30 April 2008

August Bank Holiday Adventure Weekend in Kerry


Taking a breather on Lough Leane, before paddling down the Laune River.


About to descend down the Heavenly Gates into the First Level.



Having lunch at the Devil's Spyglass Lake, just below the summit of Carrauntoohil.

16 April 2008

Mountain Skills Training in Kerry


Let me introduce myself. This time last year the only trekking I did was the kind of hard slog one does when searching for the perfect shoes for that evening. Intrepid adventures among the aisles of stores and the satisfaction of the perfect fit and coordinating colours were my driving forces. Sweat would pore from my brow, adrenaline rushing as I contemplated the horrors of inadequate footwear. So you can understand that I am probably not the first one you would think of as a hiking partner. However this didn’t stop a friend from asking me to be theirs. Up Carrauntoohil, no less. With no concept of height, distance or the Devils Ladder, I was marched to the summit on a beautiful June afternoon and I was hooked.

Since then I have always been heavily reliant on aforementioned friend to lead me blindly up and down various tracks, hills and peaks. When a work colleague mentioned a Mountain Skills course I sat up and took notice. Independence! The importance of independence is not lost on me as I work at Irish Guide dogs for the Blind, where visually impaired people regain theirs. We spend a lot of time teaching guide dog clients how to work best in their partnerships with their dogs as well as dog welfare. The Mountain Skills course saw a sort of reversal in these roles. Guide dog mobility instructors, trainers and kennel staff found themselves back in the classroom not to teach but to learn.

Nathan Kingerlee was our teacher and could be compared to MacGyver. He’s the kind of person you would want around if anything got hairy (without the need to make bombs from chewing gum and duct tape). He runs an Adventure and Training company based in Kerry and specialises in hill walking, rock climbing, mountaineering, kayaking, canoeing and team building. When Nathan learned that he would be working with doggie types you wonder if he panicked that we would arrive with our own pets in tow but no dogs on the mountain is the MCI way and when you take into account that farmers are gracious enough to let us trek across their land the least we could do was leave our four legged friends at home.

Each day began with a quick presentation on the skills we would be practicing that day. Anyone who knows us understands that we can be a tricky bunch but Nathan successfully tackled our comments, queries and occasional unruly behaviour. During our mountain safety discussions we tried to imagine every possible situation that could arise on the mountain. To give you a general idea of our line of thinking: If the mountain rescue team is supposed to come get you and they are all voluntary ...what if they are all invited to a wedding? What if everyone on the mountain rescue team ate a really hot curry the night before and were indisposed? Send answers on a postcard to……

What a great way to start the day. After that we were whisked off to Glenbeigh or the Gap of Dunloe to practice our compass skills and map reading. It soon became clear that some of us can’t read maps and most of the group had little sense of direction (the group was 5:1 female) but with a little patience on Nathan’s part we soon got the hang of it. Although compass skills wont help you find your car in a busy car park, it proves immensely useful when your view is obscured by mist at the top of Seefin.

Among the group, physical fitness varied. I started as I meant to go on, at the back. As shameful as it sounded I was even out run by the vegetarians in the group. I was sure they would be hanging back, muscles weakened by the lack of protein and craving a slice of the lambs that frolicked nearby. Not at all! They found themselves buoyed by their trail mix and spurred on at the thought of their healthy fruit accompanied by wholegrain sandwiches for lunch. On that thought, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce everyone to the banana guard. A brightly coloured banana shape object, it protects the glorious banana from the hazards of the world. Two members of our group were full of the delights of the banana guard. Personally I think phallic symbols don’t come any more obvious than that! But back to the facts.

As part of the course, team safety is encouraged so nobody gets left behind (but I’m sure the veggies would have left me for dead ….one less carnivore in the world after all). Everyone is encouraged to look for the signs of hypothermia and to carry enough equipment to cope with the more common problems when mountaineering. Of course, a slip or a fall can happen anywhere but is not advisable at 700 metres. When a member of the group was queried as to what action she would advise during a fall, her answer was to curl into a ball and minimise the surface area. Nathan managed to nip this idea in the bud due to the velocity of this human cannonball but personally I see it as a massive missed opportunity for Kerry. ‘Cannonballing’ could be a huge hit with the adrenalin junkies of the world.

