Outdoors Ireland: October 2012

30 October 2012

Galway City Sea Kayaking

We were lucky enough to get to paddle into the inner part of Galway Docks recently. These dock gates only open for about two hours at high tide each day...

24 October 2012

Rock Climbing In Kerry & Burren Photos

Rock Climbing In Kerry & Burren Photos On Our Learn To Lead Climb Courses

21 October 2012

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

19 October 2012

Lead Climbing Participant Learning Points

Lead Climbing Participant Learning Points From Our Part 1 Of Our Lead Climbing Course In Kerry

Clove Hitch
Figure Of 8 & Stopper Knot
Rope Coiling
Where To & How To Place Slings
Crabs Closed & Facing Up
Setting Up A Lead Climb
Crab Clove, Crab Clove, Crab Clove
Clipping Into Figure Of 8 Loop
Balancing Rope From Lead Climb Set Up
Climbing Terminology
Communication

Climbing Techniques:
1. Lay Back
2. Crimp
3. Smear
4. Jug
5. Placing & Removing Gear

Hex
Friend
Nut
How To Tie Prussic Knot
Abseiling & Prussic
Using Prussic As Gear Placement

Helmet On: Tight So Won’t Move
Harness On: Check Buckles, Fitting OK, Can Just About Fit Fist Between Harness & Stomach, Must Be Over Hips
Gear Check With Partner
Figure Of 8 Between Loops On Harness, Loop To Be Quite Small
Anchors:
Test Anchor Point By Look, Touch, Kick, Push. Listen For Vibrations, Place Anchor With Crab Facing Out & Up
Place At 45 Degrees From Belay Point
Clip & Clove Each Individual Anchor Point
Adjust Clove Hitches To Allow You To Reach Belay Point
Inform Climber You Are Safe When Anchor In Position Correctly
Take Slack
When Climber Tied In - Climb When Ready
When Climber Tops Out - Direct Him Which Way To Go & How Far Back - Keep On Belay
When Safe - Inform & Take Off Belay
Undo System Starting With Last Clove Hitch
Don’t Untie Until All Anchors Are Removed & You Are Safe

Places Left For This Weekend's Rock Climbing Course In Burren

We have two places left for this weekend's rock climbing course in the Burren. This is a two-day Learn To Rock Climb Course, suitable for beginners and upwards. The cost is €150 per person, with all gear provided, being run by Nathan and Jason. The days will run 10am - 5pm.

If you are interested in more details please ring 086 860 45 63 or email nathan@outdoorsireland.com.

Glassy Sunset Kayak Tour In Kinvara Bay

Learning The Basics, Such As Sweep Stroke, Forward Technique & Balance

Our Guide - Jason - Looking Thoughtful!

Sunset Over The Burren & Abbey Hill

Incredibly Glassy Waters

18 October 2012

Choosing & Testing Climbing/Mountain Anchors

Sling Anchor Types

There are two types of sling anchor you can use while rock climbing, scrambling or mountaineering.

1. Thread Anchor

2. Spike Anchor

Testing Your Anchor (4 Steps)

1. Look
Approaching your anchor look at how visually secure it seems.
Does it look big enough to trust your weight and your partner's weight to?
Does it look well bedded into the ground or is it sitting on loose scree or grass?
Is it the right shape for a sling or rope to sit securely around and not be pulled up and off the back of the rock?
Look for a positive back to the anchor, not a negative back.

Good Spike Anchor - With Positive Back

Positive Back Will Hold Sling In Place

Bad Spike Anchor - With Negative Back

Negative Back Will Allow Sling To Slip Upwards And Off

2. Tap
Use the heel of your hand to lightly tap or hit the anchor, feeling for wobbles or vibrations.
Start at the front, tapping it away from you, then move onto each side, followed by a couple of gentle taps from behind.
When testing an anchor from behind be extremely careful, as if it dislodges it will likely fall onto your climbing partner.

3. Kick
Start at the front, kicking the anchor away from you gently.
Keep a hand on the anchor while you are kicking it, so you should feel any vibrations coming up through your hand.
If you feel vibrations or wobbles then move onto another anchor.
Gently kick the anchor from each side and finally from behind.
When kicking, start near the base and move each kick slightly higher, until you are kicking near the top of the anchor.

4. Push
Finally put some effort into pushing the anchor away from you; firstly at the front, then each side and finally from behind.

If the anchor is still secure then you can use it.

Generally Always Use Three Anchors
Each Anchor Should Always Be 100%

Kayaking In Galway Recently

Photos From A Recent Sea Kayak Tour In Galway City & Galway Docks

Kayaking In Galway Recently

Sunrise Over Burren & Galway Bay

Our Launch Point For Kayaking Into Galway City

Looking Across The Corrib At Galway City

Heading Up The Corrib River

The 'Long Walk' In The Background

Floating Construction Work!

Fighting The Flow Into Lough Atalia & The Old Railway Bridge In Background

Galway Docks Beach, With One Brave Swimmer!

16 October 2012

Simple Rock Climbing Tips

1. Always Use 3 Anchors For Your Set-Up
2. Each Anchor Should Be Very Tight & Equally Tensioned

3. Before Beginning To Belay Keep Your Dead Rope Well Back Out Of Your Way & Out Of The Way Of The Climber Once They Arrive On Top

4. When At Home Store Your Slings, Prussics & Rope Loose Like Above, To Avoid Eventual Warping/Damage. Also Keep Stored Away From Heat, Sunlight & Bright Light

5. When In Use Carry Your Slings Like Above. They Are Kept Neat & Ready To Open Up Quickly

6. Always Use Rope Protectors, Not Just From Sharp Edges; But Dirt, Mud & General Rock Rubbing. Plastic Fertilizer Sacks Work Great

7. Avoid Using Bolts/Chains. This Bolt Is Obviously Damaged, But They Can Look Shiny Outside & Be Damaged Inside. You Know The Full History Of Your Own Gear & Will Tend To Place It With More Thought Than A Quick Clip Into A Bolt