The beginnings of a Bobblehatter?

[JohnGalway 1,043]

I never thought it would come to this...

 

Today was the first day of my course, which will hopefully see me coming out the other end as a professional guide. The course has a hill walking speciality but also features flora & fauna, geology, history & heritage, languages, mountain skills and a hell of a lot more. I managed to miss the information day so didn't exactly know what I'd be facing today.

 

Thankfully I'd most of the proper gear bought so I wouldn't freeze my arse off out on the hill. I was interested especially in how my new clothes would perform as I was concerned about sweating and getting cold. I have to say I was real impressed. Mostly man made materials with some wool layers, no cotton, all breathable so even though I was huffing and puffing my way up the hill in the beginning (I never claimed to be fit!), by the time we headed down again I was bone dry!

 

We started off the day indoors in the centre learning about maps, a few walking terms and how to identify some hill features and having a talk about the equipment needed. There was a fair bit to cover so that brought us up to almost 2pm, time to build a quick sarnie, down the 15th cup of tea of the day, jump on the bus and head for the hill to put our new learned skills into practice.

 

We split up into four groups, with one instructor each. We learned how to "set" our map, basically find where we are by looking around us and checking back to the map locating features like lakes, roads, post offices and such. Then we set off up the hill gauging distances, times, contours and so forth. It's not as easy as it looks! When we reached the highest point of our short climb we were asked to identify features such as spurs, cols, tops and re entrants in our view, then go find them on the map, great fun lol.

 

Afterwards it was time for tea and a chat in the storm shelter, down the hill, back to the centre, clear up a few things and away home!

 

I had a bloody fantastic day. Still buzzing from it to be honest. Plenty of great lads and ladies on the course with me, no one afraid to have a laugh or rip the piss out of one another (some of the things I got away with saying...). I'm sure we did a lot more I didn't include, anyway, here are a few photos from the day.

 

The view across Upper Lough Mask.

 

 

Our practical work, identifying features then locating them on the map, nice work if ya can get it!

 

 

Moody changeable weather, there were showers all sides of us, thankfully we only got a very small one, kinda cold though on exposed areas.

 

 

I think that's Adams group way up there. We never reached the top, busy doing other way more important stuff

 

 

Time to head. Morris, James, Donal, Regina and David (gas craic).

 

 

Donal and James deep in hill walking conversation well on the way down.

 

 

And the bad news is, we get to do it all again next weekend

Edited February 27, 2010 by JohnGalway

[RicW 67]

Got yersen one of those hooded anorakkie things yet? And a telescopic walking stick? Loadsa Gortex!

 

Ric

[JohnGalway 1,043]

Got yersen one of those hooded anorakkie things yet? And a telescopic walking stick? Loadsa Gortex!

 

Ric

 

I have you know, it's even "breathable". Though, to herselfs disgust, and my delight it's green (and black) Might bring the shottie next weekend, looked like good ground for rising a fox *BANG* whatdafcukwasthatanyoneknowlike?

 

No extendable walking stick thank God, I don't see the point of them at the minute, never know I may get further brainwashed into getting one yet. You're supposed to use two or none ya know

[RicW 67]

Y'know John, you're on dodgy (boggy?) ground here. The sort of folk who want to go walking in "Da hills of Ould Oireland" are likely to turn out to be bunny huggers. Lest I be accused of "Irishism" let me say that the same is true of Scots, Welsh, and English walkers.

 

As for the walking sticks, you cross them about 5 ft from the ground, lay your rifle in the "V-shape" and use it as a rest. Bye Charlie.

 

Ric

[Tallyho 181]

Sounds like you had a brilliant day , and what an area !!! ide kill to live somewhere like that, it looks stunning you lucky bugger .

[FightTheBan 1,147]

What course is it you are doing John?

 

p.s i can imagine the hounds crossing that hill in full cry

FTB

[JohnGalway 1,043]

Bunny hugger

 

Farming is getting a bit of a kicking in this area with the withdrawl of the REPS scheme. Since I don't ever want to leave this area I had to think about something else to be doing. Tourism is pretty big here so why not cash in on that as well

 

I'll stick up more photos Tally, hopefully next weekend will bless us with the same kind weather, off on a walking festival! Which reminds me I've to email and book a place, going to try and find a decent walk over a proper mountain this time.

 

Hope they have an ambulance ready for me at the end

[Tallyho 181]

Would love to see some more pictures.

[JohnGalway 1,043]

What course is it you are doing John?

 

p.s i can imagine the hounds crossing that hill in full cry

FTB

 

I never get the name right, but, it's a professional guide course (countryside & marine) with a hill walking specialisation. Basically, whne we're finished we'll have the skills not only to guide a group on a hill or other walk, but also to give a decent spiel on the history of the area, plants & animals, geology and a few other things. It's properly accredited too, so it's not a passing the time type course. Should be done and dusted some time in October!