Laune Mountaineering
Club

Member Guidelines
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Hikes are for Laune MC members but over 18s are welcome to try out 2 hikes before joining. Contact the club secretary at launemc@gmail.com if you wish to attend an outing with us. If a club member wishes to bring a friend on a hike they must contact the leader in advance. Members from other Mountaineering Ireland clubs are welcome to join us (conditions allowing).
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The leader decides the route and has the authority to decide if a hike should be cancelled, postponed, moved to another area or cut short. The leader can also refuse to permit a person on a hike who is not properly equipped or whom they consider not fit enough. Please inform the leader if you have any health conditions and bring along details of your condition and next of kin contacts.
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A minimum requirement for hiking with the club is proper boots and waterproofs!
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Dogs are not allowed on club hikes.
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Ensure any medical conditions and your emergency contacts are in the top/front pocket of your rucksack.
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Car pooling is encouraged.
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Weather conditions can change and what was meant to be an easy or moderate walk can become a harder one.
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If you feel unwell, inform the leader, who will make suitable arrangements.
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The hike leader's decision is final in all cases.
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Leave No Trace principles are followed. Check their website.
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Cherish the environment - click here.
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Be aware that all land is owned by somebody and you use that land with the goodwill of the owner, not as a legal right. Goodwill and access can be withdrawn, particularly if there is inappropriate behaviour. Be friendly and courteous when you meet landowners and local residents.
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Park safely, with particular regard to allowing for entry to property.
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If a member wishes to bring along a non-member, they must ask the leader's permission beforehand and get the new hiker to read the guidelines.
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Members who do not wish to have their photo taken are obliged to inform the leader of each hike on the day.
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Hill walking, scrambling and climbing can be dangerous and may result in injury or death. Participants should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions. Please understand that members of the Laune Mountaineering Club committee or designated walk leaders shall not be responsible for any loss or injury to any person and/or their property when involved in club activities.
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Click here to check Facebook for recent outings
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INFORMATION & GUIDELINES
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Click above to see upcoming weather
What to Bring
Rucksack/Backpack Those with adjustable hip/waist and shoulder straps are more comfortable.
A packed lunch Bring more than you think you need; and some handy snacks.
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Plenty of fluids Lots of water and maybe a hot drink in cold weather.
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First-Aid kit Personal first aid kit. Be prepared to also assist by carrying the larger club first-aid kit.
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Torch In case of darkness falling before you are off the mountain. To attract attention in an emergency.
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Boots
For Moderate, Moderate/Hard, Hard and Very Hard walks you will need full mountain boots with Vibram soles (as in the photo, the yellow Vibram mark). It is OK to do some Easy and Easy/ Moderate walks with trekking boots or hill walking runners. Check with the leader beforehand. If you’re breaking in new boots it is advisable to bring Compeed or other blister prevention tape. For a fail-safe method of tying your boots see 'Tying Your Boot Laces' at the end of this page.
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Clothes
Dress in layers - quick-drying layers of different weights allow you to adapt to our constantly changing '4 seasons in one day' weather.
All clothes should be wicking, breathable & quick drying.
Running clothes etc will work fairly well to start you off on easier walks but are not made for a whole day of varied weather.
If you are buying a something new buy a good quality mountaineering item such as North Face, Colombia, Berghaus, Sprayway etc. Trespass are one of the cheapest of the good brands. O'Sullivan's Outdoors in Killarney and Landers in Tralee stock quality items (TK Maxx have some items but they can't give advice). You only need one set of mountaineering clothes, buy the best you can afford. It is advisable to always have extra layers and a hat and gloves as it may be cold at the top, even on the finest summer day. Avoid cotton, which is both slow-drying and gets heavy when wet. NO DENIM (see 'Be Prepared and Don't Wear Denim' item below).
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List of Basics
Wicking Base-layer Merino wool or lightweight fleecy top.
Mid layer Lightweight fleece or merino wool works well.
Extra Top Layers e.g. fleeces (you may wear several in winter). Mid and top layers can be put on or put in your bag as you cool down and warm up during a hike.
Trousers or Leggings (Avoid cotton and NO DENIM! Choose lightweight, quick-drying trousers. For very cold weather wear base layer leggings under your trousers. Some hikers wear base layer leggings/tights instead of trousers.
Waterproof Jacket Essential for keeping you dry and minimising the chilling effect of the wind.
Waterproof Leggings Fully waterproof, breathable jacket and over-trousers are a must. if your waterproofs are not breathable, you’ll get wet from the inside out instead of vice versa. Over-trousers with side zips all the way up to the hips will allow you to get
them on and off over your boots. Goretex recommended.
Socks Buy the best hiking socks you can afford, a heavy pair for cold weather and lighter ones for warmer days. Carry a spare pair in your bag.
Hat/sunhat Carry a spare wool/fleece hat to maintain heat in windy conditions (even in summer).
Gloves Carry a spare pair in your bag for wet days; your will appreciate the comfort.
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Recommended Extras
Spare fleece, hat, socks and gloves
Sun protection and midge cream
Survival Bag (group shelter, bivvy bag or space-blanket type survival bag)
Large plastic bag to line your backpack and stop your stuff getting wet
Dry-bags (see photo above). Pack items separately: first aid kit; spare clothing; phone; keys; snacks; etc.)
Folding sit mat (see photo)
Gaiters for swampy ground (they come in knee-high or calf length)
Change of clothes for when you get back to your car
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Ticks & Lyme Disease
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It is very important to remove ticks as soon as possible after a hike, within 12 hours if possible, to prevent Lyme disease. Areas of long grass and ferns are especially prone to them. Ideally wear long trousers tucked into socks/gaiters and long sleeved tops to prevent them getting onto your skin. Check for ticks afterwards, especially in folds of skin, neck, underarms, groin area and the back of knees. There are insect repellents that claim to prevent them. It is important to remove ticks properly. Click the buttons below for more information.
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Be Prepared and Don't wear Denim

