 10 km long. Usually on forest tracks,minor roads or along river banks with the odd moderate climb.


5 Club Rules/Guidelines

Car pooling is advised.
Respect private property and observe the Country Code.
Park carefully and don`t obstruct laneways, gates, traffic etc.
Members are responsible for their own actions.
Members are advised to select a walk that matches their fitness level.
If you are on medication or suffering from any condition that might affect you on the walk, you must inform the walk leader before the walk starts.
Walkers should bring with them the following essential items:
strong walking boots with good ankle support; gaiters; a hooded waterproof coat with waterproof trousers; plenty warm clothing including gloves and a hat (don`t wear jeans); sufficient liquids and food.
Walkers should consider the following recommended items:
relevant map; compass; whistle; watch; torch; first aid kit; some form of personal I.D. and the name of someone who can be contacted in the event of an accident.
All members must comply with club rules.
All members must sign walk registration form prior to each walk.
All members must follow instructions of leader at all times.
For everyone`s safety the group should stay together for the duration of the walk. A group should travel no faster than the speed of its slowest member.
Accidents should be reported to the leader immediately.
The leader has the right to refuse anyone not adequately equipped.
The leader may extend, curtail or alter the route. He/she sets the pace and walkers are expected to follow at this pace.
If you go ahead of the leader you are no longer considered to be part of the group and you are responsible for your actions and for those who follow you.
Inform the leader if you are feeling tired or if the pace is too fast for you.
Inform the leader if you wish to stop for whatever reason.
Prospective members may participate as guests on two walks.
By signing the Walk Registration Sheet at the beginning of each walk, participants-both members and visitors-agree to abide by these rules.
The Committee of Rathgormack Hill Walking Club asserts that no walk leader can be held responsible for the welfare of individuals who ignore these rules.