Preparing to Hike

While you can leave a lot of the planning to us, good preparation is still vital to an enjoyable day on the hills. Please take time to prepare for your hike. Included here is a checklist, please feel free to add to this to personalise your own back for the hike.

Please take time to prepare for your hike. Check the weather, double check your gear. Below is a packing list to bring with you;

  • Appropriate footwear for mountain terrain, they must have good support and good grip and preferably be waterproof
  • A Comfortable rucksack - and dry bags to put your stuff in
  • Clothing:
    - Comfortable clothes to walk in
    - A moisture wicking base layer and an insulating layer (avoid cotton, especially jeans)
    - Waterproofs - You should carry a waterproof jacket and trousers, you never know when the weather might change, especially in Ireland!
     - Spare warm layer - For when it gets wet or windy, on the summits and for standing around.
     - Hat, gloves and neck gaiter - Even in the summer months
  • Water and Food - You should plan to have at least 1.5 litres of water (more if it's hot) and you should carry food to suit the hike - high energy snacks for the day
  • Medication - ALL medication you may require for the day and please make us aware, before any hikes you participate in if you have any pre-existing injuries or medical conditions
  • Sun - Sun Cream, hat/cap & sunglasses. Even on a cloudy day the sun can be strong.
  • Personal first aid kit - Containing a few plasters, bandages, sanitiser, gauze, medical tape, compression bandage, pain relief, antihistamines, whistle and thermal blanket
  • Additional - Headlamp, poles, binoculars, power bank and lead
  • In addition for overnight
    - Food
    - You will need to carry snacks and water for the weekend.
     - 1 x Lunch (Saturday, on the hill) - 1 x Dinner (Saturday)
     - 1 x Breakfast (Sunday)
     - Snacks - Duvet jacket
     - A warm comfortable sleeping bag
     - Stove (available on request)*
     - Tent and sleeping mat (available on request)*

This list is designed for those joining one of our group hikes, if you are venturing into the hills indipendantly there are more items that will prove useful in remote areas