It is important to have respect for wild spaces, even if they seem picturesque and non-threatening. The low altitude and gentle shape of Irish mountains may fool people into taking them lightly, but their wetness and windiness can make them just as dangerous as more imposing mountains elsewhere.​
While the majority of injuries are caused by accidents or existing health conditions, exhaustion and exposure can also cause or worsen incidents. One key way to prevent injury or death from exposure is to wear the right clothing.​ In 1964 the surprising, and apparently inexplicable, death of three fit young men on a walk in the Peak district in the UK led to an important semi-forensic investigation into weather, clothes and risk. The three men were each wearing a hooded anorak, a wool jersey, a cotton/wool blend shirt, string vest, cotton underwear, jeans, socks, sturdy walking shoes and gloves. A test was conducted mimicking the conditions in which the young men walked. The big finding was that a combination of wet and windy conditions could reduce the thermal properties of clothing to nearly nothing (it fell by an astonishing 85%). Jeans in particular proved to be a very poor choice. To make things worse the body responds to cold by shivering, which uses up energy, making you more tired, leading to a deadly circle of fatigue and hypothermia (it is often better to seek shelter and wait for help than to attempt to walk out of a difficult situation).
This is why special clothes are needed for mountains, no jeans and no cotton as they can cause hypothermia. Mountaineering clothes today are fantastic, wicking, quick-drying, breathable, waterproof and life-saving.
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Protecting our Environment
Laune MC supports Leave No Trace principles
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TAKE LITTER HOME, this means EVERYTHING, orange peels and banana skins take 2 years to biodegrade, plastic bags 10 to 20 years, plastic bottle 450 years (plastic will live on even after this in the form of micro plastics).
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Concentrate use on existing trails.
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Respect Wildlife: observe from a distance. never feed, avoid during mating, nesting etc.
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Control pets at all times, or leave them at home. Dogs are not allowed on club hikes and are not allowed on the Reeks at any time.
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Be courteous and yield to other users on the trail.
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Mountaineering Clothes Are Damaging Our Water Supply
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Synthetic clothes, fleeces in particular, are some of the worst offenders at putting micro-plastics into our water supply and food chain (in spite of diligent research by Patagonia who are trying to correct this). Hopefully governments will soon make washing machine manufacturers put filters in machines but, in the meantime, it is recommended to
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Wash synthetic clothes as little as possible, hang them to air outside instead.
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Buy a guppy friend bag in which to wash your synthetic clothes.
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Wash synthetic clothes in cold/cool water (30 degrees at most) as this releases less micro-plastics.
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Use liquid detergent as opposed to powder. For non-mountaineering/sport clothes try to buy clothes made of natural fibres.
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Other Environmental Tips
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Buy as few synthetic clothes as possible, you usually only need one set of mountaineering clothes.
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Use stainless steel containers for water (tastes better too).
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Use biodegradable paper or reusable waxed cotton lunch bags.

​​ The Guppy Friend
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Tying Your Boot Laces
Boot laces coming undone is always a problem. Try the Surgeons Knot and they will never untie by themselves. A quick, firm pull on the two loose ends and they will untie easily.