Nathan’s method of teaching mainly involved posing a question and then waiting for your response. He probably hoped that these would be well thought out, intelligent answers but was always left horribly disappointed. We would usually rush headlong into a response and then wait for the correct answer to be handed to us. Nathan would frustratingly dangle the answer above our heads until we could figure it out ourselves. Sometimes days later. To get revenge in the most childish manner possible I nicknamed him Mysterio. Fell free to address his post in this manner

Wandering around on the top of a mountain at night, you would think would be another ‘no no’ but part of the course is a night navigation. Take away all visible features and you discover pretty quickly how good your compass skills are. That and how useful Nathan’s helpful clues of ‘don’t head left over the cliff’ are. We all took turns guiding the group and towards the end we almost ended up in someone’s back garden. If you are reading this now I apologise for any inconvenience and no, there is no Kerry mountain cat so no need to contact the National Enquirer.

Another test of our skills took place on the Tomies. We were asked to drop other peoples bags at points on the mountain according to the map and it resulted in complete chaos with one particular bag MIA.I concluded that as a group we are far less talented than our canine trainees who can seek and retrieve with ease. Not one to be defeated, Nathan would go over everything step by step until every bag was safely planted on their owners shoulders and we would take off again.

I don’t want to give the impression that this course is all fun and games. It can be hard work and your muscles really feel it at the end of the day. You become a really cheap date and even a tea cup of wine (we were staying in a hostel so there was a shortage of Waterford crystal) could leave you slightly blurry eyed. But there is nothing like the sense of satisfaction at the end of the day when you are exhausted but thrilled at your achievements that day.

If you want to broaden your mind, stretch those muscles (or even try cannon balling) then look no further. I’m already looking at the next mountain to climb and I will be my own guide. After all there’s always the mountain rescue crew. Lets just hope no one got married or had a bad curry.

Eimear Daly


The Mountain Skills Scheme consists of three courses:
Mountain Skills 1
Mountain Skills 2
Mountain Skills Assessment

27 March 2008

Guide To Buying A Kayak, Canoe Or Sit On Top

What type of boat are you going to buy?

  • Kayak - good for regular use, surfing, white water kayaking & advancing skills.
  • Canoe - good for sheltered areas, overnight trips, carrying gear & white water canoeing
  • Sit On Top - good for families & kids, for occasional use in sheltered areas & surfing.

What are you looking for?

  • Stability
  • Comfort
  • Backrest (not for canoes)
  • Footrest (not for canoes)
  • Handles
  • Easy To Carry

What else do you need?

  • Paddle
  • Buoyancy Aid (essential at all times)
  • Helmet (essential, even for gentle beach paddling)
  • Wetsuit (shorty, long john, steamer)
  • Whistle (attached to buoyancy aid, for attracting attention)

Either before you buy your boat or once you have it, it's recommended to do some type of training course, covering strokes, skills, rescue techniques, safety & equipment. Click here to see a full list of upcoming kayak courses or contact me to organise a personally designed half-day or day's training.

Sport Corran Tuathail - Killarney's Outdoor Adventure Shop - stocks all types of kayaks, canoes and sit on tops plus all the equipment you will need.

Anyone buying a kayak from Sport Corran Tuathail can avail of a Half Price Kayak Lesson, run at Caragh Lake by myself or one of my team.

Top Eight Tips for Adventure Racing!

  • Lightweight Equipment
    Even the shortest adventure race will take several hours. Throughout this time any weight you can save yourself from carrying will reduce your energy expenditure and reduce your time. In general lightweight materials are more expensive and less durable but the payback comes on race day.

  • Pace Yourself
    Think about the length and duration of the races you intend to take part in. The longer the race the slower you go if you want to avoid burning out half way through. Running 10 miles in an hour is very different from covering 50 miles in 10 hours!

  • Nutrition
    During a race you keep energy and fluid levels in your body topped up. There are hundreds of products out there, from the humble mars bar to high tech energy gels and electrolyte drinks. Experiment with different products, vary the intervals you eat and drink at during training, ask others what they use.

