Sundew

We see a lot of this amazing little carnivorous plant, sundew, in the Irish hills and bogs; however rarely see it in flower for some reason. Here it is in flower - tiny white flowers at the top of each green stalk.

The reason the flowers are held high above the sticky meat-eating leaves is to allow pollinating insects like bees do their flower pollinating without being accidentally eaten by the plant!

Mountain Skills 1 Photos From Last Weekend, In The Kerry Hills

Some photos from last weekend in the Kerry Hills, in superb weather and beautiful location, on a Mountain Skills 1.

Fixing A Reversed Compass

1. A compass can sometimes become reversed; or to be specific the moving needle within the compass can sometimes become reversed.

2. This happens if the compass has a bang, or is exposed to a magnet.

3. To fix - take a magnet, such as a fridge magnet, and stroke along the compass needle.

4. One stroke should do the job. Stroke the magnet from south to north, then lift away from the compass.

5. Storing several compasses together is not ideal, but if this is the case store them parallel to each other so all needles are aligned.

6. With this in mind it shows that it is good to carry two compasses if you are out by yourself; or have two compasses within your team if there are a few of you out.

Nathan Kingerlee - Outdoors Ireland

Kerry Mountain Skills 1 This 20th & 21st Dec

We have a Mountain Skills 1 in Killarney/Kerry this Sat 20th & Sun 21st Dec. Beginner friendly, the aim at the end of the weekend is for you to have competent and solid map reading, navigation and safety skills for mountain climbing in Ireland or further afield.

The price is €155 per person and each day runs 930am - 530pm. For more details or to book please contact us here: http://www.outdoorsireland.com/contact.php

Mountain Skills 2 Course Photos, From Kerry

Mountain Skills 2 Photos From A Couple Of Days Ago, Taken On Mangerton Mountain.

Mountain Skills 1 Syllabus

Here is a list of the course content for our Mountain Skills 1 Courses. We run our Mountain Skills Training Courses in Kerry, Galway and Wicklow. These courses are approved by Mountaineering Ireland.



Mountaineering Ireland/BOS
Mountain Skills/Mountain Leader

Scale
Symbols
Age/Reliability
Early OSI Maps – 1970 Photography
Current OSI Maps – 1995 Photography
National Grid
4 Figure Grid Reference
6 Figure Grid Reference

Set Map With Features
Thumbing
Contour Features
Distance Estimation
Time Estimation
Handrail Navigation
Contour Navigation
Cut Off Point
Tick Off Point
Distance Measurement
Pacing
GPS Intro

Mountain Equipment - Essential Gear

Access/Land Ownership
Hill Walker/Land Owner Relations
Plants/Wildlife
Leave No Trace

Mountain Hazards - Mountain/Weather/Human

Naismith’s Rule - 5KM = 60 Mins/1 Uphill Contour = 1 Min
Recap Contour Features - Flat/Steep/Spot Height/Spur/Col/Re–Entrant/Plateau/Corrie

Pacing
Timing
Back Pack Drop
Feature Recognition – Close/Distant
Set Map With Compass
Attack Point
Re–Location
4 Figure Grid Reference
6 Figure Grid Reference

Basic Compass Bearing

Route Card - Escape Route


Click Here To Book A Mountain Skills 1 Training Course

Mountain Skills 1 / Map Reading & Navigation Course In Burren/Galway

We have a couple of places left on a two-day Mountain Skills 1 Course based in Kinvara/Galway and taking place on the Burren Hills this Sat 27th & Sun 28th Oct.

For more details or to book please email nathan@outdoorsireland.com.

Here are some of the skills and techniques you will be covering

Mountain Hypothermia

Recognising & Dealing With Mountain Hypothermia

What Is It?
Gradual Body Cooling
Body Core Temperature Usually 37.4°

What Causes It?
Cold : Improper Equipment : Rain : Wind : Fatigue : Stress : Dehydration : Hunger

How Will I Recognise It?
Shivering : Switching Off : Umbles : Shivering Stops : Drowsy : Unconscious

What Can I Do?
Warm : Dry Clothes : Survival Bag : Kissu : Warm Drink & Food : Medical Attention

How Can I Prevent It?
Route Choice : Equipment : Weather : Fitness : Warm Drink & Food

Mountain Skills 1 Course In Burren

Some Photos From Last Weekend's Mountain Skills 1 Course, Which We Ran In The Burren/Galway.

Near Gleninagh Summit Looking For 'Tick Off Features'


View Across Galway Bay Towards Aran Islands


Trip Point On Gleninagh Summit


Abbey Hill, Just Outside Kinvara


Stag-Horn Moss, Common In Both Kerry & The Burren


Working On 'Cut Off Features' At Top Of Abbey Hill


Limestone Rock Split In Two


Burren Green Road