  • Learn About The Course
    If you have done loads of hill running in the Wicklow mountains you might be surprised when you arrive in Kerry or Connemara at how different the terrain is. Try to do some training on terrain that is similar to race conditions just to ‘get the feel of it’.

  • Plan Your Transitions Carefully
    Time is often lost due to a lackadaisical approach to transitions. For those really competing or chasing fast times transitions can be where seconds and minutes are won and lost. A few minutes checking or preparing a boat, bike or even just a helmet in advance can save time in a race.

  • Clothing & Footwear
    During the event you want to minimise the number of changes you have to make to your clothes and footwear. The more knowledge you have of the course and terrain, the easier it will be to decide on what you need. Pay a lot of attention to your shoes and socks. One blister and your day will be hell.

  • Skills Practise
    More and more adventure races are including stages requiring technical skills such as abseiling, jumaring, technical mountain biking, navigation etc. The only way to become proficient is to practice. Tuition from a qualified professional instructor is often the best approach for learning and also for advice about equipment selection etc.

  • Look After Yourself
    As in any sport where the body is pushed to it’s limits, the importance of looking after yourself beyond training and racing cannot be stressed too highly. Properly warming up and down, stretching etc before and after training is vital. As is eating and drinking in the hour after a race or training session.

Written by John Healy

28 February 2008

June Bank Holiday Adventure Break in Killarney


Exploring the limestone caves on Lough Leane!



Relaxing on the summit of Carrauntohil; with Killorglin, Inch Beach and Dingle Bay in the background!

21 February 2008

Adventure Race Training - 29th & 30th March


Photo: Valerie O Sullivan www.valerieosullivan.com
Sat 29th & Sun 30th March
Two-day training course, covering key elements and skills for adventure racing; including equipment, mountain biking, abseiling, canoeing, hill running and trail running.
Based at Aghadoe Hostel, in Killarney, Kerry; the two days will be spent in the MacGillycuddy Reeks and the Gap of Dunloe. Qualified instructors and adventure race experts will be working closely with you throughout the weekend. Instruction, accommodation, meals and transportation will be provided.

The price is €250 per person.
Price includes:
Two Days Adventure Race Training.
Two Nights Accommodation.
Two Continental Breakfasts.
Two Packed Lunches.
One Evening Meal.
Transportation.

You will need to provide your own outdoor clothing, footwear and backpack. Also ideally your own mountain bike and helmet. Mountain bikes can be provided at an additional cost.

All abseiling and canoeing equipment will be provided.

Course Programme
FRIDAY EVENING
Arrival & Registration

SATURDAY
Introduction
Mountain Biking (bikes, equipment, riding skills, typical terrain)
Abseiling (equipment, safety, abseiling skills)
Evening Meal (three course evening meal)
Preview of 'An Turas Beag'

SUNDAY
Canoeing (canoes, equipment, safety, canoeing skills)
Hill & Trail Running (equipment, running skills)
Questions & Answers
Debrief


Contact Nathan on info@outdoorsireland.com or 086 860 45 63 for more details or to make a booking.

15 February 2008

Intro to Mountain Skills Comments

Thanks for the course two weeks ago, I found it very beneficial. For me, I was surprised that you can learn so much information about your bearings from careful map reading. I found the one day course comprehensive, the presentation was excellent and the mountains will be a safer place for me following the course.
Tim Leahy


Overall I found the course very useful. I enjoy hill walking but when heading off the beaten track to get my own personal view of the country, I lacked the confidence of relying on my map and compass. I use O.S maps and topographic surveys on a daily basis in my job but I had never been instructed on the proper use of a compass and the correct method of pacing in the field. There is a big difference between owning a map and compass and knowing how to use them! The course gave me a little more confidence in my abilities and made me wonder what more could be gained by attending the Mountain Skills 1 course.
Niall Chamberlain


Thanks again for a wonderful day up the mountains. The most important lessons I took from the day were learning how to pace out 100m and learning to see how the map represents the landscape, like when we sat in the re-entrant and found it on the map or recognising when we really reached the top of the hill by comparing the ground we stood on with the map. It was a most enjoyable day and we learned more through spending the day outside with our maps (and you and Wally of course) than we ever could by just sitting in a classroom.
Maureen Fitzgerald


The one day Intro to Mountain Skills run by Nathan Kingerlee was excellent. We covered Equipment, Safety, Spot Heights, Cols, Spurs, Pacing and Compass Bearings. Nathan was friendly and extremely professional in all aspects of Mountain Skills which made me book a place on his Mountain Skills 1 course which I have now completed and looking forward to booking my place on Mountain Skills 2 with him.
Ger Horgan



As a keen hill walker I was, up to a point, happy to join a group of walkers under an experienced leader. However, there came a time when I was asking how these leaders knew when to go up a mountain, when not to go up a mountain, how to plan the route, how long will it take, who can you safely bring along with you, etc. On hearing of Nathan’s Intro to Mountain Skills, I decided to go along and get my questions answered. On route we were shown how to observe our surroundings, taking note of landmarks, such as rivers, woods, steep inclines, declines, buildings, etc. Then it was out with the maps and compasses and just to prove that map reading was not all plain sailing, a downpour was thrown in for good measure. What followed was not a lecture but an experience in working out a route, calculating distances walked and times required to cover a distance. This was all extremely well executed with a very good warning not to take too much for granted along the way (woods that are on a map can be felled!)
Lorcan Kehoe


The intro to mountain skills day has only wet my appetite for wanting to know and do much more. The basic skills which were kindly passed on to us on the day will always be my base, that the rest of the knowledge and skills I pick up, can be built upon.
Paul Tobin

24 January 2008

Bank Holiday Adventure Breaks in Kerry

Plan a unique and exciting break in Kerry for 2009! Choose from hiking secluded trails on the Kerry Way; climbing Carrauntoohil, Ireland's highest mountain; exploring the Lakes of Killarney by kayak; or paddling down gently flowing rivers. At night relax and enjoy the gourmet food and vibrant atmosphere of Killarney.


May Bank Holiday
Hike the rolling hills of Purple & Tomies - €50 pp
Climb Carrauntoohil - €50 pp
Kayak on the Lakes of Killarney - €75 pp
Special Weekend Price, Three Days for €150 per person!

June Bank Holiday
Kayak on the Lakes of Killarney - €75 pp
Rock Climb & Abseil in the Gap of Dunloe - €75 pp
Climb Carrauntoohil - €50pp
Special Weekend Price, Three Days for €175 per person!

July Bank Holiday
Hike through the Brida Valley & Black Valley to finish in the Gap of Dunloe - €55 pp
Hike the high, glaciated Coomasaharn Horseshoe, near Glenbeigh - €50 pp
Kayak down the gently flowing Laune River - €75 pp
Special Weekend Price, Three Days for €155 per person!

Aug Bank Holiday
Kayak on the Lakes of Killarney - €75 pp
Climb Carrauntoohil - €50 pp
Rock Climb & Abseil in the Gap of Dunloe - €75 pp
Special Weekend Price, Three Days for €175 per person!


  • Book For One, Two Or All Three Days
  • All Equipment Provided
  • Qualified Instructors


Contact me for more details.

8 January 2008

Spanish Rock Climbing


Spend four days rock climbing in the sun on the Costa Blanca, in Spain. Sunshine, warm rock and average temperatures of 19 degrees!

Whether you are a complete beginner, an indoor climber looking to move outdoors or an avid climber looking for something different, you can be guaranteed an experience to remember!

Spend the days climbing in small groups, with qualified instructors and spend the evenings savouring tapas and wine in the quiet village of Finestrat or enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of Benidorm. Accommodation, Food, Transport and Equipment will be provided. No Experience Needed!


Price €495 per person.
Price Includes:
Four Days Rock Climbing.
Qualified Instructors.
All Equipment.
Transport, Including Collection & Drop Off At Alicante Airport.
Four Nights Accommodation.
Four Breakfasts.
Four Packed Lunches.

Evening Meals Not Included.
Flights Not Included.

Dates:
Thurs 3rd - Sun 6th April
Thurs 10th - Sun 13th April





  • Collection from Alicante Airport at 6pm & 930pm, to accommodate flights from Dublin & Cork.


  • Drop off at Alicante Airport at 4pm, to accommodate flights to Dublin & Cork.